Grenade Launcher for Alchemist?

[Dr. John Dee]

My GM and I have been discussing the prospect of a grenade launcher type weapon for an alchemist to launch his bombs. We're not thinking anything fancy, just a tube with a spring or something. The problem we have come into is with game mechanics. Our discussion is often focused on how long it would take to load and fire the grenade launcher. My GM originally suggested that it take a full round to load and fire the launcher. However, if that is the case, the bomb would be inert, as it takes a standard action to make (and throw) the bomb, but you couldn't take that action in the round you load and fire. I explained this to the GM, and he agreed that it should not operate in that manner. We then came to the conclusion that it should take a full round to operate then (assemble, load, fire). We both see this as a reasonable solution, but would also like to get the opinion of other GMs and players.

Any input into this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Warforged Gardener]

Dr. John Dee wrote:

My GM and I have been discussing the prospect of a grenade launcher type weapon for an alchemist to launch his bombs. We're not thinking anything fancy, just a tube with a spring or something. The problem we have come into is with game mechanics. Our discussion is often focused on how long it would take to load and fire the grenade launcher. My GM originally suggested that it take a full round to load and fire the launcher. However, if that is the case, the bomb would be inert, as it takes a standard action to make (and throw) the bomb, but you couldn't take that action in the round you load and fire. I explained this to the GM, and he agreed that it should not operate in that manner. We then came to the conclusion that it should take a full round to operate then (assemble, load, fire). We both see this as a reasonable solution, but would also like to get the opinion of other GMs and players.

Any input into this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Check Adventurer's Armory. There is a crossbow in there that launches splash weapons.

[Thanatos95]

Problem is, it dosent have a range listed for it on mine.

[Dr. John Dee]

Warforged Gardener wrote:

Dr. John Dee wrote:

My GM and I have been discussing the prospect of a grenade launcher type weapon for an alchemist to launch his bombs. We're not thinking anything fancy, just a tube with a spring or something. The problem we have come into is with game mechanics. Our discussion is often focused on how long it would take to load and fire the grenade launcher. My GM originally suggested that it take a full round to load and fire the launcher. However, if that is the case, the bomb would be inert, as it takes a standard action to make (and throw) the bomb, but you couldn't take that action in the round you load and fire. I explained this to the GM, and he agreed that it should not operate in that manner. We then came to the conclusion that it should take a full round to operate then (assemble, load, fire). We both see this as a reasonable solution, but would also like to get the opinion of other GMs and players.

Any input into this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Check Adventurer's Armory. There is a crossbow in there that launches splash weapons.

Sorry, I'm not familiar with any of the material in that book, and neither is my GM. That does sound interesting, and with modification, for flavor of course. would be appropriate for what we were thinking. Thank you.

(EDIT)Would that be the "launching crossbow"?

[0gre]

Nethys/ (Karui Kage) has all this on his site : Weapons

Scroll down for launching crossbow range increment is only 20' and it's exotic Hmm.

[Felgoroth]

I would probably allow something similar to light crossbow that could fire splash weapons. Off of the top of my head I'm not sure of light crossbows range increment but I'd probably go with shorter range, maybe 50-75ft? Then as you said probably a full-round to load and fire (making reload time a move equivalent action). I'd would still say to make it an exotic weapon that could fire any splash weapon though so it's not an "Alchemist only" weapon. Just my thoughts.

[0gre]

One thing to point out, splash weapons are touch attack only which means it's a lot easier to hit. At lower levels it might be an issue hitting 2-3 range increments out but once you get past 5th level or so touch AC becomes really easy to target so investing a lot of resources in something to hit further out is kind of a waste. If you are launching at rangers greater than 50' a lot then it's more an issue. Even then Far Shot might be a better investment than an exotic weapon proficiency.

Some weird questions about this though. Can you enchant a crossbow like this? Seems like you could. Could you add things like flaming or holy to it? That gets a little weird.

[Felgoroth]

0gre wrote:

One thing to point out, splash weapons are touch attack only which means it's a lot easier to hit. At lower levels it might be an issue hitting 2-3 range increments out but once you get past 5th level or so touch AC becomes really easy to target so investing a lot of resources in something to hit further out is kind of a waste. If you are launching at rangers greater than 50' a lot then it's more an issue. Even then Far Shot might be a better investment than an exotic weapon proficiency.

Some weird questions about this though. Can you enchant a crossbow like this? Seems like you could. Could you add things like flaming or holy to it? That gets a little weird.

That's a really good point lol. I'm imagining a Axiomatic, Flaming, Dwarf-Bane, "grenade launcher."

[Dr. John Dee]

Felgoroth wrote:

I would probably allow something similar to light crossbow that could fire splash weapons. Off of the top of my head I'm not sure of light crossbows range increment but I'd probably go with shorter range, maybe 50-75ft? Then as you said probably a full-round to load and fire (making reload time a move equivalent action). I'd would still say to make it an exotic weapon that could fire any splash weapon though so it's not an "Alchemist only" weapon. Just my thoughts.

We were thinking of only a 50 foot range tops. and it would be an exotic weapon so others could use it.

Taking far shot may be a better investment for a more practical character, but this weapon is purely for the flavor of the character.

As for enchanting, we never thought about it. Honestly, I can see how that could get weird, especially with an alchemist using it to launch his xd6 bombs (which is exactly what I wanted it for).

[Felgoroth]

I'd honestly stay away from enchanting it lol. It's a little much in my opinion. You could probably get away with making it a "Special Item" and just make it cost a lot with no exotic weapon proficiency.