Fighter Archetype
Knight-Alchemist
The Knight-Alchemist is a fighter who always seeks an edge, who knows that victory is worth any cost. They may have begun their career in a laboratory, or as an alchemist's apprentice. Maybe they come from a wilderness clan, reliant on lore and tradition. Or maybe their learned their craft another way, stumbling upon potent mutagens in their adventures. Regardless, the Knight-Alchemist knows that their own body is a tool, and one that can be improved upon.
Knight-Alchemists do not belong to knightly orders, necessarily, and in fact their unsettling methods may sometimes put them beyond the bounds of decent society. They may be of any alignment, and while some have an ends-justify-the-means mentality, other Knight-Alchemists know that some lines are better left uncrossed.
Knight-Alchemist Features
| Fighter Level | Features |
|---|---|
| 3rd | Alchemical Dabbler, Alchemical Concoctions |
| 7th | Hardy Constitution |
| 10th | Advanced Alchemy |
| 15th | Iron Constitution |
| 18th | Master of Mutation |
Alchemical Dabbler
When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in Alchemists' Tools. Additionally, you gain proficiency in your choice of either the Arcana or Nature skill. If you are already proficient in both, you gain proficiency in any other skill of your choice.
Alchemical Concoctions
Additionally at 3rd level, you adapt your body to handle potent alchemical concoctions which you create. As light activity during a long rest, you can create a number of basic concoctions equal to 1 plus your Intelligence modifier. You can consume a concoction as a bonus action. Unless otherwise stated, its effects last for 1 minute.
These concoctions last until you complete a long rest. You can only be under the effect of one concoction at a time. If a concoction references a saving throw, the DC is equal to 8 + your Intelligence modifier + your proficiency bonus. Only you can be affected by your concoctions.
You learn to make three basic concoctions of your choice, which are detailed below. You can replace one concoction you know anytime you gain a feature for this archetype.
Basic Concoctions
Iron Skin
Bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage that you take from nonmagical attacks is reduced by your Intelligence modifier (minimum 1).
Acid Blood
Once per turn, when a creature damages you with a melee attack, they suffer acid damage equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum 1).
Monstrous Grip
You gain advantage on Strength checks, and when you are grappling a creature, it takes damage at the start of its turn equal to your Intelligence modifier.
Unnecessary Tentacle
You grow a horrifying tentacle, which acts as a simple melee weapon that deals 1d6 bludgeoning damage and has the reach property. The tentacle can can hold small objects and make simple manipulations, but it cannot wield weapons or shields. When you take the Attack action, you can use a bonus action to make one additional attack with the tentacle.
Horrific Visage
Your face becomes distorted and monstrous, terrifying all onlookers. You gain advantage on all Charisma (Intimidation) checks. Additionally, once per turn when you take the Attack action, you may replace one attack with a terrifying roar. One creature of your choice within 30 feet must make a Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for the duration of your concoction. They can reattempt the saving throw at the end of each of their turns.
Oozing Skin
You have advantage on checks to escape grapples, and any creature grappling you takes 1d8 poison damage at the start of their turns. You can move through other creatures' spaces, treating it as difficult terrain, and you suffer no penalties from squeezing in small spaces.
Hardy Constitution
At 7th level, your body is inured to toxins of all kinds. You gain resistance to poison damage and advantage on saving throws against the poisoned condition.
Advanced Alchemy
At 10th level, you master more advanced concoctions. You learn two more concoctions, which come from the list below. You may only make one advanced concoction per long rest.
Advanced Concoctions
Adamant Shell
Your skin hardens and develops a metallic sheen. All damage you take is reduced by your Intelligence modifier (minimum 1)
Monstrous Growth
You undergo a terrible transformation, increasing in size one category. Your current and maximum hit points increase by two for each fighter level you possess. All your attacks deal additional damage equal to your Intelligence modifier.
Poison Spew
You gain the ability to spray terrible poison from your lungs. Once per turn in place of making an attack, you may spew poison. All creatures in a 15-foot cone suffer 2d8 poison damage, or half if they make a Constitution saving throw.
Weeping Veins
Your blood becomes powerfully acidic. Any creature that deals damage to you with a melee attack suffers acid damage equal to your Intelligence modifier. Anytime you are not at maximum hit points, creatures that start their turns within 5 feet of you also suffer this damage.
Iron Constitution
At 15th level, your experiments have hardened your body to an exceptional degree. You gain resistance to acid damage, and become immune to the poisoned condition.
Master of Mutation
At 18th level, your mastery of transformative potions is unparalleled. When you prepare your concoctions, you may select one of the following properties for each basic concoction.
- Its effects last for an hour.
- You may combine two basic concoctions into one potion, with both effects.
- When you consume it, you gain temporary hit points equal to your fighter level.
In addition, you can now prepare one advanced concoction per short or long rest, though you may only have one prepared at a time.
Knight-Alchemist quirks
The following are some optional quirks for a player of this Domain to choose from.
| d6 | Quirk |
|---|---|
| 1 | You have an obsession with clean living, and frequently undergo various cleanses. |
| 2 | You add a little acid to your food for seasoning. |
| 3 | You bemoan to anyone who asks that modern ale just barely has any flavor. |
| 4 | You proudly keep your potions in a fancy bandolier. |
| 5 | Your eyes are golden, and slitted like a cat's. |
| 6 | You detest the common stereotypes about knight-alchemists, and are offended when anyone accuses you of gruffness, or carrying too many swords. |
Change Log
v1.0
- Updated art and license
v0.2
- Gave up on the layout I liked, so I could have more text for Basic Concoctions.
- Cleaned up language on a couple basic concoctions.
- Slightly reworked Horrific Visage.
- Nerfed Adamant Shell, Poison Spew, and Weeping Veins.
v0.1
- Initial Draft!
Credits & References:
- Knight-Alchemist created by somanyrobots Discord | Patreon
Art
- Knight-Alchemist, by Alifka Hammam Nugroho
Background Image Stains
License
- © 2023 somanyrobots, CC BY-NC 4.0
5E SRD Content
This work includes material taken from the System Reference Document 5.1 (“SRD 5.1”) by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available here.
The SRD 5.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License available here.