Master the Alchemist in Dragon Age: Inquisition

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The Alchemist in Dragon Age: Inquisition is a crowd-control specialist that excels when played with a stealth-focused build. This class is notably underpowered until around level 15 when key passives and abilities are unlocked. The recommended strategy emphasizes staying in stealth as much as possible for survivability and damage bonuses.

Walkthrough

1
Ability Unlock Order: Prioritize upgraded Flank Attack (level 6), then upgraded Flask of Fire (level 10). Follow with upgraded Poison Blades (level 12), Explosive Toxin (level 14), and I Was Never Here (level 16). After securing Killers Alchemy, fill remaining passive slots as desired.
2
General Strategy: Maintain near-permanent stealth using Flank Attack and I Was Never Here. Approach enemy groups from behind. When enemies are engaged, activate Poison Blades (does not break stealth) and position to hit multiple enemies with the dash. Immediately after, activate Flask of Fire (breaks stealth) and spam Flank Attack on various enemies. The quick cloak/decloak and movement speed should prevent enemies from targeting you.
3
Boss Fights: Ignore the boss. Focus on eliminating the smaller enemies (mooks) attacking your team. Use Explosive Toxin to weaken any enemies that get through, making them easier to eliminate. Note that only one Explosive Toxin cloud can be active at a time, so choose targets carefully.

Tips

The Alchemist is considered one of the weakest classes, tied with the Katari, but excels at crowd control, a role it performs better than the Assassin.
For single-target damage, the Assassin class is a more suitable choice.
Stealth provides a 50% damage bonus when attacking from stealth and has a 29s duration with a 24s cooldown, costing 20 stamina. The upgrade grants instant stealth, removes debilitating effects, and allows passage through enemies.
Flank Attack deals 2 hits at 200% weapon damage each, with an 8s cooldown and 35 stamina cost. The upgrade grants stealth after attacking.
Flask of Fire makes abilities cost no stamina for 5s, with a 32s cooldown and 20 stamina cost. The upgrade removes ability cooldowns.
Poison Blades coats weapons in poison for 10s, poisoning enemies for 8s at 25% weapon damage per second. It has a 24s cooldown and 20s stamina cost. The upgrade grants a 25% damage bonus while active.
Explosive Toxin causes enemies that die while poisoned to explode into a toxic mist for 8s, dealing 50% weapon damage per second.
I Was Never Here removes the stealth cooldown upon kills.
Killers Alchemy grants a 15% damage bonus for 10s when Flasks are activated.