Alchemist: Chemical Reactions
Alchemist: Chemical Reactions
Chemical Reactions
One of the first things an alchemist learns is how to mix
chemicals that react explosively with each other.
Ostensibly, this is taught to students to prevent deadly
accidents, but adventuring alchemists often utilize this
knowledge to create bombs to use in combat and
exploration.
An alchemical bomb is a 1-pound, apple-sized, spherical
glass or clay flask filled with a reactive chemical. A smaller
vial of thin glass containing a reagent is suspended in the
liquid, and the whole thing is sealed with a cork or wax
seal. The chemicals violently explode when mixed. This
occurs when the inner vial breaks, usually after the bomb
impacts a solid surface or a fuse sets off a small explosive
detonator within the vial. Bombs are primarily used to fend
off enemies, but creative alchemists may find more
practical uses for explosives, such as demolishing
obstacles.
More experienced alchemists learn to mix less volatile
substances, some of which can replicate magical effects.
Many become apothecaries, healing and creating potions
for others. Apothecaries can use herbs and chemicals to
heal wounds, cure diseases, and neutralize poison.
The Alchemist
Proficiency Bomb
Level
Bonus
Damage
Features
Bomb
Discoveries Formulae
Known
Known
1st
+2
1d10
2nd
+2
1d10
Bomb Formulae
3rd
+2
1d10
Field of Study
2d10
4th
+2
5th
+3
2d10
Discovery
6th
+3
2d10
Brew Potions
7th
+3
2d10
8th
+3
3d10
9th
+4
3d10
10th
+4
3d10
11th
+4
4d10
12th
+4
4d10
13th
+5
4d10
Evasion
14th
+5
4d10
15th
+5
5d10
16th
+5
5d10
17th
+6
5d10
18th
+6
6d10
19th
+6
6d10
20th
+6
6d10
Philosophers Stone
Creating an Alchemist
Elemental Sciences
The primary source of alchemy's power comes from the
elemental planes. It is no surprise, then, that alchemists
strive to tap deeper into that power, researching and
discovering new compounds composed of the elements.
The pinnacle of alchemy is the philosopher's stone, which
is rumored to grant its bearer supreme elemental power.
Few alchemists have succeeded in creating a philosopher's
stone, and fewer still remain alive to divulge its secrets.
Quick Build
You can make an alchemist quickly by following these
suggestions. First, make Intelligence your highest ability
score, followed by Dexterity. Second, choose the sage
background. If you are a human and have the option to take
a feat at 1st level, select the Dual Wielder or Healer feat.
Class Features
As an alchemist, you gain the following class features.
Hit Points
Hit Dice: 1d6 per alchemist level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 6 + your Constitution modifier
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d6 (or 4) + your
Constitution modifier per alchemist level after 1st
Proficiencies
Armor: Light Armor
Weapons: Simple weapons
Tools: Alchemists supplies
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Intelligence
Skills: Choose three from Arcana, History, Insight,
Medicine, Nature, Perception, Sleight of Hand, and
Survival.
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the
equipment granted to you by your background:
(a) a light crossbow and 20 bolts or (b) any simple
weapon
(a) an explorer's pack or (b) a scholar's pack
alchemist's supplies and a component pouch
leather armor and two daggers
Natural Philosopher
You have learned many things about alchemy during your
studies. Starting at 1st level, you can add half your
proficiency bonus, rounded up, to all skill checks made to
identify herbs, potions, poisons, or other alchemical
substances. If you are proficient with such a skill, this
bonus stacks with your normal proficiency bonus.
Bombs
Starting at 1st level, you can create volatile alchemical
bombs using your alchemist's supplies and material
components. The cost of materials necessary to create these
bombs is negligible, but you must have alchemist's supplies
and a component pouch on hand to create anything. After
24 hours, an unused bomb becomes inert.
You are proficient with your bombs and cannot throw
more than 1 bomb per round. You do not have
disadvantage when throwing a bomb while within 5 feet of
a hostile creature. If you miss your attack roll with a bomb,
the bomb does not explode. Creatures that are not proficient
with bombs have disadvantage on attack rolls made with
them, and there is a 50% chance that the bomb detonates
before being thrown, dealing full damage to the creature.
