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My GM is working on an all-dwarf campaign, starting play in the Five Kings Mountains, and has asked us to start thinking about what kind of dwarf characters we'd like to play.
I was leaning either gunslinger or alchemist, to play on the image of dwarves as masters of the forgefire, in war as much as in craft. Bu tthe more I look at the gunslinger and firearm rules, the less I like. So now I'm leaning alchemist.
Is there a decent alchemist build that focuses on bombs? Most of the archetypes I've found are more focused on the mutagens or extracts, and some of them trade away or diminish the bombs. The sapper is the only one I've found that seems to lean towards bombs, and it doesn't even look that interesting. The crypt breaker could be interesting for a campaign focused on dwarven holds and tunnels, but it really asks you to be focusing a lot on fighting undead and constructs.
The tinkerer was another good one I was looking at, as it plays up the image of a dwarven craftsman, but is a clockwork spy familiar even that good? I really just don't know.
Thoughts?
The grenadier alchemist gives you precise bombs for free and an ability which can change the shape of your splash damage, among other things less related to bombs. A mindchemist gives you cognatogen which may be more useful to a bomber than mutagen. You can certainly build either, or the base alchemist to focus on bombs. Are you asking for a detailed build?
The tinkerer is great if you want a spy or a combat familiar, but losing mutagen and not being able to get it or anything like it back is a definite penalty to a bomber.
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Yeah, if you want the general bomb focus it is Grenadier all the way.
All the other Archetypes that do things with bombs are going to lean on your background to make them flavorful. Some regional, etc.
Dwarves can be found from all over even in those regions specific to some builds. There is one themed for breaking into crypts.
Look up anointings - I think modifying magic items would be good for a dwarf. Enhance potion could be good similarly.
Bomb-related discoveries I might consider especially appropriate are acid bomb, demolition charge, dispelling bomb, explosive bomb and explosive missile (using a heavy crossbow). YMMV.
I might consider overwatch style using bombs rather than fast bombs. It seems more dwarfy somehow.
Heavy Xbow seconded. An INT focused alchemist can even get some mileage out of the Focused Shot feat ... if you're out of bombs. Though taking a large Xbow with a -2 to hit plus Vital strike sounds better. Hmm. Do both!
And don't forget that double INT mod to damage level 1 admixture spell if you head into that alley.