Alchemist (Warcraft III)

The Alchemist is a Neutral Hero in The Frozen Throne and was added in patch 1.17 on August, 2004. While named simply as the Alchemist in-game, in other official material he is also known as the Goblin Alchemist.

In this unconventional pairing, a fanatical Goblin master rides on the back of his Ogre slave. Despite undergoing a series of chemical "treatments" to enforce compliance, the Ogre sometimes shows signs of independence and even outright defiance. However, these outbursts are swiftly quelled by the Goblin master, who can be like his concoctions — harsh and volatile. Though personal differences may at times distract this duo, when it comes to biological warfare and raw, brute strength, the Goblin Alchemist and his Ogre slave are truly at the top of their game!

Razzil Naypolm, Niffy Gurglebeaker, Ezzel Darkbrewer, Lapis Concocter, Savvy Foulmixer, Fictious Warpotion.

The Alchemist is a melee hero. He makes great damage which can be boosted through his Chemical Rage, but is more of a background support hero much like the Paladin. His best position on the battlefield is often out of range from attacks, preferably behind units that can protect him. There, he can fling his concoctions and affect the battle from a distance. If it is needed, he can rush in to swiftly finish off wounded or weak enemies.

Although the alchemist makes great damage and nifty healing, he is rather fragily due to his low armor. If you focus your fire on him and also surrounds him so he can't run away, he will die rather fast.

• Alchemist Counters

• Sprays waves of healing mist that heals units in a target area.

Healing Spray makes the Alchemist one of the few Heroes in the game with a healing ability, and the only healing Hero among the Neutral Heroes. This can be very useful, especially early in the game when fighting creeps.

It can be used to heal several units at the same time, including the Alchemist. The more units you can cluster together, the more you can heal at once. A good combination with this spell would be the Spirit Walker's Spirit Link.

The major downside with Healing Spray is that it doesn't just heal your own or allied units, but all units in the target area. In battles where a lot of units, both friendly and hostile, moves around, it is nearly impossible to heal a decent amount of friendly units without healing the enemy as well. It is thus easier to target ranged units that are a lot more stationary, but these usually doesn't suffer as much damage as the melee ones.

• Healing Spray Counters

As Healing Spray is channeled, it is possible to interrupt it with a stun.

• The Alchemist causes his Ogre to enter a chemically induced rage, increasing movement rate by 40% and increasing attack rate.

Notes: Even though the green colored attack speed indicates that the Alchemist's attack speed is increased this is not true. In fact the Alchemist is only replaced by a unit with a higher base attack speed. In this form Alchemist can exceed 400 speed limit and reach 522 speed limit.

Many alchemists find this useful to use when escaping instead of attacking. Likewise, it is also good for scouting.

Combat-wise, it is perfect for chasing and damaging fleeing enemies. It is also good for hit-and-run attacks.

Stuns can be used to prevent the alchemist from both running away and fighting.

• Chemical Rage Counters

• Hurls a flask of acid at a target. The flask breaks upon impact, splashing a powerful acid on nearby hostile units. Decreases armor; deals high damage over time to the primary target; deals slightly less damage over time to nearby targets.

Acid bomb is very effective against clustered ranged units when combined with fast melee attackers like ghouls.

Acid Bomb is especially useful against targets that are running away.

It is also good for boosting attacks used by other Heroes.

Probably (not confirmed) dispels, such as the one used by the priest.

• Acid Bomb Counters

• Kills a target unit instantly, transforming it into gold which is added to your available gold!
• Transmute cannot be used on Heroes, or creeps above level 5.

Transmute is an unique spell as it is the only Hero-spell which specifically is used for increasing the player's amount of gold (along with killing things). Because of this, it is a nifty spell for any player who has trouble getting enough gold.

Transmute cannot be used on Heroes, summoned units, nor creeps above level 5.

The amount of gold received is 100% of the unit's gold cost. This amount is reduced if you are in Low or High Upkeep.

Using Transmute on a critter yields no gold, despite causing the visual gold-coins-effect (see gallery).

While transmute will make little difference in a huge battle, it is nearly impossible to counter. Your best shot is to kill the Alchemist before he pulls it off, or fight him with only non-transmutable units, such as Heroes.

• Transmute Counters

• Warrior Hero, known for offensive and defensive versatility. Can learn Healing Spray, Chemical Rage, Acid Bomb and Transmute. Attacks land and air units.

• See Warcraft III Alchemist quotes

• The Alchemist, along with the Tinker and Firelord, is one of the neutral heroes having no appearance in the official campaigns.
• In the game, only the ogre will be properly shown in the selected-unit-portrait. The only shown part of the goblin is his legs on both sides of the ogre's head (see gallery above). While most of the quotes are said by the goblin it is thus easy to imagine them being said by the ogre instead.