First, let me say that I really like the new Alchemist for the most part. My biggest issue at the moment is Mutagens. I like the fix, don't get me wrong. They're no longer a bad idea. My problem is they remain boring. There's simply not enough discoveries for mutagens. I want to see something that ups my size, or grants wings, things like that. Yes, I know I can do that with extracts, but when I've gone all Hyde on the baddies, drinking extracts doesn't make any sense to me. I should be in the middle of melee, messing them up. Certainly, some of these effects would be upper level discoveries (10+), but I think it'd be cool, and I know I'd spend the discoveries on them. Even if it's as simple as allowing them to create mutagens that also have effects of formulae (much like they can already combine multiple formulae into extracts).
I'd also like to see some lower level mutagen discoveries. Right now, I can only take 2 before 12th level, and one of them costs me extra GP and deals Intelligence damage. Not exactly a lot of options going here. Perhaps the above mentioned discoveries for combining with extracts could be split up, requiring you to take one for 1st and 2nd level formulae, one for 3rd and 4th, and MAYBE one for 5th and 6th (though I'm leaning away from that.)
Also, I think alchemists should gain the ability to make potions above 3rd level, either automatically as they level, or through discoveries. I think they should be much better at this than anyone else. It would certainly make Brew Potion seem much more interesting.
As it's written, it looks like they can create potions that other people can't make, such as a potion of True Strike or Shield, (going off the text that states they can make a potion of ANY formula they know) so I'm thinking they already have a 'brew potion' niche that is quite nice.
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Also, I think alchemists should gain the ability to make potions above 3rd level, either automatically as they level, or through discoveries. I think they should be much better at this than anyone else. It would certainly make Brew Potion seem much more interesting.
2:1 Someone somewhere on these boards has or will say the Alchemist is already better at Brewing because he gets the feat at first level. Bah! I agree higher "spell" level potions should be possible for the Alchemist, but maybe not above 5th.
Also, I think alchemists should gain the ability to make potions above 3rd level, either automatically as they level, or through discoveries. I think they should be much better at this than anyone else. It would certainly make Brew Potion seem much more interesting.2:1 Someone somewhere on these boards has or will say the Alchemist is already better at Brewing because he gets the feat at first level. Bah! I agree higher "spell" level potions should be possible for the Alchemist, but maybe not above 5th.
That seems fair. I could see a single discovery only, allowing up to 5th level potions. Higher than that may be pushing it (especially with the alchemists extend and eternal potion abilities).
That seems fair. I could see a single discovery only, allowing up to 5th level potions. Higher than that may be pushing it (especially with the alchemists extend and eternal potion abilities).Also, I think alchemists should gain the ability to make potions above 3rd level, either automatically as they level, or through discoveries. I think they should be much better at this than anyone else. It would certainly make Brew Potion seem much more interesting.2:1 Someone somewhere on these boards has or will say the Alchemist is already better at Brewing because he gets the feat at first level. Bah! I agree higher "spell" level potions should be possible for the Alchemist, but maybe not above 5th.
Because of extend and eternal potion, I think if this would be better if an Alchemist got "Brew Elixir" at level 10 which would allow you to make an Elixir from higher level extracts but since its an Elixir you couldn't make it permanent.
I think it would be neat to have several fields of study the alchemist can specialize in: potion brewing, poison making, mutagen use, bombadier, chirurgy, construct building, material transmutation, elementalism, astrology, etc.
It would also be neat if there were different levels of mutagens the alchemist could learn. Some to enhance physical attributes, some to give them special abilities (breath weapon, flight, invisiblity, ooze form, swarm form, gaseous form, giant form, beast form, elemental form, anti-magic form (SR & dispelling or disjoining touch), shrinking form, climbing, burrow, swimming & water breathing & freedom of movement, DR, Fast Healing, energy resistance, natural armor, etc. etc.).
EDIT:
A cool 8th level Discovery would be allowing the alchemist to make potions from other spellcaster's lists by making a DC 20 + spell level or caster level alchemy skill check (like the warlock's imbue item ability) PLUS the ability to make potions of a spell level equal to 1/2 the alchemist's class level.
It would also be neat if there rules for allowing the alchemist to do chirurgy using the Heal skill. Maybe able to restore 1d6 hit points per hit die of the subject once per day, +1 per level of the alchemist. Maybe call it Chirurgeon and allow it at 2nd or 4th level. Improved Chirurgeon (10th level discovery) might allow an alchemist to make a DC 30 Heal check to emulate a Raise Dead if applied no more than a number of rounds equal to the alchemist's level after dying. Greater Chirurgeon (18th level discovery) might allow an alchemist to make a DC 40 Heal check to emulate a True Resurrection if applied no more than a number of minutes equal to the alchemist's level after dying.
A cool 8th level Discovery would be allowing the alchemist to make potions from other spellcaster's lists by making a DC 20 + spell level or caster level alchemy skill check (like the warlock's imbue item ability) PLUS the ability to make potions of a spell level equal to 1/2 the alchemist's class level.
This already exists under the normal item creation rules. It's no longer necessary. The formulae are called out in the Brew Potion class feature because they're technically not spells, and wouldn't normally fall under it. Nowhere does it say he can't use the Brew Potion feat in the normal manner.
