Alchemists are, at their core, students of the process of changing the nature of a creature into something new. Unsurprisingly, some alchemist discoveries cultivated by the most elite traditions of alchemy provide ways to transmute the alchemist as well as any foes in ever more creative ways. A few of those discoveries appear below.
Discoveries that modify bombs that are marked with an asterisk (*) do not stack. Only one such discovery can be applied to an individual bomb. The DC of any saving throw called for by a discovery is equal to 10 + 1/2 the alchemist’s level + the alchemist’s Intelligence modifier.
Disfiguring Bomb*: Alchemists can lace their bombs with caustic and transmogrifying agents to twist the features of exposed creatures. A creature that takes a direct hit from a disfiguring bomb is disfigured as disfiguring touch (Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Magic) unless it succeeds on a Fortitude save. An alchemist must be at least 6th level to select this discovery.
Internal Alchemy: Alchemists can perform certain alchemical reactions internally while alchemical equipment is melded into their forms as part of a polymorph effect. They can consume one elixir, extract, infusion, mutagen, or potion melded into their forms as a full-round action that provokes attacks of opportunity. They can use the breath weapon bomb discovery (Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Combat) (and abilities that modify it) with the normal action.
Mutagenic Bomb*: While they are under the effects of their mutagen, alchemists can choose to create a bomb that deals no damage but instead carries a weaker form of their mutagen. A creature that takes a direct hit from a mutagenic bomb is affected as mutagenic touch (Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Magic). A creature splashed by a mutagenic bomb is also affected unless it succeeds on a Reflex save. An alchemist must be at least 12th level to select this discovery.
Polymorphic Bomb*: As a full-round action, alchemists can lace their bombs with miniscule pieces taken from a Tiny animal as they prepare and throw the bomb to transform exposed creatures. A polymorphic bomb causes any creature hit or splashed to be transformed as baleful polymorph into that animal. A Fortitude save negates the effect. Even on a failure, a victim has no risk of mental effects. Creatures merely splashed by the bomb gain a +4 bonus on the save to resist. Reduce the amount of normal damage dealt by the bomb by 7d6 (so a bomb that would normally deal 9d6+6 points of damage deals 2d6+6 points of damage instead). This discovery cannot be combined with the fast bombs discovery. An alchemist must be at least 16th level to select this discovery.
Variable Polymorph: Alchemists can change forms additional times with a single polymorph effect that calls for a specific material component to match the form assumed. As a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity, alchemists can draw and consume the material component for a different form allowed by that polymorph effect to instantly assume that form. Alchemists can use this ability while the material component is melded into their forms if they have the internal alchemy discovery. Changing forms does not prolong the effect’s duration.
