Crazy Chemist Build

[Stuvius]

Kind of like the title says I want to build an NPC for my players to face that is essentially a mad chemist type who is focused on fire and explosions(think 'Trashcan Man' from The Stand). I have not built anything like this before and really don't know where to start. I was thinking he should have high ranks in craft alchemy but beyond that I am stumped. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

[Diovid]

The two usual options are:

- Backport pathfinder's Alchemist class.

- Use the Master Alchemist prc and/or the Alchemist Savant prc, using Artificer or Wizard as the base class.

Edit:
The Alchemist is found here (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/alchemist).

The Master Alchemist is from Magic of Faerûn and the Alchemist Savant is from Magic of Eberron. The Artificer is found in Eberron Campaign Setting.

[Telonius]

Changing the description of Wizard might be the best option, other than making a completely new class. Instead of a spellbook, he has a notebook with complicated formulae. Instead of preparing to "cast" a bunch of "spells" with things he gets from his "component pouch," he makes a bunch of alchemical preparations using reagents in his mini-lab. Only the Chemist can cause the proper reaction, so other characters couldn't use them like potions. Use the exact same mechanical rules for Wizard, otherwise.

If you're looking for Trashcan Man's personality, he's more of a Sorcerer type. Changing the description there would work too. The class would generally be more like, "This works because, Mad Science!" not, "I will spend years discovering the secrets of the cosmos and carefully recording them so that others may replicate my research."

[ShurikVch]

Also, there was Gnome Artificer PrC in the Magic of Faerûn (Despite name, humans can qualify too)

Feats:
Arson-themed - Mad Alchemist (http://dndtools.eu/feats/players-handbook-ii--80/mad-alchemist--1812/), Pyro (http://dndtools.eu/feats/song-and-silence-a-guidebook-to-bards-and-rogues--48/pyro--2311/)
Bonuses to Alchemy - Magic in the Blood (http://dndtools.eu/feats/oriental-adventures--96/magic-blood--3716/), Scholar of Nature (http://dndtools.eu/feats/oriental-adventures--96/scholar-nature--3730/), Superior Sense of Smell (http://www.realmshelps.net/cgi-bin/featbox.pl?feat=Superior_Sense_of_Smell), Startouched (http://www.realmshelps.net/cgi-bin/featbox.pl?feat=Startouched) (Stirge), Skill Focus
Madness-themed - Mad Faith (http://dndtools.eu/feats/heroes-of-horror--70/mad-faith--1813/), Deformity (Madness) (http://dndtools.eu/feats/elder-evils--110/deformity-madness--3527/)

[Diovid]

Feats I'd look at:

Brew Potion
Master of Poisons (Drow of the Underdark)
Poison Expert (Complete Scoundrel)
Poison Master (Complete Scoundrel)
Delay Potion (Complete Mage)
Grenadier (Player's Handbook II)
Mad Alchemist (Player's Handbook II)
Shaped Splash (Races of Eberron)
Feats that reduce the cost of crafting (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=s2mg07sg3cm12hmfcafhiugis0&topic=1000.0)