Alchemist help

[NiteCyper]

We've just hit level 10. I'm playing a Human (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/core-races/human) Alchemist (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/alchemist). I've been following N. Jolly's guide (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hChbcEsEfQsR7NkwKlzO-GLYtrOtxlkGHpRQgKKZ5gc/edit?usp=sharing). We're playing in the Iron Gods campaign (so we encounter a lot of constructs). I've taken the +HP favored class (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/character-advancement#TOC-Favored-Class) bonus at every level. The GM said core but I think anything from the SRD is allowed. I don't use mutagen anymore.

Point buy (15): Str 8, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 17, Wis 8, Cha 7.
Int is currently at 21 with the two +1/4 lv. bonuses and the +2 Human bonus. We got some sort of nutrient-paste-dispensing memory-game cube™ that will boost our Intelligence if we succeed at an Intelligence check (with increasing DC) for several days in a row. I don't remember its full name, but I wrote down NTN for short.

Improved Familiar (the GM let me take it),
Improved Initiative,
Extra Discovery (Poison Conversion?) (? because I didn't write down which discovery),
Potion Glutton (The GM said I can only drink one extract per round but it seems that they said that because of a false assumption, so that limit may break, but we've also neglected having to draw the extracts, so I've been drawing and drinking as a swift),
Die for your Master,
Point Blank Shot (most recent)

I'll prolly take Precise Shot next (although we've been neglecting the -4 penalty (at least for me)), but after that, I'm not sure. I've never been sure.


Tumor Familiar,
Precise Bombs,
Frost Bomb (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/alchemist/discoveries/paizo---alchemist-discoveries/frost-bomb) (many things have been immune to being staggered (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/conditions#TOC-Staggered), but I think it may be because the GM falsely assumes constructs (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/rules-for-monsters/creature-types#TOC-Construct) are immune to being staggered),
Infusion,
Poison Conversion,
Blinding Bomb (most recent)


Familiar: Imp consular (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/outsiders/devil/imp). I think I'll make it a valet (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/wizard/familiar/familiar-archetypes/valet-familiar-archetype) archetype. I think the GM said that it can't feed me extracts for me. The GM said that it has hands.

(lv.1) Heightened Awareness,
Targeted Bomb Admixture (has caused me to miss a lot of damage, but this may change with Sipping Jacket (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/h-l/jacket-sipping)),
Long Arm (party buff),
Enlarge Person (party buff),
Adhesive Spittle (something for my familiar to do),
Anticipate Peril,
CLW,
Invisibility Alarm,
True Strike,
Monkey Fish,
(copied:) Identify,
Shield,
Comprehend Languages,
Recharge Innate Magic.

(lv.2) Alchemical Allocation (nerfed to only work once per potion, been using it on extracts (even though I've just realized it's not legal by the RAW)),
Barkskin,
Focused Scrutiny,
Invisibility,
Touch Injection,
Skinsend (never landed the combo and the GM doesn't know I have it, so they may nerf it as I try it),
(copied:) Animal Aspect,
Detect Thoughts,
See Invisibility,
Resist Energy

(lv.3) Channel Vigor,
Displacement,
Fly,
Heroism,
Monstrous Physique I,
(copied:) Gaseous Form,
Protection from Energy,
Seek Thoughts

(lv.4) Duplicate Familiar (because I don't want to feel afraid to send out my familiar)


Appraise 1,
Craft (alchemy) 9,
Disable Device 1,
Fly 6,
Heal 6,
Knowledge (arcana) 5,
Knowledge (dungeoneering) 8,
Knowledge (engineering) 1,
Knowledge (geography) 1,
Knowledge (history) 1,
Knowledge (local) 1,
Knowledge (nature) 4,
Knowledge (nobility) 1,
Knowledge (planes) 8,
Knowledge (religion) 1,
Perception 9,
Sleight of Hand 1,
Spellcraft 9,
Stealth 3,
Survival 1,
Use Magic Device 9


Languages: Common,
Androffen,
Celestial,
Draconic,
Dwarven,
Terran,
Orc. The important thing is Androffen, a plot-central language. The rest, I don't know what is best.

We ignore carrying capacity. I haven't fully kitted myself out yet. I came in at level 8, so that's 33K GP starting wealth (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/character-advancement#TOC-Advancing-Your-Character) to spend. With my share of party loot (~6.5K), I bought Poisoner's Gloves (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/e-g/gloves-poisoner-s) and Bountiful Bottle (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/mythic/mythic-magic-items/other-magic-items) (which is currently working on CSW). I regret the Bountiful Bottle because of how long it takes to use and I didn't realize that "[e]ach glove can [only] be used once per day".

