D&D 5E Rebalancing the alchemist (unearthed aracana)

[Ancalagon]

Hello

So I don't like the huge damage spike the artificer gets at level 6 when they suddenly get that big robot servant. I also don't like how it doesn't scale.

So what I did (only looking at the alchemist)

A: the mechanical servant is now a tiny servant from Xanathar's Guide to Everything. Think basically a mechanical familiar with a bit of oomph. So utility, and cannon fodder if needed.

B: The spellcasting is now as a half caster, not 1/3, and they know one extra spell (so a level 6 alchemist knows 5 spells, not 4).

Buuuut... the damage from the alchemist now seems a bit low. If you compare it to a rogue (which does decent, but not astounding, damage), the acid does the same number of d6 as a rogue's sneak attack *but* the rogue also gets the dice from his weapons (short sword, arrow etc) *and* the stat bonus (dex based presumably).

So I have 2 ideas to boost damage by a bit:

1: The acid damage can be entirely avoided by a dex save... what if the save was for half damage?

2: Increase the damage by a + equal to the intelligence stat bonus.

What do you fine folks think of option 1 and 2?

Thanks!

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

I did something similar to you for the Artificer: (Changed it to a half-caster and moved the mechanical servant to a separate, beastmaster-like subclass.)

I don't feel that the damage boost to acid is necessary. Yes, an alchemist's optimal single-target DPR is a little below a rogue's, but the alchemist has an area effect option, as well as other capabilities even before you get to their spells.

Maybe instead of a Tiny Servant you could let the Alchemist create a Homunculus instead?

 

[Ancalagon]

I will have to look up the homunculus... it would fit

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