As far as mutagens and extracts go, an alchemist generally prepares those in advance and then only has to drink them at the time of his choosing. But, what about bombs? Would an alchemist ever need to make a concentration check to create a bomb?
Creating and throwing a bomb requires a standard action that provokes an attack of opportunity.
Also, what if the alchemist is under the effects of "Rage", or a similar condition?
...swiftly mixing various volatile chemicals and infusing them with their magical reserves...
Are alchemists always 100% successful at this? If not, what are the consequences of failure?
The good news is the alchemist doesn't have to make concentration checks.
The bad news is that everything they do draws an attack of opportunity that they can't get rid of. They get one for drinking and they get one for using ranged weapons.
Good
Alchemist do not cast spells, thus no concentration check.
Better
Since using the extracts is the same as drinking a potion, an alchemist with the infusion discovery can give infusions to other players, and they use their actions to drink the infusion. This way an alchemist can "cast" multiple spells in a single round.
Best
Alchmist benefits from the accelerated drinker trait. Drink 2 potions a round at the cost of 1 trait.
Bad
Because an alchmist doesn't actually cast spells, they don't qualify for feats like arcane strike and cannot use their alchmist abilities to meet the casting requirements of PrCs like arcane trickster.
Worse
Drinking a potion always provokes an attack of opportunity, and there is no way to avoid it.
Worst
Drinking a potion or using an oil is a standard action. The potion or oil takes effect immediately. Using a potion or oil provokes attacks of opportunity. An enemy may direct an attack of opportunity against the potion or oil container rather than against the character. A successful attack of this sort can destroy the container, preventing the character from drinking the potion or applying the oil.
Your spells can be sundered...
Your spells can be sundered...
That'll work once. Then the alchemist will start keeping their spells in adamantium vials.
Does it really seem reasonable that an alchemist never has to make a check of any kind for that? Suppose he were under the effects of "extremely violent motion"? A spellcaster, who might only have to wave his hands and say a few words has to make a DC 20 + spell level concentration check, while the alchemist, who is "swiftly mixing various chemicals" has no problems... Really?
*Edit* I'm really only referring to the "Bombs" ability. I understand why there is no need for a check to drink a potion.
Yes, yes it does make sense.
First off the chemicals do nothing until he adds that magical something. Secondly from a gamist stand point bombs are incredible weak. Then we have to take into account that it is a supernatural ability -- not a spell like or spell which means it specifically designed to not need concentration checks. Finally we get to the part where he's still going to take an AoO simply for throwing the bomb.
Your spells can be sundered...That'll work once. Then the alchemist will start keeping their spells in adamantium vials.
Whew, that's a relief, now you can only be disarmed....
Whew, that's a relief, now you can only be disarmed....
Your spells can be sundered...That'll work once. Then the alchemist will start keeping their spells in adamantium vials.
And then the alchemist will start drawing one vial with each hand to drink. One of them is real. the other is red bull.
Neither of them is the elixir of course, but now that the attack of opportunity has been wasted on a move action, its a standard action to draw AND drink the alchemists infusion or elixer