Dungeons & Dragons: How To Build A Reanimator Artificer

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• Reanimator Artificer Overview

• Best Ability Scores For A Reanimator Artificer

• Best Species For A Reanimator Artificer

• Best Backgrounds For A Reanimator Artificer

The reanimator artificer subclass is a horror-themed Dungeons & Dragons subclass that lends itself well to macabre character concepts and motifs. When you select this subclass for your artificer, you essentially take on the role of a Dr. Frankenstein-esque artificer whose relentless defiance of the laws of nature takes extreme, necromantic turns.

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Besides the overall terrifying theme for this subclass, the reanimator artificer is a highly unique subclass that's not only perfect for any horror campaign, but can fit into any number of adventure types in Dungeons & Dragons. Here's how to build your very own reanimator artificer for your table.

Reanimator Artificer Overview

The reanimator artificer focuses on reassembling dead bodies and necromantic magic to achieve their ends. In some ways, theyfunction likea flex support class.

Here's a breakdown of the reanimator artificer's key abilities, broken down by level.

Ability Or Feature

Level

Details

Reanimator Spells

3

Reanimator artificers gain access to spells at different levels, including spells like False Life, Enhance Ability, and Animate Dead.

Jolt to Life

3

When you cast Spare the Dying, you can alter the spell's effect so that it sends a bolt of lightning through the target, instantly reviving them with one HP.

The effect can also cause damage to nearby enemies, and can be used a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier per long rest.

Reanimated Companion

3

You can create a Reanimated Companion using your Tinker's or Artisan's Tools with an assigned stat block.

The Reanimated Companion is friendly to you and can act on your behalf in combat.

Strange Modifications

5

At fifth level, your Reanimated Companion can gain one of two modification options that allow you to either cast spells through your companion or allow your companion to use its melee attack twice instead of once.

Improved Reanimation

9

You can further customize your Reanimated Companion to your liking whenever you create it.

With this feature, you can alter the size of your companion, increase its speed and climbing ability, or grant the companion a swim speed.

Promethean Reanimation

15

You are now a master of reanimation and necromancy.

When you cast resurrection spells like Revivify or Raise Dead, you can halve the material components.

Additionally, you can improve your companion's death burst ability, and you can siphon hit points from your companion.

Keep in mind that the reanimator artificer is Unearthed Arcana, so make sure your Dungeon Master is okay with UA at their table before selecting this subclass.

Best Ability Scores For A Reanimator Artificer

While there's always plenty of room for flexibility, when it comes to artificers, Intelligence is going to be your primary stat. Here's a stat breakdown for the reanimator artificer.

Ability Score

Details

Intelligence

Because your spell attack modifier, spell save DC, and other subclass features are determined by your Intelligence, make Intelligence your highest stat.

Dexterity

Artificers can benefit from tools like Tinker's Tools and Thieves' Tools, which are best served by placing your second-highest stat in Dexterity.

Constitution

While artificers are by no means squishy, place a decently high stat in Constitution to help buff your HP pool.

Wisdom

Wisdom can prove important for spell saves against magic that can take you out of combat, so use a medium-level stat for Wisdom.

Charisma

Depending on your character concept, having a good Charisma score can be beneficial, but ultimately isn't necessary, so you can place a low stat in Charisma.

Strength

Martial prowess is ultimately of little importance to artificers, so you can place your lowest stat in Strength.

Best Species For A Reanimator Artificer

Now that ability score improvements are tied to backgrounds, there's a decent amount of flexibility on offer when you select a species for your artificer.

Species

Details

Gnome

Gnomes have natural advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws. Artificers have proficiency in Intelligence saving throws, so this synergizes well.

In addition, gnomes get some innate spellcasting, which is always helpful for fleshing out spell lists.

Aasimar

Because the reanimator artificer can function like somewhat of a flex support, having extra healing with an aasimar in tow is always useful.

In addition, you can add the Necrotic Shroud ability to your aasimar to help flesh out your character concept.

Halfling

Halflings are also well-suited to the artificer subclass thanks to their Luck feature, which can be helpful in most circumstances, and their stealthy nature.

Talk to your DM about using lineages from Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft instead of species as well, as these macabre character options work well with this subclass.

Best Backgrounds For A Reanimator Artificer

Much like species, there is also a decent amount of flexibility with backgrounds for reanimator artificers, however, some backgrounds do work better than others.

Background

Details

Criminal

The criminal background undoubtedly works best for this subclass thanks to the ability score improvements you gain in Dexterity, Constitution, and Intelligence, an artificer's three main stats.

The Thieves' Tools proficiency is redundant, but this background also gifts you your own set, meaning you don't have to spend precious GP.

Sage

The sage background also works well, thanks to its ability score improvements to Constitution and Intelligence.

Plus, with this background, you gain additional wizard spells, which helps flesh out a spell list at early levels.

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