I've also got 3 potions of Gaseous Form,
4 torpinol (truth serum),
wand of CL3 Ray of Enfeeblement (31 charges),
wand of CL3 Magic Missile (29 charges) (loot drops for my imp),
Longdreamer glow sap (5),
4 potions of CMW,
communication headset,
Gaseous Form scroll,
trauma pack plus,
Cloak of Resistance +2.

Another party member undertakes the task of writing down all of the loot, so I've access to more.

What I'm planning on buying: Sipping Jacket (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/h-l/jacket-sipping) (5K),
Eyes of the Eagle (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/e-g/eyes-of-the-eagle) (2.5K),
Headband of Vast Intelligence (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/h-l/headband-of-vast-intelligence)/Aerial Agility (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/h-l/headband-of-aerial-agility) (4-4.5K),
Cape of Free Will (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/mythic/mythic-magic-items/other-magic-items) (1.5/6K),
Handy Haversack Bag (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/a-b/bag-handy-haversack) (2K),
mithral (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---final/special-materials#TOC-Mithral) chain shirt (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---final/armor/chain-shirt) (1.1K),
Darkwood Buckler (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/magic-armor/specific-magic-shields/darkwood-buckler) (203),
spring-loaded wrist sheaths (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---final/weapons/weapon-and-armor-accessories#TOC-Wrist-Sheath-spring-loaded),
wands (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wands) (for the imp),
maybe poisons (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/afflictions/poison) (to make use of Poison Conversion discovery),
maybe alchemical thrown weapons (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---final/weapons/alchemical-weapons),
Potion (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/potions) of Greater Invisibility (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/i/invisibility) (CL20), Heroism (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/h/heroism), or CL15+ Stoneskin (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/s/stoneskin), as well as mundane necessities.


Any tips?

[Geddy2112]

Looks like you are pretty freaking set. Make your own poisons, potions and alchemical stuff-you can easily do it, and it saves money. Why do you not use your mutagen anymore? make a con boosting mutagen just in case you need extra HP- there is no penalty to keeping one, and you can afford to dump charisma even more.

Wands of create water, glitterdust, faerie fire, etc are great for finding invisble things and general battlefield utility. Maybe a CLW wand so your familiar can run around and medic.

[NiteCyper]

Why do you not use your mutagen anymore? make a con boosting mutagen just in case you need extra HP- there is no penalty to keeping one, and you can afford to dump charisma even more.

In general, it costs an action to consume it. I hadn't thought of Con, but I'm also typically the one sitting at the back or flying out of reach, so it isn't that necessary.


Wands of create water, glitterdust, faerie fire, etc are great for finding invisble things and general battlefield utility. Maybe a CLW wand so your familiar can run around and medic.

Glitterdust definitely came to mind.
Create Water (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/c/create-water) for BFC (battlefield control)? Hm, but my GM would probably counter that it can't replace/emulate Grease. They've already said that Prestidigitation cannot do anything that is useful in combat, so I think they would say the same for Create Water. Faerie Fire looks OK. CLW sounds nice, but I think team buffing is underappreciated in our group, including by me.

[Psyren]

Frost Bomb (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/alchemist/discoveries/paizo---alchemist-discoveries/frost-bomb) (many things have been immune to being staggered (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/conditions#TOC-Staggered), but I think it may be because the GM falsely assumes constructs (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/rules-for-monsters/creature-types#TOC-Construct) are immune to being staggered)

Actually your GM is correct here - Frost Bombs' stagger effect is a fort save that doesn't affect objects, so both constructs and undead are immune.

[Grod_The_Giant]

In general, it costs an action to consume it. I hadn't thought of Con, but I'm also typically the one sitting at the back or flying out of reach, so it isn't that necessary.
True, but it's also a 10 minute/level buff. Drink it at the start of the dungeon and enjoy.

[Gnaeus]

Technically, you can't have an improved familiar/valet since improved familiars don't get speak with animals of type, and that is something valets trade away. Only a few archetypes are legally available to improved familiars. YMMV.

[NiteCyper]

Actually your GM is correct here - Frost Bombs' stagger effect is a fort save that doesn't affect objects, so both constructs and undead are immune.

Right, thanks. I've learned this now.


True, but it's also a 10 minute/level buff. Drink it at the start of the dungeon and enjoy.

My mindset about buffs is probably bad. I guess I think of them more as a hassle unless they're major game-changers, like Invisibility.


Technically, you can't have an improved familiar/valet since improved familiars don't get speak with animals of type, and that is something valets trade away. Only a few archetypes are legally available to improved familiars. YMMV.

Right, thanks. I've learned this now too. That means I don't have to bother with that stuff.