I was thinking and shouldn’t there be a way for an artificer to “install” an infusion on their steel defender? Other than trying to put slippers of spider climbing on it? Should be able to keep tinkering, would this be a DM choice kinda thing? Also no where does it say that the defenders attacks are ever magical… an infusion could help there too. It seems like it be left behind. #dnd #eberron @JeremyECrawford

— Taro Boyd (@TheTaro) December 18, 2019

A D&D creature can use magic items, unless its anatomy or a rule precludes such use. For example, the steel defender is a creature that can reasonably use many different magic items.

Ultimately, the DM decides, guided by the magic item rules in the "Dungeon Master's Guide." #DnD https://t.co/CqlpjGLcNC

— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) December 18, 2019

The steel defender in "Eberron: Rising from the Last War" deals force damage. Such damage bypasses resistance to nonmagical bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage. #DnD https://t.co/8Hh7AR228T

— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) December 18, 2019

Don't the rules say the Defender doesn't have actions of its own? Something along the lines of "unless you command it to attack with your bonus action, the creature takes the Dodge action on its turn". Does that preclude the use of magic items?

— Max "All I Want for Christmas is Djent" Ximenez (@maxximenez) December 18, 2019

Many D&D magic items confer their benefits without requiring an action. A creature, like the steel defender, that has limits on what it can do with its action can use such magic items.

A creature is precluded from using all magic items only if a rule says so. #DnD https://t.co/Z6mtwTDgnq

— Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) December 18, 2019