Alchemist

This article is about the RPG class. For the alchemist profession in World of Warcraft, see Alchemy. For the Warcraft III hero unit, see Goblin Alchemist (Warcraft III).

This article concerns content exclusive to Warcraft RPG and thus unlikely to be canon.

Many are those who know how to create the simplest items in the alchemist’s repertoire — small sticks with bits of alchemical gold that glow brighter than a torch when struck, vicious acids, and stones coated with a special dust that causes a loud explosion when struck against something solid. But these are only the basics of an elaborate and incredible art, easily as expansive as any form of spellcasting. Indeed, the simple alchemist’s fire and thunderstones are to the heights of alchemy what little cantrips are to the greatest forms of magic.

Many alchemists — at least, many alchemists who are also spellcasters — often find themselves drawn away to the “superior” art of potion-brewing. However, not all alchemists have that option. More than one skilled alchemist can cast no spells whatsoever, and many are the warriors among both the Forsaken and Night Elves who supplement their deadly skills with the heights of alchemical knowledge.

Mechanical devices and steam technology are the latest attraction, leaving alchemy as "the old technology". Alchemists resent the disparaging tone that accompanies "old".

In World of Warcraft

This section concerns content exclusive to World of Warcraft.

In World of Warcraft, an alchemist is one who takes the alchemy profession. In the RPG, alchemy/alchemist is a craft and profession.

Goblin alchemist

This section concerns content exclusive to Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness.

Main article: Goblin alchemist

The maniacal and brilliant Goblin Alchemists are masters of volatile chemicals, explosives, and strange mechanical devices.