I have found where versions of this have been asked but could find no Official answer (Faq seems to be mum on it)
Can a Bomb with the Delayed Bomb discovery be thrown?(throwing it would likely break it essentially "wasting" the discovery as it triggers the bomb the round it is made)
If it can be thrown Deflect arrows should trigger it since you have to touch it to deflect it.
Since it can be neutralized with a disable device check of dc 10+alch lvl+int mod. (which for my character would be at least 23 10+8+5) would a reflex save vs the same DC (maybe 5 higher) be a logical way to allow deflect arrows to not set it off?
Don't get me wrong, deflect arrows works fine against any bomb without the delay enhancement. But that delay enhancement creates a bomb with a threefold trigger option.
1. Timer: time runs out it explodes.
2. Contact: Someone other than the maker touches it(think a touch-lamp kind of trigger) it goes of unless a successful disable device check is made.
3. Air exposure: ie it breaks. This would actually be a good way to diffuse a placed bomb at range. Hit it with a rock it goes off.
The discovery description does state "place" not "set" (semantics I know) or I wouldn't ask.
The interaction is purely within your DM's purview. In this case I would probably rule the cleanest solution, which is simply to say you cannot throw a delayed bomb. The rules say 'place' which is still a long shot from 'throw'.
Regardless, deflect arrows would not trigger it. The rules clearly state in deflect arrows that you take no damage from the deflected missile. There's no point trying to make an argument from realism here: remember, deflect arrows can even deflect bullets or flaming missiles without issue. The bomb would presumably still go off, but the character will take no damage from the attack (although surrounding characters may suffer splash).
The interaction is purely within your DM's purview. In this case I would probably rule the cleanest solution, which is simply to say you cannot throw a delayed bomb. The rules say 'place' which is still a long shot from 'throw'.
Regardless, deflect arrows would not trigger it. The rules clearly state in deflect arrows that you take no damage from the deflected missile. There's no point trying to make an argument from realism here: remember, deflect arrows can even deflect bullets or flaming missiles without issue. The bomb would presumably still go off, but the character will take no damage from the attack (although surrounding characters may suffer splash).
Best answer I've gotten to date.
It still puzzle me that deflect arrows would let them avoid damage where happening to be in the same square when the bomb went off would inflict full damage as if they'd been struck directly. Still even if my intended target didn't take damage, if it still went off in his/her square the allies I've excluded should still be excluded.
Defelct arrow never states they TOUCH the missle. There was a "Kung Fu episode" where David caradine put out a candle at a distance by moving his hand towards it and causing a gust of air to put it out. So one could argue that he decoudl deflect an arrow in the same way.
There is also a very good book called "Initiate Brother" in which the hero of the book a young monk once deflects a strike by pure Ki.
So there are ways to flavor it so he did not actually touch it.
If you are going to split hairs deflecting something is moving it to another trajectory and since it is someone besides the Alchemist moving it the bomb would detonate.
As far as flavor goes an Alchemist imbues his bombs with a portion of his magical reserves so even if the target is a monk or other class with Ki the bomb could "know" the difference and still detonate.
I also notice that people seem to assume a monk or the equivalent is the target. Any character with a 13 dex and improved unarmed strike can take deflect arrows, clerics of Irori in Society even get Improved Unarmed strike as a bonus feat.
I guess my biggest gripe is that it has been hard enough to make my character useful in the average encounter, put him in one where the targets has deflect and he is next to useless. Of course it doesn't help that more than one of the other players had to have it repeatedly explained to him why he needed to have his arrow deflected so I could hit with my 3d6+5 bomb.(to clarify this was a character he'd built for ranged attacks and he wanted to take him into melee and when he has a character that is built for melee he always wants to go ranged) I don't want the glory I just want to feel I contributed.
Paizo seems to think every third or fourth scenario needs a monk or monk combo as the BBG. Tried the splash damage, even with a DC 17 reflex they only needed a 5 or 6 to take no damage. It is one of the reasons I was asking about the Delayed discovery.
On the other hand in the last module I ended up on the other side of the line where the AC of those we encountered was so high our tank was basically trying to keep them in one place while I fried them to a crisp(AC 26-32 touch AC 8-11). Three days running I went through all 11 of my bombs. Kind of odd to hear yes when you ask if an 9 confirms a critical hit.
Yes, the interaction is certainly odd, but sometimes with pathfinder rules you have to remember that you are playing a game, not a simulation. The bomb would certainly do damage to the character if it detonated in the same square without the character getting a chance to deflect it. However, the rules text of deflect arrows is very clear: the target takes no damage from the attack if it deflects the shot, with no exception for explosive attacks.
In terms of your character: it might be you are having difficulty contributing because you aren't optimally built. Alchemists have a high skill ceiling. Remember to pick up point blank shot and then the two-weapon fighting line after you get fast bombs. You also want a very high INT, even over DEX. These are essential for a bomber. You can always contribute by using status-inflicting clouds that deflect arrows would not help with (the damage is negated but not secondary effects of a produced cloud), or even hitting them in melee.
Yes, the interaction is certainly odd, but sometimes with pathfinder rules you have to remember that you are playing a game, not a simulation. The bomb would certainly do damage to the character if it detonated in the same square without the character getting a chance to deflect it. However, the rules text of deflect arrows is very clear: the target takes no damage from the attack if it deflects the shot, with no exception for explosive attacks.
In terms of your character: it might be you are having difficulty contributing because you aren't optimally built. Alchemists have a high skill ceiling. Remember to pick up point blank shot and then the two-weapon fighting line after you get fast bombs. You also want a very high INT, even over DEX. These are essential for a bomber. You can always contribute by using status-inflicting clouds that deflect arrows would not help with (the damage is negated but not secondary effects of a produced cloud), or even hitting them in melee.
I'd have no problem with the target not taking damage as long as the bomb didn't go anywhere else.(I've seen enough magician acts to make the not taking damage plausible even though it's Illusion in RL)
While the rules aren't clear on if you can throw a delayed bomb (Alchemist CAN place, not Places) they are clear that if anyone other than the creating Alchemist touches or moves the bomb without making a successful Disable device check the bomb goes off. Again this direct conflict in the rules is why I asked.
Personally I'd rule that a reflex save vs the same DC as the Disable Device check wouldn't set it off. (but again the developers would have to come out with a ruling)
My Alchemist does have a 20 int (7 cha) I took a trait to get diplomacy as a class skill to explain why he wouldn't be getting into fights every time the party visited a tavern. (Personality is something like Spencer's from Criminal minds with a touch of Sheldon Cooper) The scary thing is the Bard is the only one in the party with a higher diplomacy score. Currently 5th level and did take the point blank shot. Plan on taking discoveries to vary up my damage as we're running into too many things that are resistant to fire. He's also my first character since coming back to Pathfinder in Society. Didn't see the flaws until into second level so I'm stuck with them. Still in scenarios without monk opponents the flaws aren't crippling and I can have fun playing him.