Talk:Alchemist

Endeavor Pool

• alchemists get a number of points in their Endeavor Pool equal to their CON modifier (could be WIS, but I kind of like that Alchemists are notoriously UNwise); open to other stats, but don't think it should be INT

• only way to get more points is to raise the stat or take a feat (feat adds +2).
• Endeavor Pool refreshes any time you activate your mutagen.

• pool is used to help control a mutagen while it is active.
• Uses:

• you can spend points to adjust the result of a die roll on the mutation chart, either up or down on the chart (rolled each round to get a random effect)
• you can spend a fixed number of points to just pick something on the chart (probably 4); you cannot pick an effect that has already occurred this encounter (all effects last only 1 round)

• note that the same effect can occur more than once per encounter, but only via a random result (or a random result you modified); you just can't repeat via the 'pick it yourself' option. This makes it more enticing to do the picking early in the encounter, but you have to balance that with not using up your pool too quickly.

Mutagen

• usable once per day, +1 additional use per 10 Alchemist levels (twice per day at 10, three times per day at 20, four times per day at 30)

• feat to gain 1 additional use per day

• activating mutagen is a swift action, and lasts until the end of the encounter.
• transforms alchemist into the "Melee Only" (Transmogrified Humanoid) template for their CR
• while transformed, they can still throw bombs, and use extracts, BUT ONLY if the bombs and extracts were prepared ahead of time. (Can also still speak normally while transformed)

• Unlike other transmogs, Alchemists retain their INT while transformed, applying the mod to bomb damage as normal, as well as Save DC's for extracts, etc. All other stats are gone, however, as with other transmogs.

• once each round that the mutagen is active (including the first round it is activated), as a free action, you roll on the mutation chart to see what benefit it gives you

• you can modify this result with points from the Endeavor Pool, if you want.
• you can also just pick a result on the table available to you, by spending 4 points from your Endeavor Pool. However, you can't pick a result that has already occurred this encounter.

Bombs and Extracts

• clarify rules to state that alchemist can either prepare bombs and extracts in advance, or they can prepare them on the fly. Preparing them on the fly effectively gives them spontaneous casting; however, they cannot prepare on the fly while in mutagen form -- they can only use prepared bombs and/or extracts.
• Get rid of the "sharable extracts" discovery, and instead make all extracts self-only, but add in a "contagion" feature which allows the alchemist to spread a buff to an adjacent ally (buff would either lay a charge on the ally, or it would just last for a single round, regardless of how long it lasts on the alchemist).

mutagens

• alchemist activates their mutagen as a swift action, usable only during combat. Lasts until the end of the encounter, free action to maintain.
• each round, at the start of the alchemist's turn, they roll on a table to see what the mutagen does for them this round, as their body shifts and squirms into new, horrific shapes.

• each ENCOUNTER, they can modify this die result by +/- a number of pips equal to their INT modifier (half INT mod?); this doesn't affect their INT mod; it's a separate currency.

• at higher levels, the table expands, or additional tables are added. at higher levels, mutagen grants more than one benefit per round.

• example abilities granted by the mutagen:

• your knee joints reverse; gain a vaulting speed equal to your walk speed until start of your next turn.
• you sprout three more ears; precise hearing until start of your next turn
• your skin hardens; gain DR x/common until the start of your next turn. (where x equals alchemist level)
• your flesh writhes; gain ER x/common until the start of your next turn. (where x equals alchemist level)
• your legs grow two more legs (each!); make a free 5-foot step at any time during your turn. This does not provoke, and does not prevent movement or another 5-foot step this round.
• you sprout a serrated tentacle that thrashes about; as a swift action, you can make a melee touch attack against any creature within 15 feet. If it hits, you can slide them 2 squares (+1 per 10 alchemist levels)

• higher level abilities might include:

• lesser flight equal to your walk speed until start of your next turn.
• lesser climb
• tunneling
• lesser swim
• ignore miss chance from partial concealment, or ac penalties from partial cover
• can't be flanked this round
• darkvison
• echolocation
• perfect scent
• tremorsense (short range; 20 feet?)
• walk doesn't provoke this round
• use an extract as a move action this round
• immediately heal x hit points of damage (where x equals alchemist level)
• gain temp hit points equal to alchemist level
• immediately reduce one status condition you are suffering from by 1 step (strong becomes moderate, moderate becomes weak, weak simply clears).
• all move speeds increase by 10 feet this round (+10 feet per 10 alchemist levels)

etc.

• the current crop of mutagen discoveries become new abilities that you can use to replace existing abilities on the table, further skewing the odds to things you prefer. Since there's no certainty you will get these new abilities each round, they can be quite good:

• teleportation
• blindsense
• throw a bomb as a move action this round
• enemies that hit you suffer half bomb damage this round
• DR x/- (equal to alchemist level)
• ER x/- (equal to alchemist level)

etc.

