For this specific article, I will be rating the Artisan Tools from worst to best. Do keep in mind, though, that all of these are simply opinions from my personal experience and are rated on overall usefulness, efficiency, and how often they will probably be used.
There may be occasions where a character is interested in something less “efficient” due to the endeavors they went on before obtaining the tools. For example, a rogue is not proficient in artisan tools, but there’s a possibility that they may come across one and buy it for themselves.
They will not be proficient with it, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t use it- they would simply be less “efficient” in using them. After all, Artisan tools are made to pursue craft or trade such as creating art or honing other items. However, Artisan tools, for the most part, can contribute to the party in a multitude of ways, these are simply a matter of opinion and are therefore subjective.
17. Painter’s Supplies
The occasions in which a player should be using this. The only occasions I could see a player using these tools are simply for trying to impress an NPC or trying to visually explain a scenario (drawing out the criminal the Queen is trying to catch, for example). Other than that, it doesn’t have much use to the party nor their ventures.
16. Glassblower’s Tools
I have never encountered a scenario in which a player needed to make and shape glass. With the tools, it also helps find the weak spot in a glass object to break it, but it’s glass.
A strong enough Strength check should be enough to break it without a problem. The only scenario in which I can see these tools being used is if a party is trying to carefully break a piece of glass for whatever reason it may be, which will probably never be the situation.
15. Jeweler’s Tools
The best and debatably only way to tell if someone is robbing you of your money when selling gems. Money and gold does take quite a significance in the Dnd world, hence why these tools are not ranked last.
Other than making sure they’re paid the right amount for their jewels and gems, Jeweler’s Tools doesn’t have much use to the party.
14. Potter’s Tools
In one-shot’s or encounters involving old establishments or houses, players may often find broken pottery scattered around. As a DM, I sometimes use the pots as clues about the area around them or as part of the puzzle.
In this adventure, one of my new players coincidentally grabbed Potter’s Tools for their character and were proficient in it. Once they learned to use these tools to their advantage, it wasn’t hard for the party to figure out what happened.
13. Weaver’s Tools
This goes extremely well with the Animal Handling skill since skinning animals or using their fur would help with these tools. It’d be great for camouflage, warding off monsters with the smell, or simply trying to make a quick buck.
Additionally, it works out when trying to go into social situations where the party might not want to stand out wearing tattered clothes and rugged pants.
12. Cook’s Tools
I was considering ranking the Cook’s Tools higher, but after looking at the other tools, it was decided that the Cook’s Tools would be ranked low due to how replaceable it is.
In game, the players would be thrilled to be eating delicious food on the road and yes, the extra healing during short rests are nice. However, the materials to cook would still need to be gathered, and during short rests, the party could be healed by their spellcasters and potions that they may have.
That being said, these tools can be rendered useless later during the adventure at higher levels.
11. Cartographer’s Tools
Nothing is scarier than getting lost in a new area. A cartographer is always nice to have, though, most of the time the DM will always find a way to make sure the party gets back to the area needed so the plot doesn’t get out of hand.
If the DM’s style is more free-ranged, though, these tools can always come in handy regardless of level. With the tools, the player is able to make quick sketches compiled together to create a general map of the area around them while still being able to do other things.
10. Cobbler’s Tools
Great for longer adventures where DM takes fatigue into consideration when it comes to traveling. However, the player can’t expect everyone to have the same amount of stamina.
In most cases, even if the player with these tools are not fatigued by travel, the rest of the party will most likely be as well, so the player will have to take a short rest anyway. The extra secret storage in the boots is pretty cool, though!
9. Calligrapher’s Supplies
The sole reason why these tools are higher than the Cartographer’s Tools is due to the fact that the players are usually given a map as it is rather than having someone draw it out.
Sometimes maps can be confusing, especially in a dungeon or if the map itself is somewhat of a puzzle. It also helps decipher treasure maps, which is always a cool skill to have.
8. Leatherworker’s Tools
There are several things that a person can make out of leather: boots, armor, clothes, and sometimes just something to cover a person or item.
To have these things handy regardless of losing them or having them ripped is always a nice aspect to have. Great for lower levels, but pretty useless once the party has everything they need and more.
7. Smith’s Tools
Unlike leather, metal can be found in a multitude of places. Weapons, more advanced armor and sometimes even fortified buildings.
Smith’s Tools, as long as the player has the materials for it, can repair daggers and swords and such that may have been broken or chipped during battle. Always handy to have in case a party member is in desperate need of a weapon for an upcoming battle.
