Looking to build an Alchemist for the Emerald Spire campaign that is being run. The first level has already been done so I would be joining at the next step. I am interested in either building a mutagen/bomber mix, or simply go bomber and blow stuff up (or make it nauseated.)
Can anyone give me tips on a build and progression for the first 5 levels?
Seems the muta/bomber mix will be rough on stat allocation, whereas the bomber would alleviate that a bit. Leaning towards Bomber at this point. Any solid archetype for this?
Race choice: Half Orc seems most likely for the bonus to bomb damage every 2 levels.
Big question I have is what are my Feats looking like?
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Sounds similar to what I'm going for with my second Alchemist (my first was heavy on the smashing things in the face side of things) I will say that I think that going all out on bombs can be a bit of a mistake. I played with other alchemists who were focused strictly on bombs and had the occasional ineffective fight.
I found that my heavy hitter build Alchemist was able to deal very good damage with bombs anyways once he got fast bombs, but I want try things a little different this time, so this is what I'm shooting for:
str 15
dex 14
con 14
Int 17 (racial mod)
wis 10
Cha 7
Favored Class Bonus into bomb damage every level
I traded out Orcish Ferocity for Sacred Tattoos.
Inital traits: Fates Favored, and Pragmatic Activator
1st: Extra traits (Reactionary and the one that gives Int for Diplomacy)
2nd: Precise Bombs
3rd: Point Blank Shot
4th: Feral Mutagen
5th: Extra Discovery (frost Bombs)
6th: Wings
7th: Rapid Shot
8th Fast bombs
You may not care about Face skills, in which case you could change out the level 1 feat. Precise shot might be pretty useful at low levels.
My first alchemist never threw a bomb till he was 4th or 5th but my new one is lobbing them all the time... I still haven't really had a round where ai was kicking myself for not taking precise shot because touch ACs tend to be low enough that it isn't an issue, This one is still only level 2 though so YMMV.
With my previous character I would just go in and tear things apart with tooth and claw or Falchion if I needed to get past DR. (this will likely be a bigger issue for this build than it was for my Barb/Alchemist so I might change my opinion of this in a few levels)
One thing I can't stress enough is that an Alchemist with just fast bombs and rapid shot can do an excellent amount of damage with bombs, especially hasted. Being able to contribute in melee is a huge advantage, and I am a little nervous that in a few levels I will be sad that I didn't go 17 str and 15 int to start.
My Emerald Spire alchemist is a Gnome Saboteur. Could be a cool build to look at if you're interested. At level 1 he had:
and at level 2 he will take Mutagen and the Pyromaniac racial trait, for 2d6+5 bombs, ~29 Stealth and ~28 AC fully buffed. Gnome also get extra bombs for their racial FCB and more CON for not dying. Even the CHA's not bad with tons of skill points and Alchemical Allocations of elixirs later.
Man I love alchemists. Of course "fully buffed" windows are fairly narrow sometimes at low levels, but hey.
dwayne germaine: I can't find Precise Bombs as a Feat anywhere. Did you mean Precise Shot (for bombs)? If so, how are you getting around the prerequisite of Point Blank Shot? I see you took it as your 3rd.
If you want to be a bomber and can be a goblin they have a nice archetype for it. Plus who doesnt want to be a goblin.
Precise Bombs is a discover(optional class feature) for Alchemists.
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dwayne germaine: I can't find Precise Bombs as a Feat anywhere. Did you mean Precise Shot (for bombs)? If so, how are you getting around the prerequisite of Point Blank Shot? I see you took it as your 3rd.
Sorry, I should have been more specific on what are feats and what are discoveries on my list. As Azten said, it is the alchemist discovery at 2nd level called precise bombs that allows you to exclude squares from splash damage on a hit. it helps to keep your friends feeling friendly towards you.
I don't feel that precise shot is nessecarry since you can often choose other targets than ones in melee or just deal with -4 to hit because you are targeting touch AC, or jump into the fray yourself.
note: I never bothered with precise bombs on my first alchemist, but he didn't use bombs much till about 5th level alchemist because his preferred method of combat was up close and personal. He does a lot more bombing now, because it's super effective even with minimal investment, but he's still primarily a melee combatant.
Is there a good archetype for an Alchemist that wants to focus primarily on Bombs, and melee as a 2nd resort? Basically....first couple rounds of combat would be hurling explosives, and then wade into melee after to mop things up.
Where do I find Grenadier?
Agreed on the use of the Grenadier archetype. Unless you really want to use poisons as well, getting precise bombs for free is very worth it. alchemical weapon is awesome if you have a hybridization funnel. When it becomes a swift action it can be pretty relevant.
I lack access to the Field Guide...any other options? Based on what info I have so far, I am pretty close to posting my build unless there is something usable out there.
OK, looking into it I see no real reason why I should not pick up the Beastmorph Archetype. It does not seem to have any effect on my bomb damage/ability, and it will make me more effective in melee. I lose out on the poison stuff, and swift alchemy. Is swift alchemy rough to lose?
I am also curious about the Tumor Familiar discovery. How powerful/effective might this be? How many options are there for a flying familiar? Would the pseudodragon be an option?
If I take Smoke Bomb & Stink Bomb, does the effect that is created (stink cloud, etc) replace the bomb damage, or is it in addition to? A stink bomb that deals damage and then nauseates sounds tremendous.