Alchemist Support / Buffer builds

[Coinshot Colton]

I'm looking to build a backup character for my bard, and I'm interested in the idea of an alchemist. Do they make good buffers? I know they can provide potions that are otherwise unavailable as potion, but what else can they offer for buffs?

I was thinking they'd also go Confusion bombs as a backup controller. Aside from that, I'm not sure what else they can do for buffs/support. Any thoughts?

[Zwordsman]

I've not played yet but I've built a few.

The half elf archetype can make diff terrqin easy. Look at the smoke line of discoveries lots of are control.
buff wise.. I think its just handing potion sout like candy.(if you have infusion discovery). I don't think they can do much else buff wise. Oh applying poison to their weapons.
I can't remember all the archetypes but, their good with skills, and some archetypes give you things like divination.

[Psion-Psycho]

All i know of that makes them a team buffer is the Discovery to share your extracts with others. Other than that i dont know but it is nice since that is the only way to give others the shield "spell" that cant cast it on them selves or does not want to invest into a wand that will only last a few rounds.

[Alex Cunningham]

Not advice on the "build" specifically, but having a Wizard in the party (or better, a cleric with Scribe Scroll) is a huge asset for a buffer alchemist. My current character is definitely a buffer, and part of that is having the Wizard learn and scribe all the utility spells he learns so that I can make Infusions out of them and he can focus on fireballing.

[ArmouredMonk13]

Infusion discovery makes for good buff characters, and clerics with rune domain (for scribe scroll) are great for buffing because most cleric spells and alchemist extracts are less offensive and more buff yourself. Alchemist is great because he can also rush into melee if he needs to with a STR. mutagen and enlarge person extract (or bulls strength). cleric is great because he can heal the party. I'd say go with both if you can. Then you have characters focused in all 3 mental stats.(including bard)