Alchemists bombs and grappling.


Rules Questions

Shadow Lodge

Can an alchemist throw bombs out of a grapple?

Example a fast bombs alchemist is grappled can they throw a bomb at a target 20ft away?


It is said that throwing bombs benefit frow Two-Weapon Fighting (the alchemist needs the Fast Bombs discovery first though), so it seems that they can be prepared and thrown with one hand. So I don't see a reason why they couldn't be used in grapple.

It's never said directly though how many hands free you need to prepare bombs, so the GM can rule that you need two hands if you don't have Fast Bombs. In such a case, you wouldn't be able to use them in grapple.


You can do pretty much anything when grappled as long as you can do it with one hand.

Not sure if 'swiftly mixing various volatile chemicals and infusing them with their magical reserves to create powerful bombs' requires more than one hand. I'm guessing the answer is considered to be no, given the existence of two-weapon fighting bomb-throwing alchemists?

Scarab Sages

I would say no as well. Though an alchemist can use both hands to throw a bomb he still needs both hands to prep each bomb. The volatile mixtures are not mixed until the bomb is thrown. If you can come up with an argument on how that is done with one hand you might be able to do it. But again, just logically I don't see how.


ItsJustAce wrote:
I would say no as well.

That sounds like you're agreeing with me, but I think you're actually disagreeing. I was saying, "No, it doesn't require more than one hand".

If you want a "how", I'll say that the 'bomb' has a delicate internal division that just requires a squeeze and a quick shake to start the the chemicals mixing.

Liberty's Edge

There's nothing in the alchemist rules saying that it requires two hands to make the bomb. The grapple rules also don't state that one of your arms is non-functional, just that you can't perform actions requiring the use of two hands. Grapple rules don't specify what body parts are actually being grappled, but it does lay out specific penalties and restrictions. .

For sure, you will have a -2 to attack rolls and a -4 to your DEX and you're in a one of the worst situations for a ranged attacked to be in. I can understand why a GM might rule that you can't use bombs, but I would allow it and I think the rules point more towards it being allowed.


Badblood wrote:
you're in one of the worst situations for a ranged attacked to be in

Not that bad. Against Touch AC, you have a decent chance of hitting even with a net -4 to the attack roll.

You should even be able to throw bombs at the grappler (if you aren't worried about splash-damaging yourself to death) - who will be at -2 Touch AC since (under normal circumstances) he also has the grappled condition, which also means he loses the ability to make AoOs.

Compared to an archer (needs both hands) or a primary caster (needs a concentration check) you're still able to put up a decent fight.


There's also the Bombchucker which specifically states that the hand wielding the Bombchucker can't be used for any other purpose, but also states that you can prepare bombs just as well despite having a wicker basket on one hand.
So, I think it's pretty clear that preparing and throwing bombs requires only one hand.

Shadow Lodge

Just an addendum, if this is the case and the alchemist is grand to mix and attack with one hand (seems so); can that alchemist target creatures outside the grapple with ranged attacks. I ask as the "when your in a grapple" section calls out making attacks at targets within "your reach".


Quote:
you can take any action that doesn’t require two hands to perform, such as cast a spell or make an attack or full attack with a light or one-handed weapon against any creature within your reach

It's giving an example of making melee attacks as something you can do, but it's not an exclusive list, and throwing something at a target within range surely falls within the category of "any action that doesn’t require two hands to perform".


Nixitur wrote:

There's also the Bombchucker which specifically states that the hand wielding the Bombchucker can't be used for any other purpose, but also states that you can prepare bombs just as well despite having a wicker basket on one hand.

So, I think it's pretty clear that preparing and throwing bombs requires only one hand.

this is essentially as powerful as the Far Shot feat, for 12gp? What sorcery is this? Or better: Non-Sorcery, because it's mundane.


The Bombchucker, unlike Far Shot, takes up a hand that could otherwise contain a weapon or shield. Far Shot is more flexible - it also works with bows, etc.


Nah, the Bombchucker does something completely different from the Far Shot feat. Far Shot just reduces the attack penalties per full range increment while Bombchucker increases your range increment.
It is, however, almost as powerful as Bomber's Eye, except Bomber's Eye also gives you a +1 to attack and, again, doesn't take up a hand. However, I see no reason why it wouldn't stack with Bomber's Eye and Far Shot (or Splash Weapon Mastery, the splash weapon-only version of Far Shot with more bonuses), so have fun throwing incredibly precise bombs with a 40 ft range increment.
Yeah, Bombchucker is absurdly powerful for 12 gp.


Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Seems like he could to me.

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