Alchemist casting time question

[Ryan Richter]

I've found a post about this in reference to spells with a casting time longer than a standard action. It wasn't diffintive, but consensus was that spells like enlarge person (normally a full round casting time) when cast as an alchemist's extract were reduced to the standard.

However, while creating a gnome alchemist, I was looking at the spell burst of speed, and it has a normal casting time of a swift action. The spells effect would be greatly reduced if the casting time reverted to the standard that all extracts are supposed to take.

While it is still better than a normal double move for a gnome; the gap between an alchemist caster vs. anyone else would be very significant.

Anything I'm missing that makes this spell as good as I want it to be? Or am I over thinking it?

From a flavor stand point I like the idea of a false tooth or cyanide pill with this spell in it.
The gnome's using the saboteur archetype, so anything that adds secret agent flavor is a bonus.

[Ryan Richter]

Any takers?

[Dorian 'Grey']

These were taken from d20pfsrd.com. I hope it helps.

An extract is “cast” by drinking it, as if imbibing a potion—the effects of an extract exactly duplicate the spell upon which its formula is based, save that the spell always affects only the drinking alchemist.

Activation: Drinking a potion or applying an oil requires no special skill. The user merely removes the stopper and swallows the potion or smears on the oil. The following rules govern potion and oil use.

Drinking a potion or using an oil is a standard action. The potion or oil takes effect immediately. Using a potion or oil provokes attacks of opportunity

[Xaratherus]

Per FAQ, it's always a standard action to use an extract. There are some benefits and drawbacks to that - obviously, you've noted them above (a reduced cast time on spells that take a round or more to cast, and an extended cast time on those that are normally swift actions).

[Ryan Richter]

Thanks for the responses.
I was familiar with the beneficial side but was not aware of the detrimental side of the "always a standard" rule.

I'm gonna try and convince my DM to house rule it on a spell by spell basis, but now I know what the RAW of the matter is.