Battle Chemist (3.5e Prestige Class)

Battle Chemist
"Drink this, it's Aitemu-shi's Crimson Bison, it'll give you wings!"

Potions are wondrous things. They come both magical and mundane, and provide so many strange and unique effects. Yet they're also too expensive, difficult to use and consume in battle, and provoke in their use. Some, though, have found ways to employ potions in the midst of combat, making them useful buffers and healers of themselves and allies, provided they have the materials.

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Battle Chemist.

The battle chemist does not need to qualify for the feat.

Unlike the normal feat, the battle chemist can use a potion as a move action at 1st level, a swift action at 3rd level, and an immediate action at 5th level (rather than scaling as the normal feat). Swift and immediate actions never provoke attacks of opportunity, and the battle chemist may choose which actions it will take.

 : The body of the battle chemist learns to absorb the best benefit from potions as possible. Any potion the battle chemist consumes has its caster level increased by their battle chemist class level. For example, a 5th level battle chemist consumes a potion of enlarge person (CL 1). It becomes CL 6 for him, lasting 6 minutes instead of 1.

The battle chemist receives a 10% discount on the gold cost of any alchemical item, poison, or potion created per level, to a maximum of a 50% discount at 5th.

At 1st level the battle chemist gains Brew Potion even if he does not qualify, and uses his character level as his caster level for brewing potions. He can substitute the spells needed for potions by making a Craft Alchemy check, DC 20 + the duplicated spell's minimum caster level (DC 21 for a 1st level potion, DC 37 for 9th level). The battle chemist can only duplicate spells as if he were a spellcaster of his Craft Alchemy ranks -3, and is still limited to 3rd level spells (until advanced potioncraft). If the check fails, he loses the material components and gp cost, but not the XP cost.

The battle chemist can brew a new type of potion called a bomb. Bombs are potions which hold an offensive spell effect. They duplicate the spell, but require a touch attack (via Throw Potion), it only effects a single target even if it was an area or multiple target spell, and the target gets a saving throw if the spell offers one. Because brewing with a high caster level is expensive, most battle chemist stick to debuff effects which are not caster level dependent. Bombs do not have any splash effect.



If the battle chemist throws with a ranged attack roll rather than a ranged touch attack, he may apply his strength to damage as if it were a thrown weapon. This is typically done with offensive potions (bombs).

He may craft potions of any level.

 : At 2nd level, any potions a battle chemist crafts himself are automatically empowered (if applicable) without changing the spell level or cost. However, the craft alchemy check to duplicate any spells needed does rise as if a higher level.



 : A 4th level battle chemist uses science just as much as magic. The effects of any potions they have brewed are considered extraordinary effects, rending them incapable of being dispelled and working within an antimagic field. This does not apply to potions with a permanent effect, or offensive potions (bombs).

 : At 4th level, any potions a battle chemist crafts himself are automatically maximized (if applicable) without changing the spell level or cost. However, the craft alchemy check to duplicate any spells needed does rise as if a higher level. This stacks with Empowered Potion.

 : A 5th level chemist can react rapidly to changing events. As a standard action at will, the battle chemist can set up an effect like contingency where he will automatically react and deploy a specific potion in response to a particular event, if able. If he is unable to act, or has no potions left this does not go off. Examples include using a cure light wounds potion when taking hp damage, or shield at the beginning of combat. This is a free action, and is expended when triggered. Like contingency it may be accidentally triggered if the terms are too broad, and while it is not magical it is the result of muscle memory and twitch reflexes.

Bombs still require a standard action.

Playing a Battle Chemist
Combat: The chemist is a support role. While they rarely step into the fray, they are there nearby, keeping allies buffed and healed as well as any spellcaster can.

Advancement: The battle chemist is, in a sense, a throwing weapon expert. It's not far from chucking potions to chucking axes. Consider throwing-focused classes.

Resources: Chemists usually work for scientists and militaries, for they provide a good, and nonmagical source of healing that clerics may not always be there to provide. If given the funds, they can have nearly limitless time they can go without needing to rest for more spells per day.

Battle Chemist in the World
"Huh. It tastes like Coke."

NPC Reactions: Everyone needs the local brewer. Not only do they make life-saving potions and magical doodads, but they can also brew up the best mead this side of a dwarf.

Battle Chemist Lore
Characters with ranks in Craft Alchemy can research battle chemists to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Battle Chemists in the Game
Sample Encounter: The enemy warcamp is kept hale and hearty by a chemist, who keeps healing the enemies you're hurting.

EL 6: PENDING