6. Mason’s Tools
The only reason why Mason’s Tools are ranked higher than Smith’s Tools is due to the fact that it gives the wearer the ability to deal double damage to stone and brick structures.
If the DM is nice enough, this tool may be applied to stone or brick constructs (hostile construct creatures). Otherwise, it’d be great to rely on someone other than the barbarian to break down walls.
5. Woodcarver’s Tools
Great to have when there’s an archer on the team. Arrows can become pretty scarce when there’s battle after battle and a far way back to civilization. With these tools, the arrows can simply be crafted and ready to use during a long or short rest. Of course, ranger’s aren’t the only ones to be using a bow, and the tools also work with bolts, javelins and ammunition.
4. Carpenter’s Tools
No place to stay? No problem. With Carpenter’s Tools a player can simply make some shelter for the party at the cost of gathering materials (no gold needed!).
The shelter may be temporary, but if worked on enough, it can simply be turned into a normal house due to the fact that the player is also able to make a door or window harder to break down. It comes in handy when the players wish to set up a safer camp for the night while being nowhere near civilization.
3. Brewer’s Supplies
There are several occasions when I had players need drinkable water as part of an encounter. Or sometimes, my party likes to drink like full-on alcoholics and simply have the brewer’s supplies to drink the days away while adventuring. Either way, this is a solid pick to choose even if the character isn’t proficient with it.
2. Tinker’s Tools
Tinker tools are basically a combination of the tools used for building or repairing. Any tools can be paired with these since Tinker’s Tools allows repairs on a multitude of objects. It simply makes more sense to choose Tinker’s Tools since it covers a wider variety and doesn’t give penalties for rushing the repairs.
1. Alchemist’s Supplies
The most commonly used tools ever since the Artificer became available in Dnd. Great when used with the Jeweller’s tools or Smith’s Tools for making ammunition or rare components.
Most players use this kit to make potions and resistances as they would with the Herbalism Kit except they’d be able to turn it into potions at half the cost.
While a Herbalism Kit is more for potions and such, the Alchemist Supplies is more for making, creating, and using materials that one wouldn’t usually find in a store.
Simply put, it’s easier to obtain and create magical ammunition and/or weapons when someone is proficient with the Alchemist Supplies which can benefit the entire party.
Summary Table on best artisan tools in DnD
| List # | Name | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alchemist’s Tools | Useful in creating chemicals. | Provides healing, damage mitigation, and other temporary bonuses. |
| 2 | Tinker’s Tools | Used for building and repairing objects. | Allows you to craft, modify, and repair a wide range of items. |
| 3 | Brewer’s Supplies | Used to create various types of beverages. | Provides a source of drinkable water and a means of creating alcohol. |
| 4 | Carpenter’s Tools | Used for building structures, furniture, and other wooden objects. | Provides shelter and safety while traveling or camping, and allows players to reinforce or fortify doors and windows. |
| 5 | Woodcarver’s Tools | Used for crafting wooden objects, such as arrows, bolts, and javelins. | Provides a reliable source of ammunition for archers and other ranged attackers, and allows players to craft wooden objects for a variety of uses. |
| 6 | Mason’s Tools | Used for working with stone and brick structures. | Allows you to deal extra damage to constructs and structures made of stone or brick, and can be used to destroy walls or barriers. |
| 7 | Smith’s Tools | Used for working with metal objects, such as weapons and armor. | Allows you to repair damaged or broken equipment, and provides a means of creating new weapons and armor. |
| 8 | Leatherworker’s Tools | Used for working with leather, such as crafting armor, boots, and clothing. | Allows creating protective gear and clothing, and can be used to create disguises or covers for objects. |
| 9 | Calligrapher’s Supplies | Used for creating intricate and decorative handwriting, and for creating maps and treasure maps. | Allows you to create maps and treasure maps with greater detail and accuracy. |
| 10 | Cobbler’s Tools | Used for repairing and creating footwear. | Provides a means of repairing and maintaining footwear, and can be used to create secret space shoes or boots. |
| 11 | Cartographer’s Tools | Used for creating maps and navigating new areas. | Allows you to create maps and keep track of their location and the location of points of interest. |
| 12 | Cook’s Tools | Used for preparing food and creating meals. | Provides a source of healing during short rests and allows players to create meals for themselves and others. |
| 13 | Weaver’s Tools | Used for working with animal hides and fabrics. | Provides a means of creating camouflage and protective clothing. |
| 14 | Potter’s Tools | Used for working with clay and creating pottery. | Provides a means of creating decorative or functional pottery. |