Ok, the d20pfsrd and the core rule books are confusing mess when it comes to making potions. I'm a 4th level alchemist (3 levels of rogue too) and my craft alchemy skill is 18. I got swift alchemy at level 3 and I also took the feat Master Alchemist.
I want to brew potions of my level 1 and 2 formulai (and eventually 3 as well) but the rules aren't clear on how being an alchemist and brewing potion synergize.
From what I gather, potion brew times are based on their base price which is calculated as potion level * caster level * 50 and then converted to sp.
So for my alchemist that would be 1*4*50 or 100 for level 1 potions and 2*4*50 or 200 for level 2 potions.
Progress is measured by making a craft alchemy d20 roll and adding your craft alchemy bonus to that. Here is where I get confused. I think if my CA roll is double that I can double the doses made? And if I triple the DC I can make triple the potions made?
However the brew potion feat simply says it takes 2 hours to brew a potion.
Master alchemist turns the sp value into a gp value for progress.
I guess my question is, is there a web site that anyone is aware of that explains how this all works? I'm confused as can be. Or perhaps could someone explain how the math works for lets say two basic potions and perchance I can extrapolate from those...
Potion of Cure Light Wounds (alchemist level 1 formula)
Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds (alchemist level 2 formula)
Again my character is
level 4 alchemist
CA skill of 18
Master Alchemist Feat
Brew Potion Feat (int bonus is only +2 though)
Swift Alchemy (level 3 skill)
I also have access to an alchemy lab that should give me +2 circumstance bonus.
Thanks in advance
Making potions and making alchemical items are two different things.
Potion:
Uses magic item creation rules
1. Either have the extract prepared or known with an open extract slot
2. Make a DC 5 + desired caster level Spellcraft check, use up the extract/slot and the required gp in materials (half sale price), and spend 2 hours working
3. If you didn't fail the check, you now have one potion
Ex. (Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds)
1. Prepare extract of CMW
2. Make a DC 5 + 4 = DC 9 Spellcraft check, use up the extract and 2*4*25 = 200 gp, and spend 2 hours working
3. If you didn't fail the check, you now have one Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds
Ex. (Potion of Cure Light Wounds at caster level 1)
1. Prepare extract of CLW
2. Make a DC 5 + 1 = DC 6 Spellcraft check, use up the extract and 1*1*25 = 25 gp, and spend 2 hours working
3. If you didn't fail the check, you now have one Potion of Cure Light Wounds (CL 1)
Alchemical item (e.g. acid flasks or tanglefoot bags):
Uses mundane crafting rules
1. Look up craft DC and item price
2. Spend 1/3 of item gp on materials and a week's time
3. Make the Craft check
4. If you beat the DC (and you should), see if your result * the DC >= 1/2 * the gp value of the item (thanks to Master Alchemist and Swift Alchemy).
5. If it does, you have completed the item. If really overkill, it got done early.
Ex. (Alchemist's fire)
1. Craft DC 20 and item price of 20 gp
2. Spend 1/3*20 = 6 2/3 gp on materials and a week's time
3. Make the Craft check
4. 23 * 20 = 460 >> 1/2 * 20 gp = 10
5. Not only have you created an alchemist's fire, you've done so in 10/460 = 1/46th of a week's work (under an hour, I think)