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Artificers are one of the most unique and underrated classes inDungeons & Dragons. They’ve undergone many changes over the years, with new rules, subclasses, and builds being added and taken away via Unearthed Arcana. One such subclass is the cartographer, which flavors the artificer as a defensive traveler, perfect for navigation and teleportation.
If you’re interested in trying out the artificer class in 5e, the cartographer subclass is really an excellent option. However, if you’re playing this class for the first time, there are some build elements worth noting. Here’s everything you need to know to build a cartographer artificer.
Cartographer Artificer Overview
As mentioned above,cartographer artificers are experienced navigators, and are excellent at espionage, teleportation, and defense.
Here’s a breakdown of their key featuresyou earn when you select this subclass at level three.
3
Tool Proficiencies
As a cartographer, yougain proficiency with Calligrapher’s Supplies and Cartographer’s Tools.
Cartographer Spells
Yougain access to additional spells, which are always prepared, at levels three, five, nine, 13, and 17, detailed in Unearthed Arcana.
Adventurer’s Atlas
When you finish a long rest, you canuse your Cartographer’s Tools to create a set of magical mapsup to a number of creatures equal to one plus your Intelligence modifier.
Each creature gains the magical map,granting a 1d4 bonus to Initiative rollsand the knowledge of the positioning of anyone else holding the map.
Holding the mapgrants line of sight on other creatures holding maps, ignoring cover.
Scouting Gadgets
You canexpend half your movement to teleportwithin 10 feet.
Youcan cast Faerie Firewithout expending a spell slot a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier.
5
Portal Jump
As a bonus action, youcan teleport up to 60 feeta number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier.
You can do this without expending a usage if you’re teleporting near a creature holding one of your magical maps.
9
Ingenious Movement
When you use Flash of Genius,you or another creature can teleport up to 30 feetas part of that same reaction.
15
Superior Atlas
When a map holder is reduced to zero hit pointsbut not killed,that creature can destroy its map and teleport within five feet of you, becoming stable.
you may cast the Find the Pathspell without expending a spell slot once per long rest while holding the map.
You can’t lose Concentration on artificer spellswhile one map exists.
As you’re able to see,cartographer artificers have a wide variety of abilitiesthat allow for teleportation, and buffing their allies and themselves.
With all these features in mind,let’s take a look at the best build for cartographers.
Best Ability Scores For A Cartographer Artificer
Depending on thetype of Ability Scoredistribution method you’re using, you’ll want toplace different modifiers into certain Ability Scores to get the most out of your artificer.
Intelligence is your primary Ability Score, and is used for all spellcasting. From there, you have a decent amount of flexibility in terms of where you place Ability Scores.
Details
Intelligence
Place your highest stat into Intelligence, as this serves as your modifier for all spellcasting, which is your primary ability.
Constitution
Put your second-highest stat here, asyou have proficiency in Constitution saving throws. Plus, extra hit points never hurt anyone.
Dexterity
Because you start with a Dagger, and have access to Tinker’s Tools and Thieves' Tools, you might want togive yourself a decently high Dexterity scoreso you can use these abilities properly.
Wisdom
So many spells require Wisdom saving throws, and as a spellcaster, it’s a good idea to have a decently high modifier here.
Charisma
Artificers can prove deft and cunning, sohaving a good Charisma score is nice, but definitely not the most importantfor an artificer.
Strength
Strength is definitely not the most important thing for an artificer, sofeel free to put your lowest stat here.
Best Species For A Cartographer Artificer
While there’s no one-size-fits all for a cartographer artificer,there are a handful of species that can serve an artificer of this subclass well, boosting certain stats and fleshing out spellcasting.
Aasimar
Aasimar have access to flight-based abilities and some light healing, meaning you’ll be doubly as mobile and able to also play flex support for your team.
Gnome
Gnomes gain some extra spellsdepending on the lineage you choose, which is always great.
Plus,you gain advantage on Wisdom, Charisma, and Intelligence saving throws, boosting two weaker stats and breaking your Intelligence saving throw stat.
Halfling
Halfling Luck is a great feature to have for an artificer. Plus,your ability to hide will help keep you out of harms wayin close combat.
While these three species are probably the best in terms of optimization,it can also be quite rewarding to play against typeby choosing a species like goliath or orc for fun roleplay opportunities.
Best Backgrounds For A Cartographer Artificer
When it comes tochoosing a background,there are three great options for cartographersthat make narrative and optimization sense.
Merchant
Merchant is undoubtedly the best optionfor a cartographer. Yougain proficiency with Navigator’s Tools, which makes perfect sense,plus gain a buff to your Constitution and Intelligence scores.
Sailor
Sailor makes a lot of narrative sense, but doesn’t necessarily offer the best buffs to stats sinceit boosts your Strength, Dexterity, and Wisdom.
But, the sailor background isa good option for rounding out your weak spots.
Criminal
Criminal grants excellent buffs to Dexterity, Constitution, and Intelligence, three primary stats for artificers.
However,there is some redundancy in gaining proficiency with Thieves' Tools, which isn’t necessarily the most helpful overall.
If you select the merchant background,this combines fantastically with Halfling Luck, meaning you’ll get so many chances to reroll poor rolls.
