Summary
Baldur’s Gate 3gives players twelve classes to build their characters, and each of those classes has its own subclasses. This gives players dozens of options for builds, role-playing opportunities, and things to try over multiple playthroughs. However, despite the staggering amount of options,Baldur’s Gate 3did have a noticeable omission of a popularDungeons and Dragonsclass: Artificer.
Artificer was the only class ofDungeon and Dragon’s thirteen classes to be omitted fromBaldur’s Gate 3. It’s unknown why Larian made the choice to remove Artificers from theBaldur’s Gate 3class list, but there are several reasons why Artificers could still make a great addition toBaldur’s Gate 3.- and reasons why it may be worth keeping out.
What Exactly is an Artificer?
The Mechanical Genius of the Party
The Artificer is a hybrid spellcaster class that combines tools and spellcasting for explosive results. Artificers always have the right tools for the job, and can be found tinkering away at whatever new tool or invention they have at hand, infusing them with magic and using said tools to cast their spells. They’re a flexible class that can serve any role in the party, from DPS to support and healing, and have their own spell list that accommodates any scenario. Although they’re considered a part of theDungeons and Dragonscore classes, they’re a later addition to 5e, and were only added withTasha’s Cauldron of Everything.
Artificer Subclasses
While Artificers are fine as they are, they thrive when their subclasses are brought into the picture. The Artificer subclasses are:
Why Artificers Could Work in Baldur’s Gate 3
The Artificer Gap in Baldur’s Gate 3
WhileBaldur’s Gate 3already has twelve classes, it’s missing a role for characters who work with tools and are geniuses at machinery. Currently, the only class inBaldur’s Gate 3that has Intelligence as its primary stat is Wizard, which uses Intelligence as its primary and spellcasting stat. Arcane Tricksters, a subclass of the Rogue, also use Intelligence as a spellcasting stat. Other than these two examples, Intelligence isn’t utilized as much as it could be, and players who want to play intelligent or genius characters, no matter the type, are limited by their options.
Roleplaying Opportunities for an Artificer
There are a ton of roleplaying options that are open to characters from the Artificer class, both for Custom origins and forthe Dark Urge. Players can tap into the Intelligence aspect of the character, which can include creativity and eccentricity. Creative, intelligent, and eccentric characters have long been popular character archetypes and, at the moment inBaldur’s Gate 3, their use is limited to Wizards, or through the other classes via headcanon.
The Technology Exists in Baldur’s Gate
Despite the absence of Artificers,Baldur’s Gate 3already has the prerequisite lore in that the world has mechanical technology fueled by magic, such asthe Grymforge, Steel Watch, and Karlach’s infernal engine. This especially becomes apparent with the mechanical elements in the story of Act 3, with Gortash, his inventions, and the places his storyline leads, such as the Iron Throne, the Steel Watch foundry, and Wyrm’s Rock Fortress.
Gortash Needs a Narrative and Mechanical Foil
The Dead Three’s Chosen don’t have classes, but it’s likely from their abilities and stories that Ketheric is an Oathbreaker Paladin, and Orin is an Assassin. Gortash, with his inventions, mechanical genius, and combining inventions with magic, is arguably an Artificer. While both Ketheric and Orin have classes that correspond to classes inBaldur’s Gate 3, Gortash stands out as not having a playable class, and the player cannot create a class that mirrors his. An Artificer class for player characters would create anarrative foil for Gortashwho, at the moment, stands apart and alone.
Why Baldur’s Gate 3 Shouldn’t Have the Artificer Class
Paid DLC For Classes Isn’t a Good Move
Despite the popularity of the class and it being lore friendly, there are a number of reasons why the Artificer class can’t beadded toBaldur’s Gate 3via DLC. Larian has made a name for itself for its relationship it has with its players, and adding classes via paid DLC has never been a popular move. If it does get added retroactively, it should be via a free patch or update, rather than be paid, especially as it’s a feature that some would argue should have been a part ofBaldur’s Gate 3from launch.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Has Too Many Magical Items
Another issue is the abundance ofpowerful magical items inBaldur’s Gate 3, which would make the Artificer redundant if they weren’t implemented in a very careful way. Because magical items are so common inBaldur’s Gate 3, relying on them to make Artificers functionally different from other characters with magical gear would be a challenge. The Artificer abilities and items would also have to avoid either being too over- or underpowered, a danger when attempting to differentiate it from the game’s other items.
Crafting Would Require a New System
Crafting and infusing tools and equipment are the core of the Artificer, andBaldur’s Gate 3only has a crafting system for potions, with weapon and armor crafting only possible in certain places. Implementing Artificers would require an overhaul of many in-game systems in order to build a new crafting system, including nerfing or removing many of the magical items that already exist in-game in order to set Artificer items and abilities apart. Aside from the impracticalities of overhauling all the magical items inBaldur’s Gate 3, doing so is also likely far beyond the means of a patch or even a DLC.
Baldur’s Gate 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCEChoose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPICForged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian’s next-generation RPG engine.
