Hi, my friend is playing an alchemist, and enjoying it(he is usually the fighter) and a question came up this week at the game...
How far can an alchemist throw a bomb? The confusing wording is that the range is listed as just that. The range. It is not listed as a range increment as most thrown weapons are.
Hi, my friend is playing an alchemist, and enjoying it(he is usually the fighter) and a question came up this week at the game...
How far can an alchemist throw a bomb? The confusing wording is that the range is listed as just that. The range. It is not listed as a range increment as most thrown weapons are.
Don't all thrown objects have a range of 10'? Considering the "blast" radius of those bombs, the thrown range has got to be bigger. I thought I saw it, but don't have the book in front of me ATM.
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It's a bit confusing, use the definition of range from the combat chapter:
Range: Any attack at more than this distance is penalized for range. Beyond this range, the attack takes a cumulative –2 penalty for each full range increment (or fraction thereof) of distance to the target. For example, a dagger (with a range of 10 feet) thrown at a target that is 25 feet away would incur a –4 penalty. A thrown weapon has a maximum range of five range increments. A projectile weapon can shoot to 10 range increments.
Not the definition of range from the spell chapter.
Edit: More stuff added below:
How do I "know" they intend you use the definition from the combat chapter? The following paragraph from the class description supports it:
Drawing the components of, creating, and throwing a bomb requires a standard action that provokes an attack of opportunity. Thrown bombs have a range of 20 feet and use the Throw Splash Weapon special attack. Bombs are considered weapons and can be selected using feats such as Point-Blank Shot and Weapon Focus.
So you pretty much treat a bomb in all ways as a ranged weapon. Also, the developers have piped in at various times and their comments have jived with my understanding.
To clarify you can throw it anywhere from 1' away out to 100' away. Every complete range of 20' gives you a -2 to hit and increases the scatter distance if you miss. (20' Range by 5 increments max)
The spell Bombers Eye lets you throw farther by increasing the range distance.
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Thrown bombs have a range of 20 feet and use the Throw Splash Weapon special attack. (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/alchemist)
I think the confusion is with the term "Range" which means one thing with regards to weapons and another thing with regards to spells and spell like abilities.
If it were a spell or a spell like ability with a 'range' of 20 feet it would only be usable within 20'.
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And if your friend is looking for a way to expand the over all 20 foot distance. I would suggest taking a look at the trait "Strong Arm, supple Wrist"
I would also look at the feat "far-shot" as I think it would apply to bombs. If I am wrong I am sure someone will correct me.
Far shot and most ranged weapon feats apply to bombs.
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And if your friend is looking for a way to expand the over all 20 foot distance. I would suggest taking a look at the trait "Strong Arm, supple Wrist"
I would also look at the feat "far-shot" as I think it would apply to bombs. If I am wrong I am sure someone will correct me.
Screw far shot, take splash weapon mastery instead. Counts as far shot for splash weapons, if you miss with said splash weapon you can adjust the miss square by one either way, and if you hit you get to add an extra square you splash into.
Agreed. Splash Weapon Mastery is very good for Alchemists.
Also note that far shot is not like it used to be. It no longer extends range... just reduces your penlaty to attack.
rokcets however extend range for the alchemists PDF by SGG.