What is the future for Alchemy?

• Occamy wrote on 2011-01-02 02:33
  My sister and I were having a fight on giant melee versus my elchimist. I said that alchemy would win, but she argued that alchemy was just a burst, there was a limit where it would go.
  What is the future for alchemy? After what has already happened, what developments are in place? There is a future for alchemy requiring a lot of work and not just a sudden burst, invincibility, and nothing more, right?
• Akemii wrote on 2011-01-02 02:39
  Your sister is right about Alchemy having a limit, since it isn't affected by stats. For damage it's dependant on Titles, Skill ranks, and enchants. :3
• Edeott wrote on 2011-01-02 02:47
  Not having to rely on stats is Alchemy's blessing and curse.
  
  Alchemy will do damage, depending on es's, titles, cylinder upgrades, etc.
  Unfortunately, the damage modifiers are very limited. Which means there's a limit on how much damage you can do.
  
  Still, if all you care about is damage, go play maple story.
• Occamy wrote on 2011-01-02 02:52

  Quote from Edeott;272798:

  
  Still, if all you care about is damage, go play maple story.

  
  
  I don't, I was heavily intrigued by the gameplay I saw when I was doing the first G9 quest on another character, it was amazing! That's why I play alchemy. I'm still going to continue it though, it's "endgame" is amazing.
• Akemii wrote on 2011-01-02 02:52
  Forgot about cylinders haha. You should care about damage in every game, not just maplestory.
  
  But as he said, Blessing AND curse, since you don't need much to do high damage, but as the game progresses, and you start doing Adv. or Hard mode, it becomes sorta burdensome. :(
• Cynic wrote on 2011-01-02 02:59
  Although the damage does have a limit, it is fairly versatile in PvM. In PvP, however, most other classes would out-rank an Alchemist in Damage by far.
  If you want to be good in PvP and still use Alchemy, you're best off doing a Hybrid build. I assume Magic + Alchemy would work pretty well.
• Hexed wrote on 2011-01-02 03:07

  Quote from Cynic;272817:

  I assume Magic + Alchemy would work pretty well.

  
  
  Thats What I'm Doing! :D
  lol
• Occamy wrote on 2011-01-02 03:13

  Quote from Cynic;272817:

  Although the damage does have a limit, it is fairly versatile in PvM. In PvP, however, most other classes would out-rank an Alchemist in Damage by far.
  If you want to be good in PvP and still use Alchemy, you're best off doing a Hybrid build. I assume Magic + Alchemy would work pretty well.

  
  
  What do you mean PvM? (What is the M?) I'm not that much of a PvP obsessive, if I was, I would've done range. But, is Alchemy still evolving? Giants are being neglected, but let's say I somehow max out everything in Alchemy (I won't) before G13, is there still stuff to do in Alchemy in the future?
• Tally wrote on 2011-01-02 03:20
  PvM = Player vs Monster
  
  Also, giants are not being neglected. Take a look at lances. When you look at all the bonuses giants get over humans, the scales are tipped quite highly in giant's favor. Lances are also a pretty bamf weapon type for windmillers.
• EndlessDreams wrote on 2011-01-02 03:20
  Alchemy, besides the blessed/cursed of not being stat dependent, also has an advantage of being very flexible. The cylinder can produces golem, wall, a variety of attacks, and/or healing.
  
  PvM = People vs Monsters
  
  There is a few Alchemy Elemental, Transmutation, and some other Masteries. Also, Synthesis uncaps in G14.
  
  If you talking about long term, Alchemy will only last you around 4-5k AP or so. Then, you will need to get other skills if you want to keep using your AP.
• Karmel wrote on 2011-01-02 03:27
  Everyones point on how the no effect form stats is pure moot, even with high stats you still need enchants for meele and range to reach any of those high numbers people cream their pants for, over all alchemy has a lot more uses then any other skill set on its own, BUT if you not a steady player you might want to invest in Meele, due to alchemy having a high ap cost per skill. Even with that there is still core skills you should rank.
• Occamy wrote on 2011-01-02 03:35

  Quote from Cynic;272817:

  Although the damage does have a limit, it is fairly versatile in PvM. In PvP, however, most other classes would out-rank an Alchemist in Damage by far.
  If you want to be good in PvP and still use Alchemy, you're best off doing a Hybrid build. I assume Magic + Alchemy would work pretty well.

  
  
  Requote with now knowing what PvM is.
  I'm pretty much looking for the ability to beat a monster. Versatility is good. And besides, the top water cannon is amazing with little work.
  
  EndlessDreams basically answered my question, which was about future advancements. 5k AP is a lot, so I'll stick to pure for now.
• EndlessDreams wrote on 2011-01-02 04:15

  Quote from Karmel;272858:

  Everyones point on how the no effect form stats is pure moot, even with high stats you still need enchants for meele and range to reach any of those high numbers people cream their pants for, over all alchemy has a lot more uses then any other skill set on its own, BUT if you not a steady player you might want to invest in Meele, due to alchemy having a high ap cost per skill. Even with that there is still core skills you should rank.

  
  
  Not really. Try having around 400-500 base dex. You will beat a lot of people in range that don't have the stats, but only have the enchants. This emphasis on stats become even better when they transform. You probably already know how much transformation helps melee/range and possibly magic.
  
  Also, range/melee can have a possible useful ego while Alchemy is stuck being egoless.
• Navy wrote on 2011-01-02 04:21

  Quote from Edeott;272798:

  
  
  Still, if all you care about is damage, go play maple story.

  
  this, damage is good but you need tactics.
  If you're a person who cares a lot about PvP (not talking directly at OP but everyone)
  Don't be an alchemist.
• Piconoe wrote on 2011-01-02 08:07

  Quote from Cynic;272817:

  Although the damage does have a limit, it is fairly versatile in PvM. In PvP, however, most other classes would out-rank an Alchemist in Damage by far.
  If you want to be good in PvP and still use Alchemy, you're best off doing a Hybrid build. I assume Magic + Alchemy would work pretty well.

  
  
  I will honestly never understand why people complain about the structure of the game in terms of PvP. It's a PvM game with PvP kinda' tacked on to the end of in with an interface and an attackable restriction removal.
  
  Alchemy is a great attack category. It might not have the end-game damage other categories might have, but unlike all the others, it is more in-depth than just Attack, Attack, Defend, Do Lots of Damage, Attack. Its damaging skills might be restricted to a Firebolt and a linear DoT AoE (ignoring the situational ones (Heat Buster) or the ones you don't want to spam due to the crystal making process (Life Drain)), but you can control the battlefield with the other skills. You can summon defensive walls or a minion to fight for you while you take cover. You can toss your enemy back or freeze them in place (and still be able to assault them while they are frozen). You can make it rain or stun lock those around you while you bring forth the pain.
  
  In short, it might not be a pure damage powerhouse like Melee, Range, or Magic (which is why, unlike the damage oriented Magic, Alchemy is not some moronic Magic offshoot), but it is painfully versatile.