Meet the Pathfinder 2e Alchemist! This varied TTRPG class from Paizo loves crafting bombs, mutagens, and alchemical mixes. The Pathfinder Alchemist loves creating powerful concoctions and mixing infusions and potions. Drop bombs, patch up friends, or buff them!
The Alchemist in Pathfinder 2e is a truly unique and versatile class, serving as a potent mix of Defender, Healer, Scout, Support, and Striker, depending on their chosen Research Field and preferred alchemical items. They excel as ranged combatants, wielding an array of bombs and concoctions to control the battlefield and debilitate foes. The Alchemist’s role closely resembles that of a Rogue, offering a blend of utility and tactical prowess to the party. Alchemists love creating powerful concoctions and mixing infusions and potions, so it makes sense that the class offers plenty of ways to mix up play. Drop bombs, patch up friends, or buff them with elaborate mutagens. Whether you favor explosive bombs, restorative elixirs, or transformative mutagens, the Alchemist provides a wealth of options for creative and effective gameplay. This class thrives on knowledge and experimentation, constantly adapting their strategies and concoctions to overcome challenges. They are masters of alchemy, harnessing the power of science and magic to create potent effects. As an Alchemist, you’ll delve into the secrets of alchemy, uncovering new formulas and refining your craft. You’ll be the party’s go-to expert for identifying potions, brewing elixirs, and crafting bombs. The Alchemist is a powerful damage dealer, crowd controller, and debuffer all in one, a versatile ranged combatant with plenty of trackable resources. Your main gimmick is bombs, thrown explosives which attack touch and harm the enemys ability to do combat at the same time.
Key Abilities and Attributes for Alchemist Builds
When crafting your Alchemist in Pathfinder 2e, careful consideration of key abilities and attributes is crucial for optimizing your build and playstyle. Dexterity (DEX) stands out as a primary attribute for most Alchemist builds. As a primarily ranged class, Dexterity enhances your accuracy with thrown bombs and other alchemical items. A high Dexterity also contributes to your Armor Class (AC), making you more resilient in combat. Intelligence (INT) is another vital attribute for Alchemists, as it governs the number of alchemical items you can prepare each day and influences the effectiveness of certain alchemical creations. While Intelligence is important, depending on your build may not be the most important. You can typically do perfectly fine with Int as your 2nd highest stat after Strength for melee builds and Dexterity for other builds. Constitution (CON) is essential for any character, providing hit points and bolstering your Fortitude saves. A higher Constitution ensures you can withstand more damage and resist debilitating effects. Strength (STR) is generally less important for Alchemists, unless you plan on incorporating melee combat into your build. However, a moderate Strength can still be useful for carrying capacity and the occasional melee encounter. Wisdom (WIS) and Charisma (CHA) are typically the least important attributes for Alchemists, unless you intend to multiclass into a class that relies on these attributes. The vanilla Alchemist is a ranged character with 2/3 Intelligence-based spellcasting. Focus on Dexterity and Intelligence. If you want to use polymorph, or plan to go into melee combat, you may instead want to focus on Strength.
Research Fields: Specialization and Alchemical Focus
In Pathfinder 2e, the Alchemist’s Research Field is a defining choice that significantly shapes their specialization and alchemical focus. Each Research Field grants unique abilities and benefits, allowing Alchemists to excel in specific areas of alchemical expertise. The Alchemists subclasses (Research Fields) choose a specific type of alchemical item and make you an expert with that type of item. This allows you to create those items more efficiently (sometimes entirely for free) using Advanced Alchemy and Quick Alchemy, so expect to spend a lot of time using whatever favorite items you picked. Choosing the right Research Field is crucial for tailoring your Alchemist to your preferred playstyle and party role. Some Research Fields focus on damage-dealing bombs, while others prioritize healing elixirs or transformative mutagens. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each Research Field is essential for making an informed decision. The Alchemist is an interesting class, serving their party as some combination of Defender, Healer, Scout, Support, and Striker depending on their Field of Research and their preferred alchemical items. The Alchemists role in the party most closely resembles a Rogue, providing… The best option right now is Investigator with Alchemical Sciences Methodology, then Multiclassing into Alchemist for extra flavor. Even better if youre playing with free archetype, since you get the best of both worlds (more Alchemical flavor while keeping your investigative flavor intact). The Alchemist is an interesting class, serving their party as some combination of Defender, Healer, Scout, Support, and Striker depending on their Field of Research.