Your bombs are finesse thrown weapons with a range of
30 feet that deal 1d10 fire damage. Unlike other thrown
weapons, you add your Intelligence modifier to damage,
rather than Strength or Dexterity. All creatures within a 5foot radius must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw,
taking half damage on a failed save and none on a
successful one. The amount of damage dealt by your bombs
increases as you gain levels in this class, as shown in the
Bomb Damage column of the Alchemist table.
Saving Throws. When you bombs call for a saving
throw, its save DC is calculated as follows:
Bomb save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your
Intelligence modifier
Bomb Formulae
Beginning at 2nd level, your research has granted you
insight into new formulae for your bombs. Select two bomb
formulae from the Bomb Formulae section below. You
can apply a formula to one of your bombs when you make
an attack with it. When you gain certain levels, you learn
additional formulae of your choice, as shown in the Bomb
Formulae Known column of the Alchemist table.
Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you
can choose one of the formula you know and replace it with
another formula.
Field of Study
While all alchemists share a common knowledge base,
most alchemists specialize into a particular field of study.
When you reach 3rd level, you select your field of study.
Your field choice grants you features at 3rd level and then
again at 7th, 10th, and 17th level.
Firecracker
At 4th level, you can use your bonus action to surprise a
creature within 10 feet with a small mundane explosive.
The creature can't take reactions until the start of its next
turn.
Discovery
In the course of your research, you have made a number of
discoveries regarding the nature of alchemy. At 5th level,
you gain a discovery of your choice. When you gain certain
alchemist levels, you gain additional discoveries of your
choice, as shown in the Discoveries Known column of the
Alchemist table.
Additionally, when you learn a new discovery, you can
choose one of the discoveries you know and replace it with
another discovery that you could learn at that level.
Brew Potions
At 6th level, you learn to create magical potions with ease
and speed. During a long rest, you can brew multiple
potions, whose total alchemy point cost is no greater than
half your alchemist level. The potions retain potency 24
hours, after which they become inert.
You can brew potions of climbing, growth, healing, and
water breathing for 1 alchemy point each. At 9th level, you
can brew potions of heroism and resistance for 2 alchemy
points each and at 14th level you can brew potions of
invisibility and speed for 3 alchemy points each.
Evasion
Beginning at 13th level, your experience with avoiding
your own bombs' explosions has granted you the ability to
nimbly dodge out of the way of certain area effects, such as
Philosophers Stone
At 20th level, you unlock the secrets of alchemy. Using
your alchemist's supplies and 1000 gold pieces worth of
materials, you can spend 1 week of work creating a
philosopher's stone, a dynamo of elemental energy encased
in a fist-sized, glowing jewel. Your philosopher's stone
only works in your possession, and you can only have 1 at
a time. To any other creature, it is just an ordinary (if
beautiful) gemstone. As long as you possess your
philosopher's stone, you gain the following benefits.
You age 10 times slower than normal, and your age
cannot be magically changed.
You have advantage on saving throws against disease
and poison.
As an action, you can transmute a vial of water into any
potion you can brew, which becomes inert after 24
hours. You must complete a short or long rest before
you can do this again.
The philosophers stone also has devastating destructive
potential. As a bonus action when you throw a bomb, you
can replace its reagent with the philosopher's stone,
creating a nuclear bomb. A nuclear bomb has a blast radius
of 500 feet, dealing 10d10 + 50 damage to all creatures in
the area.
Fields of Study
All alchemists learn the basics of their science: the
elements, chemical reactions, and alchemical formulae.
Beyond that, alchemists pick up a specialty which they
practice and research in depth. Some focus on the healing
arts, and some focus on destruction, where others focus on
research or potion-brewing. Fields of study are as varied as
the alchemists which research them, and have applications
equally as diverse.
Apothecary
Many practically-minded alchemists decide assume the role
of the apothecary. An adventuring party always needs a
healer, and clerics might be in short supply. On their
downtime, such alchemists have a marketable skill to
depend upon for income. Apothecaries are constantly at
work studying potions and herbology.
