I have searched the rules forum about it, but most are about action economy when using bombs. Which I am not interested in. My question is merely flavor (and rather nitpicky I have to admit).
Namely how I am to understand how the catalyst works. Especially what is the difference between the liquid catalyst and the catalyst vials.
Reading the description of the Bombs, one catalyst vial contains one ounce of the liquid catalyst. And the catalyst allows the reaction that activates the bombs during battle. But the vials last for years. Why?
As I read it, it works as follows:
- Alchemist grabs a prepared vial with a few drops of liquid in it (the catatlyst) and pours in the "volatile chemicals".
- Almost immediately afterwards he pours the contents into a throwing container and hurls it.
or
- Alchemist pours the catalyst into the throwing container with the already prepared "volatile chemicals"
- he throws the container (this would seem more practical as it is the faster option).
That would mean the liquid catalyst is used up in the process. So what is up with this line? "-once created, a catalyst vial remains usable by the alchemist for years."
A vial without catalyst is merely an empty container. Of course I can reuse an empty container when it is not broken. So why put emphasis on the term catalyst vials? Especially since it says the vials are "created by the alchemist". Doesn't he only make the liquid catalyst and put it in plain old, normal vials?
The way I envision it, is more like this:
- Alchemist grabs a prepared vial that is covered on the inside with a thin layer of solid catalyst and pours in the "volatile chemicals".
- Almost immediately afterwards he pours the contents into a throwing container and hurls it.
Then it would make sense that a catalyst vial would last for years (cause the catalyst is stuck in the vial and does not get poured out with the bomb)
And only then it would make sense to speak of catalyst vials (as the catalyst is an integral part of the vial and not just the contents of said vial).
Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated. Am I maybe overthinking things? Or overlooking something obvious? How do you imagine the whole bomb throwing thing?
My interpretation:
An alchemist has an alchemist's kit. That kit contains various chemicals for preparing formulas and mutagens and vials of catalysts for creating bombs. Those vials of catalyst were prepared beforehand by the alchemist at some point in time (possibly years ago). When the alchemist throws a bomb, he pulls out a catalyst vial, infuses it with magical energy, and throws it.
I think that you assume that the bombs have nothing magical about them.
So that noone else can use the bombs, the "volatile" part comes from the magic the Alchemist puts into the bombs, moments before he throws it.
So I guess it's like this:
Out of battle
- Alchemist prepares a lot of catalyst vials ahead of time.
In battle:
- Alchemist grabs a catalyst vial, "activates it's potential trough innate magic" and throws it instantly.
This magic part isn't really how I imagined "alchemy" too, but it was necessary so that noone throws a keg full bombs.
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You're overthinking it.
The catalysts are like a wizard's spell component pouch. You can just have what you need for bombs. The chemicals do not become inert unless you mix them and do not throw. The GM can't (well, shouldn't) say, "You guys have been out in the wilderness for a week, you're chemicals don't work anymore." That's the point of the catalyst lasting.
Honestly whether it's a liquid or solid doesn't matter. Whatever the alchemist does takes a standard action and draws attacks of opportunity. When he's done doing that thing he's thrown a bomb. The bomb is infused with magic and is therefore supernatural. The thing he's doing also involves held materials, so a foe can ready an action to disarm.
Feel free to add any flavor you want that does not change those mechanics, or the access to the class ability over a reasonable period of time - just like a spell component pouch. As long as the alchemist has purchased his alchemical class-ability-allowing goodies, he has them. If you want to simulate refills, you can use the variant cost of living systems in the Core book. Class ability maintenance is included in those prices.
I have no problem with the alchemist putting magical energy into the bomb at some point. I just was curious about the exact interaction of the volatile chemicals and the catalyst and why it isn't used up.
The reason I would like to know those details is, because I had some ideas for wonderous items (or even "non-magical" items) I wanna craft for a game or even submit next year to the contest and thus wanted to make sure I understood it right (or simply hear how other people see this).
For example, if you make a whip covered in the catalyst, soak it in the volatile chemicals and then add your magic could you make a flaming whip for a few rounds?
Oh and I guess the (Su) at the end means bombs don't work in Antimagic fields right?
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For example, if you make a whip covered in the catalyst, soak it in the volatile chemicals and then add your magic could you make a flaming whip for a few rounds?
As I see it, the chemicals need to be mixed precisely, and part of the triggering mechanism is the impact with the target. If you put your chemicals and magic on a whip, you end up with a wet whip. that might blow up on you. (I don't think you could just wet the tip, and most of the chemicals would come off.
You'd spend a standard action mixing your bomb, and it'd be a standard action to apply it to your weapon (like an oil). The bomb is viable for one round, so you'd be out of actions to use it.
The catalyst itself is not an item that does anything else except mix with the volatile stuff and magic to go boom. Anything else you make would be a different item.
Oh and I guess the (Su) at the end means bombs don't work in Antimagic fields right?
Aye, sir.
For example, if you make a whip covered in the catalyst, soak it in the volatile chemicals and then add your magic could you make a flaming whip for a few rounds?
That would be an interesting idea for an item (one that's fueled by an alchemist's bombs/day budget). Not unlike the Greyflame weapon enhancement from the APG.
I had some ideas for wonderous items (or even "non-magical" items) I wanna craft for a game or even submit next year to the contest and thus wanted to make sure I understood it right (or simply hear how other people see this).
For example, if you make a whip covered in the catalyst, soak it in the volatile chemicals and then add your magic could you make a flaming whip for a few rounds?
By RAW, no. However, you could probably research a variation of the elemental touch extract that adds the energy damage/effects to a weapon (i.e., an oil). I'd say that a separate formula for each energy type would probably be balanced enough to remain a 2nd-level extract (although some GMs may wish to remove the secondary effects, bringing it in line with the inquisitor spell flames of the faithful).
Also, since the bomb catalyst vials are small (1 ounce), you could probably put them on an arrow or crossbow bolt in place of the metal head/tip (or the ball of a blunt arrow/fowling bolt). One of the character concepts I developed was a gnome alchemist, with the Master Tinker alternate racial trait and Obsession (Craft (Weapons)), who used a self-crafted repeating heavy crossbow (with one case of five bolts tipped with bomb catalyst vials; the bomb damage replaces normal crossbow damage, but gains the crossbow's range). With the Fast Bombs discovery, the character can "fire" multiple "crossbow bombs" with a full-attack action (note that the number of bombs per round is less than an alchemist with Quick Draw and Two-Weapon Fighting, but the range is much better). Then again, I pretty much have the same interpretation as hogarth on how the Bomb ability works.
You may also want to look at the injection spear (to inject poison, potions, and other substances into foes) and battle aspergillum (for splashing holy water, oil, and other substances on foes) as weapons particularly well suited for an alchemist.
Oh and I guess the (Su) at the end means bombs don't work in Antimagic fields right?
Correct.
You may want to look at the injection spear (to inject poison, potions, and other substances into foes) and battle aspergillum (for splashing holy water, oil, and other substances on foes) as weapons particularly well suited for an alchemist.
Or, if you're using 3.5 materials, the Alchemy Blade from Magic of Eberron.
Ooooh now I get it. I assumed the Alchemist would use up his bombs every day. But of course if he doesn't then he doesn't have to make new vials. Obvious in hindsight.
That was the missing piece. Thanks for all the info's. There are some neat ideas there, I hopefully can get into our game.