Just what the subject says.. Thinking about making a bombing-focused alchemist and I'm trying to pick what race would be best, since it makes a very big difference for this build. I'm going for damage primarily and battlefield control as just a bonus on the side.
Overview of the races:
Goblins get the Fire Bomber archetype, which gives +1 damage per die of fire damage the bomb deals. They get access to Scrap Bomb, which changes the bomb damage to piercing and inflicts 1 bleed damage per die of bomb damage (reflex save prevents bleed). Finally, they can get the feat Flame Heart, which increases their effective alchemist level for bomb progression by 1 level (gets each extra 1d6 of damage a level earlier). The Fire Bomber archetype is also compatible with the mindchemist archetype, to save a discovery.
For their ability scores, +4 Dex adds to your to-hit chance, which is useful at earlier levels but isn't as important after a few since Touch AC doesn't tend to increase very much. -2 STR and -2 CHA aren't important for this build.
Tieflings, on the other hand, can pick either Grenadier or Mindchemist archetypes to increase bomb effectiveness, but not both. +2 DEX and +2 INT are the best abilities for a bomb build, and the favored class bonus is +1/2 bomb damage per level. Alternate racial traits can give prehensile tail, which is pretty useful for using potions and attacking with alchemical fire or splash when not bombing. Fiendish Heritage trait at level 1 can give +2 INT extra if your DM lets you use it / pick your bonus... not sure if mine would be down with that or not.
Half-Orcs are comparable similarly to Tiefling but only get one of the ability bonuses (INT probably) and don't get a tail.
Gnomes are worth mentioning for Pyromaniac alternate racial trait giving +1 effective level of bombs and +1/2 bomb use per day for a favored class bonus.
TLDR; Which race would you say is the best choice? Goblins seem to have the most options to increase damage, but seem less versatile and it takes more investment of feats and discoveries to take all the bonuses they can get.
I am always partial to tieflings myself. I think that if you focus on the favored class bonus, you'd likely end up with a more powerful bomb anyway, if you don't invest the feats at least.
The tail is always appreciated, of course. And while strength might not be important, you will miss it when it comes down to encumbrance. That couple extra pounds you can carry while still within a light load could be for another potion that saves your life.
Plus, I tend to think people are more willing to take in a tiefling than a goblin. Especially one smelling of gunpowder.