Bonus Proficiencies
When you select this field of study at 3rd level, you gain
proficiency with the herbalism kit and with the Medicine
skill. You can craft potions of healing with the herbalism
kit as if you were a wizard of the same level using the
normal rules for magic item crafting presented in the
Dungeon Master's Guide.
Painkiller Bomb
At 3rd level, you can create bombs which spray an
analgesic oil. As a bonus action when you throw a bomb,
you can replace its contents with this oil, changing it to a
painkiller bomb. The bomb can then be thrown as normal
or splashed on a creature within your reach. You have
advantage on attack rolls made to hit a willing creature with
this bomb. Painkiller bombs do not have a blast radius and
deal no damage. Instead, on a hit, the target gains
temporary hit points equal to 2d4 + your Intelligence
modifier for 1 minute. This amount increases by 1d4 at 7th
level, 11th level, 15th level, and 19th level.
After a creature gains temporary hit points from a
painkiller bomb, it cannot be effected by another one until
it finishes a short or long rest.
Quick Hands
Starting at 7th level, as a bonus action, you can drink a
potion or safely pass a potion to a willing creature within
15 feet of you that has at least 1 hand free. As an action,
you can pass a number of potions and bombs up to your
Dexterity modifier to willing creatures within range.
Bonus Potions
At 10th level, when you take a long rest, you can brew
potions of greater healing and vials of elixir of health for 2
alchemy points each, which become inert after 24 hours.
Panacea
At 17th level, during a long rest, using 5 alchemy points
and materials worth at least 500 gp (which are consumed
upon use,) you can distill the essence of universal healing,
the panacea. When you drink this potion, you instantly gain
the following benefits:
Any reduction to the creature's ability scores or hit
points is ended.
The creature's hit points are restored to maximum.
The creature is no longer cursed, blinded, deafened,
paralyzed, poisoned, or petrified. It loses all levels of
exhaustion.
All the creature's diseases are cured.
The panacea must be consumed within 24 hours, after
which it becomes inert. You can re-brew it for no
additional cost.
Mad Bomber
While many "mad bombers" aren't actually mad, it takes a
special kind of crazy to devote one's life to studying
explosives. Most alchemists who specialize in this field are
incorrigible pyromaniacs who take great pleasure in
burning, blasting, and blowing things up. Mad bombers are
always working to improve their bombs' effectiveness.
Bonus Proficiencies
When you select this field of study at 3rd level, you gain
proficiency with 1 martial melee weapon and 1 martial
ranged weapon.
Shrapnel Bomb
At 3rd level, you can make bombs that explode in a shower
of shrapnel. As a bonus action when you throw a bomb,
you can uncork it and fill it with metal bearings, changing it
to a shrapnel bomb. A shrapnel bomb deals piercing
damage rather than fire damage, and has a 10 foot radius.
Demolition
At 7th level, you learn to use your bombs to damage and
destroy structures. You now make your bombs to accept
fuses of various lengths. As an action, you can set a bomb
and light its fuse, which has a duration of your choice
between 1 round and 5 minutes. Upon detonation, this
bomb deals its damage as normal, but also deals double
damage any nonmagical object within 5 feet of it that isn't
being worn or carried and also ignores its damage
immunities. For rules on objects and their hit points, see
pages 246 and 247 of the Dungeon Master's Guide.
Additional Potions
At 10th level, when you take a long rest, you can brew
potions of hill giant strength and vials of oil of slipperiness
for 2 alchemy points each, which become inert after 24
hours.
Black Powder
Beginning at 17th level, you have unlocked the alchemical
secrets of black powder and have infused your bombs with
its devastating potential. Your normal bombs have d12
damage dice and ignore fire damage resistance. Creatures
with immunity to fire damage are instead treated as only
having resistance to it.
Bomb Formulae
Bomb formulae are presented in alphabetical order.
Acid Bomb
You can make bombs which spray a corrosive acid. As a
bonus action when you throw a bomb, you can replace the
bomb's explosive reagent with an acidic one, changing it to
an acid bomb. An acid bomb deals acid damage instead of
fire damage, and has d8 damage dice. Additionally, the
target, as well as all creatures within the blast radius that
fail their saving throws, take an additional 2d4 acid damage
at the end of its next turn.
