While rummaging around the internet i found this little thing called Caltrop Bead.
The wielder may throw this small, dense iron sphere as a ranged touch attack (with a 10-foot range increment) or use it as a sling bullet. Upon striking a solid object, a caltrop bead explodes into caltrops in a 10-foot-radius burst. A creature directly hit by a caltrop bead takes 2d4 points of piercing damage, and adjacent creatures take 1d4 points of damage as the bead suddenly bursts. Caltrops created by a caltrop bead remain for 1 hour before disappearing.
My question is: is it still a ranged touch attack if i use it as a sling ammunition?
I think not. Touch attack or using it as a sling bullet are presented as separate options there.
I'll concur. "as a ranged touch attack or use it as a sling bullet".
I can only assume "as a sling bullet" follows the normal rules for sling use including targeting AC.
I kinda knew the answer before asking as this is a case of "too good to be true".
I'm just a bit perplexed as to why they specified that you can use it as a ranged touch attack (as it doesn't deal any damage on its own) instead of saying what deuxhero said...
It does deal damage on its own. 'A creature directly hit by a caltrop bead takes 2d4 points of piercing damage'.
Then it escapes me why when used as an ammunition its attack is resolved as a normal ranged attack.
Then it escapes me why when used as an ammunition its attack is resolved as a normal ranged attack.
Likely to balance the fact that you're turning a thrown weapon (range increment 10 feet, 5 range increments to a max distance of 50 feet), into a projectile weapon (sling range 50 feet, 10 range increments to a max distance of 500 feet).