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We had already this discussion a few times in the rule forum, so I will try to make it a clear question, for a possible FAQ.
Extracts are very clear: they last 1 day from creation, then they degrade and the alchemist slots are free. If the extract leave the alchemist possession and he can't drink it or pour it away he only need to wait 24 hours from mixing it and he is free to do it again.
Infusions seem to work differently.
Infusion: When the alchemist creates an extract, he can infuse it with an extra bit of his own magical power. The extract created now persists even after the alchemist sets it down. As long as the extract exists, it continues to occupy one of the alchemist's daily extract slots. An infused extract can be imbibed by a non-alchemist to gain its effects.
Some people interpret that as "the infusion inherit the extract duration limit and last only 1 day", some as "once made the infusion last forever, until consumed".
Both interpretations can generate problems:
- the infusion last only 1 day: it open the market to 1 day "potions" for a cost equivalent to spellcasting services. In a small city you can find spellcasting services for spells up to 6th level, so, in theory, it is possible to buy some big buff for a relatively small price.
- infusion last forever: here the problem is that the alchemist could lost access to some of his extract slots forever if a infusion is lost or stolen. Or at least until he recover it.
The text of the Infused Curative from the Chirurgeon archetype seem to support the second interpretation, BTW:
Infused Curative: At 2nd level, a chirurgeon's extracts of cure spells automatically act as infusions, and can be used by non-alchemists. When a chirurgeon prepares his extracts, he may choose to render any or all of his infused curatives inert and prepare other extracts to replace them (unlike infusions, which continue to occupy the alchemist's daily extract slots until consumed or used). This ability replaces poison use.
As currently the number of classes that can create infusion is increasing (beside the alchemist we have the investigator, and druids with the "druidic herbalism" ability) I think that it is important to clarify how infusion work, as it could make a lot of difference.
This looks like a very quick, concise question that might be a pretty easy FAQ for them to answer. I'm definitely throwing my support behind this and hitting the button.
This made me think of a side question, what happens if your infusion is inside an anti-magic field? What if it is destroyed while within the field? Would you know?
This made me think of a side question, what happens if your infusion is inside an anti-magic field? What if it is destroyed while within the field? Would you know?
"Alchemy", the overarching Alchemist class ability that includes extracts, bombs, and mutagens, is (Su), or supernatural. That means, while not being subject to dispel effects, it is nevertheless magical in nature and does not function in anti-magic areas.
Discoveries, too, are supernatural, so the infusion isn't an infusion if it's in anti-magic.
In theory, this means the rule that prohibits you from regaining your spell slots, if it rules that way, ceases to apply.