Encounter Ideas for an Alchemist

[Terenn]

Good afternoon,

I am a first-time GM for a group of friends who play casually. My adventure is essentially a "get to X, kill things, report to the king" with more frill around it... The get to X part is a multi-week journey in game.

During the journey there are the obvious random encounters... Thus far I have been able to create encounters that will allow for each class we have in our group of 5 to get an opportunity to shine (i.e. trap encounters for the rogue, a hunting encounter for the ranger, melee for the fighter and barbarian etc.), with the exception of our Alchemist.

So my request is for ideas on a short mini-encounter with features that would allow for an Alchemist to shine a bit.

Thanks in advance for your advise and suggestions!

[CasMat]

Poisonous swarms covering a chest full of unidentified potions, good and bad.

[Redchigh]

An encounter with a highly poisonous animal (any, really..), and next a encounter with some sort of (high cr) beast, where the poison the alchemist made is the only way to save everyone... (but make sure the alchemist thinks it was all his idea)

[Bearded Ben]

Something with good normal AC, bad touch AC, and weakness to fire - e.g. white dragons. This of course assumes that the alchemist's schtick is fire bombing.

[Ciaran Barnes]

Log jam in the river they are rowing down. He can... blow it up?

[Elamdri]

Alchemists have very good Fort Saves Vs. Poison. There will saves are poor. Therefore, if you want them to shine, don't target their will.

Depending on their build, Alchemists can be either powerful bombers or front line fighters.

Alchemists are incredible skill monkeys.

Alchemists tend to do well if they have a few rounds to prepare before combat since their spells are buffs. If they are forced into combat on the fly, they won't perform as well or will have to take a few rounds buffing.

So if you want an Alchemist to do well, take those points into consideration.