[Gimli]

I just think all the pure casting classes are very underpowered compared to the bishop. And I don't see much of a problem with mana (of course for an Alchemist it will be alot less than a Bishop as they can't learn nearly as many spells per realm) as there are plenty of mana stones, potions, and the fountain in Trynton you can place a set portal next to (or is that a "cheat" too?). My Bishop just fires away from all the different realms and maybe now and then chugs a mana potion in between battles, mana has never been a problem. He doesn't use throwing weapons at all now, just has the staff of Doom for quick fights where spells would be overkill.

Also any class can learn thrown/sling and throw the powders/bombs, so I don't see what this has to do with the "power" of the Alchemist. Why you would have a caster use items for spells when he can cast them confuses me, seems the items would augment a magic-less character like a rogue or fighter and just be redundant with a spell caster. Also rogues and fighters can dual wield and dual throwing helps them develop that skill faster. But everyone plays differently so if you enjoy the pure classes more power to you, most other people here don't seem to see it that way though.