What is the Best Spell List?

[Azara5]

I’m currently theory-crafting a Maverick Artificer from Keith Baker’s “Exploring Eberron,” which includes the ability to pick spells from another class’ spell list. However, I’m not sure which one is the best to pick. Due to artificers being arcane casters, I assumed that the best pick would be cleric, but I’m not sure. What does the playground think?

[meandean]

Bet it's still Wizard!

But, I don't know. I assume this ability has limitations... how does it work?

[RogueJK]

Due to artificers being arcane casters, I assumed that the best pick would be cleric, but I’m not sure. What does the playground think?

While it's all still Arcane magic, Artificers and Bards already get a smattering of Cleric and Druid spells.


So look at it another way: What other spells are you wanting them to have?

[Selion]

I’m currently theory-crafting a Maverick Artificer from Keith Baker’s “Exploring Eberron,” which includes the ability to pick spells from another class’ spell list. However, I’m not sure which one is the best to pick. Due to artificers being arcane casters, I assumed that the best pick would be cleric, but I’m not sure. What does the playground think?

Wizards have the best spell list, hand downs (druids being a not close second IMHO) , in your case it depends on your party role and on what desirable spells you've already got in artificer spell list, BTW the only things wizards lack are buffs and healings.
A good if not unusual pick could be paladin (if available with this rule) , they are half casters like the artificer, but they have a lot of exclusive spells, often quite good for their level.
Also find steed/find greater steed are super fun, I don't know if they mix well with your character concept

[animorte]

Divine Soul Sorcerer breaks the rules and has the best spell list!

[Argis13]

Divine Soul Sorcerer breaks the rules and has the best spell list!

That doesn't really matter for this ability, and, depending on the level we're talking about and which sources and optional rules are allowed, there's a strong argument to be made that the wizard spell list is still better than the combine sorcerer and cleric spell lists.

Edited for grammer

[Damon_Tor]

They could be pretty dope Eldritch Blasters. You'd get an int-based Eldritch Blast with +1/2/3 to attack rolls plus +1/2 to attacks and damage from your Enhanced Arcane Focus (Yes, they stack, read carefully). You'd have a free upgrade to Hex making it last 8 hours with a 1st level slot. You'd still want Warlock 2 and high Cha for Agonizing Blast though.

Alternatively, depending on whether or not your DM has ruled that a bonus action is a type of action (it is) and therefore a feature which applies to spells with "a casting time of 1 action" also applies to spells with a casting time of 1 bonus action (it might) then there are a ton of potential shenanigans with your SSI. A Spiritual Weapon TSAR would be pretty broken.

[solidork]

You're picking additional spell lists to draw from as you gain levels with that subclass, so its not like you have make a hard choice between Wizard, Cleric and Druid.

And for people wondering, instead of having a subclass spell list of always prepared spells you get to prepare one spell of each level you can cast from your "breakthrough" spell lists chosen from other classes.

[solidork]

Alternatively, depending on whether or not your DM has ruled that a bonus action is a type of action (it is) and therefore a feature which applies to spells with "a casting time of 1 action" also applies to spells with a casting time of 1 bonus action (it might) then there are a ton of potential shenanigans with your SSI. A Spiritual Weapon TSAR would be pretty broken.

If you cant put your subclass spells into a Spell Storing Item unless they're already on the Artificer list, you def can't put spells from other classes in there.

[Damon_Tor]

If you cant put your subclass spells into a Spell Storing Item unless they're already on the Artificer list, you def can't put spells from other classes in there.

The spell is "considered to be an artificer spell for you". What do you suppose they mean by that?

[solidork]

The spell is "considered to be an artificer spell for you". What do you suppose they mean by that?

Sorry if I came off as a little hostile there; I mostly agree with you, I've just seen people argue that the weird way SSI is worded (it specifies spells from the Artificer Spell list, and not just Artificer spells) is significant. We don't have to get into all that here though, I regret bringing it up.

[Damon_Tor]

Sorry if I came off as a little hostile there; I mostly agree with you, I've just seen people argue that the weird way SSI is worded (it specifies spells from the Artificer Spell list, and not just Artificer spells) is significant. We don't have to get into all that here though, I regret bringing it up.

No worries. For the record, a pretty good rundown of the issue is over on Stack Exchange (https://rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/170460/can-the-artificers-spell-storing-item-store-their-specialist-spells). Specifically, the best evidence that "counts as a CLASS skill for you" is equivalent to "is on your class' spell list" comes from Sage Advice Compendium (https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/sac/sage-advice-compendium#Bard), which clarifies that a Bard's Magical Secret (which "counts as a bard spell" for the bard) can be cast via Spell Scrolls (which require the spell to be "on your spell list").

[animorte]

That doesn't really matter for this ability, and, depending on the level we're talking about and which sources and optional rules are allowed, there's a strong argument to be made that the wizard spell list is still better than the combine sorcerer and cleric spell lists.

Ha yeah, I understand the OP. I was just being silly, but now you’re a bit silly. The only thing Wizard notably has that much better than Sorcerer is ritual casting.

Anyway, Cleric is likely the way to go for a more supportive route. Druid if you still want some solid support but better battlefield control. That’s debatable either way depending on the rest of the party anyway.

[TaiLiu]

That doesn't really matter for this ability, and, depending on the level we're talking about and which sources and optional rules are allowed, there's a strong argument to be made that the wizard spell list is still better than the combine sorcerer and cleric spell lists.

Ha yeah, I understand the OP. I was just being silly, but now you’re a bit silly. The only thing Wizard notably has that much better than Sorcerer is ritual casting.
I might buy it. Wizards have access to, like, ninety-something spells that Divine Soul Sorcerers don't get. 58 of those exclusive spells are fifth-level spells or below. 40 if you cut out spells that Artificers also get. 32 if you cut out the ritual spells, although some of them are useful enough to situationally spend a spell slot.

Wall of force is probably the best available spell. Tasha's hideous laughter is good control and is available early on.

[Leon]

The one that does what YOU want best.

[Chronos]

A divine soul sorcerer's class spell list is, at most, 16 spells longer than a base sorcerer's class spell list. When you choose a new spell known, you can choose it from the cleric list, but not all cleric spells are sorcerer spells for you, only the specific ones you chose. Which means, for instance, that if a DSS happened not to have picked, say, Sanctuary, then they can't cast a scroll of it, either.

[TaiLiu]

A divine soul sorcerer's class spell list is, at most, 16 spells longer than a base sorcerer's class spell list. When you choose a new spell known, you can choose it from the cleric list, but not all cleric spells are sorcerer spells for you, only the specific ones you chose. Which means, for instance, that if a DSS happened not to have picked, say, Sanctuary, then they can't cast a scroll of it, either.
Oh, that's a really good point. I never realized that before.

[animorte]

Oh, that's a really good point. I never realized that before.

Same here. I was thinking my DSS is the bomb. Oh, wait! :smallbiggrin:

Of course, I've never had interest in playing a Wizard, so...

[Azara5]

Hi everyone, thanks for all of the advice. I've decided to go with Druid as the first breakthrough list due to the enhanced healing and crowd control options, as well as for backstory reasons. After that, I'll most likely take Wizard, but that would really depend on what I think I need after actual playtime at the table. If anyone has any suggestions for specific druid spells that would synergize with artificer, they would be greatly appreciated, although certainly not expected.