Iron Defender enhancement line.

[Vinven]

I've been gone for a while shortly after I finished play testing the Artificer class. I had always wanted to play one, and even made a Warforged Wizard named Artifact with specialization in Repair spells. I really looked forward to it, but when I played the class it sadly didn't seem all that interesting.

The one thing I liked about it was the dog defender pet, who could be out all the time and had a control bar. On my wizard I've always had the Iron Defender enhancement line, using it all the time and loving it. This has resulted of course in me taking a lot of flak for it constantly spraying grease, but I've kept true to it.

I'd really like to have the Artificer version, for reasons such as being out all the time, not spraying grease, and having a control bar. Might it be possible that the dog defender line gets some love? Perhaps with further enhancements or feats, we could actually unlock the Artificer version?

[Chauncey1]

I've been gone for a while shortly after I finished play testing the Artificer class. I had always wanted to play one, and even made a Warforged Wizard named Artifact with specialization in Repair spells. I really looked forward to it, but when I played the class it sadly didn't seem all that interesting.

The one thing I liked about it was the dog defender pet, who could be out all the time and had a control bar. On my wizard I've always had the Iron Defender enhancement line, using it all the time and loving it. This has resulted of course in me taking a lot of flak for it constantly spraying grease, but I've kept true to it.

I'd really like to have the Artificer version, for reasons such as being out all the time, not spraying grease, and having a control bar. Might it be possible that the dog defender line gets some love? Perhaps with further enhancements or feats, we could actually unlock the Artificer version?

Having played an arti to cap, I can say that the dogs are quite handy at times. But more often than not, they are a PITA. I only took mine out when soloing.
You should give the arti another shot. I didn't like mine at first either, but I soon got very into playing that class, and didn't stop until he was at cap.

[Heladron]

I recently ran a Ghola Fan on Hard me and the dog only and finished the quest np. I have my defender configured with high AC and Intimidate and the only things it really had trouble tanking for me were the Royal Guards at the end. They were hitting him pretty good, but ogres and everything else barely scratched it. They intimidate quite frequently so it is really great because it can buy you some time to heal and then get back into the fray.

[Vinven]

I guess the thing I didn't like about the Artificer was the crossbow/rune arm thing. It seemed really clumsy and too much to constantly be switching between firing your crossbow and the rune arm. Perhaps I can try a build using a wand in main hand and rune arm in secondary.

[In_Like_Flynn]

I guess the thing I didn't like about the Artificer was the crossbow/rune arm thing. It seemed really clumsy and too much to constantly be switching between firing your crossbow and the rune arm. Perhaps I can try a build using a wand in main hand and rune arm in secondary.They can be used simultaneously. With the Rune Arm Use feat turned on, the rune arm charges while you continue to fire away with your crossbow.

[Chauncey1]

I guess the thing I didn't like about the Artificer was the crossbow/rune arm thing. It seemed really clumsy and too much to constantly be switching between firing your crossbow and the rune arm. Perhaps I can try a build using a wand in main hand and rune arm in secondary.

If you don't use a crossbow, you'd be missing out on a lot.
The whole point of having an arti IMHO, IS the crossbow. The runearm imbues it with different elemental damages, plus all the different imbues you can put on the bolts.

[Eleia]

I guess the thing I didn't like about the Artificer was the crossbow/rune arm thing. It seemed really clumsy and too much to constantly be switching between firing your crossbow and the rune arm. Perhaps I can try a build using a wand in main hand and rune arm in secondary.

Although the rune arm damage can be very nice if speced for it, you don't have to actually use the rune arm to get the benefits of it.

I don't fire mine at all. But . . . it adds elemental damage to your crossbow, and each one offers something different. One of mine gives me seeker. That in itself makes the rune arm a great item to carry in your off-hand.

The crossbow damage is great, and even if you choose to go the casting route, using the crossbow instead of a wand is going to be better.

Artys are great if played to their strengths. I would take your arty, if you still have it, and switch it up. Drop the repair line and pick up the arty pre., intel. enhancements, toughness ofc, and start doing the force line for when you get bb at 15. With what ever points you have left, you can work on the repair line, as well as getting the ring of the master artificer in the challenges to boost your self healing.

Pick up all the crossbow enhancements you can get, and make a decision on if you want your crossbow damage to be the best or your bbs. I went with my bbs and picked up evocation/greater, max/empower, toughness, and then the crossbow feats.

I think then you may enjoy playing the arty. If all you speced for was self healing . . . yeah, it's a pretty bland class to play.

[Krell]

They can be used simultaneously. With auto-arm on, the rune arm charges while you continue to fire away with your crossbow.


What he said. I put the rune charge on my mouse thumb button so that my xbow aim and fire remained the same and I could easily start and release a rune arm charge. I generally don't run around charged, due to the run speed reduction, until a few seconds before I need it.

[Vinven]

The point of the post though was that the current iron companion enhancement pet could use some improvements. It is a hindrance in parties due to greasing, and it would be awesome if they could also be summoned and be out anywhere rather than just in dungeons. The enhancements are really in need to be reworked.

[goodspeed]

I always thought the dog enhancements were like an inside joke.