Alchemy...Too Expensive?

[Wycen]

Is it a minor, standard or move action to make alchemist's fire go boom?

 

[Falling Icicle]

The point of taking the feat and paying for the rituals is flexibility. Sure, you could buy the alchemist's fire in town and head out. Cheaper, assuming that's what you need. Or you could learn several different rituals, then buy a couple hundred GP worth of alchemical components, get to the dungeon, scout out your foes, then pull back and whip up the exact alchemical items you need for the fight. I'm not saying it's a must-have or anything, but it certainly is a viable option, especially if you play in campaigns where you may not see a town for 4-5 sessions.

The problem is that most of the alchemy items have extremely weak effects, barely on par with at-will powers, if that. They are not significant enough, IMO, that the ability to make them in a dungeon is worth the cost of a feat (or the ridiculous cost in gp to create them at high levels, for that matter).

 

[Ahglock]

The point is alchemy gives you an option to do something that your at-wills can't. So yes, that large wad of cash you dropped DOES beat your at-will powers.

No they don't. A crappy effect is a crappy effect. A bit of versatility is neat, but since this is a team game mimicking another classes at will to crappy effect for lots of cash is just a dumb option. It is total weak sauce and it is not worth taking compared to the PH feats, this may be the weakest feat in the game. The items themselves are not worth taking compared to the magic items in the game. If someone wants to take this feat for background purposes go right ahead, but don't take it for its effects.

 

[Danforthe]

Something I didn't see addressed here by anyone (and I don't have AV yet so it may be in there) is how people selling alchemist items make a profit. Why would he local merchant sell items for exactly what it costs them in materials to make. I know 4E has shied away from crafting and profession skills to be more tactical but it seems rather jarring to me that they should be so blatant about the economy.

 

[SableWyvern]

Something I didn't see addressed here by anyone (and I don't have AV yet so it may be in there) is how people selling alchemist items make a profit. Why would he local merchant sell items for exactly what it costs them in materials to make. I know 4E has shied away from crafting and profession skills to be more tactical but it seems rather jarring to me that they should be so blatant about the economy.

I just assumed the standard magic item pricing structure is in place -- a bought item costs 10-40% more than list price. Of course, in the context of this thread, that's not exactly an ideal solution.

 

[Benly]

Level 1 alchemist's fire is a very cheap way for a fighter to engage in group marking long after it has no chance of connecting. (Group marking at a distance, particularly - not something you need all the time, but handy when you do.)

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Something I didn't see addressed here by anyone (and I don't have AV yet so it may be in there) is how people selling alchemist items make a profit. Why would he local merchant sell items for exactly what it costs them in materials to make. I know 4E has shied away from crafting and profession skills to be more tactical but it seems rather jarring to me that they should be so blatant about the economy.

You won't like this answer, either, but:
NPCs don't have the Craft Alchemy or Ritual Caster feats. They might follow different rules. So just because PCs gain no net benefit doesn't mean NPCs don't get it either. Maybe that's a special talent they have, in exchange for not having regular class levels and a bunch of awesome combat powers, and, more importantly, never getting a chance to do real heroic stuff.

 

[jtrowell]

You can craft for 20gp, but don't forget that buying something from a shop cost 10% to 40% more than the base price.

 

[Asmor]

Here's an idea...

Alchemy Specialist
Prerequsities: Alchemist
Benefit: You can add your dexterity, intelligence or wisdom modifier to all attack rolls with alchemical items (whichever bonus is higher).