Gunpowder Bombardier : bombs and crits.

[Nyerkh]

A starfinder discussion reminded me that this ninja archetype exists, that I was interested in it, and that I'm not entirely sure how it works.

Gunpowder bombs target a grid intersection (and its classic ac 5), explode in a 10ft radius burst and allow a save for half damage (and potential condition negation).
They're also not splash weapons. And there's no text like the alchemist's bombs have, regarding criticals.

So, what happens if I roll a natural 20 on an attack targeting that grid intersection ?
Is the damage doubled for everyone in the area ?
Does anything even happen, beyond the auto-hit (woo) ?

...

Also, as a sidenote, I really wish there were FCBs for the ninja. Specifically ones helping with ki. Stuff is expensive.

[Jared Walter 356]

Nyerkh wrote:

A starfinder discussion reminded me that this ninja archetype exists, that I was interested in it, and that I'm not entirely sure how it works.

Gunpowder bombs target a grid intersection (and its classic ac 5), explode in a 10ft radius burst and allow a save for half damage (and potential condition negation).
They're also not splash weapons. And there's no text like the alchemist's bombs have, regarding criticals.

So, what happens if I roll a natural 20 on an attack targeting that grid intersection ?
Is the damage doubled for everyone in the area ?
Does anything even happen, beyond the auto-hit (woo) ?

...

Also, as a sidenote, I really wish there were FCBs for the ninja. Specifically ones helping with ki. Stuff is expensive.

all you get here is a auto-hit (woo).

Critical hits only apply to the target of your attack. In this case the grid intersection. Other creatures caught in the affected area are not subject to a critical hit.The reason this ability doesn't call out extra damage not being multiplied on a critical is that it can't target a creature anyway, only target a grid intersection to determine an area of effect.

[zza ni]

idk what you mean by 'FCBs'
but if you need help with your ki managment buy a ring of ki mastery

also look for ways to get ki leech spell (any of my unchained monks take it at level 10 from the quigai monk abilities. it cost 0 ki to use so can be used wwhen non are left)

[Nyerkh]

Feared as much.

In the same spirit, I assume that if I somehow miss the grid intersection (most likely on a nat 1), since it's still not a splash weapon and there's no scatter rule included : the bomb and ki points are lost with no effect, yes ?

Harsh. Still, not too bad. It is a rather cheap archetype.

[Jared Walter 356]

Nyerkh wrote:

Feared as much.

In the same spirit, I assume that if I somehow miss the grid intersection (most likely on a nat 1), since it's still not a splash weapon and there's no scatter rule included : the bomb and ki points are lost with no effect, yes ?

Harsh. Still, not too bad. It is a rather cheap archetype.

Not sure here. If doesn't specifically call out that the bomb fizzles if you miss your target, nor does it say it scatters.

If I were GMing, I would still apply the scatter rule. That bomb went somewhere just as a missed thrown weapon, just missed the target, and therefore the affected area of the damage.

Feels in line with RAI, though RAW is unclear.