So, I am contemplating a poisoner build for a game starting up here in a few weeks (This makes the 4th game I am in simultaniously) and I was wondering what would be the best way to go. I know Alchemist is the best but the GM has specifically banned Alchemists (he doesn't like them due to flavor and the fact that me and another buddy of mine pretty much wrecked his campaign with a pair of Beastmorph Vivisectionist alchemists).
I am thinking of going rogue and then taking up the Guild Poisoner prestige class from Paths of Prestige. What are your guys thoughts (For race I was going to start with Vishkanya due to their ability to create a nasty poison (with feat) for free).
Seems like a great start. Master alchemist feat is a must for this build since it'll help increase your craft roll, make the crafted poisons be 10x faster than normalm(and with the prestige class 100x faster) all while making mutiple doses per craft item completion.
The one issue yu will deal with is that poison, unless low level, is not a very viable build strategy. Too many enemies and monsters have immunity to poison, or their fort save is so very high. If not, then the other issue is the poisons themselves. There isn't a great way to scale them up for making their DC higher for the save. Many of the poisons that are good are either very expensive, so rarely used, or the DC is so low that it seems not worth the effort.
Regardless, buying some masterwork tools, the alchemist lab, cauldron of brewing, and my personal favorite the Amazing tools of Manufacture, to help you out.
The lab, cauldron and amazing tools give a 2+5+4=+11 bonus to craft alchemy. Your master alchemist feat adds +2. You'll have the 5 ranks for master alchemist, plus +3 for favored class ability and minimum +1 int modifier.
Minimum total of: +22
You can take 10 for craft checks, so that's a +32. You can easily craft any of the poisons. Ask your DM if there is a way to have the poisons scale up.
