Demystifying Armorer Artificer: Must Arcane Armor Be Nonmagical?
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The question of whether an Armorer Artificer’s Arcane Armor needs to be nonmagical is a frequently debated topic. The short answer is: No, Arcane Armor does not have to be nonmagical according to the rules as written (RAW). The Arcane Armor feature itself only requires that you are wearing a suit of armor. However, the infusions, which are a core element of the Artificer’s power, do have stricter requirements. This is where the confusion often arises. We’ll explore the nuances of this ruling and how it impacts your Armorer Artificer gameplay.
Arcane Armor: The Foundation
The Armorer Artificer’s Arcane Armor feature allows you to turn a suit of armor into a conduit for your artificing magic. The armor fundamentally becomes an extension of yourself, granting unique benefits depending on the chosen model (Guardian or Infiltrator). The critical point is that the feature’s description doesn’t restrict you to nonmagical armor.
Here’s the relevant text from the Arcane Armor feature:
At 3rd level, you learn to transform a suit of armor into Arcane Armor: armor enhanced by your magical infusions. You must have the armor with you, which can be medium or heavy armor. You take an action to magically turn the armor into Arcane Armor. This armor adheres to you and can’t be removed against your will. It also expands to cover your entire body, though you can retract or deploy the helmet as a bonus action. The armor replaces any missing limbs, functioning identically to a limb it replaces. You can don or doff the armor as an action. The armor continues to be Arcane Armor until you don another suit of armor or you die. You can use different suits of armor for this feature. If you do so, the previous armor ceases to be Arcane Armor.
Note that nothing says the chosen armor has to be non-magical to initially be turned into Arcane Armor.
The Infusion Conundrum
The infusion feature of the artificer, however, states that you can imbue items with magical infusions:
Whenever you finish a long rest, you can touch a nonmagical object and imbue it with one of your artificer infusions, turning it into a magic item.
The key phrase is “nonmagical object.” This limitation is often interpreted to mean that you can’t infuse already magical armor. This is generally true before 9th level. However, because the armor is your Arcane Armor, it can be infused at level 9.
Level 9 and Beyond: Infusion Flexibility
At level 9, the Armorer Artificer gains the “Infuse Item” feature. This is where things become interesting. You can infuse your Arcane Armor with your artificer infusions, and the armor takes on the properties of those infusions. This creates the confusion – is your Arcane Armor magical once you have infused an item into it, or not?
Since your Arcane Armor is only magical because of your infusions, if you have an existing magical set of armor, you could choose to make that your Arcane Armor, and then infuse another item (or several after level 14) into it.
FAQs: Unlocking the Secrets of Arcane Armor
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the complexities surrounding Arcane Armor:
1. Is Arcane Armor considered a magic item?
Before you apply any infusions, the Arcane Armor is not inherently a magic item. It gains magical properties from the Artificer infusions you apply. However, the presence of the Arcane Armor is considered magical. The Sage Advice Compendium (SAC) states that something is a magic item if its description says that it’s magical.
2. Can other people wear my Arcane Armor?
Yes, but they won’t gain any of the benefits you receive from the Arcane Armor feature or any applied infusions. The armor is fundamentally linked to your artificing magic. They would simply be wearing a regular suit of armor.
3. Can I use magic armor as Arcane Armor?
Yes. The rules do not prevent you from using pre-existing magic armor as your base Arcane Armor. The restrictions only apply when choosing the object to be infused.
4. How does Arcane Armor work mechanically?
The armor attaches to you and can’t be removed against your will. It expands to cover your entire body, and you can retract or deploy the helmet as a bonus action. It effectively becomes a part of you, enhancing your abilities.
5. Does Arcane Armor count as heavy or medium armor?
Yes. The armor retains its original type (medium or heavy) regardless of any Strength requirements. So, it’s still medium or heavy armor. You can also use your infusions to lower or even eliminate the STR requirements.
6. Is Arcane Armor affected by Anti-magic Field?
The Arcane Armor itself, without infusions, would continue to function in an Anti-magic field, as it is not a magic item until infused. The infusions, however, would be suppressed within the field.
7. Can I add my Dexterity modifier to Arcane Armor?
This depends on the type of armor. Just as with any regular suit of armor, you add your Dex modifier, up to a maximum of +2, if it’s medium armor. Full plate armor won’t allow you to add your Dex.
8. Can I infuse Arcane Armor before level 9?
Before level 9, you can only imbue the armor with either armor infusions or weapon infusions, but not both simultaneously, since the special weapon is part of the armor. The Arcane armor counts as both the armor and the weapon.
9. Does Arcane Armor have weight?
Yes, the armor still has weight. It weighs 60 pounds. But the feature states that it supports its own weight while you wear it. Its weight is not included in the amount of weight that you are carrying while you are wearing it.
10. How long does Arcane Armor last?
The armor remains Arcane Armor until you don another suit of armor or you die. It’s a relatively permanent transformation.
11. Can I have multiple sets of Arcane Armor?
You can only have one set of Arcane Armor at a time. If you transform another suit of armor, the previous one loses its Arcane Armor properties.
12. What happens if I am disarmed of my Arcane Armor?
The armor adheres to you and cannot be removed against your will. Disarming effects are generally ineffective.
13. Can I multiclass and still benefit from Arcane Armor?
Yes, you can multiclass, but you need to maintain the required Artificer level to access and utilize the Arcane Armor features and infusions. This would be a fun way to integrate lessons about class mechanics and character customization. The Games Learning Society often explores how game mechanics can enhance learning experiences. You can find more information at GamesLearningSociety.org.
14. Can my DM target my Arcane Armor?
Yes, but it’s generally considered part of your character. Targeting the armor is functionally equivalent to targeting you. Unless the DM has a specific plot reason, it should be treated as targeting you, not a separate object.
15. Can I take my armor off?
Yes. You can don or doff the armor as an action. You are not perpetually stuck in your armor.
Conclusion
Arcane Armor is a versatile and powerful tool for the Armorer Artificer. Understanding the nuances of its magical status, and the restrictions surrounding infusions, is crucial to maximizing its potential. While the initial creation of Arcane Armor doesn’t require nonmagical armor, the infusion process demands careful consideration. By keeping these guidelines in mind, you can craft a formidable Armorer Artificer capable of adapting to any situation.