do artificers still require the typical spell components (V/S/M) or do they just simply need their tools? An artificer needs to use tools as a spellcasting focus. Per the PHB, this replaces the material components for the spell unless those components have a cost. It has no effect or verbal or somatic components, though you can use the hand holding tools for somatic components.

— Keith Baker (@HellcowKeith) December 15, 2019

Somatic components mean that you have to have a hand available and that someone watching knows you’re using that hand to cast a spell. For an artificer that generally just means you are *using your tool* and that it’s obvious you’re doing something magical with it. Verbal components remain unchanged. You're still doing something magical, and it's strange to think that you'd speak words of power or chant an incantation to infuse your actions with arcane energy. Essentially, you're coding.

— Keith Baker (@HellcowKeith) December 15, 2019