[RPG] How do the Artificer infusions from the Infuse Item feature work

artificerartificer-infusionsdnd-5e

One of my players is playing an Artificer, and has just reached level 2. Reading the infusion rules, we are both a little confused as they seem to contradict.

The description of the Infuse Item feature seems to say that Infusions last indefinitely until either the Artificer dies, places the same infusion on a different item, or loses the knowledge of that infusion. I take to mean that over time an artificer can have every infusion running on multiple items.

For instance, the artificer knows 6 infusions. Day 1, he casts 1 and 2 on his armour and a weapon; day 2, he casts 3 and 4 on a different party member's equipment; and day 3, he casts the final 2 on a different party member.
Is this the right application of the rules? To me, it makes sense. Otherwise, what is the point of having a class that makes magic items?

Best Answer

The Artificer class table lists the limit on the number of infused items you can have at any given time.

The rules for infusions in the description of the artificer's Infuse Item feature state (TCoE, p. 12-13; ERftLW, p. 57; WGtE, p. 79):

You can infuse more than one nonmagical object at the end of a long rest; the maximum number of objects appears in the Infused Items column of the Artificer table. [...] If you try to exceed your maximum number of infusions, the oldest infusion immediately ends, and then the new infusion applies.

Consult the Artificer table to see how many items you can have infused at once.

For example, at 5th level, the table says you can infuse up to two items. So you can infuse two items and no more than two items. If you try to infuse a third item, the infusion on the first item ends.