Multiclassing Advice, on behalf of a friend

[Seth Dresari]

A friend of mine wants to bring his Alchemist character to Level 3, but also wants to give multiclassing a shot so that he can be more capable in defense. What would you all suggest that would go along with Alchemist?

[My Self]

Fighter (Mutation Warrior), Fighter (Unbreakable), Brawler (Mutagenic Mauler), Barbarian (Invulnerable Rager)

[Greg.Everham]

Alchemists, as they are, can reach some insane levels of defense. Access to Shield, Barkskin, Blur, Ironskin, and Ablative Barrier (all within 2nd level extracts) makes even a Dex 10 Alchemist into a tank type character.

That said, you can explode this further with Alchemical Allocation (seriously, this is the Alchemist's bread and butter) and Potions of Mirror Image.

Can you post your friend's build (even just a general idea of what they're doing)? Chances are, they're just overlooking some extracts. Specifically, Alchemical Allocation, which gets better with the more potions and elixirs your alchemist buys.

[Greg.Everham]

Also, Enhance Potion is a *very* underrated discovery. Many people turn their noses up at it, but it basically reads "When you use Alchemical Allocation, the potion or elixir will function at your full caster level." Which is OMG good. You get access to spells that are not on the Alchemist list, but at full caster level... for a 2nd level spell slot.

[Seth Dresari]

Right now, he is going for a bomb-heavy build, and is using Dexterity mutagens. He's also a Dire Gnome, though I am unsure if that really affects anything. Look up "Fizzlenubbs", if you can look up PFS characters who have 0 posts.

[BretI]

Assuming you mean this character, it currently doesn't do any good to look them up. No attributes or other build information is given.

[Greg.Everham]

Bomb throwing is an awesome route. Picking up the spells I listed would greatly improve his defenses. If having high AC is his concern, a Dex-based Alchemist should be posting *very good* AC. Figure 16 dex + 4 from mutagen. So that's 15 AC there. +3 from Studded Leather to 18. +4 from shield to 22. +2 from Barkskin to 24.

24 AC at level 4 would suffice for a ranged attacker. Even 20 AC on a ranged attacker is more than good enough.

[Seth Dresari]

BretI wrote:

No attributes or other build information is given.

*facepalm*

I can't believe he'd forget something so simple. I swear to Desna...

[Jack of Dust]

I wouldn't multiclass if I was primarily using bombs. The damage from them isn't amazing and the only real thing they have going for them is the Saves forced by them. The DCs won't go up either if you don't continue taking levels in Alchemist. Normally I would recommend Variant Multiclassing but if this is PFS, that's not an option.

[DM-DR]

I do agree with Jack of Dust about multi-classing as a bomb-oriented alchemist; however, if he really feels the need to do so, he could go for either fighter (get any armor and a free feat) or maybe slayer (access to medium armor and studied target which is like an extra point-blank shot in bonuses at the cost of a move action).

[claudekennilol]

What does a "dire gnome" mean within the context of PFS?

[Seth Dresari]

You'll have to ask him. I am not a gnome expert.

[My Self]

If you can have a dire gnome, can you have a dire human? Or a dire half-elf? Maybe dire half-elf with Racial Heritage (Dhampir) or some other wacky thing. I always imagine dire things to be big, scary fuzzy monsters with fangs that froth and slobber all over themselves and what they plan to kill.

[Seth Dresari]

Dire Lemming.