I don't think there is a bunker strong enough to endure the fanbase exploding over this.
Ok.... I don't understand what this new alchemist is supposed to be doing in combat.
The old alchemist could thrown potion bombs all day long, and had other alchemical combat utility things (healing, smoke etc). Plus at level 6 he had the construct (wich I didn't like, but hey, it could fight).
Now... I don't know? What is this guy supposed to do in a fight? He could attack twice in a round at level 5, but that's probably going to be pretty underwhelming as there is nothing else to make them a good combatant (no fighting styles, rage, sneak attack...) He could use his magic, being a half caster, but that's still pretty weak compared to a full caster. The other two half casters (ranger, paladin) are powerful combatants in their own right. The Homunculus could attack, but unless I'm missing something it's not very powerful...
What am I missing here?
It still don't see how it's not a significant nerf from the first version of the alchemist, which wasn't a huge dps dealer to begin with....
It might be a nerf, if the original was OP. This seems very competitive to me (+ Ability mod to Cantrip damage is one of the main reasons people are gaga for Eldritch Blast), and accomplishes the potion flinging flavor with systematic elegance.
Ability mod to cantrip damage only makes people go gaga for Eldritch Blast because of the ruling that you get the damage bonus for every bolt of Eldritch Blast, so it goes from 1d10+mod to 2d10+2*mod, etc. If you rule that only one bolt gets the bonus, it's far less appealing.
Ability mod to cantrip damage only makes people go gaga for Eldritch Blast because of the ruling that you get the damage bonus for every bolt of Eldritch Blast, so it goes from 1d10+mod to 2d10+2*mod, etc. If you rule that only one bolt gets the bonus, it's far less appealing.
I don't think that the artificer class is meant to be a huge dps dealer. With its range of buff spells and pet actions, plus respectable, but not primary-tier damage, I think that you should be looking more at overall contribution to the party as you would a Bard or Cleric - just with less nova and more sustainability.It still don't see how it's not a significant nerf from the first version of the alchemist, which wasn't a huge dps dealer to begin with....
I suppose the new alchemist is more like an Alchemical Knight.
+2 Weapon, +2 Shield, +2 Armor, Ready Action (Attack after Homunculus Helps).
Elven Artificer could be quite the crit fisher with elven accuracy.
I'm not sure that's viable because of the MAD - now you need a good stat for your spells (int) *and* a good attacking stat (str or dex) And don't forget you are limited to simple weapons.
That's not very MAD, that's just two stats (Dex needn't be high with Medium Armor). A +2 magical great club is not shabby, and a Dwarf, High Elf or Githyanki Alchemist has even better options with Martial weapon proficiencies.