The Alchemist Formula Book - how many extracts do I put in there?

[Brian P]

Hi everyone. This is my first week playing Pathfinder and I jumped into a party where everyone is 8th level. So I've read the rules and checked out the forum but it is still clear as mud to me...

how many formulas (not known spells) do I add into my formula book and how many do I add at each level?

Thanks for your help. It's confusing!

[thejeff]

There are two parts to the answer.
First:

Quote:

An alchemist begins play with two 1st level formulae of his choice, plus a number of additional forumlae equal to his Intelligence modifier. At each new alchemist level, he gains one new formula of any level that he can create.

So, 2 + (starting Int bonus) + 7.

Which breaks down by level as:
1st level formulae: 4 +(starting Int bonus)
2st level: 3
3rd level: 2

In addition:

Quote:

An alchemist can also add formulae to his book just like a wizard adds spells to his spellbook, using the same costs and time requirements.

So you can also buy them.

You may want to check with your GM about what you'll have access to and of course how much cash you'll have.

[Rub-Eta]

You start with 2 at first level and add one new each level after that. You also start with an additional number equal to your INT modifier (your INT modifier at first level that is, no bonuses counts retroactively in this particular situation). In total, this is 9 + INT modifier number of formulae, in different levels.

Due to the restriction that you can only get a formula of any level that you can create, the split looks like this (with a total of 9 + INT modifier).
1st level formula: 4 to 9 (9 is if you ONLY pick level 1 extract formula, which isn't recommended and 4 is if you only pick it the levels that you can't create any better).
2nd level formula: 0 to 5 (as you can skip any 2nd level or pick them all 5 levels when you're able).
3rd level formula: 0 to 2 (same as above).

I would recommend a split of: 4 1st level, 3 2nd level and 2 3rd level (as it's the highest possible number of high level formulae).

As far as I know, there's no clear restriction to the formula gained by INT at first level, as to what level of extract it needs to be. Though I've always interpreted it as 1st level only (making the number of recomended 1st level formulae 4 + INT modifier).

As thejeff also mentioned, you can "buy" extra formula. It costs to obtain the spell/formula and also to inscribe it to your book (see thejeff's link for exact numbers).

[Brian Perlis]

thank you!

[_Ozy_]

See if you can buy one of these: Formula Alembic

you can add extracts to your book from any potion you run across if it's in your spell list.

[Ciaran Barnes]

I wanted to confuse the issue by pointing out that some races' favored class bonus is to add an extract formula to the formula book. Its useless until level 4, but would increase the number of "free" 1st and 2nd level formulas by 3 and 2.