Article-At-A-Glance
- The Many-Faced Menace build enhance strategic play with multifaceted[1] skill combinations.
- Offers insights into maximizing Pathfinder gameplay with versatile Alchemist roles.
- Suggests optimal feats and skills for enhancing Alchemist class abilities.
- Guides on equipment choices that complement the Alchemist’s unique capabilities.
Click on the level for more information
A Kitsune Many-Faced Male with the Vivisectionist archetype is the target of this Level 1 construct. It emphasizes using various personalities for social infiltration and stealth. The character uses disguises and several identities to manipulate social situations, and great dexterity is used for agility and sneak assaults. The character, who is armed with simple alchemical equipment and agile fighting skills, primarily functions as a hybrid of a crafty infiltrator and a quick attacker.
Stat Block Level 1:
Kitsune Alchemist: gender, Kitsune Alchemist 1; CR 1/2; Medium humanoid (shapechanger); HD 1d8; hp 8; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17, touch 14, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +0; Grp +0; Atk dagger +3 (1d4+2/19-20) or light crossbow +3 (1d8/19-20); Full Atk dagger +3 (1d4+2/19-20) or light crossbow +3 (1d8/19-20); SA sneak attack +1d6; SQ swift alchemy, change shape (kitsune or fox; alter self or beast shape I); AL CN; SV Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +3; Str 8, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Craft (alchemy) +8, Heal +4, Perception +4, Sleight of Hand +7, Stealth +7, Use Magic Device +4; Weapon Finesse.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Vivisectionist replaces bomb with sneak attack, advantage in crafting and disguise through Cosmopolitan and Deep Cover traits.
Possessions: Dagger, Light Crossbow, Noble’s Clothes, Doctor’s Clothes, Alchemist’s Lab, Healing Kit.
At level 5, the character may pass for a doctor or a noble and is skilled at disguise. The chosen qualities are quite helpful in creating a convincing cover. In terms of combat, the character uses weapon finesse to achieve dexterity-based melee prowess and switches bombs for sneak assaults. In close combat, the character can deal a lot of damage with Piranha Strike.
Stat Block Level 5:
Kitsune Alchemist: gender, Kitsune Alchemist (Vivisectionist Archetype) 5; CR 5; Medium humanoid (shapechanger); HD 5; hp 44; Init +4; Spd 30 ft.; AC 15, touch 13, flat-footed 12; Base Atk +3; Grp +4; Atk dagger +7 melee (1d4+3/19–20) or light crossbow +7 ranged (1d8/19–20); Full Atk dagger +7 melee (1d4+3/19–20) or light crossbow +7 ranged (1d8/19–20); SA Sneak Attack +3d6; SQ Mutagen, alchemy, potent sneak; AL Neutral; SV Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +2; Str 8, Dex 18, Con 10, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Craft (alchemy) +10, Heal +8, Perception +8, Use Magic Device +8, Sleight of Hand +9, Stealth +9, Linguistics +10, Knowledge (religion) +5; Weapon Finesse, Piranha Strike, Skill Focus (Linguistics), Orator.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Mutation abilities, disguise self as necessary using shapeshifting abilities, capable of assuming multiple personas including kitsune form, human doctor form, and fox form.
Possessions: Noble’s outfit, doctor’s attire, alchemist’s lab, healing kit, dagger, light crossbow.
The Many-Faced Menace Alchemist build at level 10 blends the transformational skills of a Master Chymist, the covert threat of a Vigilante Serial Killer, and the accuracy of a Vivisectionist. The character is formidable in both social and physical engagements because it skillfully handles interactions through a variety of personas, such as a serial killer, doctor, and noble.
Stat Block Level 10:
Kitsune: unknown, Kitsune Alchemist 8/Vigilante-Serial Killer 2/Master Chymist 0; CR 10; Medium humanoid (kitsune); HD 8d8 + 2d10; hp 49; Init +4; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17, touch 15, flat-footed 13; Base Atk +7; Grp +7; Atk rapier +11 (+1 to hit from Weapon Finesse); Full Atk rapier +11 (-2 Piranha Strike); SA Sneak Attack +4d6; SQ Change Shape (kitsune), Alchemy (Su), Mutagen (Su), Ki Pool, Social Talents; AL Chaotic Neutral; SV Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +6; Str 10, Dex 19, Con 10, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Craft (Alchemy) +17, Heal +13, Perception +13, Use Magic Devices +12, Sleight of Hand +15, Stealth +19, Linguistics +20, Knowledge (Religion) +15; Weapon Finesse, Piranha Strike, Skill Focus (Linguistics), Orator, Fiendish Obedience (Jezelda).
