Need help with the Artificer Class (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/3rd-party-classes/artificer)...
1. Does the class have a key attribute?
2. Is their casting tied to any specific stat?
3. Looking at their BAB progression, they look to be more of a melee class, but then they are only a D6 hit dice class, which suggests caster. Which niche are they?
4. Is the multiple spell effects from one trigger completely overpowered?
5. Crafting rolls are confusing, when I am making things do I just use spellcraft to enchant magical items? or do I need 25 craft skills?
6. Not sure I have ever seen a class with an odd number of skills per level (5 + Int). Is this a sign that this class was thrown together by drunk monkeys?
7. Weird science appears to cost nothing, and require no rolls, is that correct?
8. At level 20 if I roll an untrained skill I get a +13 to roll, but if I put a single point into it I lose +9 to my roll? Do I understand Exemplar correctly?
9. How do Weird Science cantrips/orizons work? Can I make two for everyone level 1 weird science build I have at my disposal?
10. What are the DCs to resist the spells coming out of the weird science devices?
11. I cannot believe this, but there are no components required for their weird science devices. Can an artificer throw out costless stoneskin spells?
12. I see no mention of a spellbook, or spells known, do they just know all arcane spells up to level 4 innately?
13. Is it a standard action that incurs an AoO when someone triggers one of the Artificer's devices?
14. Example 3, under "Item Creation" speaks of making a fireball item at level 3. If I understand the bonus item creation feats, then the only items you could make would be scrolls, or potions at that level. Am I reading that right?
15. How much does a weird science item weigh? Are there size restrictions to weird science items?
16. If I launch multiple damaging spells with one trigger pull, do they have individual saves - or is it treated as one spell?
17. Can I put the same spell on a device more than once?
18. While weird science has a restriction of level 4 spells, does item creation have a maximum ceiling for levels?
19. I am confused by the bonus metamagic feats. I have to take a metamagic feat, but where can I apply it? Can weird science have metamagic applied? If so, how does it affect the item?
20. How many of you are playing this class right out of the box with no modifications?
8. At level 20 if I roll an untrained skill I get a +13 to roll, but if I put a single point into it I lose +9 to my roll? Do I understand Exemplar correctly?
Oops, my math is off.
I was giving myself the +10 for Exemplar and the +3 for a trained skill, but both do not apply at the same time.
So it would a loss of +6 on my roll rather.
Practically every question you asked is answered in the text describing the class abilities... this is sarcasm fyi.
I haven't dealt at all with crafting as a PC or GM, so I can't really give you any first-hand advice. All I can really suggest is that you invest highly in INT and CHA, particularly because the class is heavily built around the Craft and Use Magic Device skills, which rely on those abilities respectively. I would probably put more into INT; it really seems like the class is meant to be a skill-monkey to an extent.
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Use the original class with these modifications HERE. It's way more balanced (in spite of the fact that it is still an unbalanced class).
The Tome of Secrets one is completely screwy. Why 5+Int skill points? Why not 4 or 6? Medium BAB with d6? These are just some of the inconsistencies that don't follow the class building guidelines lain down by the Core Rulebook.
The biggest problem with the class is Weird Science. With 48 hours of work a 5th level Artificer can create an item that fires off four 5d6 Fireballs for 20d6 damage. The only limitation is time meaning there's nothing to stop a player from creating a game breaking device but the time that passes between adventures.
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Which reminds, d20pfsrd could really do without those wonky ToS classes :/
Not the first time I've heard that lol
In general we try not to make too many judgment calls on stuff. If its OGC and its created for Pathfinder, it can find a home on the site. I will readily admit though that I have considered, on numerous times, removing the Artificer because of its many issues.
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Use the original class with these modifications HERE. It's way more balanced (in spite of the fact that it is still an unbalanced class).
The Tome of Secrets one is completely screwy. Why 5+Int skill points? Why not 4 or 6? Medium BAB with d6? These are just some of the inconsistencies that don't follow the class building guidelines lain down by the Core Rulebook.
The biggest problem with the class is Weird Science. With 48 hours of work a 5th level Artificer can create an item that fires off four 5d6 Fireballs for 20d6 damage. The only limitation is time meaning there's nothing to stop a player from creating a game breaking device but the time that passes between adventures.
That's what happens when the publisher releases the book on the same day as the Core Rulebook was released.
The best fix of it that I have found is this one (plus giving a d8 HD): http://www.mediafire.com/?i50z0n5dbwm
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No he can't. a 5th level Artificer can have a total of one 3rd level effect device available in a ready device. So that's just one fireball... of 5d6. He can use it 4 times a day, but not 4 times at once.
The biggest problem with the class is Weird Science. With 48 hours of work a 5th level Artificer can create an item that fires off four 5d6 Fireballs for 20d6 damage. The only limitation is time meaning there's nothing to stop a player from creating a game breaking device but the time that passes between adventures.
Ah, I see where you're getting that now. I was just reading the text on the ability not the table. The ability is slightly less overpowered than I thought...
But I still think it's overpowered. Lightning Bolt + Flaming Sphere + three 5th level Magic Missiles = 5d6 + 3d6+ 9d4+9 damage, ranging 29-93 damage per turn for 4 turns @ 5th level.