Artificer Point Buy: Intelligence Buys Everything
Intelligence takes the 15 and pays for infusions, spell DCs and Flash of Genius from one score. Dexterity is the score most often misjudged here: the Artificer wears medium armour, so 14 is worth 3 points of Armour Class over an 8, and anything past 14 is worth nothing at all.
The Artificer array, point by point
| Ability | Score | Point cost |
|---|---|---|
| STR | 8 | 0 |
| DEX | 13 | 5 |
| CON | 14 | 7 |
| INT | 15 | 9 |
| WIS | 12 | 4 |
| CHA | 10 | 2 |
| Total spent | 27 | |
Holding concentration at each Constitution
The Artificer is the only Intelligence caster with a Constitution save proficiency, so the +2 from Constitution 14 becomes +4 on the check itself. That is the difference between holding a spell three times in four and holding it two times in three.
| CON | Modifier | Save bonus | DC 10 check | 22 damage (DC 11) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | -1 | +1 | 60% | 55% |
| 10 | +0 | +2 | 65% | 60% |
| 12 | +1 | +3 | 70% | 65% |
| 13 | +1 | +3 | 70% | 65% |
| 14 ← | +2 | +4 | 75% | 70% |
| 15 | +2 | +4 | 75% | 70% |
| 16 | +3 | +5 | 80% | 75% |
| 18 | +4 | +6 | 85% | 80% |
Trading the primary score for Constitution
No reallocation improves this array. Intelligence 14 and 15 both produce a save DC of 12, and Constitution 14 already reaches +2 with the save proficiency doubling what that modifier is worth, so the extra points would buy a bonus the Artificer has already been given.
Scores where the next point stops paying
- Intelligence 15
- Every infusion, every spell DC and the Flash of Genius bonus all read the same Intelligence modifier.
- Dexterity 14
- Medium armour caps Dexterity at +2, so half plate reaches AC 17 and stops paying after 14.
- Constitution 14
- Constitution saves are an Artificer proficiency, and most of the class's value is concentration buffs on other people.
What this array gives up to afford that
- Strength at 8
- Infusions carry the equipment the Artificer would otherwise need Strength for, and the class has no Strength save proficiency.
Subclasses that change the array
- Armorer — STR 8 · DEX 10 · CON 15 · INT 15 · WIS 14 · CHA 8
- Arcane Armor sets AC from the armour itself and attacks with Intelligence, so Dexterity drops out of the build entirely.
- Battle Smith — STR 8 · DEX 14 · CON 14 · INT 15 · WIS 12 · CHA 8
- Battle Ready attacks with Intelligence, so the Steel Defender build funds armour and concentration rather than a physical score.
- Artillerist — STR 8 · DEX 13 · CON 15 · INT 15 · WIS 12 · CHA 8
- The Eldritch Cannon rolls its own attacks and forces Dexterity saves at the Artificer's DC, so Constitution protects the concentration holding it.
Races that fit this spread
| Race | STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gnome (Rock) | 8 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 10 |
| Vedalken | 8 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 13 | 10 |
| Gnome (Deep / Svirfneblin) | 8 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 12 | 10 |
- Gnome (Rock). Intelligence +2 and Constitution +1, with Artificer's Lore stacking on the class's own theme.
- Vedalken. Intelligence +2 and Wisdom +1, plus Vedalken Dispassion on all three mental saves.
- Gnome (Deep / Svirfneblin). Intelligence +2 and Dexterity +1, with advantage on mental saves for an Artillerist holding concentration.
The mistake this array is built to avoid
Building the Artificer like a Wizard and dumping Dexterity to 8. The class wears medium armour: half plate at Dexterity 8 is AC 14, while Dexterity 14 makes the same armour AC 17.
Infusions read Intelligence, the spell save DC reads Intelligence, and the tool proficiencies the class is built around read Intelligence. Constitution 14 is the only thing on the sheet stopping all three from ending early.
Artificer ability score questions
What is the best Artificer array in point buy?
Intelligence 15, Constitution 14, Dexterity 13 spends all 27. Intelligence runs every infusion and spell DC, Constitution 14 backs a class save proficiency, and Dexterity 13 gives AC 16 in half plate before a shield.
Why does Dexterity stop at 14 for an Artificer?
Medium armour adds only the first +2 of the Dexterity modifier. Half plate at Dexterity 14 is AC 17; at Dexterity 15 it is still AC 17, so those 2 extra points buy nothing but initiative.
Does an Armorer need Dexterity at all?
No. Arcane Armor sets Armour Class from the armour itself and attacks with Intelligence, so the Armorer array drops Dexterity to 10 and moves the points into Constitution 15 and Wisdom 14 instead.
Is Constitution or Dexterity the better second buy?
Constitution. It is an Artificer save proficiency, most of the class value is concentration buffs cast on other people, and half plate already carries the Armour Class that Dexterity would otherwise provide.
Where to go next
- Wizard — The other Intelligence caster, without armour to absorb the Dexterity question.
- Cleric — Both are support casters in medium armour, and both weigh Strength or Dexterity against the primary.
- Every array on this page is a plain 27-point spread, so you can change the array and see each step priced as you go.