Discoveries Related to Mutagens

Discovery	Prerequisites	Description
Aggressive Mutation (Discovery)	Mutation class feature	Select a barbarian rage power to use while in mutagen form.
Alchemical Claws (Discovery) *	Mutagen class feature	Add your bomb damage to a melee attack while in mutagen form.
Elemental Mutagen	-	Whenever you imbibe a mutagen, you gain resistance to an energy type and a competence bonus on an associated skill check.
Explosive Halitosis	Alchemist 14, Grand Mutagen	You can create and use bombs while in Mutagen form
Improved Alchemical Claws (Discovery) *	Alchemist 14, Grand Mutagen	Add your bomb damage to multiple melee attacks while in mutagen form.
Infuse Mutagen	-	You can have multiple mutagens prepared
Mutagen, Grand	Alchemist 12, Greater Mutagen	Increase physical scores and decrease mental scores
Mutagen, Greater	Alchemist 6, Mutagen class feature	Increase physical scores and decrease mental scores
Mutagen, True	Alchemist 16, Grand Mutagen	The alchemist improves his mutagen even further
Rag Doll Mutagen	-	Your body becomes rubbery and easy to contort
Sebaceous Cyst*	Alchemist 6	Spew out cones of bomb damage while in Mutagen form

Grand Discovery	Prerequisites	Description
Alchemical Abomination	Alchemist 20, True Mutagen	You improve your mutagen further
Mutagenic Immutability	Alchemist 23, Eternal Youth	The alchemist becomes immune to attribute drains and attribute damage
Mutation Mastery	Alchemist 26, Mutation Suppression	Temporarily suppress the positive and negative effects of your mutagen a number of times per day equal to your INT mod.
Mutation Suppression	Alchemist 23, True Mutagen	Temporarily suppress the positive and negative effects of your mutagen a number of times per day equal to your INT mod.
Unborn Horror	Alchemist 23, Alchemical Abomination	You have gone TOO FAR! The alchemist improves his mutagen even further
WHAT HATH SCIENCE WROUGHT?	Alchemist 29, Unborn Horror	You were warned. The Gods Themselves begged you not to do this. The alchemist perfects his mutagen, and the world trembles.

more movement

• grant them an unstoppable movement power: skittering mass, scuttling mass, whatever

• while active, their movement does not provoke AOO's
• maybe spend a bomb to trigger it? lasts for any movements made during that turn?
• at higher level, allows different move types to be employed while active.
• special effect: they turn into a swarm of bugs until the move is completed (or worms, or something gross)

• higher level, it could be bees, or some other swarm that has better move types. blink flies.

Alchemist Example Builds

(not a legal build; needs reviewed) 

Bomb-Throwing Build

Human, base stats: Str 16, Dex 14, Con 14, int 18, Wis 10, Chr 8.

Example Feats

1st Level: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot. Lets you put your bombs exactly where you want them

3rd Level: Weapon Focus:Bombs. Still making the bombs better.

5th Level: Extra Discovery: Acid Bombs*. Now that the bombs go where you want them, you start to make them nassssty.

7th Level: Dodge. A point of armor class and unlocks good stuff.

9th Level: Close Quarters Thrower. Throw bombs in melee!

11th Level: Charging Hurler. Lets you keep up with the first round rush and still attack.

13th Level: Far Shot. Throw bombs waaaay further and still hit.

15th Level: Mobility. Avoid those attacks of opportunity.

17th Level: Shot on the Run. Pop around a corner, throw a bomb, hide. So awesome.

19th Level: Clustered Shots. This lets you punch through DR like crazy.

Example Discoveries:

2nd Level: Precise Bombs

4th Level: Explosive Bombs*

6th Level: Breath Weapon Bomb

8th Level: Fast Bombs

10th Level: Force Bomb*

12th Level: Demolition Bomb*

14th Level: Dispelling Bomb*

16th Level: Frost Bomb*

18th Level: Elixir of Life

20th Level: Fast Healing 5, Smoke Bomb*, Inferno Bomb*.

Hulchemist Build

Human, base stats: Str 16, Dex 14, Con 14, int 18, Wis 10, Chr 8

Example Feats

1st Level: Dodge, Mobility. Move around in melee, get hit less, and melee sucks, you want the armor class bad.

3rd Level: Weapon Focus: Natural Attacks. Yeah, you wreck'em in melee, you betcha!

5th Level: Power Attack. Yeah, you wreck'em in melee, you betcha!

7th Level: Point Blank Shot. Still gotta work the bombs!

9th level: Toughness. Hit points, baby!

11th Level: Precise Shot. Workin' the bombs

13th level: Shot on the Run. The corner thing, so awesome.

15th Level: Rending Claws. Oh, yeah, even more melee damage

17th Level: Defensive Combat Training. Stops the bad guys from tackling you all the time

19th Level: Advanced Def Combat Training. No, seriously. Getting grappled sucks.

Example Discoveries:

2nd Level: Alchemical Claw

4th Level: Spontaneous Healing

6th Level: Greater Mutagen

8th Level: Vestigial Arm

10th Level: Vestigial Arm

12th Level: Grand Mutagen

14th Level: Tentacle

16th Level: True Mutagen

18th Level: Nauseating Flesh

20th Level: Alchemical Abomination, Improved Alchemical Claw, Preserve Organs.