Starting an Artificer

Races

 * Warforged is an attractive choice, with bonus to Constitution and easy self-healing via repair infusions.
 * Half-elves have access to their unique dilettante feats. Rogue dilettante with 3d6 sneak attack is particularly popular. Both half-elves and humans have access to Human Versatility enhancement that can grant up to 25 % damage boost. Humans have also access to the Cannith dragonmark, making them the best crafters in DDO.
 * Races with bonuses to Dexterity (halflings, elves, drow) have easier time qualifying for Improved Precise Shot (needs 19 dex). Drow can start with 20 int.
 * Dwarves may not be an intuitive choice, but they don't have any disadvantages and can make very sturdy artificers. Half-orcs are a rare choice, except for builds that maximize strength.

Abilities

 * Strength: Most artificers don't put too much emphasis on Strength. Many rely on crossbows and infusions (e.g. Flame Turret or Blade Barrier) for damage. Even those artificers that favor one handed melee weapon and runearm often have only average strength (relying on Insightful Attack or Insightful Damage to improve their melee performance). Few artificers maximize strength and use the level-up points to increase it. However, neglecting Strength completely is not recommended, carrying several heavy crossbows on a 6 strength halfling can be problematic.


 * Dexterity: An important ability for many artificers. Most artificers start with at least an average score so that they have easier time hitting with their crossbows. Many start at 16, read a +2 tome and spend one level-up point to achieve 19 dex, needed for Improved Precise Shot. Somewhat rare melee only builds can dump dexterity completely.


 * Constitution: Put at least 6 points here. Given that most artificers rely on ranged attacks and infusions, can self-heal, and come with an iron defender, artificers might survive with less constitution than other classes; however, this is not recommendable.


 * Intelligence: The most important ability for artificers. The difficulty class (DC) of infusions depends on it (e.g., Blade Barrier or Tactical Detonation). Also, artificers can add Int modifier to some attack rolls or damage rolls. Most artificers want to start with 18 (if they can afford it) and put level up points here.


 * Wisdom: Artificers rarely put points to wisdom.


 * Charisma: Artificers are avid users of the Use Magic Device skill, which is controlled by this ability. However, they have enough bonuses to this skill that they can perform successfully even without putting ability points to charisma.

32 point buy ranged: 10 str, 14 dex, 15 con, 18 int, 8 wis, 8 cha (all level-up point to int)

32 point buy ranged with IPS: 8 str, 16 dex, 14 con, 18 int, 8 wis, 8 cha (one level-up point to dex, rest to int)

32 point buy melee: 15 str, 8 dex, 15 con, 18 int, 8 wis, 8 cha

32 point buy str-based: 18 str, 8 dex, 16 con, 14 int, 8 wis, 8 cha

Infusions
Artificers have access to several infusions that enchant their weapon and improve their combat performance. All artificers can scribe repair infusions into bonus slots. Flame Turret, Blade Barrier, and Tactical Detonation are the main direct damage spells.

Artificers are the masters of UMD and often carry a wide repertoire of wands, scrolls, and clickies to complement their spell list. With improved caster level and +75 % wand mastery, artificers are the best scroll healers in the game.

Multiclassing
Artificers have an attractive capstone enhancement and they have access to bonus feats from a wide list. Therefore, most artificers stay pure. Those who decide to multiclass often choose rogue or monk levels for evasion, to complement their trap finding ability. Additional feats (monk/fighter) and haste boost (rogue/fighter) are also worth it to lose the capstone for some builds.

Some artificers take advantage of 6 levels of rogue for the mechanic I prestige enhancement - Int to damage with crossbows.

Dipping Artificer
Artificers are a rather front loaded class, they gain several attractive abilities early. In spite of that, there are not many builds that benefit from taking only a few levels of artificer. Combining artificer 6 with 14 levels of bard warchanter or 11 levels of ranger could make interesting experimental builds.
 * art 6/bard 14 crossbow specialist (dex and int and con)
 * art 6/bard 14 one handed fighter (str and con)
 * art 6/ranger 11 - manages to collect lot of abilities and feats without much synergy, lacking focus; significant ranged burst DPS with fusillade and manyshot; traps and evasion, full TWF