|
Metamorph is the only one I know of that trades extracts.
Free VMC is not enough to justify loss of extracts. VMC options are (in theory) worth 5 feats, and I think most people would agree that losing 6 levels of spellcasting for 5 limited-selection feats is a bad deal. Even worse, in practice, many VMC options are not even worth 5 feats. Gunslinger, looking at you.
Maybe free VMC, increase skills/level to 6 (to offset loss of utility from extracts), and an extra Discovery at level 1. Though I think that trade would be lacklustre at high levels - you might have to throw in a few more bonus discoveries or feats.
Is there a specific concept you had in mind? Or are you just trying to make a less-magical alchemist?
Is there a specific concept you had in mind? Or are you just trying to make a less-magical alchemist?
This. There's a number of archetypes on other classes playing with alchemist features without casting.
As far as I can see it; the only big things left once you drop extracts are bombs and mutagens, so I'm guessing some form of combat monster here?
At that point, depending on what you're looking for, you could start looking at those non-alchemists that do alchemisty stuff.
An underground chemist, with or without the bomb rogue thing.
One the few mutagen using martials.
The many poison users, though most of them probably don't get fancy stuff like celestial poisons.
Depends what your goal is here.
I don't think there are any except the metamorph, which isn't a good archetype IMO.
Extracts, mutagen, and bombs are the core of the class. And extracts are the "alchemical core" of the alchemist class. Especially since the mutagen is really more an "extension" of the extracts, thematically speaking.
Again, you will probably have better luck if you start looking at mundane alchemy oriented archetypes for other classes. No reason to limit yourself to a singular specific class when its core mechanic doesn't agree with you.
Why do you want an alchemist to begin with, is the question.
Once you get rid of the extracts, there's little left that couldn't be done by some other class, possibly better.
Others can grab bombs, or similar stuff.
Others can get a mutagen.
Others can be good at handling poison, should that be your goal for some reason.
If nothing else, Investigators have several options for trading out their extracts for regular spells, and can do quite a bit of the other stuff. They're also just good on their own in the first place.
If your player can be more specific about the parts he wants to keep, what interests him in the class, we could give him better, more specific advice.
As is ... Kinda tough.
|
|
Mainly something along the lines of a Powder Mage from Powder Mage Trilogy of books by Brian McCelellan.
Also the person in question is just not fond of extracts and the semi required need for that discovery that allows others to use extracts (infusion i think it was. forget atm tired brain).
...
I'm not familiar with that series, but given that Kiesman mentioned a gun-using archetype I'm assuming it would be appropriate to swap extracts for firearm features.
So, I'd start with firearm proficiency, the Gunslinger's Gunsmith ability (including starting with a battered gun), a grit/magic pool based on Int, and deeds. Honestly, you could probably add all the gunslinger deeds and still not quite be balanced. So then add an ability to spend grit/magic points to enhance a firearm, like a magus' arcane pool weapon enhancement (possibly delayed until level 4 to avoid front-loading too much). And maybe increase skill points to 6+Int as suggested earlier, and add a few class skills - Acrobatics and Knowledge(engineering)?
The Grenadier archetype and Explosive Missile Discovery also seem appropriate.
Instead of starting with an alchemist, you may want to look at the investigator. The investigator has a few archetypes that replace extracts with other features: majordomo, malice binder, psychic detective*, questioner*, sleuth, and spiritualist.
The malice binder (alters/replaces Inspiration, Trapfinding, Trap Sense, Alchemy, Poison Resistance, Poison Immunity) is even compatible with the steel hound (alters/replaces Weapon/Armor Proficiencies, Poison Lore, Swift Alchemy) archetype so they can both be taken at once.
*- these archetypes grant actual spells instead of extracts
Alternately, you could start with a myrmidarch magus that uses feats to pick up Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Firearms) and Gunsmithing before gaining Ranged Spellstrike at 4th level. A one level dip in spellslinger wizard can add some neat tricks with a gun (and prevents having to use feats on proficiency and Gunsmithing) at the cost of a little BAB and slowing spell progression by one level.