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Feral Mutagen grants claws and a bite for additional natural attacks. Multiform capabilities include Noble Kitsune, Human Doctor, Fox, and deeper infiltration personas.
Possessions: Equipped with Nobles Clothes for social events, Doctor’s Clothes for everyday identity, an Alchemist’s Lab for crafting, Healing Kit for medical duties, a Dagger, and a Light Crossbow for combat scenarios.
Our Many-Faced Menace Alchemist build, at level 15, is excellent in both social and combat scenarios. It deals a ton of damage with piranha strikes, sneak attacks, and brutality boosts. Unmatched versatility in infiltration and deception is ensured by its ability to switch between seven distinct personalities, each with distinctive alignments and skills.
Stat Block Level 15:
Silver Lady: female, Kitsune Alchemist 8 / Vigilante-Serial Killer 2 / Master Chymist 5; CR 15; Medium humanoid (native); HD 8d8 + 2d8 + 5d10; hp 102; Init +7; Spd 30 ft.; AC 22, touch 18, flat-footed 15; Base Atk +11; Grp +10; Atk +18 melee (1d6+8, dagger) or +17 ranged (1d8+8, crossbow); Full Atk +18 melee (1d6+8, dagger) or +17 ranged (1d8+8, crossbow); SA sneak attack +4d6, mutagen; SQ shapeshift, alchemical discoveries; AL CN; SV Fort +10, Ref +14, Will +7; Str 10, Dex 19, Con 10, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Craft(Alchemy) +18, Heal +8, Perception +10, Use Magic Device +17, Sleight of Hand +15, Stealth +21, Linguistics +22, Knowledge(Religion) +12; Weapon Finesse, Piranha Strike, Skill Focus (Linguistics), Orator, Fiendish Obedience (Jezelda), Extra Discovery (x4).
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Each persona confers strategic advantages, from social infiltration to raw combat prowess. Discoveries like Feral Mutagen, Infusion, and Wings enhance combat and utility.
Possessions: Noble clothes, doctor’s outfit, alchemist’s lab, healing kit, dagger, light crossbow.
With the Vivisectionist, Vigilante-Serial Killer, and Master Chymist classes, the Kitsune Alchemist build represents a skillful and adaptable character with several personas. The character is quite good at both social infiltration and melee combat. This build excels in deception thanks to its amazing damage output from mutagens and natural attacks, as well as its unique personalities (Noble Kitsune, Human Doctor, Fox, Werewolf, Wolf, Dragon Lady, Serial Killer). It is a master of manipulation and fighting, using alchemy to construct simulacra, golems, and animal zombies.
Stat Block Level 20:
Alchemist (‘The Doctor[1], the Silver Lady[1], the Fallen Noble[1], the Fox[1], the Beast and the Murderer[1]’): unknown gender, Kitsune Alchemist 8/Vigilante-Serial Killer 2/Master Chymist 10; CR 20; Medium humanoid (shapechanger); HD 20d8; hp 180; Init +5; Spd 30 ft.; AC 25, touch 18, flat-footed 20; Base Atk +15; Grp +17; Atk Dagger +21 (1d4+4) or Light Crossbow +20 (1d8+4); Full Atk Piranha Strike +21 (17d6+3d4+4d8+88) or Unarmed +20/+15/+10 (natural attacks); SA Sneak Attack +6d6, Brutality +6; SQ Multiple Personas, Shape Change, Vigilante Talent; AL Chaotic Neutral; SV Fort +14, Ref +17, Will +10; Str 10, Dex 19, Con 10, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 10.
Skills and Feats: Craft (Alchemy) +23, Heal +20, Perception +23, Use Magic Device +22, Sleight of Hand +18, Stealth +21, Linguistics +22, Knowledge (Religion) +15; Weapon Finesse, Piranha Strike, Skill Focus (Linguistics), Orator, Fiendish Obedience (Jezelda), Extra Discovery (x5).
Special Abilities: Serial Killer Persona, Feral Mutagen, Advanced Mutagens (Greater Mutagen, Restoring Changes, Scent, Draconic Mutagen, Grand Mutagen), Tentacle, Preserve Organs, Material Mastery, Alchemical Simulacrum, Alchemical Zombie.
