D&D 5e: Alchemical Artificer Build Guide (2024)

The artificer is ' first and only new class outside Player's Handbook's 12. The Alchemist Artificer Specialist in D&D 5e is its most straightforward subclass with the fewest new mechanics. Nonetheless, it's still in the upper bounds of complexity, not least due to the D&D 5e artificer's unusual magical focus for a half-caster.

A well-built Alchemist artificer in D&D 5e can be a premiere support character who packs a combat punch. However, it's easy to make one that falls short of the target. A few optimal build choices go a long way to giving an Alchemist artificer build some teeth.

Alchemist Artificer Specialist Build Summary

Perks Of An Alchemist Artificer Build

The Alchemist leans into the D&D 5e artificer's natural support abilities and spellcasting more than any other subclass. It doesn't reinvent the class to do something different. Its abilities focus on buffing allies and casting spells well ahead of an artificer's natural progression. The Alchemist is the best artificer subclass in D&D 5e for players who want to split the difference between half-caster and full spellcaster.

Experimental Elixir is an Alchemist artificer's signature ability in D&D 5e. Every long rest, they create flasks of Elixir that impart abilities when drunk. These are randomly generated, with effects ranging from simple healing to improved Armor Class to temporary flight. An Alchemist artificer can also create specific Experimental Elixirs with their spell slots. These require an action to drink, which can conflict with some combat tactics. Nonetheless, their effects reward players who like to buff before combat.

Tool Proficiency is more of a flavorful feature that gives automatic proficiency with Alchemist's Supplies. A D&D 5e Alchemist artificer needs these to create its Experimental Elixirs, use other subclass features, and empower spells. This proficiency also becomes Expertise at higher levels due to the artificer's natural progression.

Alchemical Savant cements the Alchemist artificer as a magical combatant and healer. It adds their Intelligence bonus to spells that deal fire, acid, necrotic, or poison damage. This keeps their damage competitive with more martial subclasses. It also adds their Intelligence bonus to healing spells, even those that already add it. This alone makes the Alchemist artificer one of the most effective healing builds in D&D 5e.

Restorative Reagents empower Experimental Elixirs by having them each give a large amount of temporary hit points on top of their other effects. This makes the healing ones particularly potent at keeping allies alive while keeping the others competitive. It also lets the Alchemist artificer cast Lesser Restoration for free several times per short rest, enhancing their support capabilities further.

Chemical Mastery gives resistance to acid and poison damage and immunity to the Poisoned condition. These are relatively fringe benefits but invaluable when they come up. More pressingly, it lets a for free once per day each. These spells typically require expensive components or higher-level spell slots than the artificer can access while being valuable support magic in their own right.

Best Stats For An Alchemist Artificer Build

Artificers are one of the most single-stat-dependent classes in D&D 5e. Almost everything they do revolves around Intelligence. This is especially true for the Alchemist, which adds its Intelligence modifier to many different abilities. Intelligence is the top priority of any D&D 5e Alchemist artificer build, regardless of what they want to do.

Constitution is a second priority for Alchemists in D&D 5e. They only have a d8 hit die despite their impressive defensive capabilities. Extra hit points help make them even more durable. Furthermore, their relatively few spell slots mean they must make each one count. High Constitution, coupled with their innate saving throw proficiency, helps them maintain their powerful Concentration spells against all dangers.

Dexterity is less vital but still valuable for Alchemist artificer builds in D&D 5e. With access to medium armor and shields, they only need 14 Dexterity to reach a reasonable Armor Class. Nonetheless, Dexterity is helpful for going early in combat, particularly vital for Alchemists who want to drink their Experimental Elixirs or buff their allies.

The Best Race & Background For Artificer Alchemists

Artificer alchemists benefit from variant human and custom lineage as much as any other D&D 5e build. A free feat is ideal for any build, particularly with how limited ability score improvements are. The free skill also suits the D&D artificer's versatile and utility-based nature, giving them even more ways to contribute outside combat.

Autognome from Spelljammer: Adventures in Space is almost perfectly synergized with the artificer class. It offers few combat benefits, with most D&D 5e Alchemist builds not having the Dexterity to use Armored Casing. However, its Built for Success feature stacks with the artificer's Flash of Genius. An Autognome Alchemist artificer will fail very few ability checks or saving throws and enjoys a potential accuracy boost on top.

lean into their magical abilities. Its spellcasting is primarily utility-based, although Poison Spray does benefit from Alchemical Savant. More pressing is its Magic Resistance. A top-level Alchemist artificer with Soul of Artifice and Magic Resistance is almost impossible to affect with most spells.

