Goblin Alchemist


Advice


Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Sometime in the future we will be playing WotR. I want to play a sneaky alchemist who is good or at least neutral. I am still trying to work out his motivation to go to Kenabres. I do need him to be extremely good at disguise as I would like most people at first glance to think he is a more common race so that when people finally realize he is a goblin they are like well he is not so bad. So my questions:
1. Would you allow this guy in your game?
2. What kind of builds would you use?
3. How would you buff disguise?
4. Why has he come to Kenabres?
5. Any other tips or suggestions?


Goblins make really good bomb throwers. Though it makes them somewhat of a one trick poney, the different bombs is nice to change things up.

Scrap Bomb is really cool along with the Fire Bomber Archetype for Goblins.

Grand Lodge

I can't speak much specifically to the AP, but I'm playing a Goblin alchemist right now! I actually went Vivisectionist. I know everybody will say Goblins are great bomb-throwers, but hear me out:

Goblins, of all the traditional races, are the only ones who get a +4 boost to Dexterity, but no INT boost. Plus their small size grants a +1 to attack and AC.

So you get an Agile Amulet of Mighty Fists (Only 4,000GP! w00t!) and take Feral Mutagen for a Claw-Claw-Bite routine and let's see what you're doing at level 6:

STR: 08 (0 PTS)
DEX: 22 w/o Mutagen/26 w/ Mutagen (13 pts + 1 level)
CON: 13 (3 points bump at 8)
INT: 14 (5 points and buy a headband later)
WIS: 13 (5 points bump at 12)
CHA: 5 (-2 points)

On a full attack you're doing 1d4+8/1d4+8/1d6+8 + 6d6 when flanking. Or with Piranha Strike (the only time this is worth taking it) you can sacrifice -2 to attack to get 1d4+12/1d4+12/1d6+12 + 6d6. You won't want to get hit much, but you're going to be damn hard to hit anyway. On sheer damage output you can match a decent fighter and still have awesome out of combat utility.

I say don't worry too much about disguising yourself. Alchemists get Alter Self. Use that when introducing yourself (as well as a convenient low-level stack with your mutagen), and stick to the shadows while getting to know others. It is technically possible to have a +20 Stealth at Level 1 with a Goblin alchemist (+4 size, +4 racial, +4 skill, +6 DEX, +2 mutagen) ---they'll only see you when you WANT them to see you.


I have to agree with the one trick pony thing. I used one as an antagonist in a game I ran, and it worked well in that role, but in an actual campaign, I'm not sure how well it would work, given the number of things which resist, or are immune to fire damage.

Early in the game, it will be difficult to do the disguise thing well, since goblins have a penalty to charisma, charisma's generally a dump-stat for Alchemists and Disguise self lasts only 10 minutes per level. Still, if I were the DM I might just hand-wave it for the sake of not making the game fall apart.


Also remember to invest in Stealth! As a Goblin putting one rank in Stealth gets you a +14 Minimum. +4 Small +4 Racial +3 Class Skill +1 Rank +2 Dex

Sovereign Court

Goblin fire bomber (the racial archetype) is the way to go and never look back.


Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Thanks for the quick responses. I like the thought of vivisectionist. Do you also go beastmorph? What level do alchemists get alter self? Also is it unreasonable for a goblin to take refuge in Kenabres? What would be some good reasons for him to be there? I do think a redemption story for the goblin could be cool. Also what are some good things to take going Mythic?

Lantern Lodge

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits/magic-traits/pragmatic-activator
or
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits/social-traits/clever-wordplay

1 of those 2 traits will get your disguise running off your Int so your not taking a penalty and int is your main stat for alchemist so its all good.


Lunchbox3000 wrote:
Thanks for the quick responses. I like the thought of vivisectionist. Do you also go beastmorph? What level do alchemists get alter self? Also is it unreasonable for a goblin to take refuge in Kenabres? What would be some good reasons for him to be there? I do think a redemption story for the goblin could be cool. Also what are some good things to take going Mythic?

Take the trait Student of Philosophy and talk yourself out of situations. Appear very comical and most folks will think you're just a party pet. Like wear spectacles and a foppy hat. People worthy of your attention will recognize your intelligence!

Just be careful with physical combat builds, small characters have a disadvantage with weapon dice and the penalty to strength to start with.

Also sneak attack is really cool and as an Alchemist you were surely have many opportunities with which to utilize it, but it still remains quite conditional.

Acquire a Reach weapon like the Longspear. It pays for itself again and again.

Lantern Lodge

If going for a weapon the goblin feat Goblin Gunslinger lets one use a Gun of medium size with out penalty.

Grand Lodge

Scavion wrote:
Lunchbox3000 wrote:
Thanks for the quick responses. I like the thought of vivisectionist. Do you also go beastmorph? What level do alchemists get alter self? Also is it unreasonable for a goblin to take refuge in Kenabres? What would be some good reasons for him to be there? I do think a redemption story for the goblin could be cool. Also what are some good things to take going Mythic?

Take the trait Student of Philosophy and talk yourself out of situations. Appear very comical and most folks will think you're just a party pet. Like wear spectacles and a foppy hat. People worthy of your attention will recognize your intelligence!

Just be careful with physical combat builds, small characters have a disadvantage with weapon dice and the penalty to strength to start with.

Also sneak attack is really cool and as an Alchemist you were surely have many opportunities with which to utilize it, but it still remains quite conditional.

Acquire a Reach weapon like the Longspear. It pays for itself again and again.

The damage dice, sure, although I think that's not a huge deal. (I'll take a 1d8 long-sword wielding ranger with FE over a 2d10 monk any day) But he can take Weapon Finesse out of the gate and have a pretty good to-hit.

Admittedly, it'll be a bit rough in the early levels when it comes to combat, as it really pulls together when you get the Agile amulet, but some things:

You still get Throw Anything as a bonus feat and still get to add your (admittedly not awesome) INT bonus to thrown attacks. That's a +6 minimum to hit touch AC with an acid flask or alchemist fire for 1d6+2. The alchemist fire will even burn for another round - and you can make it cheap, being, you know, an alchemist. Not shabby for Lvl 1.

Also, you'll already be a far superior poisoner. Get some darts, poison those suckers, and go to town.

When you do have to go toe-to-toe, you're facing pretty much the same disadvantages as most finesse rogues, but with a LOT more tricks to compensate for it.

Out of combat, you'll be the most useful member of the party. Between Cruel Anatomist and the traits listed you can roll a lot of your weaknesses into being INT based skills.

Once you do come into your own with combat, the Agile and sneak attack synergizes much better with the goblin's bonuses and will not be a limited per day resource like bombs.


Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

This does sound like a lot of fun. Going mythic what are some good things to take? Also what are some good reasons for the goblin to travel with a party? Trying to think of some good backstory.

EntrerisShadow
Do you recommend also taking Beastmorph? Wouldn't an agile mighty fists cost 6000 gold(Mighty fists 4000 + Agile 2000)?

Grand Lodge

That's the beauty: you can specifically add something to AoMF without having to pay for the +1 enchantment first. But I personally don't recommend beast morph. Sure you get some cool Beast Shape powers, but at the expense of poison use and, worst of all, persistent mutagen.


Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

EntrerisShadow
Another question for you. What poisons do you recommend and why? I do want to make the most out of this guy. I still have to clear it with the GM as well.

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Advice / Goblin Alchemist All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.
Recent threads in Advice