which alchemist bomb is best

[zainale]

for a lvl 4 alchemist to take.

Acid Bomb

Benefit: When the alchemist creates a bomb, he can choose to have it inflict acid damage. Creatures that take a direct hit from an acid bomb take an additional 1d6 points of acid damage 1 round later.

Frost Bomb

Benefit: When the alchemist creates a bomb, he can choose to have it inflict cold damage. Creatures that take a direct hit from a frost bomb are staggered on their next turn unless they succeed on a Fortitude save.

Shock Bomb

Benefit: When the alchemist creates a bomb, he can choose to have it inflict electricity damage. Creatures that take a direct hit from a shock bomb are dazzled for 1d4 rounds.

or should i go for Stink Bomb?

Prerequisite: Smoke bomb discovery

Benefit: The effects of the smoke created by an alchemist’s bomb can duplicate the effects of stinking cloud instead of fog cloud, filling an area equal to twice the bomb’s splash radius for 1 round.

[Zwordsman]

I love frost bomb, the effect is great. Staggard are nice.
I also love force bomb for the damage type and prone. (i think it targets reflex not fort)

stink cloud is also great. I would consider that a different line sorta thing..

The other bombs only do the effects on the direct hit. Stink cloud is like crowd control not a targetted thing.

Acid is probably the least resisted on average. the rider isn't that good to me. (unles I suppose you had fast bombed like one guy a ton but even then)

Ice i think is the best of what you listed.

[Bob Bob Bob]

In terms of damage, acid>shock>frost. In terms of riders, stink>frost>acid>shock.

Stinking cloud nauseates. That means they get a move action and nothing else. That shuts down spellcasting, attacking, pretty much anything. Hell, it even stops swift/immediate actions by a strict reading.

Frost is the second most resisted but staggered is a great way to shut down full attacks. Better against melee brutes than spellcasters, something to consider.

Acid is the best damage type. The second effect is fairly weak but hey, free extra damage.

Shock is the second best damage type, but dazzled is crap. Just, useless.

So I'd go acid for damage, stink for control, or frost for balance.

[Kolyarut]

Also consider the game you are playing. If you expect to spend the majority of the quest in the frozen tundra, don't take frost bombs as the local creatures will likely have cold resistance. Don't use fire bombs against the evil fire genie and his minions or electricity bombs versus demons, etc.

[TheTheos]

That depends what you want from bombs. I really love boneshard bombs. DR applies to them, so damage wont be really big, but you kill some minions with them and you gain your own minions for free. I find that awesome.