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So I was discussing character ideas with a friend and I mentioned the idea (especially with the new Remastered Alchemist) of a Ruffian Rogue with Alchemist Dedication. But we did run into a conundrum regarding Sneak Attack and bombs.
Sneak Attack states: When your enemy can't properly defend itself, you take advantage to deal extra damage. If you Strike a creature that has the off-guard condition with an agile or finesse melee weapon, an agile or finesse unarmed attack, a ranged weapon attack, or a ranged unarmed attack, you deal an extra 1d6 precision damage. For a ranged attack with a thrown melee weapon, that weapon must also be agile or finesse.
Alchemical Bombs meanwhile, states: Bombs are martial thrown weapons with a range increment of 20 feet.
So, by default, Alchemical Bombs do not qualify for Sneak Attack because they are thrown weapons, but not agile or finesse.
But Ruffian Racket states: You can deal sneak attack damage with any weapon, not just the weapons listed in the sneak attack class feature. This benefit doesn't apply to a simple weapon with a damage die greater than d8 or a martial or advanced weapon with a damage die greater than d6. (Apply any abilities that alter the damage die size first.)
So bombs, which are martial thrown weapons would qualify for a Ruffian's Sneak Attack, if their damage die is d6 or lower.
This seems pretty easy at first glance: bombs like bottled lightning or frost vial (d6 electricity and d6 cold, respectively) would qualify, but alchemist's fire (d8 fire) would not.
But what about bombs like Acid Flask, Tallow Bomb or Blood Bomb, which only deal Persistent damage and splash damage. They have the correct die type (d6, d4, d6, respectively) but it's not technically a damage die?
I'm inclined to say on a hit against an off-guard opponent they would deal [Sneak Attack]+[Splash] and apply the corresponding persistent damage (without Sneak Attack damage, needless to say), but I'm not sure this is supported by the rules.
Any input would be appreciated.
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Alchemical bombs are ranged weapons, so they always qualify for Sneak Attack. That line is about thrown melee weapons.
But I think they need to have base damage to add the Sneak Attack damage to. (Acid flask does, unless PC2 changed that. They deal 1 damage, plus the other effects.)
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Ruffian would not be my first choice for a bomber rogue. Ruffian is for strength. I would go thief for max dex and dex to damage when I need to melee. That gives you the best accuracy with bombs.
Ruffian would not be my first choice for a bomber rogue. Ruffian is for strength. I would go thief for max dex and dex to damage when I need to melee. That gives you the best accuracy with bombs.
A Ruffian can choose to have max Dex instead of Str, getting equal accuracy with bombs. Like you, I wouldn't recommend it since that Dex to damage is so valuable I can't see trading it in for the other benefits of Ruffian. Maybe some of the Ruffian-only feats are that attractive? Seems inevitable one's going to attack in melee no matter how invested one is in thrown weapons, if only for the ease of flanking for off-guard or to avoid Reactive Strikes vs. such opponents.
Bombs are supposed to be a spicy addition to this build, not the main source of damage.
At any rate while since Super Zero pointed out I was wrong and all bombs qualify for SA regardless of Ruffian/Not Ruffian, that kind of gets rid of the question so thanks a lot!
I'd consider Scoundrel or Mastermind if I was making a dedicated bombing rogue (and keep the attribute boost in DEX). You're going to need to craft or buy a fair number since you're only getting 8/day from Alchemist dedication. It could make for a hilarious dual class build, though.