Your favorite alchemical item

[Ravingdork]

What is your favorite alchemical item and why?

I think mine is probably the dead air vile, from Blood of the Elements. Nothing quite shuts up an enemy spellcaster like not being able to breath. (It's even better than silence in some cases!)

Dead Air Vial:

Within this corked vial is a tiny sample of what is known as “dead air.” Heavy, still, and of unknown origin, pockets of dead air becalm airships and smother crews in remote parts of the Plane of Air. When you open a dead air vial, invisible dead air fills a 20-foot-radius area centered on you. The affected area becomes devoid of breathable air. Creatures that breathe air must hold their breath or suffocate in an area of dead air, though sound, fire, and other effects that rely on a stable atmosphere are unaffected. Undisturbed, the dead air dissipates in 1 minute. A moderate wind (11+ mph) disperses the dead air in 4 rounds; a strong wind (21+ mph) disperses the dead air in 1 round. This item can be crafted with a successful DC 25 Craft (alchemy) check.

Price 200gp; Craft DC 25

I will definitely be crafting several of these for our Rise of the Runelords #3 adventure.

[Lessah]

I'd say Smokesticks - there are many cool alchemical items out there, but few so cheap and useful as a Smokestick.

Archers shooting at you? Smokestick!

Mage trying to target you? Smokestick!

Rogue trying to shank you? Smokestick!

[Guardianlord]

Alchemical focuses at low levels make wizard cantrips better than a crossbow (cheap and lighter too), they stop being useful quickly though.
Tindertwig, casters never seem to pick the spark cantrip, so it is nice for instant light/oil traps/signals/whatever.
Shadowcloy lantern for continuous darkness, yes please.
Tanglefoot bags, devastating against most enemies for a short time, long enough for the Barbarian to finish them off.

[MagusJanus]

My favorite are extracts. Particularly if made so people other than the alchemist can use them.

[Zwordsman]

Tangleburn bag I think..

I've not used it but, I loved tanglefoot bag. So one that is higher DC and causes mild damage is awesome looking.
I used several on a super tough boss in a 1v1 tourney. He was suppose to destroy me in one hit, but I lucked out, then he botched his rolls and i just laid more on him.
I totally lost in the end, but I had made a bet I would last 10 rounds (no one had me more than 3, so the odds were insane. most woulds ay I would go down first or second round) Made soo much gold. Granted the guy was so angry he happily took a job by the main bad guy to attack us. that was a good fight and almost lost totally.

[Durngrun Stonebreaker]

Tanglefoot bag hands down. Entangled is nice and when they get stuck to the ground, that's just gravy.

[Dannorn]

Thunderstone - because caster fort saves suck and 1 in 5 chance of spell failure is pretty damn good. Also Medieval Fantasy Flash Bang.

[LessPopMoreFizz]

Ghast Retch Flasks are pretty gnarly.

[Zhayne]

Durngrun Stonebreaker wrote:

Tanglefoot bag hands down. Entangled is nice and when they get stuck to the ground, that's just gravy.

Total agreement.

[Deadalready]

Tangle foot bags are amazing tactically but my personal favourite is definitely the good old smokestick.