Possessions: Noble’s Clothes, Doctor’s Clothes, Alchemist’s Lab, Healing Kit, Dagger, Light Crossbow.
Milestones Of Character Development
- Levels 1-5: Begin with Weapon Finesse to capitalize on Dexterity, and switch Bombs for the Sneak Attack due to the Vivisectionist Archetype. Pick up Skill Focus in Linguistics and Orator for enhanced social interaction skills. Develop initial forms including the fallen kitsune noble and human doctor leveraging the Kitsune race bonuses.
- Levels 6-10: Gain Feral Mutagen and Infusion. Begin showcasing various personas with the Fox[1] Shape ability. Enter the Vigilante class with the Serial Killer archetype, adding another persona. Prioritize Feats like Piranha Strike to strengthen melee potential.
- Levels 11-15: Enter Master Chymist Prestige Class. Obtain Extra Discoveries to bolster versatility. Emphasize on creating a social powerhouse through tactics like Fiendish Obedience aligned to Jezelda, generating personas such as Dragon Lady with Tentacle Discovery. By this stage, you’ve masterfully evolved into a Werewolf with diverse role-play potential.
- Levels 16-20: Finalize with Grand Mutagen, unveiling the persona of the Silver Lady[1]. This strategic phase integrates advanced techniques and equipment to elevate damage output through natural attacks. Strengthen the skill set with creations like Golems and Alchemical Simulacrum, aiding in combat prowess and tactical deception.
Core Abilities & Features
This Many-Faced Menace Alchemist build masterfully combines multiple personalities, each with its own unique strengths and roles. Utilizing the Vivisectionist Archetype, the character swaps traditional Bombs for devastating Sneak Attacks, enhancing its combat prowess. Meanwhile, the incorporation of the Vigilante Serial Killer Archetype and the Master Chymist Prestige Class allows the character to take on a total of seven distinct personas.
The character takes on the Kitsune race, leveraging its morphing abilities through the Keen Kitsune and Superior Shapeshifter alternate racial traits, creating an unparalleled mastery of disguise and identity manipulation. A purely Dexterity-focused build with crucial ability scores distributed appropriately.
The true power of the build is its ability to blend combat and social manipulation. Feats like Weapon Finesse and Piranha Strike reflect its capability in melee. With Fox Shape, Fiendish Obedience, and Extra Discoveries, the Alchemist evolves into a true shapeshifter, including a werewolf and dragon lady. Advanced mutagens and discoveries provide further augmentation, from Alchemical Simulacrum to Alchemical Zombie, enhancing both versatility and threat level.
Equipment Progression
| Level Range | Equipment | Details |
|---|---|---|
| L1-5 | Alchemist’s Lab | Essential for crafting concoctions and enhancing alchemical abilities. |
| L6-10 | Doctor’s Clothes | Supports your cover as a local doctor, aiding in blending with the slums. |
| L11-15 | Amulet of Natural Armor +2 | Enhances your AC, critical for survivability in melee engagements. |
| L16-20 | Cape of the Silver Lady[1] | A unique enchanted cloak for the Silver Lady[1] persona, granting flight. |
Combat Scenarios as the Many-Faced Menace
- Dungeon Crawls:
- The cramped and contiguous corridors provide an opportunity to blend stealth and sneak attacks. Use Feral Mutagen for increased survivability and leverage multiple personas for efficient enemy engagement and confusion. Switch between your personas to keep foes guessing, and use your darkvision to navigate shadowy passages effectively.
- Open Fields:
- Here, the flexibility of shifting forms becomes invaluable. Utilize your fox form for enhanced speed and stealth to close gaps quickly or evade threats. Use Draconic Mutagen for increased attack ranges and leverage your wings to exploit aerial advantages. Harass enemies with ranged attacks until the timing is ripe for a calculated melee entry.
- Ambushes:
- Begin by using your deep understanding of personas to set up a deceptive front. With a fox-like cunning, manipulate enemy expectations. Unleash tentacle assaults for crowd control and use Piranha Strike for precision and high damage against surprised opponents. Positioning is key to maximize your sneak attack potential.
- Defensive Stands:
- Adopt your Werewolf or Draconic persona to deter and withstand aggressive advances. Employ Grand Mutagen to bolster your defenses and physical prowess. Maintain a strong perimeter with the help of golems or alchemical zombies. The robust persona diversity causes hesitancy and wavering among attackers, buying time for a strategic riposte.