Alchemists should emphasize Intelligence skills with their backgrounds, as well as tool usage to benefit from more Expertise. A Clan Crafter has History of Intelligence, Insight to aid in conversation, and an open-ended tool proficiency. Investigator comes with Investigation, invaluable Perception skill proficiency, and two of the most useful tool proficiencies.

Best 5e Feats For Alchemist Artificers

Fey Touched isn't essential for any Alchemist artificer build in D&D 5e, but it's always beneficial. Artificers don't get Misty Step, and it's one of the game's best spells. Their spell list also lacks many Divination spells, making Fey Touched's free first-level choice an invaluable gap-filler.

Elemental Adept is one of the few D&D 5e feats that can boost an artificer's damage by any significant amount. Alchemists are largely pigeonholed into using fire and acid damage for most of the game. Ignoring resistance to one of these helps avoid being useless in certain combats. Its minor damage buff is always welcome.

Metamagic Adept is one of D&D 5e's best feats for any spellcaster. Even with limited Metamagic options and Sorcery Points, Metamagic's added flexibility can be a game-changer. Using Twinned Spell on a low-level buff or Quickened Spell on a damage option makes an artificer's turn much more efficient.

War Caster is mainly invaluable for its advantage on Concentration checks. Artificers always cast with a focus, meaning somatic components aren't relevant. Alchemist artificer builds in D&D 5e won't be in melee often enough to use reaction spells. However, advantage on Concentration saving throws, coupled with their high bonuses, makes it almost impossible for them to lose a spell.

The Best Spells For An Alchemist Artificer Build

The Alchemist artificer's D&D 5e spell list contains many options unavailable to other subclasses. This includes unique combat options that synergize with Alchemical Savant. Flaming Sphere, Melf's Acid Arrow, and Cloudkill are vicious with a damage bonus while filling unique niches. Ray of Sickness and Blight tend to fall behind the curve, however.

The Alchemist's bonus spell list is more notable for its support options. Healing Word is already one of D&D 5e's best healing spells before Alchemical Savant buffs it. The addition of Mass Healing Word, Death Ward, and Raise Dead gives it a solid niche as the best D&D 5e artificer subclass for support.

The wider artificer spell list also has some standout options. Damage options outside of the artificer list are mostly limited to and Acid Splash. Other than them, Tasha's Caustic Brew, Heat Metal, and Bigby's Hand are the best for direct damage, whereas Animate Object can swing many fights at a high level.

The D&D 5e artificer spell list shines more in its support abilities. Many buffs are ideal for either the artificer or their allies, such as Aid, Shield of Faith, Enlarge/Reduce, Fly, and Haste. Its utility options like Detect Magic, Identify, Feather Fall, Enhance Ability, Invisibility, Dispel Magic, Skill Empowerment, and Arcane Eye also shouldn't be overlooked.

The Best Artificer Infusions For An Alchemist Build

Infusions set artificers apart from all other D&D 5e classes. No other characters get to routinely craft their own magic items. One of the best uses for Infusions is to lean into an artificer's party role and empower allies. Enhanced Weapon for martials and Enhanced Defense for tanks can make all the difference early on, while more specialized equipment like Boots of Elvenkind or Repeating Shot can empower allies later.

Similarly, an Alchemist artificer is well-served using its D&D 5e Artificer Infusions to fill gaps in the party's overall capabilities. A Bag of Holding for a party that lacks one can make all the difference in an adventuring day. Sending Stones are similarly invaluable. A Cloak of Protection and Amulet of Health are evergreen items that any party member benefits from.

However, there's no reason a D&D 5e Alchemist artificer can't take some infusions for themselves. An Enhanced Arcane Focus is a significant accuracy boost, particularly for artificers who use Fire Bolt. A Spell-Refueling Ring helps the Alchemist overcome its limited spell slots and lean into its spellcasting even more.

The D&D 5e Homunculus Servant suits an Alchemist artificer better than most other subclasses due to innately lacking a pet. Its combat capabilities aren't the best. However, it's more valuable than a familiar. As well as being a tiny creature that can scout, it's capable of attacking or delivering touch-ranged spells for an Alchemist. It's well worth considering for D&D 5e Alchemist artificer builds who can afford the cost.

Multiclassing A 5e Alchemist Artificer

Alchemist artificers are a very capable class in D&D 5e that can get by without multiclassing. However, a handful of dips have significant benefits. Starting with one level in fighter unlocks heavy armor, completely removing the need for Dexterity as a stat. Two levels can give Action Surge, with many benefits for spellcasters.

Two unlock a wealth of lower-level spells that still use the artificer's Intelligence. More pressingly, they give an Arcane Tradition and its first feature. Many Alchemists could benefit from the Bladesinger wizard's improved Armor Class and Concentration checks or the College of Scribes' ability to change damage types.