The alchemist creates his bombs the second before he throws them. This includes choosing various effects of the bomb.
So, no. They don't need to prepare the damage type ahead of time. If that were the case, it would've been explicitly stated, as this game tries not to be subtle about such important things.
as this game tries not to be subtle about such important things.**Cough**... furry of blows...**Cough**
Not a good counter example as it explicitly says it's twf :-P
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The alchemist creates his bombs the second before he throws them. This includes choosing various effects of the bomb.
So, no. They don't need to prepare the damage type ahead of time. If that were the case, it would've been explicitly stated, as this game tries not to be subtle about such important things.
Ewww! I doubt the Ninja could mix up a Bomb (aka Na-ge (Death-Earth)-tep-po (warm to touch-pot)) frankly the ability to decide whether you are mixing Na-ge (Death Earth) or Nebh-ge (Smoke earth) should require considerable preparation - pouring what substances you need into a small clay pot for use as a bomb should be something you can do - but not 'on the fly'.
Since the Ninja has a variable number of uses of his bomb ability, it's another point where the game simply handwaves such mundane questions.
Since the Ninja has a variable number of uses of his bomb ability, it's another point where the game simply handwaves such mundane questions.
Also the Ninja ability eats up Ki -- something a "real ninja" doesn't need for his smoke bombs.
Now if you want use actual items then you are free to get smoke pellets or smoke sticks which do take considerably more preparation.
The vials are functionally treated like spell components : you have however many you need in your spell component pouch.
Related to this question, how long does it take to create the catalyst vial? If I level up during the day, can I get my new bombs or do I need wait till the next day.
I don't think it was ever stated, you prepare as many as you can use during your normal morning preparation. So the choice would be up to your gm, but I would say you wouldn't get them until the next day just because.
Related to this question, how long does it take to create the catalyst vial? If I level up during the day, can I get my new bombs or do I need wait till the next day.
Bomb (Su): "In order to create a bomb, the alchemist must use a small vial containing an ounce of liquid catalyst—the alchemist can create this liquid catalyst from small amounts of chemicals from an alchemy lab, and these supplies can be readily refilled in the same manner as a spellcaster's component pouch. Most alchemists create a number of catalyst vials at the start of the day equal to the total number of bombs they can create in that day—once created, a catalyst vial remains usable by the alchemist for years."
It doesn't say how long (though 1 minute per vial sounds reasonable), but there's nothing preventing you from creating extras. Especially if you think you're about to discover how to make more bombs, you might prepare a few more catalysts one morning. (It's probably a good idea to have some extras anyway, in case of Shatter or Sunder)