- Urban Encounters:
- Utilize your many personas to blend in with city crowds seamlessly, choosing the doctor[1] persona for strategic negotiations or the serial killer persona for intimidation. In confined urban skirmishes, employ rapid disguise changes to confuse and disrupt enemy strategies. With Brew Potions and alchemical expertise, set traps and create surprise elements with ease.
Weaknesses & Counters of the Many-Faced Menace
| Weakness | Counter |
|---|---|
| Low Constitution | Use equipment like Amulet of Health (+2 to Constitution) to increase HP and survivability. |
| Complex Multi-Personas | Regularly update a Persona Management Journal to track persona-specific details. |
| High Dependency on Dexterity | Consider items like Belt of Physical Might (enhances Strength and Dexterity) for balance. |
| Serial Killer Persona | Utilize items for disguising and maintaining cover, such as the Hat of Disguise or use spells like Disguise Self. |
| Vulnerability When Unmutated | Maintain backup defenses like a Shield of Faith ring for temporary protection until mutations take effect. |
Roleplaying the Many-Faced Menace
Opportunities:
Accept the variety of personas that your alchemist creates. Embrace the mystery and drama that come with having several identities as a Kitsune with superior shapeshifting skills. Imagine slipping into the disguise of a modest pharmacist in a disadvantaged neighborhood while navigating elite society as a destitute noble. Every function provides a different method for obtaining information, forming alliances, or misleading enemies. Use your Orator and Skill Focus abilities to control talks and influence others to agree with you through sophisticated language use in social situations. Enjoy the darkest parts of roleplaying by playing as a vigilante serial murderer and instilling fear and tension in non-player characters while staying undercover.
Themes:
Your roleplay should center on the conflict between morality and identity. How can a character balance several forms and goals and still be sane? Think about how your alchemist handles the moral dilemmas brought on by their vivisectionist methods or the terrible metamorphoses of their master chymist. Explore the background of a fallen noble seeking retribution for their lost family as you delve into themes of justice and revenge. Character growth that is thrilling and dynamic might result from the temptation to turn to their destructive, dark side. Consider whether the alchemist’s desires are indeed under control or whether they pose a threat to their very identity.
FAQ
What is the best trait selection for a Many-Faced Menace Alchemist?
‘Vigilant’ is a desirable trait selection that improves initiative and perception. Incorporate this with ‘Reactionary’ to increase initiative counts. These choices provide control in combat by lessening the impact of unexpected assaults. You will frequently have to take action first as an alchemist. Success or failure may depend on your ability to move quickly. Think about qualities that go well with your intended tactics.
How can Alchemists use Discoveries efficiently?
Many-Faced Menace Alchemists need to choose Discoveries that match their tactics. ‘Sticky Poison’ is great for poison users. ‘Cognatogen’ offers a boost to mental stats, perfect for bomb-focused alchemists. Combining Discoveries like ‘Explosive Bombs’ with ‘Precise Bombs’ is essential for crowd control. Consider your combat role, then choose Discoveries that enhance those capabilities.
What is the recommended gear for Many-Faced Menace Alchemists?
Get a ‘Bag of Holding’ to transport alchemical supplies. ‘Cloak of Resistance’ increases your saves, which is vital for survival. Take into account armor with minimal fortification to lessen the effect of critical hits. The ‘Headband of Inspired Wisdom’ helps protect DCs from bomb-related effects.
What skills should a Many-Faced Menace Alchemist prioritize?
Focus on ‘Craft (Alchemy)’ for making bombs and potions. ‘Knowledge (Arcana)’ aids in identifying magical phenomena. ‘Perception’ is key for spotting threats and traps. ‘Use Magical Device’ ensures you can employ diverse magical items. Combining these skills strengthens adaptability. Always tailor skill choices to your role and party needs.
How does an Alchemist fare in different party compositions?
Alchemists excel in teams where their support is well-utilized. Partner with melee fighters to engage enemies directly. Protect spellcasters by drawing enemy attention with bombs. Assist rogues by using your stealth abilities for sneak attacks. The versatility allows adaptation to several roles. Ensure communication with party members for optimized strategies.
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Authors
Terms definitions
1. ↑ Alchemist – Multifaceted – Pathfinder 1E ( multifaceted )
The Doctor, the Silver Lady, the Fallen Noble, the Fox, the Beast and the Murderer
This build. This build is pure autism ultra condensed into how many different forms and personalities we can have, while still be an actual playable character.
