Class/Job Suggestion: Chemist

[Arcell]

I posted this in the proper area, completely forgetting for a second that hardly anyone ever goes there (reps included). So let's see how it does in General as well. I know this idea has been brought up before but I feel it could us a revitalization. Chemist is a class that could breath new life into the mostly useless array of items we have currently. It is a traditional FF class, seen in FFV (Chemist), FFX (Rikku), FFX-2 (Alchemist) and FFTactics (Chemist).

What is the point of adding Chemist?

Currently there are many items, such as potions, that have a wide variety of effects but lack the potency or range to be effective in any capacity in battle. Chemist could increase the potency of these items as well as possibly making them have AoE effects. This would certainly make these items worth crafting, selling and stocking. Chemists could also alter the effects of items by mixing them with other items. This would make Chemists an extremely versatile class, capable of both offensive and support roles.

What kind of weapon would Chemist use?

In Final Fantasy Tactics Chemists use knives and guns, thus if they really wanted to make it a job it could come off Musketeer. However I was thinking of other possibilities and the first that came to mind was bombs (items mixed inside allowing AoE effect). Going further with the explosive train of thought the next two ideas were a Grenade Launcher or a Mortar. Obviously they would have to be modified to fit the FFXIV world but I feel it's not that far of a stretch. This would further add to the enhanced effects and AoE delivery of items.

What kind of skills would Chemist use?

Traditionally Chemists have the ability to use items on anyone at a longer range and/or with an AoE effect in addition to their ability to mix items. Focusing on these two as the core concepts of Chemist, and using a launcher or gun type weapon, some of their skills might be something like:

Auto-attack: Strike target with your knife. (Similar to Archer in that it has a close-range AA)

Attack 1: Fire upon a single enemy.

Attack 2: Fire upon an enemy, dealing additional damage to enemies in close proximity.

Mix-Item: Create and ready a special shot by mixing two items. (Like Multi-shot/Trifurcate certain actions would not activate this shot).

Focused Shot: Launch a special shot, increasing potency by focusing on a single target.

Area Shot: Launch a special shot at your target, spreading the effect to other targets in close proximity.

Throw Item: Use a single item on its own. (Increased range over normal player item use).

Item Lore (Trait): Increases potency of all items.

I'm sure they could come up with some other offensive TP abilities. I feel the above covers the core concept of item usage though.

All in all Chemist could be a pretty unique and interesting addition to the game that has FF tradition/lore behind it. It would expand the current market for a lot of things Alchemist makes that are mostly useless currently. Yes it would be an expensive class to play but it would also be incredibly versatile and useful in any party. It would also solve the problem of a lot of those same items being mostly useless at this point.

You all know the drill at this point. Support the post if you like the idea by "Liking" the post or replying. Criticism and additional ideas are welcome, within reason.

[Engineer]

I also thought of Chemist being a job in XIV, but i came to the conclusion that it doesnt work since the armoury system defines everything. The art of making items belongs to the Desciples of Hand.

This is what would make sense with the XIV system..

Engineer (Desciple of Hand)
- Makes all things mechanical like gadgets and moving parts... IE. Automations, Gunblade parts, Guns, Grenades, and even the Bombs you talked about. They would mix certain potions and chemicals that the Alchemist (DOH) would make, this = the special grenades and bombs..

Machinist (unlocked by Musketeer) @Garlean Empire.
- Uses machinery such as grenades, bombs, and automations for combat.

Then i would add this trait, that can be used by any class and job.

Throw Item.
- equipping this enables you to throw benificial items to your party members.

So this was thought up so the Chemist idea can work with the armory system. you can make everything before hand as a Engineer, and Alchemist, then equip Throw Item and Machinist to your Musketeer.... Now your a Bad@ mother jumper lol..

[Felis]

Isn't Chemist like Alchemist?
Gives the Alchemist the recipes to upgrade his potions and make the potions stronger if an Alchemist is throwing them

[Vanguard319]

Isn't Chemist like Alchemist?
Gives the Alchemist the recipes to upgrade his potions and make the potions stronger if an Alchemist is throwing them

you have a point, chemistry derived from alchemy, (as did phamacology) even though it was more mysticism than scince, alchemists did observe that some of the things they were trying did have useful applications. Looking at it that way, it's another strike against chemist.

[AmyRae]

I knew that some people were too cheap to spring for some lousy medicines to stay effective in a long battle, but to try to convince SE to create a whole new "item tossing" class to shove the cost on someone else takes being miserly to a whole new level. Anything to save some gil, I guess.

[Catapult]

Make DoH (including Alchemist) able to participate in combat beyond throwing stones.
-> Problem solved and entire request for a separate chemist class becomes moot.

[Holyomen]

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t.../21774-Chemist

[Arcell]

Make DoH (including Alchemist) able to participate in combat beyond throwing stones.
-> Problem solved and entire request for a separate chemist class becomes moot.

The problem with that is, making DoH able to participate in combat content is what brought us the "wonderful" campaign we have now with Parley and all. Alchemist/Chemist is the only one that would really work in any and all battles, the others would be pretty situational. I agree they could make instances where certain crafters can help in some ways but otherwise it just wouldn't work.

I knew that some people were too cheap to spring for some lousy medicines to stay effective in a long battle, but to try to convince SE to create a whole new "item tossing" class to shove the cost on someone else takes being miserly to a whole new level. Anything to save some gil, I guess.

I think you're missing the point. I didn't suggest this so I could shove the cost off on someone else, I suggested it because it's a classic FF system that doesn't exist currently and has the potential to work well in FFXIV.

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t.../21774-Chemist

I acknowledged that this has been brought up before, I went and liked your post though. It's unfortunate that anything outside of General will never see the light of day.

[SirThesd]

Lol pistol whip! sorry i didnt read the rest of it i just found that part extremely funny!

[Alaltus]

I would like to see a job/class like chemist it would nice to see items get used more often than they do right now in ffxiv. I can kinda imagine said job/class might use the throwing slot too which is unused mostly right now. They could use the grenades you mentioned as their weapon or what came to me was possibly a techno boomerang that sprays/drops the payload of ethers/potions/explosives. A certain rank/level of Alchemist could be a prerequisite also.