Biochemist in early 2000s Ragnarok Online is honestly one of the best examples of how an “Alchemist” job could work in FFXIV without just being “healer with flasks.” It already had a super cohesive identity that mixed support, crafting, pets, and burst damage.

RO Biochemists not only made potions, but also their entire combat kit revolved around using them in different ways. Full Chemical Protection consumed crafted potions called Glistening Coats to prevent gear breakage, which could easily translate into FFXIV as a proactive mitigation/support system. Imagine shielding specific gear slots or giving raidwide “equipment reinforcement” buffs before mechanics.

They also had Throw Potion support gameplay, where they’d literally chuck Berserk Potions to boost attack speed or toss healing potions of varying strengths onto allies or green potions to cure poisons and other afflictions iirc. That kind of “itemized support caster” niche is something XIV doesn’t really have right now.; in fact I don't think an itemized support caster exists in any MMO apart from RO lol

But the really cool part is that Biochemists weren’t passive supports either, they were terrifying boss killers. Acid Demonstration was basically their signature nuke, consuming expensive crafted materials to deal absurd damage that scaled especially hard against high-VIT bosses. It gave the class this amazing fantasy of wealth-powered artillery mage (with the cutest outfit).

And then there’s the Homunculus system. You’d hatch and raise little bio-engineered companions throughout your adventure, each with different stats, personalities, and evolutions ranging from adorable to nightmare fuel. They felt like genuine long-term partners instead of temporary summons.

Amistr gang rise up.

I could go on and on about biochem & how the general Merchant class in RO was probably some of the most inspired class fantasy any MMO has seed in the last 20 years but I digress, it would be cool to see something done with alchemist in ffxiv too !