On a cursory reading, it looks very much as if alchemists have the short end of the stick.
Since extracts and mutagens aren't "actually" spells -- aren't even mentioned aside from a handful of trickster powers and one artifact -- it looks like all three of the Archmage arcana are useless to an alchemist, and there's no way to apply mythic spellcasting to the alchemist's stock in trade.
Granted there are other ways to use mythic paths to beef alchemists up, but this still seems kinda sad.
(It would also be nice for witches to have specific mythic hex upgrades, but they get mythic spellcasting so it's not as urgent.)
Alchemists have a Mythic Formulae list in Mythic Adventures, which implies that they can select Mythic Spellcasting and the appropriate feat to upgrade their formulae into Mythic formulae. I imagine they didn't want to call it something different for the one outlier class.
There's also the incredibly cool Mythic feat that allows you to drink several potions at the same time.
Mythic Hexes is by far one of the most powerful Mythic Path abilities in the game; I honestly don't think they need anything else besides that.
Hm, I completely missed those. I feel a bit silly now. >.>
It seems easy to assume that the Alchemist can grab Mythic Spellcasting to gain Mythic formulae, but are we to assume that this is the only instance in the book in which an Alchemist counts as a spellcaster?
What is the Alchemist supposed to do with any of the Archmage Arcana? If the intention was never for an Alchemist to take the Archmage Path because those abilities are useless to him, why specifically mention Extracts in both the Remixer and Shapeshifting Mastery Path abilities?
Archmage notwithstanding, there are other vague mentions of the Alchemist that just don't seem explicit enough. Does Two-Fisted Drinker allow the Alchemist to down two Extracts? It reads 'potions or other beverages'. It seems like it would have been easy to say 'potions, extracts, or other beverages' instead, so are we to assume that because that wasn't said, that it doesn't allow it?
Maybe I'm the only one confused, but it seems that Alchemist was a tad bit overlooked. I'm honestly not certain how anyone would play a Mythic Alchemist.
It seems easy to assume that the Alchemist can grab Mythic Spellcasting to gain Mythic formulae, but are we to assume that this is the only instance in the book in which an Alchemist counts as a spellcaster?
Well, considering alchemists have ALWAYS learned formulae in the same manner as spellcasters, I'd say so.
What is the Alchemist supposed to do with any of the Archmage Arcana? If the intention was never for an Alchemist to take the Archmage Path because those abilities are useless to him, why specifically mention Extracts in both the Remixer and Shapeshifting Mastery Path abilities?
If alchemists don't use magic, why would the intent be to force them to take the Mythic Path designed around arcane magic? Also, ARE you intended to take a specific Mythic Path, or is it better optimized to choose one over another? A wizard can go Champion if he wants to; its suprisingly good for him, actually, if he's into wearing armor. (Armor Expert path ability)
Archmage notwithstanding, there are other vague mentions of the Alchemist that just don't seem explicit enough. Does Two-Fisted Drinker allow the Alchemist to down two Extracts? It reads 'potions or other beverages'. It seems like it would have been easy to say 'potions, extracts, or other beverages' instead, so are we to assume that because that wasn't said, that it doesn't allow it?
An alchemist's extract specifically stats that it is consumed 'like a potion.' Therefore Two-Fisted Drinker should work fine with extracts, especially since wizards, sorcerers, clerics, and every other spellcaster doesn't need Mythic to cast two spells in a round. (See Quickened Spell.)
Maybe I'm the only one confused, but it seems that Alchemist was a tad bit overlooked. I'm honestly not certain how anyone would play a Mythic Alchemist.
Personally, I'd go Trickster. Assured Drinker causes potions and extracts you drink to no longer provoke attacks of opportunity and there is an awesome Path ability that allows you to reroll splash damage dice (hint: Alchemist's bomb). As a matter of fact, one of the sample Mythic builds that exists under the Trickster class is called the "alchemy expert" or something similar.
As far as I know, Archmage only has one Path ability that is appropriate for alchemsits, an extract / potion remixing one from Mythic Origins. And wouldn't you know that a Trickster Alchemist can pluck that ability right out of the Archmage Path via the Path Dabbling ability?
I didn't mean to say that Alchemists were forced to take a Mythic path around arcane magic. What I said was that it's silly to specifically mention Extracts in the Archmage if Alchemists can't use 75+% of the other path abilities.
I would definitely go Trickster, too. That seems like the best part to play. It just seems silly to place Extract related path abilities in non-Alchemist paths. I haven't seen any Sneak Attack related path abilities in Guardian, or what have you.
It mentions extracts so that when you play as a trickster and take path dabbling to get that ability it works!
Alternatively, you can go archmage and take a lot of universal path abilities. Some of them are pretty nice.