Forceful Bomb
You can make especially volatile bombs. As a bonus action
when you throw a bomb, you can replace the bomb's
explosive reagent with an elemental one, changing it to a
force bomb. A forceful bomb deals force damage instead of
fire damage, and has d8 damage dice. Additionally, the
target, as well as all creatures within the blast radius that
fail their saving throws, are pushed 5 feet away from the
blast.
Frost Bomb
You can make bombs that generate a burst of intense cold.
As a bonus action when you throw a bomb, you can replace
the bomb's explosive reagent with an elemental one,
changing it to a frost bomb. A frost bomb deals cold
damage instead of fire damage and has d8 damage dice.
Additionally, the target, as well as all creatures within the
blast radius that fail their saving throws, have their speed
reduced by half until the beginning of your next turn.
Holy Bomb
You can infuse a bomb with holy water.
As a bonus action when you throw a
bomb, you can add a few drops of holy
water to the bomb, changing it to a
holy bomb. A holy bomb has
d8 damage dice. If its target
is a fiend or undead, it takes
an additional 4d6 radiant
damage.
Implosion Bomb
You can create a bomb which produces a small singularity,
pulling creatures to its center. As a bonus action when you
throw a bomb, you can replace the bomb's explosive
reagent with an elemental one, changing it to an implosion
bomb. An implosion bomb deals force damage instead of
fire damage, and has d8 damage dice. Additionally, all
creatures within the blast radius that fail their saving throws
are pulled up to 5 feet toward the bombs target.
Lightning Bomb
You can make bombs that generate a burst of electricity. As
a bonus action when you throw a bomb, you can replace the
bomb's explosive reagent with an elemental one, changing
it to a lightning bomb. A lightning bomb deals lightning
damage instead of fire damage, and has d8 damage dice.
Additionally, the target, as well as all creatures within the
blast radius that fail their saving throws, cannot take
reactions until the beginning of your next turn.
Nonlethal Bomb
You can make a nonlethal bomb, designed to incapacitate
rather than kill. As a bonus action when you throw a bomb,
you can replace the bomb's explosive reagent with a pouch
of rubber pellets, changing it to a nonlethal bombs. A
nonlethal bomb deals bludgeoning damage instead of fire
damage, and has d8 damage dice. If this bomb reduces a
creature to 0 hit points, it knocks the creature out, rather
than killing it, rendering it unconscious and stable.
Oil Bomb
You can make nonlethal bombs which cover the ground in
a slick oil. As a bonus action when you throw a bomb, you
can replace the bomb's contents with a flask of flameresistant oil, changing it into an oil bomb. An oil bomb
deals no damage, but covers a 10-foot square of ground
centered on the explosion with grease, turning it into
difficult terrain for 1 hour, when it dries. Additionally, the
target, and each creature in the blast radius must succeed on
a Dexterity saving throw or be covered in oil and fall prone.
Psionic Bomb
You can make psionic bombs which addle the minds of
those in the blast. As a bonus action when you throw a
bomb, you can replace the bomb's reagent with a psionic
crystal, changing it into a psionic bomb. A psionic bomb
deals psychic damage instead of fire damage and has d8
damage dice. The target and each creatures in the blast
radius concentrating on a spell must succeed a
concentration check against your Bomb save DC or lose
concentration.
Seeking Bomb
You can make a homing bomb which arcs towards close
targets when you would otherwise miss. As a bonus action
when you throw a bomb, you can add an enchanted
powerful natural magnet to its contents, changing it to a
seeking bomb. A seeking bomb has no blast radius and d6
damage dice. Attack rolls made with a seeking bomb
against targets within 15 feet are made with advantage.
Smoke Bomb
You can make nonlethal bombs that generate smoke. As a
bonus action when you throw a bomb, you can replace the
bomb's reagent with a less explosive one, changing it to a
smoke bomb. A smoke bomb deals no damage, but creates
a 20-foot-radius sphere of fog. The sphere spreads around
corners, and its area is heavily obscured. It lasts for a
number of rounds equal to your Intelligence modifier or
until a wind of moderate or greater speed (at least 10 miles
per hour) disperses it.
