Dungeons & Dragons: How To Build A Cartographer Artificer

Artificers are one of the most unique and underrated classes in Dungeons & 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.

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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 features you earn when you select this subclass at level three.

Character Level

Subclass Feature

Details

3

Tool Proficiencies

As a cartographer, you gain proficiency with Calligrapher's Supplies and Cartographer's Tools.

Additionally, crafting a spell scroll takes half the time.

3

Cartographer Spells

You gain access to additional spells, which are always prepared, at levels three, five, nine, 13, and 17, detailed in Unearthed Arcana.

3

Adventurer's Atlas

When you finish a long rest, you can use your Cartographer's Tools to create a set of magical maps up to a number of creatures equal to one plus your Intelligence modifier.

Each creature gains the magical map, granting a 1d4 bonus to Initiative rolls and the knowledge of the positioning of anyone else holding the map.

Holding the map grants line of sight on other creatures holding maps, ignoring cover.

3

Scouting Gadgets

You can expend half your movement to teleport within 10 feet.

You can cast Faerie Fire without expending a spell slot a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier.

5

Portal Jump

As a bonus action, you can teleport up to 60 feet a 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 feet as part of that same reaction.

15

Superior Atlas

When a map holder is reduced to zero hit points but not killed, that creature can destroy its map and teleport within five feet of you, becoming stable.

You can cast the Find the Path spell without expending a spell slot once per long rest while holding the map.

You can't lose Concentration on artificer spells while one map exists.

As you can see, cartographer artificers have a wide variety of abilities that 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 the type of Ability Score distribution method you're using, you'll want to place 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.

Ability

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, as you 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 to give yourself a decently high Dexterity score so 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, so having a good Charisma score is nice, but definitely not the most important for an artificer.

Strength

Strength is definitely not the most important thing for an artificer, so feel free to put your lowest stat here.

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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.

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Species

Details

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 spells depending 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 way in close combat.

While these three species are probably the best in terms of optimization, it can also be quite rewarding to play against type by choosing a species like goliath or orc for fun roleplay opportunities.

Best Backgrounds For A Cartographer Artificer

When it comes to choosing a background, there are three great options for cartographers that make narrative and optimization sense.

Backgrounds

Details

Merchant

Merchant is undoubtedly the best option for 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 since it boosts your Strength, Dexterity, and Wisdom.

But, the sailor background is a 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.

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