Investigator gains bombs

[theLegend76]

So we've got a fellow player who wants to play an investigator. However he would like to have him have access to alchemist's bombs. We've been brain-storming over how to make it work and not be over-powered. He would take the rogue talent: Bomber, which gives him a number of bombs per day equal to his INT modifier. He gives up being able to take any mutagen discoveries. Where we come into issues is how to marriage studied combat, studied strike and his bomb damage. The feat Ranged study was one solution, but it leads us back to the same issues. Would it be overpowered to give him studied combat bonuses on only melee attacks and then give him only the studied strike damage on his bombs.

[doomman47]

I would say just have it replace studied strike and studied combat and call it even.

[Grandlounge]

Vmc alchemist and ranged study.

[Brother Fen]

Multi-class alchemist with something else and just take Amateur Investigator feat.

[Kiba]

Explosive focus: an inspired bomber gains 1 less extract than normal. If this makes the number of extracts 0, the inspired bomber can only prepare extracts if they get bonus extracts for a high int.

Throw anything: an inspired bomber gains throw anything feat. This replaces posion use.

Inspiration: an inspired bomber gains 1/2 their level plus 1/2 int inspiration instead of normal. This otherwise functions like normal.

Inspired bombs:
An inspired bomber throws together reagents and concoctions together to make a volatile explosive. They gain bombs like that of an alchemist that deals damage based on their studied strike. They cannot use studied strike with the bomb. An inspired bomber uses 1 use of inspiration every time they use this talent. This counts as an alchemist bomb for any feat or item that alters bombs. This replaces the 5th level talent.

Talented bombs:
An inspired bomber can choose any alchemical discovery that alters bombs but their alchemist level counts as 1/2 their investigator level and they cannot chose any discovery that alters or affects potions or extracts.

[Darklone]

I dont see big problems with simply allowing the bomber discovery plus studied strike. He needs that discovery, Ranged Study, has no INT to damage and can only use most stuff within 30ft. I'd give him an effective bomb damage of an alchemist who's a level or two higher.

Compared to firearms slightly more damage subject to elemental resistance.

Not unbalanced IMHO. I'd be careful with discoveries improving bombs though.