If you use another one of these bombs while a previous
bomb is still in effect, the effect of the old bomb ends.
Sonic Bomb
You can make bombs that generate a deafening boom. As a
bonus action when you throw a bomb, you can replace the
bomb's explosive reagent with a different one, changing it
to a sonic bomb. A sonic bomb deals thunder damage
instead of fire damage, and has d8 damage dice.
Additionally, the target, as well as all creatures within the
blast radius that fail their saving throws, are deafened until
the beginning of your next turn.
Stink Bomb
Teleportation Bomb
Thorn Bomb
You can make bombs which envelop the ground in thorny
vines. As a bonus action when you throw a bomb, you can
replace the bombs contents with a vial of extremely potent
fertilizer, changing it into a thorn bomb. A thorn bomb
deals no damage, but causes the ground in a 10 foot radius
to sprout hard spikes and thorns. When a creature moves
into or within the area, it takes 2d4 piercing damage for
every 5 feet it travels. These spikes shrivel and die after 1
minute.
If you use another one of these bombs while a previous
bomb is still in effect, the effect of the old bomb ends.
Tanglefoot Bomb
You can make nonlethal bombs which explode with a gluelike resin. As a bonus action when you throw a bomb, you
can replace a bombs contents with a hardened block of
resin which liquefies in the explosion, changing it into a
tanglefoot bomb. A tanglefoot bomb deals no damage and
has no blast radius, but its target must make a Dexterity
saving throw or be glued to the floor, reducing its speed to
zero. At the end of each of its turns, the creature can break
the resin with a successful DC 12 Strength check.
Withering Bomb
You can make bombs which waste away living things. As a
bonus action when you throw a bomb, you can add a
desiccating chemical to the bombs reagent, changing it to a
withering bomb. A withering bomb deals necrotic damage
instead of fire damage, and has d8 damage dice.
Additionally, the target, as well as all creatures within the
blast radius that fail their saving throws, cant regain hit
points until the start of your next turn.
Discoveries
If a discovery has prerequisites, you must meet them to
learn it. You can learn the discovery at the same time that
you meet its prerequisites. You can only learn a discovery
once, unless otherwise specified.
Alchemist Apron
You have developed a special apron to assist in your
alchemical experiments. It is flame-retardant and resistant
to caustic substances, granting you resistance to fire and
acid damage.
Alchemist Goggles
You have invented a pair of goggles which enhance your
sight and protect your eyes. While wearing the alchemist
goggles, you can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if
it was bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light.
You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of grey. If
you already have darkvision, the goggles increase your
range with by 60 feet.
Additionally, while wearing your goggles, you are
immune to being blinded.
Arcane Study
You learn two cantrips of your choice from the wizards
spell list. Your casting modifier for these cantrips is
Intelligence.
Aqua Fortis
Detonation Theorem
Ballistics Research
You learn one additional bomb formula. You can select this
discovery multiple times. Each time you do so, you must
select a different formula.
Blast Coat
You have developed a laboratory coat, specially treated to
protect you from your own explosions. You automatically
succeed any saving throws against your own bombs.
Clotting Agent
You have developed a serum that protects you from harm.
Your maximum HP increases by half your Alchemist level
(rounded up.)
Craft Homunculus
Using a special alchemical process requiring 8 hours of
work, you can create a homunculus (Monster Manual pg.
188.) A homunculus functions as a familiar summoned by
the find familiar spell, with several differences:
The telepathic link between you and your homunculus
functions at any distance, provided you and your
homunculus are on the same plane of existence.
Your homunculus is a construct.
You cannot dismiss your homunculus as you would a
familiar.
Your homunculus cannot assume a different form.
When your homunculus dies, its body remains, and can
be reanimated as a ritual requiring 1 hour of work.
Your homunculus is able to take the Attack action on its
turn.
Explosive Missile
You can rig arrows and crossbow bolts with explosive
heads. As a bonus action, you can attach a small vial of
chemicals from one of your bombs to the head of a
projectile. On a hit, the projectile deals additional fire
damage equal to half of your bomb damage dice, rounded
down (minimum 1d10). The projectile does not have a blast
radius.
