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Table: Engineer Archetypes

ArchetypePrerequisitesDescription
ArtificerAn artificer is an individual who lives on the edge of magic and science. They are craftsmen and engineers, mixing magic with a new discipline: technology. Artificers are students of exotic sciences and theories, and are often viewed with distrust, derision or outright hostility by those versed in traditional magic.
ArtiforgedThe wise strive for self perfection by transcending the material world. The ambitious meld flesh and steel to forge themselves into the perfect warrior. These artiforged spend a lifetime gradually replacing their body parts and augmenting existing ones.
BlacksmithTraditionally, the crafter is removed from the field of battle. It is their duty to prepare the fighters for the adventures to come, and repair their equipment when it returns from the fray. However, some might decide their abilities might be better suited on the front lines; If they don’t need to return from their fighting, they may always keep on going. A blacksmith bolsters his arms and armor, and with the assistance of his portable forge, he becomes a powerful force on the field.
DemolitionistMaster of explosives and usually found within the middle ranks of any party. A demolitionist uses his explosives to bait and limit foes where they can go, change the ground to create holes and pits, or just use his grenades to simply blow things up.
Disciple of the HandTo some, glory and power aren’t found, but forged. These men and women seek the great artifacts of the past as an architect seeks blueprints, eagerly analyzing the secrets of their creation. A disciple of the hand is someone who eschews the traditional study of engineering in order to more fully explore the art of enchanting magic items, for he knows a well-placed weapon can change the course of a war, and kingdoms have been traded for a single sword. These men and women, while generally considered to be more mentally stable than chemists, are often just as eccentric and single-minded, sometimes spending weeks at a time in complete seclusion, crafting their latest masterpiece. A disciple of the hand may delve into dungeons and face monsters with the rest of them, but his true passion is always creation, and his true goal a legacy to last the ages.
Iron FistSome engineers eschew the study of automatons, turning instead to living creatures for inspiration, improvement, and introspection. They enhance their own bodies with cybertech and training, and learn to efficiently repair – or destroy – the bodies of others.
Mako Weapon SpecialistSome engineers enter battle with powerful energy weapons capable of obliterating targets. These weapons can take the shape from complex rods, high-powered energy crossbows, firearms, swords or axes made entirely of energy, or even more exotic and strange devices.
Nanite HealerMasters of their own body, powered by nanites and nanobots, these engineers seek out to repair or wreck bodies.
ProsthetistMany minds of the mechanical persuasion are obsessed with perfection. Always striving for just an inch more leverage, just a millimeter more precision, just a hair’s breadth closer to some invisible goal that forever moves beyond their horizons. But despite this aim, many ignore the flaws much more close to home. The prosthetist take a look at himself, and see what he can do better; in the most literal sense possible.
PuppetmasterEntertainers from the Near East in Vana’diel, they use their puppets to entertain audiences, but they are also effective in combat. Puppetmasters are adept with hand-to-hand combat, but their specialty is activating an automaton to assist them in combat. Unlike other automatons, the puppet can reprogrammed to perform different functions, as well as customized using over a dozen attachments.
Sky CaptainPupuMost PuPu are highly technological in nature, but even without their most advanced materials, sky captains make do with what they have and sail the open skies in search of plunder and adventure.
SynthesistSome engineers create magnificent technologies that enhance their already considerable abilities to forge, sculpt, or otherwise craft wondrous tools. These synthesists build constructors. These constructors, capable of building anything from mundane items to powerful magic weapons, are invaluable to adventuring synthesists looking for the right tool at the right time.
TechnomancerTechnomancers have found ways of making technology almost magical. While spellcasters specialize in the often difficult methods of controlling magic, technomancers tinker with extraordinarily advanced science. They have dubbed this practice magitek. Their understanding of both magic and technology is on a different level than most spellcasters, especially in how magic and physical objects interact.
TinkerAl BhedSome al bheds grow to distrust or even loathe magic. To this end they endeavor to use as little as possible while simultaneously researching new and deadly ways to counter magic and all of its practitioners.
TrapsmithSome engineers are not content with just disabling traps—they love to build them, finding a captivating beauty in the turning of gears and the slither of ropes over pulleys. The trapsmith may have started out putting together traps in order to better understand how to disable them, but for most, it’s long since gone beyond that—they now relish the challenge of creating the perfect combat machine.
TunnelerKoboldKobolds make their homes beneath the mountains, living in darkness most of their lives. While some may venture up to the surface, others will use their ingenuity to burrow further into the earth to reap the rich mineral bounties. The finest kobold engineering makes use of instruments such as massive drills which tear through rock at alarming pace.
WarmechShindroidIngenious shindroids employ battle armor to increase their field presence. Mimicking magitek, warmechs are equipped with weaponry and use their battle armor and force fields to protect allies in battle.
WindriderIxalThe use of balloons and other aircraft is vital to the ixal way of life, air transportation of cargo through the mountain passes of their home being of extreme importance for the flightless beastmen. Many ixal have taken up the profession of designing and crafting airships, whether for practical reasons or even for spiritual reasons, these engineers stop at nothing until every ixal knows what it means to ride the wind.

Non-FF Archetypes

The following archetypes are based off of pop-culture references outside of Final Fantasy and may not fit within the theming of your campaign. Consult your DM before using them.

Table: Non-FF Engineer Archetypes

ArchetypePrerequisitesDescriptionReference
GadgeteerThe gadgeteer specializes in applied science and uses esoteric formulas and theories developed in laboratories to create extraordinary devices that aid and support in combat. Many gadgeteers become adventurers not only to right wrongs or fight for country, but also to gather the necessary funding to continue their research and tinkering.The Division
IronmanUsing power armor similar to magitek, even simple foot soldiers can be devastating titans on the battlefield. Ironmen are no simple foot soldiers, however, and are among the most elite pilots of these powerful machines.Iron Man (Avengers)