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May Exclusive: The Reanimator (Patreon)

Published:
2020-05-05 16:56:08
Edited:
2023-01-22 21:07:23
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:

Content

Hi everyone!

This month the artificer got some super duper creepy love with the Reanimator archetype! I haven't written an artificer archetype since the official release and, let me tell you, it is very hard to extrapolate a consistent design pattern from the currently released options! That said, I'm really pleased with the fictional and mechanical identity I landed on. The reanimator occupies an interesting position in the artificer class and D&D generally where it is primarily a damage dealer but also a support...but ONLY a support when someone's actually down or dead, not the traditional restoration-of-hit-points style.

Thanks as always for the support!

Benjamin

Files

Reanimator-Artificer-UA.pdf

Comments

sterlingvermin

I will update this pdf with information on embalmer's tools shortly. In the meantime, here are the rules for them. Embalmer’s Tools Embalmer’s tools include all the instruments, chemicals, and perfumes necessary to embalm the dead. Proficiency with this kit lets you add your proficiency bonus to any ability checks you make to embalm or preserve a body. Embalmer’s tools cost 10 gold pieces and weigh 4 lb.

Atlas Rune

I love this archetype so much. The change to animate dead could be interesting, though. You now can make permanent speaking zombies, so that even when their 24 hours pass and they stop being loyal to you, you can still talk to them normally. I'd almost say that part needs to end when control over the zombie ends.

Zhaharek

Some issues. For one thing, the Tincture's damage is far, far too low. Remember, this is competing with The Artillerist's turrets, and the Battlesmith's pet, and the base classes spells. It needs to be a higher damage dice. d8s or d10s, especially considering how incredibly SMALL the radius is (unlikely to hit more than one creature), and the fact that it's based on Constitution, and offers no damage on successful save! This is a feature that will, the majority of the time, do absolutely nothing. It's woefully underpowered. The 5th level feature also needs work, as it stands, the class (even with the tinctures) has too few ways to access necrotic damage. Plus, it doesn't even come close to competing with Battlesmith's extra attack. Finally, the class doesn't really get much re-animating till level 9, which seems anti-flavour.

Zhaharek

Also, the Crawling Claw has an exceptionally weak statline, and no flight. It's an almost express downgrade from a traditional familiar.

Zhaharek

This subclass really needs a second look

sterlingvermin

You may have missed it but the Potent Necrotics is an AoE. I could raise the damage to make it single target but then it's basically just the Artillerist. I considered trying to force into re-animating dead sooner into the class, by way of a 3rd level feature maybe, but then it's basically just the Battlesmith. Actually, now that I'm thinking about it again, the 5th level feature could offer necrotic resistance as well which would add a bit of utility and let you drop Potent Necrotics on yourself with lesser rammifications.

Zhaharek

I saw the AoE, but at 5ft, you're lucky to ever hit more than one creature. And it's a Con save, with no damage on a successful save. And necrotic is one of the most resisted damage types in the game, with lots of creatures being immune to it. You're the expert, but I think you should increase the radius (15ft or similar), and either change the save to Dex, or offer half damage on a successful save. Your change ideas to the 5th level feature are good though. It's an awesome concept.

Zhaharek

Even then, I'd still consider upping the damage die to a d8.. It's distinct from the Artillerist thematically enough to compete in damage without stepping on the other subclasses toes. Also, it's a direct AoE rather than the placed turret, so that's enough of a difference there. A d8 AoE is strong, but far from gamebreaking. (Most thunder damage spells, particularly Thunderwave and Shatter, and the Artillerist's own Flame Cannon)

Zhaharek

The Artillerist's design identity is having an extremely versatile bonus action, centring on damage and healing. If anything, your Reanimator has the oppurtunity to have the design identity of an effecient and reliable AoE damage dealer, an as yet unseen identity in the Artificer.