Chain reaction or simultaneous explosions?


Rules Questions


Hello, everybody!

I'm currently playing a level 2 gnome alchemist in the Crimson Throne campaign, but I'm leaving the country soon for my job so I won't be able to finish it. Because of this, I want to finish my part in the game with a flourish; namely, my untimely death in the heat of battle.

My question is mainly one of the physics concerning the alchemist's bombs. Can they be set off all at once? I realise that it's a full attack action to prime and throw a single bomb, but for the theatrics of the piece, I'm hoping I can make it work. Ingredients are inert before mixed, so maybe there's a way to prime them prior and then attack?

Basically, I want to cause a giant explosion focused on a group of enemies or a single boss for my death.

I'll talk it over with my DM, but I wanted to get the thoughts of the community, too.

Thanks!


Nope, bombs cannot be "pre-made".


So, what, no sense of theater in Pathfinder? I thought this was a role playing game, not a high school science course.


Take the "delayed bomb" discovery. That should do what you want:

PRD wrote:
Delayed bomb: The alchemist can place a bomb so that it explodes a number of rounds after the alchemist ceases contact with the bomb. This delay can be any number of rounds as chosen by the alchemist, up to a number of rounds equal to his level. If at any point the alchemist reclaims possession of the delayed bomb, he can end the timer and prevent the bomb's detonation. A delayed bomb detonates immediately if any other creature attempts to touch or move it, or if the bomb's contents are removed from the vial (such as if the vial breaks). The bomb deals damage as if it scored a direct hit to any creature in the square with the bomb when it detonates, and splash damage to all adjacent creatures as normal. An alchemist cannot have more than one delayed bomb at one time. If he creates another delayed bomb, the previous bomb becomes inert. Dispel magic can neutralize a delayed bomb, as can a successful Disable Device check (DC equals 10 + the alchemist's level + the alchemist's Intelligence modifier). An alchemist must be at least 8th level before selecting this discovery.

However, it does only allow one active delayed bomb at a time.

You could appeal to your GM to allow an "Improved delayed bomb" discovery, for the purpose of increasing the number of delayed bombs you could have active at any given time.

Edit: I just noticed you were level 2. Since this discovery already exists, and requires level 8, I don't think it would be reasonable to allow the same functionality for your character without having the discovery.

Edit 2: That said, your alchemist experimenting with this type of bomb, which would normally be out of his reach, and meeting his end as a result as you desire, would both be reasonable and something I would happily agree to due to "Rule of Cool" :)

Shadow Lodge

Buy/make a bunch on alchemists fire. They are all active. Then you pull out one of your bombs, smack yourself with it and choose (with GM permission) roll a Nat 1. Then Boom. a firey ball of doom.


RandoTheGreat wrote:

Hello, everybody!

I'm currently playing a level 2 gnome alchemist in the Crimson Throne campaign, but I'm leaving the country soon for my job so I won't be able to finish it. Because of this, I want to finish my part in the game with a flourish; namely, my untimely death in the heat of battle.

My question is mainly one of the physics concerning the alchemist's bombs. Can they be set off all at once? I realise that it's a full attack action to prime and throw a single bomb, but for the theatrics of the piece, I'm hoping I can make it work. Ingredients are inert before mixed, so maybe there's a way to prime them prior and then attack?

Basically, I want to cause a giant explosion focused on a group of enemies or a single boss for my death.

I'll talk it over with my DM, but I wanted to get the thoughts of the community, too.

Thanks!

The Suicide Bomber feat in The Complete Advanced Feats book by Open Design allows you to set of all your bombs at once in your own space taking yourself out at the same time


Sweet...

Thanks everyone! This has solved my problem, and given me some ideas for future campaigns, too...


stuart wilson wrote:
The Suicide Bomber feat in The Complete Advanced Feats book by Open Design allows you to set of all your bombs at once in your own space taking yourself out at the same time

I was going to say the same thing :\ Originally it's from "Advanced Feats – Secrets of the Alchemist", but yeah. Notes on use as it's written:

- takes full round action to prepare
- must move into opponents square (provokes AoO)
- opponent gets reflex for half, you get none
- splash is only 1 bomb's splash
- cannot use any bomb discoveries on it
Still a pretty cool combo to use with protection from fire (alchemical allocationed), despite it gimping the character afterwards

(To the OP:) bombs are inert normally (well they technically don't even exist until the round they are thrown, in which case if they aren't thrown then they becomes inert), so this 3rd party feat is the only way to do this somewhat legally (although you could have houseruled with your GM such a feat or alchemist ability on your own, because a 3rd party saying something doesn't make it any more PF-"legal").

Anyway, the reason I bothered posting in this topic:
While on the topic of delayed bomb, WTF is so good about it?
It has so many drawbacks:
1. It seemingly says that the laid bomb cannot be thrown, but rather that it must be placed down.
2. It only works for a matter of rounds, and only one's int modifier!
3. You can only have one delayed bomb at a time!
4. Its freaking level 8 requirement!

I don't understand this... at all. Even if it allowed any delay (under 8 hours or something), could be thrown, could stick to walls or creatures, and didn't have any level requirement, I still don't see why nearly anyone would take it. I guess it's somewhat useful then (like quickly and easily booby-trapping a person in case you don't trust them), but still not worth a feat I'd say. It's only major benefit would be if it could delay multiple bombs at once.


You should look at the implant bomb feat! It requires you to have the delayed bomb discovery, and 5 ranks in heal

"You may implant a bomb in a willing or helpless creature (a mindless creature under your control, such as a zombie, counts as willing for this purpose). This takes 1 hour and expends 1 use of your bomb ability for the day. When the implanted creature dies or is destroyed, the bomb detonates in the creature’s square as if it were a delayed bomb set by you (though you can set the bomb’s damage to less than your normal bomb damage). You can use any bomb-affecting discoveries on this implanted bomb (acid bomb, frost bomb, smoke bomb, and so on) as normal. The bomb automatically detonates 24 hours after you implant it in the creature."

Just implant a ton of bombs in yourself...


Get a Necklace of Fireballs and set yourself on fire!

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