Artificer's stats at a glance
The community wiki lists these effects. They come from the current PC version; check the character-selection screen if you play on a platform that has not received the latest patch.
- +175% Explosion Damage.
- +4% Explosion Size for every 1 Elemental Damage you have.
- +100% Damage with Tool weapons.
- -100% Damage.
- Armor modifications are reduced by 50%.
- Unlock: kill 15 enemies with a single explosion. Winning a run with Artificer unlocks Explosive Shells.
Which starting weapon to choose
Artificer can start with Plank, Screwdriver, Wrench or Shredder. Shredder is the most direct choice because its explosions use the character's main bonus from wave 1. Screwdriver places landmines and Wrench builds turrets; both are Tool weapons, which the 1.1 patch buffed with the +100% Tool damage bonus.
The wiki warns that landmines and wrenches are Tool weapons rather than Explosive weapons, so in the very early game some of their hits deal almost no damage. If your first waves feel slow, that is the reason, not bad luck.
What to buy in the shop
Treat Elemental Damage as your size stat: every point makes each explosion larger, so crowds die faster. Explosive weapons and items that add explosions are your main damage source. Because Armor modifications are halved, lean on Max HP, HP Regeneration, Dodge or Life Steal for survival instead of stacking Armor.
Explosive turrets benefit from your explosion bonuses once you reach tier IV wrenches, according to the wiki. That makes a late Wrench line a valid scaling plan if you can survive until the red tier appears. Our shop guide covers locking and rerolling when you hunt for a specific tier.
A simple Artificer plan
- Waves 1–5: start with Shredder, add a second explosive weapon and take Elemental Damage when it is offered.
- Waves 6–12: fill remaining slots with explosive weapons or Wrench, and fix your weakest defensive stat before buying more damage.
- Waves 13–20: upgrade weapons to higher tiers, keep stacking Elemental Damage for size, and save materials for the shop before the boss.
- Before Danger 5 or Nightmare, compare with our best builds guide and the Nightmare guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you unlock Artificer in Brotato?
Kill 15 enemies with a single explosion. Explosive weapons with Explosion Size help you get a large blast.
Is Artificer good in Brotato?
Artificer can clear crowds quickly once explosions are large, but it starts slowly and gets less from Armor, so it rewards planning more than a beginner pick like Well Rounded.
Should Artificer stack Armor?
Not as a first priority. Armor modifications are halved, so Max HP, regeneration, Dodge or Life Steal usually give more survivability.