Previously Unknown Breaking of Action Economy

[Occasional Sage]

A combo I stumble across which my Google-fu doesn't find referenced previously:

The Alchemist (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/alchemist#TOC-Alchemy-Su-):


He stores his formulae in a special tome called a formula book. He must refer to this book whenever he prepares an extract but not when he consumes it.


An extract is “cast” by drinking it, as if imbibing a potion...

So concentration is used when preparing the extract, but not drinking it.

The Drunken Brute (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/barbarian/archetypes/paizo---barbarian-archetypes/drunken-brute) barbarian archetype:


While raging, the drunken brute can drink a potion, or a tankard of ale or similar quantity of alcohol, as a move action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity.

Now, Barbarians are not denied spellcasting while raging (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/barbarian#TOC-Rage-Ex-), just concentration:


While in rage, a barbarian cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration.

So an Alchemist/Drunken Brute can "cast" as a non-provoking Move Action, and still have their Standard Action for face-ripping. As gish abilities go, I don't think that's so bad....

I'm just going to whistle off someplace else and leave this here for a while.

[Hytheter]

I guess it's ok. Needs at least a few levels of Alchemist to be worthwhile though, and those two classes aren't exactly bulging with synergy.

[Squirrel_Dude]

Seems solid. I've seen an alchemist/barbarian multiclassed character done before, and it was solid. Their biggest issue is staying power, as they burn through their daily abilities really fast.

[Rabidmuskrat]

Alchemist prepares extracts. Barbarian can drink a potion, or a tankard of ale or similar quantity of alcohol as a move action. Nothing about extracts. Now you may argue that an extract works like a potion, but that would be a houserule in this particular case since the barbarian specifically calls out what it can drink as a move action.

And even if this is good, you are hardly breaking the action economy. Bending it a little, maybe.

[Spore]

Both guides mention the Drunken Brute and state: "If your DM is okay with it, it's a great thing." Still, action economy isn't always everything as the Alchemist struggles with staying power due to the lack of extracts/day, bombs/day (and furthermore the important SINGULAR mutagen for a gish build if not for Master Alchemist). It's viable imho but not broken. :)