I've searched for a definitive answer, and so far I've only seen a consensus that believes the bombs are treated as light weapons for the purposes of Two-Weapon Fighting.
I'd like to know if there's a straight definition that applies to them, or if a ruling has been made and I've missed it. I know of the FAQ answer that declares TWF applies to bombs once the Fast Bombs discovery has been selected. Now I'd like to know whether the bombs take the light penalty or the one-handed penalty when thrown using the TWF rules.
An alchemist's bomb's have their own category called "Splash Weapon."
Nothing under the splash weapon designates it as light or one handed.
Also, if you look under thrown weapons themselves, they don't designate themselves as light or one-handed either.
It's actually listed in the Two-Handed Fighting rules section.
Two-Weapon Fighting
See FAQ at right for more information
If you wield a second weapon in your off hand, you can get one extra attack per round with that weapon You suffer a –6 penalty with your regular attack or attacks with your primary hand and a –10 penalty to the attack with your off hand when you fight this way You can reduce these penalties in two ways First, if your off-hand weapon is light, the penalties are reduced by 2 each An unarmed strike is always considered light Second, the Two-Weapon Fighting feat lessens the primary hand penalty by 2, and the off-hand penalty by 6
"Table: Two-weapon Fighting Penalties" summarizes the interaction of all these factors.
Table: Two-Weapon Fighting Penalties
Circumstances: Primary Hand / Off Hand
Normal penalties: –6 / –10
Off-hand weapon is light: –4 / –8
Two-Weapon Fighting feat: –4 / –4
Off-hand weapon is light and Two-Weapon Fighting feat: –2 / –2Double Weapons
You can use a double weapon to make an extra attack with the off-hand end of the weapon as if you were fighting with two weapons# The penalties apply as if the off-hand end of the weapon was a light weapons#
I picked out the important part, otherwise you might accidentally look at a "flask" which is much bigger.
In order to create a bomb, the alchemist must use a small vial containing an ounce of liquid catalyst
Thrown WeaponsThe same rules apply when you throw a weapon from each hand# Treat a dart or shuriken as a light weapons when used in this manner, and treat a bolas, javelin, net, or sling as a one-handed weapon.
I'd say it's up to GM digression.
Would you say a vial is comparable to the size of a dart/shuriken?
Would you say a vial is comparable to a sling or bolas?
I'd say this is about the size of a dart or shuriken, so it should fall under light in my opinion.Vial
A vial is made out of glass or steel and holds 1 ounce of liquid.
Empty Weight: - Capacity: 1 ounce/-
Bombs are treated as thrown splash weapons, not ammunition. I'm not looking to classify them as melee weapons. Two-Weapon Fighting applies to thrown weapons, with light and one-handed classifications therein.
EDIT!: I agree that a 1-ounce vial could/should be classified as light.
Well, if it's a home game, show what I posted to your GM. If he thinks is a solid argument, he'll probably allow it.
If this is for PFS, and they don't have an answer, they'll either say that seems like a solid argument, or they'll go all "Q.Q alchemists throwing more bombs is OP!"
If this question is for fast bombs It just says itsna fuml attack with a ranged weapon. It doeent label them specifocally.
The thrown splash weapon special attack labels them as justbrsnged weapons.
I actually don't think they are labeled as thrown weapons anywhere. Keep in mind the fact that they are thrown as far as thr game goes dosnt mak them a thrown weapon.
Looking the definition of thrown weapon lists no splash weapons and talks about str to damage.
Based on all of that I'd say bombs are a ranged weapon and not specifically a light or 1 handed weapon.
They also I believe need. 2 hands.
Edit not sure about the two hands anyhow fast bobs just says ranged attack and normal bombs use throw splash weapon special attack which seems to only refer to them as ranged attacks.
I
Using a phone Mojo?
Sigh yes. I can retype the above when I get home. But short answer is bombs are just ranged weapons I don't think you can twf with them as they are not 1h or light weapons.
You can. There was an FAQ on it.
There just hasn't been an official answer as to whether or not they're a light thrown weapon, or a 1 handed thrown weapon.
Actually, no thrown weapons tell you whether or not they're 1 handed thrown weapons or light thrown weapons.
You're told in the Two Weapon Fighting section that some thrown weapons are counted as light/1 handed, then it gives you a small list of examples.
I've posted this above.
Ahh i see the faq now. Basically, The general rule is that weapons are the category that the game says they are part of. The game as written only defines bombs as 1)Splash weapons, and 2) They use the Splash weapon special attack action.
They are not defined as 1handed or light weapons as the game defines them nor are they thrown weapons.
If the Faq didnt exist, based on that i would insist they cannot be used with TWF which requires they be one of those two types of weapons.
However, As you said the FAQ doesnt define them. if you went by weight they are light weapons but thats not RAW.
short answer there is no raw on it.
Pretty much.