That seems fair. I could see a single discovery only, allowing up to 5th level potions. Higher than that may be pushing it (especially with the alchemists extend and eternal potion abilities).Also, I think alchemists should gain the ability to make potions above 3rd level, either automatically as they level, or through discoveries. I think they should be much better at this than anyone else. It would certainly make Brew Potion seem much more interesting.2:1 Someone somewhere on these boards has or will say the Alchemist is already better at Brewing because he gets the feat at first level. Bah! I agree higher "spell" level potions should be possible for the Alchemist, but maybe not above 5th.
That might be a good candidate for a Grand discovery, though.
I think it would be neat to have several fields of study the alchemist can specialize in: potion brewing, poison making, mutagen use, bombadier, chirurgy, construct building, material transmutation, elementalism, astrology, etc.
It would also be neat if there were different levels of mutagens the alchemist could learn. Some to enhance physical attributes, some to give them special abilities (breath weapon, flight, invisiblity, ooze form, swarm form, gaseous form, giant form, beast form, elemental form, anti-magic form (SR & dispelling or disjoining touch), shrinking form, climbing, burrow, swimming & water breathing & freedom of movement, DR, Fast Healing, energy resistance, natural armor, etc. etc.).
EDIT:
A cool 8th level Discovery would be allowing the alchemist to make potions from other spellcaster's lists by making a DC 20 + spell level or caster level alchemy skill check (like the warlock's imbue item ability) PLUS the ability to make potions of a spell level equal to 1/2 the alchemist's class level.
It would also be neat if there rules for allowing the alchemist to do chirurgy using the Heal skill. Maybe able to restore 1d6 hit points per hit die of the subject once per day, +1 per level of the alchemist. Maybe call it Chirurgeon and allow it at 2nd or 4th level. Improved Chirurgeon (10th level discovery) might allow an alchemist to make a DC 30 Heal check to emulate a Raise Dead if applied no more than a number of rounds equal to the alchemist's level after dying. Greater Chirurgeon (18th level discovery) might allow an alchemist to make a DC 40 Heal check to emulate a True Resurrection if applied no more than a number of minutes equal to the alchemist's level after dying.
I forgot to add that Improved Chirurgeon would heal 1d8 hit points per hit die of the subject, and Greater Chirurgeon would heal 1d10 hit points per hit die of the subject.
I forgot to add that Improved Chirurgeon would heal 1d8 hit points per hit die of the subject, and Greater Chirurgeon would heal 1d10 hit points per hit die of the subject.I think it would be neat to have several fields of study the alchemist can specialize in: potion brewing, poison making, mutagen use, bombadier, chirurgy, construct building, material transmutation, elementalism, astrology, etc.
It would also be neat if there were different levels of mutagens the alchemist could learn. Some to enhance physical attributes, some to give them special abilities (breath weapon, flight, invisiblity, ooze form, swarm form, gaseous form, giant form, beast form, elemental form, anti-magic form (SR & dispelling or disjoining touch), shrinking form, climbing, burrow, swimming & water breathing & freedom of movement, DR, Fast Healing, energy resistance, natural armor, etc. etc.).
EDIT:
A cool 8th level Discovery would be allowing the alchemist to make potions from other spellcaster's lists by making a DC 20 + spell level or caster level alchemy skill check (like the warlock's imbue item ability) PLUS the ability to make potions of a spell level equal to 1/2 the alchemist's class level.
It would also be neat if there rules for allowing the alchemist to do chirurgy using the Heal skill. Maybe able to restore 1d6 hit points per hit die of the subject once per day, +1 per level of the alchemist. Maybe call it Chirurgeon and allow it at 2nd or 4th level. Improved Chirurgeon (10th level discovery) might allow an alchemist to make a DC 30 Heal check to emulate a Raise Dead if applied no more than a number of rounds equal to the alchemist's level after dying. Greater Chirurgeon (18th level discovery) might allow an alchemist to make a DC 40 Heal check to emulate a True Resurrection if applied no more than a number of minutes equal to the alchemist's level after dying.
Why would a Alchemist practice surgery? That doesn't seem to fit the theme imo.
Alchemy deals with medicine, surgery, the 4 humors (blood, phlegm, black bile, yellow bile) and the balance between them, eternal youth, resurrection, communion with spirits, astrology, metallurgy, etc. etc.
Also, it would be neat to have a skill-based healer in the game, but kind of boring to have a class that specialized in it.
Alchemy deals with medicine, surgery, the 4 humors (blood, phlegm, black bile, yellow bile) and the balance between them, eternal youth, resurrection, communion with spirits, astrology, metallurgy, etc. etc.
Also, it would be neat to have a skill-based healer in the game, but kind of boring to have a class that specialized in it.
Yes but that's not the kind of Alchemist Paaizo is trying to put out here. This is the typical "Chemist-mage" that has been a staple fantasy games and books for years.
A skill based healer would be fine, but that just doesn't blend well with the alchemists other abilities as it looks now. Perhaps Paizo will re-release the healer class later on to fix that...