Alchemist Discoveries Question

[Jason Beardsley]

When a discovery says: "An alchemist must be at least X level before selecting this discovery."

Is that referring to alchemist class level, or character level of said alchemist?

For example, if I were an Alchemist 7/Fighter 2, and for my 9th level feat I took Extra Discovery, could I select the Force Bomb discovery?

[BigNorseWolf]

Jason Beardsley wrote:

When a discovery says: "An alchemist must be at least X level before selecting this discovery."

Is that referring to alchemist class level, or character level of said alchemist?

For example, if I were an Alchemist 7/Fighter 2, and for my 9th level feat I took Extra Discovery, could I select the Force Bomb discovery?

Alchemist level.

Note that there are a number of effects and prerequisites that rely on a character's level or Hit Dice. Such effects are always based on the total number of levels or Hit Dice a character possesses, not just those from one class. The exception to this is class abilities, most of which are based on the total number of class levels that a character possesses of that particular class.

[Jason Beardsley]

Thanks for answering. I was curious because I'm playing an alchemist, with the intent of going into Master Chymist, and was hoping I'd still be able to pick up some of the more advanced discoveries.

Thank you =)

[Deadmanwalking]

If it's any consolation, Master Chymist does make several of the Mutagen related Discoveries available as Advanced Mutagens. Which is nice.

[Jason Beardsley]

Ah, yes, I see now. Thanks =)

[0gre]

The fact that Alchemist levels and Chymst Levels only stack for certain things is the biggest frustrations of Master Chymst, particularly if you are going to be advancing up into 16-20th levels.

[BigNorseWolf]

0gre wrote:

The fact that Alchemist levels and Chymst Levels only stack for certain things is the biggest frustrations of Master Chymst, particularly if you are going to be advancing up into 16-20th levels.

Now now.. this isn't 3.5. You can't take ALL of a classes goodies and still get prestige class abilities.

[Karjak Rustscale]

0gre wrote:

The fact that Alchemist levels and Chymst Levels only stack for certain things is the biggest frustrations of Master Chymst, particularly if you are going to be advancing up into 16-20th levels.

I think a good way to make it less of a graveyard at laterr levels is to make the Alchemist caster level progression thingy for Master Chymist apply to Alchemist Discoveries as well, so you don't get the level 20 stuff, but you're not totally out in the cold with a towel either.

you lose three levels so you're not getting access to elixir of life or Inferno bomb and the like until level 19, but it's better than never getting acess to ones that require level 12.
you also lose out on the Alchemy stuff, poison immunity, or Mutagens at 1hr/level (highest Master Chymist gets is 20 minutes/level (though they get it a bunch of times a day for free)

PLUS you're spending feats to get the Discoveries.

[0gre]

BigNorseWolf wrote:

0gre wrote:

The fact that Alchemist levels and Chymst Levels only stack for certain things is the biggest frustrations of Master Chymst, particularly if you are going to be advancing up into 16-20th levels.

Now now.. this isn't 3.5. You can't take ALL of a classes goodies and still get prestige class abilities.

I agree in general, there are just some times when it doesn't really make sense, like when you are trying to qualify for Grand Mutagen and Greater Mutagen.

Also, you do have to give up three levels of Extract Advancement, Persistent Mutagen, Instant Alchemy, and Grand Discovery which is a fair bundle to give up.

If I were to rewrite Master Chymst (and I might on my blog) I'd probably give them fewer discoveries/ advanced mutagens but have the levels stack.