Feats and Discoveries: Enhancing Alchemical Abilities
In Pathfinder 2e, Alchemist Feats and Discoveries are crucial for enhancing alchemical abilities and customizing your character’s playstyle. These options provide a wide range of benefits, from improving bomb damage and splash effects to enhancing elixir potency and mutagen duration. Feats and Discoveries allow Alchemists to specialize in their preferred alchemical areas, whether it’s dealing explosive damage, providing powerful buffs, or debilitating enemies with poisons. Quick Alchemy: All of the Alchemists fantastic versatility, making a dizzying array of alchemist solutions available at a moments notice. Advanced Concoction: Not many great options, but Combine Elixirs and Sticky Poison may be useful. Acid Flask, Alchemists Fire, Blight Bomb and Junk Bomb already have persistent damage on normal hits, but using Quick Alchemy with Sticky Bomb can make any bomb deal persistent damage. Ive really only found 1 build thats good for alchemist, which is Quick Bomber, Sticky Bomb, Calculated Splash amp; Expanded Splash. With that combo, they can outdamage even a Fighter (on average, assuming persistent lasts 4 rounds) on the first round of combat. Understanding the available Feats and Discoveries is essential for optimizing your Alchemist build. Some Feats provide general improvements to alchemical abilities, while others are specifically tailored to certain Research Fields or alchemical items. For example, a Bomber Alchemist might focus on Feats that increase bomb damage and splash radius, while an Alchemist specializing in elixirs might prioritize Feats that enhance healing and buffing capabilities. By carefully selecting Feats and Discoveries, Alchemists can create highly effective and versatile characters capable of excelling in a variety of combat and support roles.
Best Ancestries and Backgrounds for Alchemists
Selecting the right ancestry and background is crucial for optimizing an Alchemist build in Pathfinder 2e. The ideal ancestry provides attribute boosts that complement the Alchemist’s key abilities, while the background offers skills and feats that enhance their alchemical prowess. Several ancestries stand out as excellent choices for Alchemists. Hobgoblins, with their bonuses to Dexterity and Constitution, make excellent Alchemists, improving their accuracy with bombs and their overall survivability. Ratfolk also make good Alchemists because they get 2 to INT and DEX — their most important stats. Because of their small size, they can move quickly (perhaps even undetected) to the perfect vantage point to launch fiery bombs into a crowd of enemies to. Other viable ancestries include Humans, who offer a versatile attribute boost, and Gnomes, known for their Intelligence and innate magical abilities. When choosing a background, look for options that provide skills relevant to alchemy, such as Crafting (Alchemy) or Medicine. Backgrounds that grant access to alchemical feats or provide bonuses to crafting alchemical items are also highly desirable. Some examples of suitable backgrounds include Chirurgeon, which offers Medicine and Crafting skills, and Alchemist, which provides proficiency in Crafting (Alchemy) and a bonus feat related to alchemy. Ultimately, the best ancestry and background for an Alchemist will depend on the specific build and playstyle you envision. However, by carefully considering the attribute boosts, skills, and feats offered by different ancestries and backgrounds, you can create a well-rounded and effective Alchemist character.
