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So I noticed in the PF APG that they appended a sentence into the Alchemist description.
An alchemist can also add formulae to his book just like a wizard adds spells to his spellbook, using the same costs and time requirements. An alchemist can study a wizard’s spellbook to learn any formula that is equivalent to a spell the spellbook contains. A wizard, however, cannot learn spells from a formula book. An alchemist does not need to decipher arcane writings before copying them. (emphasis mine)
Does this mean that he does not need to make the spellcraft check to copy the spell?
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Does this mean that he does not need to make the spellcraft check to copy the spell?
It would appear that way yes.
I kinda like the flavor of it too with only being able to work off original arcane materials and not being able to copy another alchemists work. It's like each individual would be able to make the magic work in a very specific way for them and "plagiarizing" someone elses forumlae would only result in a non-functional extract. Meaning each alchemist has to figure it our on his own, as a means of personal growth.
Does this mean that he does not need to make the spellcraft check to copy the spell?It would appear that way yes.
I kinda like the flavor of it too with only being able to work off original arcane materials and not being able to copy another alchemists work. It's like each individual would be able to make the magic work in a very specific way for them and "plagiarizing" someone elses forumlae would only result in a non-functional extract. Meaning each alchemist has to figure it our on his own, as a means of personal growth.
I would disagree. the alchemist still needs to make the spellcraft check to copy from a spellbook...pfcrb pg 219, adding spells to a wizards spellbook. What i have issue with is why DOESNT he have to decipher it first....pfcrb pg 218-219, arcane magical writing says "even the most powerful wizard has to decipher anothers script" yet here we have some second rate, add-mixture, caster wanna-be can do it instantly....BS! if the Paizo guys are reading this you need to fix this. delete the last line of 'alchemy' just prior to the 'bomb' heading APG pg 28 and make it the alchemist has to 1st decipher, then scribe a spell from a wizard's spellbook just like every TRUE mage must. and actually, i would make both checks a DC 20+spell level, not just deciphering, since it is not writen in an alchemical formula.
the standard rules would apply for alchemists copying from another alchemist's book as if they were wizards.; ref same PFCRB pages.
I don't see anything that says the alchemists can't copy each others books. Just that the wizard can't copy theirs.
I think the reason the alchemist doesn't have to decipher the writings is because they didn't get read magic as a spell. Other than that yes, deciphering and understanding/copying are two different things
So I noticed in the PF APG that they appended a sentence into the Alchemist description.
An alchemist can also add formulae to his book just like a wizard adds spells to his spellbook, using the same costs and time requirements. An alchemist can study a wizard’s spellbook to learn any formula that is equivalent to a spell the spellbook contains. A wizard, however, cannot learn spells from a formula book. An alchemist does not need to decipher arcane writings before copying them. (emphasis mine)
Does this mean that he does not need to make the spellcraft check to copy the spell?
I'm pretty sure this means exactly what it says. The alchemist does not need to decipher arcane writings before copying them. When you copy a spell something into a spellbook, first you decipher it. Then, you have to do other stuff like study the spell and then make a Spellcraft check and pay the writing costs. So, the alchemist can skip the decipher step but not the rest.
On a related topic... what do you think a formula book looks like to a wizard? What happens when they attempt a Spellcraft check or cast read magic to read it? I have some ideas but was wondering what others think.
as its listed a wizard cant learn from a formula book. i would say its like a liberal arts major trying to decipher theoretical math. as for wizards not able to learn from a formula book, why not, why cant it work both ways?
what if you use comprehend language instead of read magic? since 1: alchemists autoread magic which i still think is a load of crap) and 2: they can auto understand other alchemist formula, it seems that formula equates to a language.
I don't think an alchemist can read magical writing at all.
Instead, I think an alchemist can look at magical writing, and, with study, pick out just the parts he needs to concoct his own alchemical formula. The wizard, looking at the alchemist's "shorthand" (and/or the alchemist's original research), doesn't have enough information to get the entire spell from it.
At least, that's the fluff I add to the crunch. I'd probably give a bonus to a wizard researching a spell if he had a copy of an alchemist's formula for it (and reasonable ranks in Craft(alchemy) and/or Knowledge (arcana)).