So, the Alchemist.
yeah...
I think I can safely say there is no class like them, before or since, and I think that's one of the main things that make them fun to play, so I'm going to spend this post talking about the Alchemist and what makes each Alchemist "Subclass" fun to play.
So the Alchemist has 3 core mechanics, Spells, Bombs, and Mutagens, but trying to specialise in all 3 is pretty damned near impossible to do, so you'll find that most Alchemist choose to specialise in 1 or 2 mechanics and throw the last one by the roadside, so lets get started.
Buffer (Spells)
The Alchemists spell list is one of those somewhat strange spell lists, much like the Witch spell list, with lots of healing spells, and buffing spells, alongside things like "Blistering Invective", "Skinsend" and "Transplant Visage", which allow for a Spell based Alchemist to come off as a really creepy, scientific, sociopath.
However, due to the way their spells work, Alchemists cannot cast their spells on their party members without spending one of their discovery slots on "Infusion" which allows other people to drink the extracts you make.
What makes up for this is that the Alchemist automatically gets the "Brew Potion" potion feat, so he can brew any of his extracts as a potion and hand it off to his teammates, for a bit of time and some Gold.
So Pros: Some of the best Buffing spells out of any class, a very flavourful spell list allowing for fun times, and there's no Spell Failure chance due to the way the spells are cast.
And Cons: You can't cast any spells on your allies without either sinking a Discovery into doing so, or by spending money and time on making potions, you only have up to 6th level spells so you miss out on some of the best spells, and occasionally your spells don't make sense.
Bomber (Bombs)
The second main ability of the Alchemist is their ability to mix bombs quickly in combat, before throwing them for Michael Bay Shenanigans, these are seriously fun to use because they deal fire damage straight off the bat, target Touch AC to make up for the Alchemists 15/10/5 BAB progression, and scale to your level along the way.
The main draw to the bombs however is that they are amazingly customisable; with the Alchemist's discoveries, it's possible to deal any type of damage with them, have them inflict any kind of status effect on an opponent, make your bombs deal Holy damage, deal direct Stat damage, or even heal your allies (Healing potion to the FACE!!!).
However one of the main drawbacks to bombs is that you can only throw one a round, without investing a discovery into making you throw faster, and without preparing them earlier in the day, you can only deal fire damage with your bombs, leading to the Wizard problem, where if you prepare the wrong thing, you're either going to be fairly useless, and/or, dead.
Pros: Fairly high damage, Targets Touch AC so rarely miss, can fulfil a large range of damage types, and debuff slots with proper preparation, and a 20 ft range can keep you out of Full Attack counter range.
Cons: Only one throw per round with Discovery investment, each type of Damage or Utility use requires either a feat or a discovery, poor preparation can make you essentially useless, and close combat is going to be fairly deadly to you.
Beast (Mutagens)
The third, and last, main ability of the Alchemist is his Mutagen, which turns him into a Doctor Jekyll, Mister Hyde type fighter, boosting his Physical stats, Natural AC, and general close combat abilities, at the cost of his mental stats.
At the start, the Alchemist can only boost one Stat, by +4 and a +2 to his Nat AC, with a -2 to a corresponding mental stat, however depending on the Discoveries you take, or the Archetype you choose, you can gain multiple bonuses, and abilities with their mutagens as you level up.
However, unlike their spells or bombs, an Alchemist can only have one Mutagen ready to go at one time, without A) a Discovery (I feel like I'm repeating myself at this point) and, B) 1,000 gp, and 2 points of Temporary INT damage, you have to prepare what bonuses your mutagen will give you as you create it, and a mutagen takes 1 hour of in-game time to make so you can't just have another one ready to go immediately.
Pros: Depending on your Discovery and Archetype choices you can have amazingly powerful combat abilities, it is remarkably easy to gain 30+ AC by combining it with some level 1 spells, multiple natural attacks, the ability to shrug off sneak attacks and critical hits, it lasts for a long time, and nobody else can use it without risk.
Cons: It takes time to make one so if your GM keeps throwing fight after fight at you, you may be screwed, it's powerful enough that your party may come to resent you, making more than one at a time is prohibitively expensive, and damaging so you will want (and may actually need) some form of healing stat damage if you plan on making more than 3 at once.
Interesting Sub-Class Combinations
Buffer/Bomber - The Michael Bay Hero
Survive everything exploding while you walk through intensly hazardous experiences without a scratch, bonus points if you buff everyone else on your team to the same point for the full A-Team experience.
Bomber/Beast - The Mad Bomber
So you chose to boost your Dex through the roof, good thing you can avoid all of the splash damage that your bombs do and you now have 8 arms to throw with, well it's a good thing for you. Possibly the most Discovery intensive build.
Buffer/Beast - Doctor Jekyll, Mister Hyde
So your stat bonuses from the Mutagen weren't enough for you? Good thing that you've got Barkskin, Stoneskin, and that your mutagen stacks with Cat's Grace, Bull's Strength, and Bear's Endurance, Shield is another fun addition, alongside anything else you think you can get away with.
Buffer/Beast/Bomber - The GM's Nightmare
Difficult to do, requires a lot of luck in rolling your stats, if you do bring this one out, try to allow for other party members to have their own spots in the limelight before you totally eclipse them.
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