Multiclassing Options for Alchemists
Multiclassing can be a valuable way to enhance an Alchemist’s capabilities in Pathfinder 2e, providing access to new skills, feats, and abilities that complement their alchemical talents. However, it’s essential to choose multiclass options carefully, considering the Alchemist’s strengths and weaknesses and the desired playstyle. One popular multiclass option for Alchemists is Rogue, particularly for those focusing on poison-based builds. The Rogue’s Sneak Attack damage and access to poison-related feats can significantly enhance the Alchemist’s ability to debilitate and eliminate enemies. Investigator with Alchemical Sciences Methodology also makes for a powerful combination; For Alchemists seeking additional spellcasting abilities, multiclassing into Witch or Wizard can be beneficial. These classes offer Intelligence-based casting, which synergizes well with the Alchemist’s reliance on Intelligence for their alchemical formulas. Leveled spells provide a wide selection of powerful combat options, augmenting the Alchemist’s alchemical arsenal. Ranger Dedication also has more interesting options than just crossbow ace. Hunters Aim can be a very useful feat for Alchemist ― especially if you couple it with Crossbow Ace. Crossbow Ace gives a hefty damage bonus, and the 2 attack roll from Hunters Aim also helps offset the lower attack penalty the alchemist gets. When multiclassing, it’s crucial to consider the opportunity cost of delaying Alchemist class features. Carefully weigh the benefits of the multiclass against the potential loss of alchemical advancements. A well-planned multiclass can create a versatile and potent character, but a poorly chosen one can hinder the Alchemist’s effectiveness.
Effective Bomber Builds and Strategies
The Bomber Alchemist in Pathfinder 2e is a potent damage dealer, capable of unleashing a barrage of explosive concoctions upon their foes. To create an effective Bomber build, it’s crucial to focus on feats and discoveries that enhance bomb damage, range, and area of effect. One of the most effective Bomber builds revolves around the Quick Bomber, Sticky Bomb, Calculated Splash, and Expanded Splash discoveries. This combination allows the Alchemist to quickly produce and hurl bombs that deal persistent damage and affect a wide area. Quick Alchemy is essential for any Bomber, allowing them to create bombs on the fly during combat. Sticky Bomb adds persistent damage to any bomb, while Calculated Splash maximizes the splash damage radius. Expanded Splash further increases the area of effect, ensuring that even more enemies are caught in the blast. When playing a Bomber Alchemist, strategic positioning is key. Maintain a safe distance from enemies while ensuring that your bombs can reach their targets. Utilize terrain and cover to your advantage, and consider investing in feats that increase your movement speed. Acid Flask, Alchemist Fire, Blight Bomb and Junk Bomb already have persistent damage on normal hits, but using Quick Alchemy with Sticky Bomb can make any bomb deal persistent damage. Consider your target’s weaknesses and resistances when choosing which bombs to use. Some enemies may be vulnerable to fire damage, while others may be resistant to acid. Adapt your strategy accordingly to maximize your damage output. Acid Flask, Alchemists Fire, Blight Bomb and Junk Bomb already have persistent damage on normal hits, but using Quick Alchemy with Sticky Bomb can make any bomb deal persistent damage.
Alchemical Items: Bombs, Elixirs, and Mutagens
Alchemical Items are at the heart of the Alchemist class in Pathfinder 2e, providing a versatile toolkit for offense, defense, and support. These items are broadly categorized into Bombs, Elixirs, and Mutagens, each serving a distinct purpose in the Alchemist’s arsenal. Bombs are explosive concoctions designed to inflict damage and apply various conditions to enemies. They come in a wide range of types, each with its own unique effects. Some bombs deal direct damage, while others inflict persistent damage, debuffs, or crowd control effects. Alchemist’s Fire, for example, deals initial fire damage and applies the burning condition, while Acid Flask deals acid damage and reduces the target’s armor. Elixirs are restorative and enhancing potions that can heal allies, grant temporary buffs, or provide resistance to certain types of damage. Healing elixirs restore hit points, while elixirs of life can revive fallen companions. Other elixirs grant temporary bonuses to stats, skills, or defenses. Mutagens are transformative concoctions that alter the Alchemist’s physical and mental abilities. They can grant increased strength, dexterity, or intelligence, but often come with drawbacks, such as reduced charisma or vulnerability to certain types of damage. Mutagens are typically used to enhance the Alchemist’s combat prowess or to overcome specific challenges. The Alchemist’s ability to create and utilize these alchemical items makes them a versatile and adaptable class, capable of filling a variety of roles in a party. By carefully selecting and combining different items, Alchemists can tailor their abilities to suit any situation.
