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How do alchemist bombs interact with water?
That is:
1. If the alchemist is above water and the target is underwater, can the bomb be thrown at the target and function normally?
2. If the alchemist is underwater, can a bomb be used at all?
If so, what are the mechanics behind this to hit
2a. another target underwater?
2b. a target above water?
Underwater Demolition (Ex)
This alchemist discovery is available to any alchemist who qualifies, though it is more common among grippli alchemists.
Benefit: The alchemist gains the ability to throw bombs underwater (normally, thrown weapons cannot be used underwater), including throwing from the air into the water. If the bomb travels through water, the range increment is reduced to 5 feet.
Interesting.
Fire damage applies normally?
Doesn't seem like much of a penalty considering it hits touch AC.
Thrown weapons have a maximum of five range increments. It may be a ranged touch attack, but an alchemist with underwater demolition can still only throw a bomb to a max range of 25 feet underwater.
Ranged Attacks Underwater: Thrown weapons are ineffective underwater, even when launched from land. Attacks with other ranged weapons take a –2 penalty on attack rolls for every 5 feet of water they pass through, in addition to the normal penalties for range.
Without the Underwater Demolition discovery the bombs just plainly don't work. With the discovery they work, but are limited to a maximum range of 25ft per normal thrown weapon rules.
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There's also Immolation Bombs:
When the alchemist creates a bomb, he can choose to have its substance coat the direct target's body, causing the bomb to deal its damage over time instead of all at once. The bomb's effect lasts for a number of rounds equal to the number of damage dice the bomb would normally deal (for instance, a 5d6 bomb lasts for 5 rounds). When the bomb hits the direct target, the bomb deals 1d6 + the alchemist's Intelligence modifier in damage, and those within the splash zone take damage equal to 1 + the alchemist's Intelligence modifier. It repeats this damage against the direct target of the bomb each round the immolation bomb lasts, dealing the damage at the start of the alchemist's turn. Splash damage is dealt again to any creature that is adjacent to the direct target when it takes damage from the immolation bomb. A creature taking damage from an immolation bomb's direct hit can attempt to extinguish the flames as a full-round action that requires a Reflex save (DC = 10 + 1/2 the alchemist's level + the alchemist's Intelligent modifier). Because of the alchemical nature of this bomb, rolling on the ground does not grant a bonus on the saving throw, and dousing a creature with water does not stop it from burning. These bombs can be used underwater. An alchemist must be at least 3rd level before selecting this discovery.
Also note that Underwater Demolition is not PFS legal unless you are a Grippli (if it matters to you).
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My question is PFS specific, but I wasn't planning on taking a discovery to use bombs underwater (I'm already discovery/feat starved at level 5).
To make matters worse, it turns out a lot of demons are immune to both fire and poison, making the Stink Bomb discovery not such a great choice in the Year of the Demon!