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There is a new class for D&D 5th Edition provided by a third party (unofficial gameplay footage). I review and recommendTaron "Indestructoboy" Pound's playable alchemist class, a companionYoutuber(and occasional Flutes Loot Writer). It is available in DM's Guild. You can currently buy it for $9.99. A full preview of the Alchemist class document is available on DMs Guild prior to purchase.
I've become a fan of Taron's work because I've noticed that a lot of third-party content focuses on quantity rather than quality. But Taron is a professional designer. He's a quality designer guy.
The Alchemist is Taron's first Guild DM's new class skin, but it's the first I've committed to. Full disclosure, I listened to his live streams while designing the course. I was part of the playtest and feedback phase on your discord. I'm on the credits for playtesting and line editing (volunteer work).
The NEW Alchemist Class 🐸💣 for...
— Creation of an alchemist
— Main functions of the alchemist
— Entertainer subclass
— Apothecary subclass
— Subclass Fulminare
— Salbenista subclass
— Subclass Toxicologist
— Why buy the alchemist?
Class of non-magical alchemists (non-constructors).
It isAlchemistThe design is not based on magic and spells. It's supposed to be an answerCraftsman classwhich fell short of many players' fantasies of gathering ingredients to brew potions and brews (especially hisSubclass of alchemists). This class specializes in using what it creates, rather than casting artificial spells.
This alchemist has a rustic, old-school RPG feel to it. It uses existing combat mechanics and doesn't try to ignore or circumvent them. The Alchemist Class PDF contains content to review the existing 5e rules so you don't go blind. Taron did his homework.
Is there an alchemist in D&D 5e?
The only official alchemist in D&D 5e is the Artificers subclass. However, this subclass does not fulfill the desired fantasy of an alchemist. That's why I recommend Taron Pounds' alchemist course. It's not official, but it's better than most official 5e content.
Can you be an alchemist in D&D 5e?
Certain character options can be designed to resemble an alchemist archetype, but D&D 5e's crafting and herbalism mechanics are sparse and dull. They take too long and cost too much. Because of this, third-party content is the way to go to create a proper alchemist character.
Create an alchemist character
The Alchemist is a W8 class with five ASI (default). He is a character based on intelligence.
He is proficient in light armor, simple weapons, and blowguns. It feels like you can have fun with blowguns and poisons.
Taron is unaware of the fact that multiclassing exists. The multiclass rules require at least 13 Intelligence for the Alchemist to be part of a multiclass character build. Sometimes I see classes designed to ignore the implications of multiclassing and allow for crazy combinations. I've seen Taron actively changing his skins based on synergies with certain multiclass combinations he didn't want to allow.
The most commonly used action is the Use Object action, not the Attack action. The entry bonus promotion is called Catalyze. The alchemist plays an intermediate role, as his range with potions and alchemical items isn't as great as with ranged weapons.
Here is my video recap of the class followed by Taron's instructional video for his class.
Traits of the main Alchemist class
I'll summarize each core feature that makes this upAlchemistfun and interesting to play. It's deceptively simple compared to other alchemical class concepts I've seen. My favorite part is that I don'tto ignoreexisting D&D 5e rules and mechanics; based on them!
Alchemist class features: Adept Experimentalist (level 1)
The Experimentalist Adept feature makes it so that you can provide five gold's worth of raw materials to craft any alchemical item. You know the formula that it's worth fifty gold or less.
This part of the alchemist class works similarly to wizards learning spells.
You will learn formulas of alchemical elements; They make them cheaper and faster. Many alchemical items cost 25-50 gold when purchased at the prices on thePlayer's manual. You create them for five gold during a long pause (instead of taking days or weeks). There is a limit to how many you can create in pauses based on your Intelligence modifier and alchemist level.
Basically, you also have experience with alchemist supplies (double PB).
Alchemist Class Features: Alchemy (Level 1)
This feature contains several subfeatures to bind to the class. This includes formulas, catalysts and potency.
