Dungeons & Dragons Online Artificer Developer Q&A

The latest developer diary for the free-to-play MMO Dungeons & Dragons Online comes in the form of a Q&A with Turbine’s lead game systems designer Steve Muray, on the subject of the new class introduced by update 11, the artificer. Here’s a sampling:

Kyle Horner: When the team began development on the artificer class, what was your goal?

Steve Muray: The artificer was always intended to be a hybrid class, but we also wanted one inherently good at non-spellcasting ranged combat. We also wanted the class to have competent DPS (damage per second). Of course, artificer DPS isn’t as high as barbarian, but artificers make up for that with support spells and construct healing.

We pitched our thoughts on the directions we were considering to WotC and they sent back some fantastic concept art. There was one of an artificer with leather straps covered with magic scrolls and vials — almost exactly what you see in the character generator now. Later on, the Rune Arm took form when they sent us a picture of an artificer charging up his magical bracer, getting ready to blast us with arcane power.

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Kyle: Beyond the pet element, how do you feel about where the artificer sits?

Steve: I’m extremely happy with how the artificer came out. It’s a very fun class and a lot of the Lamannia feedback has been amazingly positive. There are some crafting aspects that a lot of people don’t like.

Kyle: Let’s talk about it.

Steve: Artificers are the best crafters in Eberron they’re the original crafters. So we felt that we had to give them some kind of bonus to crafting.

Kyle: I understand there’s some contention with players who’ve already begun investing in the Crafting system. Should they be concerned?

Steve: Artificers cannot exceed the crafting levels all players can reach, but they do have an easier time reaching higher levels. Out of the 150 crafting levels currently in the game, level 20 artificers get 10 for free. That benefits them because the last ten levels are the hardest ones to get, and they don’t have to get them. Artificers can reach Crafting level 140 and craft like they have 150. We also added a new Dragonmark line, so a level 20 human artificer can invest enhancement points for up to 20 bonus crafting levels; this investment allows a human artificer with Crafting 130 to craft like they were 150.

Currently, the bulk of Crafting recipes above 100 are the unbound variants the tradable crystals. So there’s really nothing that an artificer with the mark of making can do that other players can’t. They have an edge in getting to those higher levels, yes, but they aren’t making “better” crafted items because they’re artificers. So if you’re already at 120 or 140 crafting level you still have a head start over an artificer. They’ll catch up eventually, but they’ll never exceed the crafting level cap because of their ability.

We’re also adjusting the crafting XP chart, so leveling should be much nicer for all players regardless of race or class, and any pre-existing crafter will see a jump in their levels.