Hi all,
The blasting jelly description states that 1 dose could be applied to a 5 foot square area, so I was wondering:
The Tar Bomb is described as "A head-sized lump of tar"...
...and the average circumference of a head is about 21-23 inches:
https://www.reference.com/science/average-size-human-head-62364d028e431bf3#
...so we could assume that a "head-sized lump of tar" is about 11-12 inches radius sphere, which would 4 x PI x (12)^2 = 1.810 square inch surface...or (dividing by 144) about 13 square foot surface.
A 5 feet square is about (5 x 5 =) 25 square feet surface.
This would mean that I'd be able to cover a tar bomb 2 times with a single dose of blasting jelly, but since "surface" could be any surface...it could be also the surface of a spherical object, no?
So...going back...I was wondering...
...if I smeared 2 doses of blasting jelly over the sphere of a tar bomb, I'd potentially end up with a (portable) bomb that would deal:
1d4 + 4d6 points of fire damage to the direct hit creature.
4d6 points of fire damage to any other creature within the same
5 foot square.
...and could potentially cause the direct hit creature to catch fire?
Does this idea make sense??
Do you see any issue with this idea?
If so, what?
What could potentially go wrong with it?
Thanks,
Skarm
I have not tried this combination before, and am fairly inexperienced, so please take my comments with a pinch of salt (and the constructive sentiment intended). :)
Blasting Jelly has to be applied to a solid surface, whereas a Tar Bomb is described as a 'sticky' lump of tar, (which a more restrictive G.M. might class as only semi-solid and so not applicable). If that is a non-issue, then the problem comes from the logistics of using them together. The benefit of a Tar Bomb is being able to throw it - but it needs to be lit before lobbing it at the Target Creature/Area. Blasting Jelly, however, immediately blasts/explodes when set alight, (said to usually be done by striking it with metal from an adjacent square). So either it explodes when you set the combined Weapon on fire, receiving Damage from both due to the chain reaction, or you have to throw it, hope the Creature does not move, then set it alight next Round, (the Blasting Jelly layer will prevent the Tar Bomb from sticking to the Target).
A Tar Bomb is 15gp, so two would be 30gp, and Blasting Jelly is 45gp; this would give two Attacks at 2d6+1d4 each, with the possibility of 1d6 Fire Damage each Round and no Splash Damage. Two Alchemist's Flask Oils cost 40gp at only 1d6 Damage each, yet have both Splash Damage and can also set the Target on fire. At 75gp for 4d6+2d4 Damage, (average 19 Damage), and a difficult set-up across 4 Rounds, it does not seem worth it compared to 40gp for a near guaranteed 2d6 Damage (7 Damage) plus Splash Damage across 2 Rounds. You might as well spend the extra 5gp to use 4 Alchemist Flasks in the same time as the combo., dealing 4d6 Damage, (average 14 Damage), with the added benefits of Splash Damage and forcing the Opponent to spend a Full-Round Action to douse the fire for each of the 4 Rounds instead of 2 of the 4 Rounds.
That said, I like the concept of combining two weak Alchemical Items to produce a stronger Effect, it is very in-keeping with the theme. It makes me want to think of more combinations - does it have to be a Thrown, Alchemical Weapon? The Battlepot Cauldron looks quite versatile - you can hit the Target for the Damage of a +1 Heavy Mace and simultaneously inflict a malignant Potion on the Target.