Alchemy Subfunction: Formulas
You know a few basic formulas: acid, alchemist's fire, antidote, base oil, perfume, soap, and two more of your choice. And each time you level up, you learn a different formula. You can also find potions and alchemical items to study their formulas.
Alchemy Subfunction: Catalyze
Catalyze adds an extra action to your action economy, allowing you to quickly create an alchemical item with a short lifespan of one minute, basically just for use in combat.
Alchemy Subrole: Potency
Let's improve our Power Alchemist skills. The first buff affects melee when casting alchemical items. Like the Crossbow Expert talent, Potency allows you to ignore the debuff on ranged attacks while enemies are at your side.
You can also throw alchemical items twice as far. You're a lane mid, but items limited to 20ft throw distances are difficult to use. This feature allows you to cast 40 feet in place.
Finally, you can use your Intelligence modifier to make attack rolls with alchemical elements. This means you can avoid becoming a MAD class. An item with a fixed DC would not normally scale during gameplay, but you can use your Intelligence and MP to set the DC. This flexibility makes the alchemist the best user of many adventure elements that would normally be useless after level one of the game.
Alchemist Class Features: Eureka (Level 3)
Eureka is another key feature of this class. Eureka relies on the added action of the Catalyze feature to create a common rarity potion whose formula you know. The rarity of the potion increases as the level increases.
Note here that when using Eureka, you also include Catalyze, since you're using the same bonus action as Catalyze, meaning it has the same resource limitations and one-minute effectiveness. You should use the potion quickly within a minute when making a potion this way. The time limit is then increased to ten minutes.
Alchemist class features: Methodical efficiency (level 3)
Taron realized that themalicious thiefcould use an item as a bonus action, making this character option the best for using alchemical items. To compete with this option, the alchemist can perform the use item action as a bonus action. Remember that the Use Item action does not work with magic items such as potions.
Summary of the alchemist class
I won't review the rest of the Alchemist kit, but it has the right scale at the right levels to keep up with the main D&D 5e classes. It fulfills what I want to see from an alchemist as it gains unique abilities to mix alchemical elements, create a philosopher's stone and more!
Alchemical Practices (subclasses) for the Alchemist class
The class is solid, but it also has great subclasses! These subclasses often have special alchemical trick upgrades that scale to become stronger at higher levels.
Alchemical Subclass: The Entertainer
the entertainerAlchemistUse primal alchemy to create small living constructs. A summoned homunculus is similar to the artisan's homunculus brew. The homunculus obeys your telepathic commands (no action required).
It's a small physique with some flight, poison immunity, and fatigue immunity. It has dodge mechanics, and you can refill it with material components for five gold to upgrade it.
My favorite Homunculus upgrades are Acid Spit, Eagle Vision, and Blind Spot. If you're a little alchemist, the homunculus' tiny body can grab you and lift you into the air with its flight (following the push/pull rules).
You can throw themanimate deadMagic, but it doesn't taste like magic. You can think of it as alchemy, not magic. You don't use spell slots and you don't revive a dead creature. You can only cast this as a ritual, which is a bonus! As raw materials you need a drop of blood, a piece of meat and a pinch of bone dust.
The ritual creates a skeleton or zombie. They treat it like a construct, not the undead. You give it a hit point boost based on your alchemist level and have telepathy with it. And you can only do this with one body at a time.
Level fourteen is fun because you can mix your homunculus and zombie in oneFlesh GolemHe takes on all the characteristics of his extended homunculus. That's how it is; is a flying Frankenstein monster with acidic spit.
Alchemist Subclass: The Apothecary
We have the pharmacy that heals with medicinal herbs. You can take five components worth of gold to upgrade the alchemical item or potion you craft that restores hit points to help you heal better. The next time the consumer saves, in the next minute they can roll a d4 and add that number to the save and then the troll blood.
You can give someone one hit point regeneration per turn for one minute. For five gold, your health potion heals ten more hit points out of combat, or ten over time in combat. But it no longer works if you take fire damage as a troll.
Sweet Aid improves your healing. The item's first healing function gains a bonus equal to your Intelligence modifier. You also gain an advantage on Medicine checks made to stabilize creatures.
