I have an Alchemist that just acquired 2nd level extracts, and I am contemplating the uses and limits of Alchemical Allocation. PFS rules require that you buy potions at minimum caster level, but is that for the spell or the effect?
For instance, could I buy a Barkskin +5 potion? Barkskin the spell can be cast by a Druid of 3rd level, so the minimum would be a +2 bonus for 30 Min. On the loot tables though, there is an entry for Potion of Barkskin +5 with a minimum caster level of 12. This is true of all spells that have a level based progression- the spell appears in multiple potions with different +X in the name. So, is it legal to buy a "Potion of Barkskin +5" at the minimum caster level (12), or would I be limited to a "Potion of Barkskin" at CL 3? I have seen a lot of arguments on this in the forums, but no real answer.
My guess is that I'll be stuck with the CL3 version, but that makes this ability pretty crappy in PFS. I would have to spend 2 rounds and a level 2 extract slot to get a really low powered and low duration effect. I would also risk provoking for both the extract and the potion.