Guide:Alchemist (Orchid Mod)

This is the general progression and mechanics guide for the Alchemist class introduced by the Orchid Mod. This guide will go in depth into the inner workings of the class and how to create an effective build.

Class Background

The Alchemist class has a good base defense (slightly lower than the Melee class) and a decent range, heavily nerfed by liquids. It has its own specific damage type called chemical damage.

Chemical weapons are very versatile thanks to their Mixing mechanic. Alchemists can mix their weapons in order to add up the damage and unlock powerful synergies. Each chemical weapon or mixture launches a projectile first (a bottle) that, on impact with an enemy or a block, activates its effects, making it easy to miss distant enemies, considering also that the bottle is affected by gravity, like throwing weapons.
Alchemists playstyle is different from other classes: they have to waste time and concentration to prepare their attacks, then to aim for the targets, preventing a reliable DPS and instead opting for bursts of damage, often against multiple enemies, thanks to some smart mixtures.
Chemical weapons are divided in groups based on their elements. From the start you can mix 2 chemical weapons with different elements. Right now, Alchemist's Armor sets let the player mix up to 3 elements.
The class has 6 elements: Fire, Water, Nature, Air, Light, and Dark but, since the class progression stops after the Wall of Flesh, there aren't Light or Dark weapons for now.

The Chemist NPC is essential for a Alchemist's progression, since she sells:

File:Empty Flask (Orchid Mod).png Empty Flask, a crafting material used for a group of chemical weapons.
File:Attractite Flask (Orchid Mod).png Attractite Flask, a good synergy weapon that attracts spores and similars to the enemies.
Catalytic Syringe, the first Catalyst obtainable.
The Alchemist's Cookbook, an useful item that displays up to 18 chemical weapons in the inventory at the same time.
Brewing for Dummies, an alternative of The Alchemist's Cookbook.
Hidden Reactions Codex, which contains general info about your unlocked Hidden Reactions.
Potion Bag, an item that can store up to 8 chemical weapons for you to use directly from The Alchemist's Cookbook or Brewing for Dummies without wasting to much slots in your inventory. You can have multiples.
Other items, including Accessories.

As metioned before, The Alchemist's Cookbook is an item that displays chemical weapons from the inventory and allows the player to mix and launch them, directly from 1 item, instead of switching weapon every time. Thanks to this item you can carry lots of weapons and use all their synergies without much effort.

There is also a Potency Meter that works like Mana, every chemical weapon uses some potency when mixed (if you attack with a chemical weapon it will still count as mixed) and prevents the player from spamming strong mixtures. Fortunately, it regenerates quickly and starts from 8 max potency. In addition, there are Armor sets and Accessories that can improve it.

Alchemists have other useful tools at their disposal: Catalysts don't do direct damage, instead they trigger other catalytic elements spawned from some chemical weapons, like Seafoam Flask or Poison Flask.
Gunpowder Flask can also work as Catalyst.

Lastly, some mixtures can be used for Hidden Reactions: you must know precise weapon combination in order to use them. Their effects include potions buffs or spawing additional spores and bubbles, but also some unique effects like Propulsion! or Healing!. Here's a list of all of them: Hidden Reactions.

Progression

The following is a very simple progression guide for a new alchemist. Many items lie behind boss and enemy kills, town NPCs, events, and crafting requirements, so your ability to get certain items is made easier or harder by RNG. The list is broken into sections of the game, where prominent or important sets of items become available to a alchemist.

Note that Alchemist benefits al lot from exploration in all biomes, for example Lily armor can be obtained with materials from the Jungle and can carry an Alchemist up to the Wall of Flesh.

From the Start

Alchemists have access to some chemical weapons from the start. They need little to no exploration.

Alchemist

Weapons

Pre-Boss

Alchemists have access to a number of items before encountering the first boss of Terraria, the Eye of Cthulhu. This guide assumes you have ventured into the dangerous Jungle. At this stage you can buy The Alchemist's Cookbook and other useful items from the Chemist NPC.

Pre-Skeletron

Before fighting Skeletron, a number of items are available to the player. This guide assumes you have defeated every previous boss, the Goblin Army, but not entered The Underworld.

Alchemist

Weapons

Catalysts

Armors

n/a

Accessories

Pre-Wall of Flesh

After defeating Skeletron, a couple more chemical weapons are available. This guide assumes you have defeated every boss accessible before the Wall of Flesh and have explored the world thoroughly.

Alchemist

Weapons