Vlad uses a bonus action to command his Steel Defender to move and attack, repair, or take another action. Without a command, it can Dodge.

Vlad uses a reaction to impose disadvantage on an attack against a creature within 5 feet of his Steel Defender.

Vlad gains proficiency with smiths tools and martial weapons. He can use Intelligence instead of Strength or Dexterity for attack and damage rolls with a magic weapon. He can use smiths tools as a spellcasting focus. He also gains a Steel Defender, a magical construct companion that acts after Vlad in combat, uses his proficiency bonus, and can impose disadvantage on an attack against a creature within 5 feet of it as a reaction.

Vlad makes two weapon attacks when he takes the Attack action.

When Vlad or his Steel Defender hits with a magic weapon, Vlad can deal an additional 2d6 force damage or restore 2d6 hit points to a creature within 30 feet, up to five times per long rest.

Vlad can add his Intelligence modifier to a saving throw or ability check made by himself or a creature within 30 feet, up to five times per long rest.

If Vlad would be reduced to 0 hit points, he can end one artificer infusion to drop to 1 hit point instead.

Vlad is proficient with light armor, medium armor, shields, simple weapons, thieves tools, tinkers tools, and one type of artisan's tools. He can use artisan tools as a spellcasting focus for artificer spells.

Vlad can imbue a Tiny nonmagical object with a minor magical property, such as emitting light, recording a message, producing a scent, or displaying a static visual effect.

Vlad knows four artificer infusions and can infuse two items. Infusions known are Enhanced Defense, Enhanced Weapon, Replicate Magic Item, and Returning Weapon.

Vlad gains proficiency with smiths tools. He can use smiths tools to create a set of artisans tools during a short or long rest, and can craft magical items more efficiently.

Vlad gains an Ability Score Improvement. His Strength increases by 1 and his Constitution increases by 1, already included in his statistics.

Vlad can use artisan tools with which he is proficient as spellcasting focuses for artificer spells, and gains an additional cantrip.

Vlad gains an Ability Score Improvement. His Intelligence increases by 2, from 13 to 15.

Vlad gains an additional infused item and can attune to up to four magical items.

Vlad gains an Ability Score Improvement. His Strength increases by 2, from 15 to 17.

Vlad gains an additional cantrip and can attune to up to five magical items.

Vlad gains an Ability Score Improvement. His Constitution increases by 2, from 15 to 17.

Vlad gains an additional infused item and can attune to up to six magical items.

Vlad gains an Ability Score Improvement. His Intelligence increases by 2, from 15 to 17.

Vlad gains Soul of Artifice. He gains a +1 bonus to all saving throws for each magic item he is attuned to. If reduced to 0 hit points, he can end one infusion to drop to 1 hit point instead, once per infusion.

Vlad's Steel Defender gains a second attack. It can also be rebuilt over one hour with smiths tools if destroyed, returning with full hit points.

Vlad gains proficiency with all martial weapons and can attack with a magic weapon using Intelligence. His Steel Defender's attacks deal extra force damage equal to his proficiency bonus.

Vlad can usually find the noncombatant military forces, mercenary companies, and veterans of the Wingforged and Skyforged nations, and can secure modest shelter and aid from them when necessary.