Vlad can store a 1st- or 2nd-level artificer spell with a casting time of 1 action in an object. A creature holding the object can use an action to produce the spell's effect, using Vlad's spellcasting ability.

Vlad commands his Steel Defender to move and take actions using his bonus action. The defender has a bite attack and can use Repair to restore hit points to a construct or object.

Vlad can use a bonus action to cause his Steel Defender to repair a creature or object within 5 feet, restoring 2d8 plus Vlad's proficiency bonus hit points, up to three times per long rest.

When Vlad or his Steel Defender hits with a magic weapon attack, Vlad can deal an extra 2d6 force damage or restore 2d6 hit points to a creature within 30 feet, up to four times per day.

Vlad can use his reaction to add 2d6 to his or his Steel Defender's AC against one attack, potentially causing it to miss.

Vlad is proficient with light armor, medium armor, shields, thieves' tools, and tinker's tools. He can use artisan's tools as a spellcasting focus for his artificer spells.

Vlad can infuse mundane objects with minor magical properties. He knows four artificer infusions and can maintain two infused items.

Vlad can use an infused item as a spellcasting focus and gains proficiency with smith's tools and one other artisan's tool of his choice, woodcarver's tools.

Vlad can attune to four magic items instead of three.

Vlad can use his Intelligence modifier for attack and damage rolls with a magic weapon, gains proficiency with martial weapons, and can create a Steel Defender. The defender acts on Vlad's initiative and can use its reaction to impose disadvantage on an attack against a creature within 5 feet of it.

Vlad can attack twice, instead of once, whenever he takes the Attack action on his turn.

Vlad can attune to five magic items instead of four and ignores all class, race, spell, and level requirements on attuning to or using a magic item.

Vlad can maintain up to six infused items and knows ten artificer infusions.

Vlad can attune to six magic items instead of five and gains a +1 bonus to all saving throws for each magic item he is currently attuned to.

Vlad gains proficiency with all simple and martial weapons.

Vlad can use his smith's tools to create a Steel Defender, a construct companion that obeys his commands and can repair itself and others in battle.

Vlad can channel magical energy through his Steel Defender. When Vlad or the defender is hit by an attack, Vlad can use his reaction to add 2d6 to the target's AC against that attack, potentially causing it to miss. The defender can also use its reaction to impose disadvantage on an attack against a creature within 5 feet of it.

When Vlad or his Steel Defender dies within 5 feet of the other, the survivor can use its reaction to expend a spell slot and restore hit points to the fallen creature equal to 2d6 per level of the slot.

Vlad can create a magical item during a long rest. The item can replicate one common magic item that is not a potion or scroll.

Vlad can cast artificer spells using tools as a spellcasting focus. Intelligence is his spellcasting ability, and he can prepare a number of artificer spells equal to his Intelligence modifier plus half his artificer level.

Vlad can create a temporary magical item during a long rest. He can create six such items at once, and each item must be infused with one of his known artificer infusions.

Vlad's mastery of magical objects allows him to ignore the normal gold and time requirements when crafting common and uncommon magic items.

Vlad can cast any artificer spell of 1st level or higher through a spell-storing item and can maintain a larger reserve of magical equipment as his understanding improves.

If Vlad is reduced to 0 hit points, he can use his reaction to end one of his artificer infusions within 60 feet and drop to 1 hit point instead. He can also add his Intelligence modifier to death saving throws while attuned to at least one magic item.

Vlad can usually find the rank, faction, or military organization to which a soldier belongs, and he can secure basic assistance from soldiers and sympathetic members of military organizations.