Does anyone know if this is a viable option ? What kind of builts would work well if you're going on that way ?
For me, it does seem to be more potent than a fighter/wizard, because the alchemist doesn't suffer from arcane spell failure and the mutagen could become handy, unless the PCs already have easy access to magic potions.
EDIT : Alchemical bonus stack with magical bonus, so you could take a strength enhancing mutagen with a potion of bull's strength for a total of +8 to strength. It's... interesting! (;
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Does anyone know if this is a viable option ? What kind of builts would work well if you're going on that way ?
For me, it does seem to be more potent than a fighter/wizard, because the alchemist doesn't suffer from arcane spell failure and the mutagen could become handy, unless the PCs already have easy access to magic potions.
EDIT : Alchemical bonus stack with magical bonus, so you could take a strength enhancing mutagen with a potion of bull's strength for a total of +8 to strength. It's... interesting! (;
Or go barbarian and get a +12 to strength, +4 morale, +4 enhancement, +4 alchemical. Now thats what I call a strength boost, toss in an enlarge person and jump to +14 with the additional +2 size bonus. Yikes!
Alchemist is close enough to a normal spell caster that multiclassing will probably hurt some. OTOH, you probably lose less than a straight wizard would.
You would lose some discoveries and damage on your bombs, as well as a decrease in the number of bombs that you can use. You also lose/delay access to higher level extracts. In return, you get much better armor and the option to use a shield, as well as bravery, which helps the weak will save of both classes. You can also try to persuade your GM to allow Weapon Training to apply to bombs.
My first thought on a build would be something like Treantmonk's switch-hitting ranger. If enemies are at range, you throw bombs at them. When they get close, you draw a melee weapon and slice them to pieces.
This compensates for the fact that you have fewer bombs than a straight Alchemist. It does have the problem that the maximum range for a bomb is 100 feet (with a -10 to hit, so even the touch attack is probably now a challenge). You could also spend the time waiting for the enemy to get into range buffing with mutagens and extracts.
Yes it works, and it works quite well.
Enlarge, Shield, Cure Light Wounds, and Mutagen are all GREAT additions to a fighters arsenal. Also, Bombs are just fun and if you throw a second level in alchemist and pick up feral mutagen you have three primary natural attacks (d8/d6/d6). I'm playing a Alchemist 4 / Barbarian 1 currently, and he's a beast.
Starting with an 18 Strength, a level 2 alch / 1 barb would have; Feral Mutagen + Enlarge + Barbarian Rage = 28 Strength.
+11 Claw 1d8+9
+11 Claw 1d8+9
+11 Bite 2d6+9
...yep.
Also a lot of the Alchemists extracts are GREAT buffs. Alchemist is absolutely my favorite class from Pathfinder as a whole.
Barbarian Drunken Brute can drink potions as a move action. Mixes greatly with Alchemist ;)
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I don't really recommend multi classing with alchemist. They can do fairly well in combat if they focus on it, Master Chymst is a nice route to get full BAB.
Barbarian Drunken Brute can drink potions as a move action. Mixes greatly with Alchemist ;)
The FAQ makes it fairly clear that extracts are not treated as potions with regards to traits and I suspect this would extend to class features and feats also. It's still a decent mix for alchemists because it allows you to use Alchemical Allocation as a full round action or to quaff potions you've crafted but otherwise it's not all that amazing.