LastFootnote wrote:I believe you'll just need an item to cast spells with your Alchemist. As soon as you get a wand or orb, you'll be able to take advantage of that skill.
Not quite true: even the lowest-level wand requires a level in the Concentration skill to use. If you only have skill levels in one of the elemental magic skills, you still won't be able to cast spells with a wand equipped.
I have a back-row rogue who both uses throwing weapons and magic. Honestly, it's not an optimal setup, but you can make it work. Her mid-game build is:
5 - throwing weapons
3 - fire magic
1 - air magic (needed for the fireball spell)
1 - concentration (needed for her to cast spells at all)
Although it's not the route I chose, earth magic may be a better pick for a character like this: that school gets its bolt spell at level two without the need of any air magic levels, so it's two skill-points cheaper to get the magic side of the build up and running.