Fire Eater
Instead of throwing a bomb, you can choose to use your
action to drink the bomb's contents and spit them out in a
15 foot cone. All creatures within the cone must make a
Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes the full damage of
the bomb instead of half on a failed save, or half as much
(instead of none) on a successful one. When you use a
bomb in this way, you take 2 points of fire damage for each
of your bomb's damage dice.
Grenadier
Landmine
You can bury a bomb with a pressure trigger, changing it
into a landmine which explodes when a creature steps on it.
You can bury such a bomb with 1 minute of digging.
You can have a number of landmines up to your
intelligence modifier at one time. When a creature of Small
size or larger steps on the spot where a landmine is buried,
it must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save the
creature takes full damage from the bomb, or half as much
on a successful save.
A creature can detect the presence of a buried landmine
with a Wisdom (Perception) check opposed by your
Charisma (Deception) check. After burying it, you can take
10 minutes to carefully disguise the landmine, and checks
made to discover it are made at disadvantage.
Poisoner
You have extensively studied poisonous herbs, and you
know how to mix them into potent poisons. You gain
proficiency with the poisoner's kit. During a short or long
rest, you can brew a vial of basic poison for 1 alchemy
point. The poison retains potency for 24 hours, after which
it becomes inert.
Reflexive Toss
You can throw a bomb as an Opportunity Attack, even if
you have already thrown a bomb on your turn.
Syringe
When you take the Attack action and attack with a weapon
that youre holding in one hand, you can use a bonus action
to throw a bomb.
Lazarus Bolt
Prerequisite: 8th level, Apothecary Field of Study
As an action, you can drive a bolt into the torso of a
creature that has died within the last minute and shock it
back to life with electricity. That creature returns to life
with 1 hit point. This feature cant return to life a creature
that has died of old age, nor can it restore any missing body
parts.
Rocket Bomb
Prerequisite: 8th level
You have developed a special rocket-propelled bomb, and a
cannon from which to fire it. As an action, you can fire a
rocket bomb, which is a normal bomb with a range of 120
feet and a 10-foot blast radius. You cant target individual
creatures with a rocket bomb. You instead make attack rolls
targeting a location you can see. If the result of your attack
roll is less than 10, you miss your designated location.
Alchemy of Influence
Prerequisite: 11th level, Brew Potions feature
You can brew potions of clairvoyance and mind reading for
2 alchemy points each, and potions of animal friendship for
1 alchemy point each.
Alchemy of Life
Prerequisite: 11th level, Brew Potions feature
Draught of Necromancy
Construct Bomb
Prerequisite: 11th level
Alchemy of Change
Prerequisite: 15th level, Brew Potions feature
You can brew potions of diminution, fly, and gaseous form
for 3 alchemy points each.
Shaped Charge
Prerequisite: 15th level, Mad Bomber Field of Study
You can set your bombs to explode in different patterns. As
part of your attack when you throw a bomb, you can
change that bomb's blast radius to a 15 foot cone or a 20
foot line, originating from the target's space in a direction
of your choice.
Elixir of Life
Prerequisite: 15th level, Apothecary Field of Study
During a long rest, using your alchemist's supplies and
materials worth at least 1000 gp (which are consumed upon
use), you can brew a powerful elixir which, when poured
over a corpse, acts as if a resurrection spell has been cast
upon it. The target must not have been dead for longer than
1 year.
Additionally, if a living creature drinks the elixir, it
functions as if a regenerate spell was cast upon the drinker.
The elixir must be consumed within 24 hours, after
which it becomes inert. You can re-brew an elixir for no
additional cost.
School of Alchemy
Your campaign setting might have entire universities or
guilds devoted to the study of alchemy, or perhaps
alchemy classes offered wherever wizards learn their
trade. Alternatively, alchemy could be handled in a
master-apprentice fashion, as knowledge is passed
down the generations. Or even, perhaps, it is a fringe
belief or taboo, practiced only in the shadows.
Whatever its nature in your setting, alchemy is a
major addition to any world. Especially in low-magic or
nonmagical settings, or in those with a greater focus on
technology, alchemy might even supplant magic as one
of society's cornerstone utilities.