Launching Crossbow, the Bolt Ace's Crossbow Training, and an Alchemist's Throw Anything

[Cao Phen]

Launching Crossbow wrote:

This stubby-looking crossbow has a cup-like attachment rather than a groove for a bolt. It is designed to launch splash weapons. Loading a launching crossbow is a full-round action.

Bolt Ace's Crossbow Training wrote:

Starting at 5th level, a bolt ace can select one specific type of crossbow, such as hand crossbow or heavy crossbow. She gains a bonus on damage rolls equal to her Dexterity modifier with that crossbow. Furthermore, when she scores a critical hit with that type of crossbow, her critical modifier increases by 1 (a x2 becomes a x3, for example).

Alchemist's Throw Anything wrote:

All alchemists gain the Throw Anything feat as a bonus feat at 1st level. An alchemist adds his Intelligence modifier to damage done with splash weapons, including the splash damage if any. This bonus damage is already included in the bomb class feature.

Though this may be a bit wonky, but let us say you have a finely crafted Alchemist's Fire that you finely crafted yourself. You placed this finely crafted Alchemist's Fire into you finely-looking Launching Crossbow. You then take that finely-looking Launching Crossbow, loaded with your finely crafted Alchemist's Fire, and you shoot it to the face of the not so finely-looking monstrosity.

Long story short, would you get both your Dexterity and Intelligence to the damage dealt with an x3 to Damage on a critical?

[mplindustries]

I would say, yes. That's actually pretty cool, but it does take an awful lot of Bolt Ace to make it work--way more than I'd want to lose of Alchemist.

[FrodoOf9Fingers]

You can improve that to 19-20x4 with Bracer of Falcon's Aim... though it probably doesn't stack with improved critical.

So, would you prefer 17-20x3 or 19-20x4 O.o?

EDIT: Actually, I'm not sure if the crossbow itself grants any of the damage or crit....

[Zwordsman]

Yup i use this truck. And i add in exlosive missle (gm allowed). Its hilarious.
Add in hybridization funnel and enhancment bonuses.
Btw was the finely usage a game term or just your qordibf style?
I prefer thr x4 but u like damage enhancments like elemtna and sonic

[FrodoOf9Fingers]

So, it seems that the launching crossbow needs some clarifications, and this is definitely in GM territory.

The crossbow itself has no damage or crit entries. Instead it's supposed to use the splash weapon damage. So, some GM's might rule against this. However, I'm personally in favor, from a rules perspective.

It's powerful though, with an offset of having really expensive ammunition. 1 Alchemist, 19 Bolt Ace would be scary, but all this trick needs is 5 Bolt Ace, 1 Alchemist X whatever.

[Blub Blub]

My Bolt Ace will eventually be grabbing one of these as well, though he won't be dipping into Alchemist.

I hadn't considered arguments against Dex to damage, or that the crit range might not be expanded. I was reading the abilities at face value.

Luckily, it's not core to his build, so I suppose if I encounter a GM that disallows it, I won't be that hurt for effectiveness.