Amount of bombs an Alchemist can throw in a turn?

[llamaegg]

So the other day I played with my level 10 Alchemist for the first time, whom has Fast Bomb and Rapid Shot to be able to throw 3 bombs every turn. Our DM is saying that even with the feat I can only throw 2 currently because my base attack only allows for two, but that doesn't seem right, because then I would always be capped at 3 in later levels regardless of what feats I took.

Is he right on this? Because the chart only shows +7/+2 does that mean regardless of what I take I can only ever throw two a turn?

[Neo2151]

Rapid Shot works just like it describes. It gives you an extra attack and makes all your attacks take a penalty.

So, with Fast Bomb, yes you absolutely could throw 3 bombs. And the thing that makes this "balanced" is that you can only throw 10+Int Bonus bombs per day (since you're 10th level).

[HappyDaze]

You can also add in the two-weapon fighting chain for more bombs/round.

[Grick]

As above, and just to make it official:

FAQ wrote:

Alchemist: If an alchemist has the Fast bombs discovery, can he use Rapid Shot, Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, haste, and similar abilities and effects to add more attacks?

As written, yes, all of these apply because fast bombs "functions just like a full-attack with a ranged weapon."

—Sean K Reynolds, 08/18/10

[Drejk]

Add haste, stir, and burn through all your bombs in three or four rounds.

EDIT:

Quote:

Fast bombs: An alchemist with this discovery can quickly create enough bombs to throw more than one in a single round. The alchemist can prepare and throw additional bombs as a full-round action if his base attack bonus is high enough to grant him additional attacks. This functions just like a full-attack with a ranged weapon. An alchemist must be at least 8th level before selecting this discovery.

Here is the important part: fast bombs acts as a full-attack with ranged weapon, which allows for additional attacks with Rapid Shot and/or haste.