Vivisectionist / Master Chymist sneak attack stack?

[Zazin]

I'm playing an alchemist with the vivisectionist archetype, that replaces the bomb class feature with sneak attack identical to the rouge. The sneak attack goes up in level and equals the bomb damage. The Master Chymist prestige class has the Bomb Thrower class feature; "Bomb-Thrower (Ex): The destructive power of bombs appeals to the violent urges of a master chymist. Add the character’s alchemist and master chymist levels together to determine the damage done by her bombs.".

I know normal archetype rules state that replacing a class feature means you do not have it for qualifying purposes, but with this prestige class specific to the alchemist should/could this be made an exception? One could argue that sneak attack would "appeal to the violent urges of a master chymist", and that it levels in damage at the same rate as bombs. Is this something at GM discretion or can I get an official ruling?

[Nykidemus]

I've always read it as "Master chymist progresses bombs from alchemist" and since you replace the bombs with sneak attack, it is a perfectly fine fit to have it continue progressing whatever class ability it was that you had that fit there.

[Cheapy]

GMs discretion. I do not recommend it.

I have always wondered what causes people to necro-answer questions.

[Poit]

In my home game, I allow half of the Master Chymist levels to stack with the Vivisectionist levels to determine sneak attack damage. It's only half, because Master Chymist only advances half of the bomb class feature (it advances damage, but not uses/day).

[Dennis Baker]

I don't think it's a great idea because Chymst already gets bonus damage on melee attacks. I also don't think there are any existing classes or prestige classes with sneak attack damage and full BAB... I might be wrong there though.

The two classes already have gobs of synergy and work fine in combination regardless. Adding sneak attack is just overkill.

[Ravingdork]

I'm curious to know if this has been officially addressed yet as I am considering a similar character concept.

[Maggiethecat]

According to Sean Reynolds, prestige classes do not advance alternate class abilities that are replaced by archetypes. In other words, Master Chymist does not advance Sneak Attack.