I like the powdered gems feature because it makes it so that someone afflicted with any condition, not just poison or disease, can immediately attempt that saving throw. They may prevent them from being paralyzed! You don't have to miss a turn because you heal them first.
Using your alchemical skills, you can restore these limbs and raise the dead at level ten.
Subclass of Alchemists: The Fulminars
The Fulminare is your bomber and has the best Doc art. Bombardier Frog!
Withers can stun and shock enemies, disrupt spell concentration, and turn single items in an area into explosive effects. You can drop a bomb centered on your current position while using a reaction to get rid of the blast area.
You can blow up buildings and constructions in later levels with ease. He's a crazy bomber character, so he does what you'd expect (plus a few surprises).
Withers have the potential to transmute elements to deal altered damage types than they normally would.
Overall, the Fulminare's ability to turn alchemical items, which typically have mild effects, into unforgettable explosions makes the Fulminare a favorite for any player looking to blow things up. The explosion areas are enlarged, the types of damage are varied and the additional effects are devastating. The doors don't stand a chance!
Alchemist Subclass: The Ointmentist
Thematically, the Unointmentist resembles a Bladesinger sorcerer; He wields a sword and applies alchemical oil to his metal for an almost magical effect. The oil on the edge can be activated to set the blade on fire or create other effects depending on the type of oil soaked in it. Acquire proficiency in using medium armor and weapons of war (with some caveats).
Applying oil involves a ritual to anoint the blade. When attacking with the Anointed Weapon, you can use Intelligence to attack the damage.
The Level Ten feature is fantastic. It can absorb elemental damage from the oil smearing the blade, reducing damage and restoring hit points. When the Unointmentist reaches all of its hit points, the rest are converted to temporary hit points.
Players who enjoy the Spell and Sword character archetypes will love the Unointmentist.
The Unointmentist specializes in a mechanic often referred to as "exploding dice," where rolling maximum stats results in more dice being rolled. At low levels, the exploding cube mechanic is limited, but at higher levels it gains infinite potential (no limit).
Of course, this subclass also gets Extra Attack (default for Waffenträger).
Alchemist Subclass: The Toxicologist
The Toxicologist specializes in poisons without sacrificing the fact that many monsters resist or ignore poisons. Any damage dealt by the Toxicologist can become Necrotic with Alchemical tweaks. Taron is aware of how bad poison damage is in D&D 5e. It gives you options inspired by other designs.
Toxicologist can stack damage on a target with a poison that adds D6 poison damage to other attacks once per round. More allies attacking the victim means more damage.
Victims of the poisons created by the Toxicologist will experience penalties on their saving throws to maintain concentration. Toxicologists gain resistance to acid and poison damage. They can even become immune to poison if they already resist the poison through racial traits or otherwise.
At later levels, poisonous brews can ignore damage resistances. It's a smart subclass design that overcomes Poison's shortcomings as a type and damage state.
Supplements to alchemical articles and rules
Another fantastic resource in this alchemist class document is a list of new alchemical items and tools. These additional materials elevate the alchemist by giving them powerful and versatile options. These items can also be easily placed in your 5e game as dungeon loot or shelf inventory.
You will have summaries of existing items along with new consumables, combat items, oils and more!
Why buy the Alchemist class?
I want 3rd party creators to (literally) compete with WotC. I think WotC designs have been underwhelming and lazy lately, but the domestic scene has stellar content from various talents. Consider supporting creators who lack the corporate budget and bureaucracy to get in the way of their designs.
The Alchemist is an intelligent and fun class. It hits the kind of fantasy players are looking for without reinventing the D&D 5e system. Alchemists can be quickly added to your campaign with no extra work for the DM and minimal learning curves for players.
CanPurchase Taron "Indestructoboy" Pounds' Alchemist class from the DMs Guild. Let me know if you check it out!
Leave a message in the comments if you would like to discuss this subclass. I'm happy to answer questions if you're on the fence about whether or not to buy it.