The exact number of spells an Artificer has is not a fixed quantity; it varies depending on their Artificer class level and their Intelligence modifier. Artificers are considered "half-casters" in Dungeons & Dragons, meaning their spellcasting progression is distinct from full spellcasters.
Understanding Artificer Spellcasting
As a half-caster, an Artificer's access to spells scales with their class level at half the rate of classes like Wizards or Clerics. Their primary spellcasting ability is Intelligence, which directly influences the number of spells they can know. This calculation specifically refers to the number of leveled spells an Artificer has access to, distinct from cantrips.
Calculating Spells Known
The number of leveled spells an Artificer knows at any given time is determined by the following formula:
- Spells Known = (Artificer Level ÷ 2, rounded down) + Intelligence Modifier
This formula dictates how many unique spells from the Artificer spell list you can prepare or have readily available.
Example Calculation
To illustrate, consider an Artificer with an Intelligence score of 15, which provides a +2 Intelligence modifier:
- At Artificer Level 2:
- (2 ÷ 2, rounded down) = 1
- 1 + 2 (Intelligence Modifier) = 3 spells known
Cantrips
It's important to note that Artificers also learn cantrips, which are spells that can be cast at will without expending a spell slot. The number of cantrips an Artificer knows increases with their level and is separate from the calculation for leveled "spells known."
Artificer Spells Known by Level
The table below provides a comprehensive overview of how many spells an Artificer knows at various levels, accounting for different Intelligence modifiers.
| Artificer Level | Spells Known (INT Mod +2) (INT 14-15) | Spells Known (INT Mod +3) (INT 16-17) | Spells Known (INT Mod +4) (INT 18-19) | Spells Known (INT Mod +5) (INT 20-21) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 9 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 12 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 13 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 14 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 15 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 16 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 17 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 18 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 19 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 20 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
