Ritual Caster VS Alchemist - starting question

[SeprenMaelstrom]

Some classes [like the Druid I'm currently building] get Ritual Caster as a class feature; you get 1 class-specific ritual and another one of level 1. Now, you can take Alchemist as a replacement for Ritual Caster.

This is all fine. What I'm not finding is whether or not you begin knowing any alchemical recipes... The AV says you must have the correct formula and an appropriate skill. Well, what does that mean for a fresh alchemist? Do they need to acquire each new recipe, starting with none at level 1? I realize they're cheaper to obtain than Rituals [which Ritual Casters are given for free], but having the ability and none of the recipes seems odd to me. I can find no mention of getting any of these formulas to start with.

I have searched the Google, even to some past threads here. Can anybody fill me in on how an alchemist operates fresh off the sheet?

 

[Ferghis]

I can't find anything in the D&Di, so you should probably check the Eberron Players Guide, where the feat first came out. I remember that you get two level 1 alchemical formulas for free, but my memory is about as reliable as a first edition wizard trying to step up as a fourth edition defender.

As for the skills, I'm sure it works the same way as it does for rituals.

... Rituals [which Ritual Casters are given for free]

They get SOME rituals for free. Usually two level 1 rituals. They have to buy the bulk of their rituals, just like alchemists have to buy the bulk of their formulas.

 

[Larrin]

Simply taking alchemist OR ritual casting doesn't give you any free recipes/rituals. The Ritual Casting feature usually just say "gain the feat". Elsewhere in the class description it usually describes the rituals you know and whether you gain more, etc. If your class feature gives you free rituals at certain times and you replace it with alchemy, you get the same number of recipes at the same time. Anything else would be weakening your character: not only do you not know any recipes, you have X rituals in a book you can't use.

 

[Ferghis]

If your class feature gives you free rituals at certain times and you replace it with alchemy, you get the same number of recipes at the same time.

I wholly agree with this, and was looking for a source. I couldn't find it.

 

[SeprenMaelstrom]

I can't find anything in the D&Di, so you should probably check the Eberron Players Guide, where the feat first came out. I remember that you get two level 1 alchemical formulas for free, but my memory is about as reliable as a first edition wizard trying to step up as a fourth edition defender.

As for the skills, I'm sure it works the same way as it does for rituals.

They get SOME rituals for free. Usually two level 1 rituals. They have to buy the bulk of their rituals, just like alchemists have to buy the bulk of their formulas.

Alright... I was indeed referring getting the two free level 1 rituals, IF Ritual Caster is a class feature. Taking the feat on its own wouldn't add any "training" [to differ from skills], but the class features do this. Okay, cool.

Thanks for the info, everybody! I consulted my soon-to-be DM, and as far as he recalled I wouldn't start with any... Though I also asked him when he was way tired and couldn't search it up, hahah. I'm going to look over the level 1 formulas and see if there's anything worth taking over rituals [given I'm going to play a controller anyhow]. I appreciate the input!