We are taking the Vivisectionist Archetype, switching our Bombs for Sneak Attack, we also take a few levels in Vigilante with the Serial Killer Archetype, and we also take the Master Chymist Prestige Class. Our leveling should look something like the following:
Class
Alchemist 8/Vigilante-Serial Killer 2/Master Chymist 10
Race
We are going with Kitsune, with the Keen Kitsune and Superior Shapeshifter Alternate Racial Features.
Ability Scores
Put everything into Dexterity.
15Point-Buy
Str 8/Dex 16/Con 10/Int 18/Wis 10/Cha 10
20Point-Buy
Str 8/Dex 18/Con 10/Int 18/Wis 10/Cha 10
25Point-Buy
Str 10/Dex 19/Con 10/Int 18/Wis 10/Cha 10
Traits
Cosmopolitan gives us Linguistics as a Class Skill, Deep Cover lets us take 10 to assume and maintain our cover identity. Our real identity is that of a destitute noble from a family who got murdered. Our cover identity is that of an apothecary and local doctor working in the slums.
Favored Class Bonus
We are a melee character with d8 HD and 10 Con. HP.
Skills
Craft(Alchemy), Heal, Perception, Use Magic Devices, Sleight of Hands, Stealth, Linguistics, Knowledge Religion must be at least 3.
Feats by Level
1-Weapon Finesse
Kitsune Bonus-Fox Shape Alchemist Bonus-Throw Everything Alchemist Bonus-Brew Potions
3-Skill Focus(Linguistics)
5-Orator
7-Fiendish Obedience(Jezelda)
9-Piranha Strike
11-Extra Discovery
13-Extra Discovery
15-Extra Discovery
17-Extra Discovery
19-Extra Discovery
Weapon Finesse and Piranha Strike are no-brainers since we are dex-based, Fox Shape means that we now have three personas, the fallen kitsune noble form, human doctor form and a fox form. Orator let us use Linguistics for all things social which is bonkers good. Fiendish Obedience keyed to Jezelda means that by lvl 20 we become a true Werewolf, so a Werewolf hybrid from and a wolf form (5 forms/personas now).
Extra Discoveries will play into another of our form.
Vigilante-Serial Killer
Gives us yet another persona, that of a ruthless serial killer(6) this time directly letting us add a different alignment to the persona and giving us various protections against people trying to link our various personas to each other.
Discoveries by Level
2-Feral Mutagen
4-Infusion
6-Wings
8-Promethean Disciple
11-Tentacle
13-Preserve Organs
15-Material Mastery
17-Alchemical Simulacrum
19-Alchemical Zombie
Master Chymist
This one gives us our final persona, one that appears whenever we use our Mutagen, with its own alignment and goals. This one is of the Silver Lady, a draconic woman with silver scales and wings, beloved by the high society for her great intellect and sharp tongue. We also gain several Advanced Mutagens at the following levels
12-Greater Mutagen
14-Restoring Changes
16-Scent
18-Draconic Mutagen
20-Grand Mutagen
Extracts Learned by Level
- Cure Light Wounds, Blurred Movement, Enlarge Person, Negate Aroma, Shield, Vocal Alteration
- Wizened Appearance, Deathwatch
- Youthful Appearance
- Cure Moderate Wounds
- Bull’s Strength
- Invisibility
- Haste, Anthropomorphic Animal
- Cure Serious Wounds
- Fly
- Cure Critical Wounds
- Vitriolic Mist
- Freedom of Movements
- Magic Jar
- Communal Stoneskin
- Mask from Divination
Equipment
Nobles Clothes, Doctor’s Clothes, Alchemist’s Lab, Healing Kit, A Dagger and a Light Crossbow
Final Thoughts on the Build
Yeah, we deal a truck ton of damage with our natural attacks between Piranha Strike, Sneak Attack, Brutality +6 and our Grand Mutagen. We are talking some 17d6+3d4+4d8+84 damage per round pre buffs is nothing to sneeze at, and with only Enlarge Person in, our damage grows all the way up to 5d8+20d6+88. Plus we are probably one of the best social builds as we have a plethora of different personas (Noble Kitsune, Human Doctor, Fox, Werewolf, Wolf, Dragon Lady, Serial Killer) we can play with some with different alignments from our real one too, making us the single best build at social infiltration in Pathfinder.
Plus we can create Golems to serve us, animal alchemical zombies and to top it off, we can create a simulacrum of us, which can take one of our persona while we are in another to further enhance the illusion that all of these are actually different people and not one very schizophrenic Kitsune.
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