Grenadiers

[Dannyalcatraz]

I've always been a fan of bomb-lobbers as PCs and NPCs, and I liked Cogline from Terry Brooks' Shanarra books. They're great for controlling battlespace and sowing confusion among your enemies.

I was wondering about some of the better Feat/Class/PrCl options for making one in 3.X.

Conditions:

1) I'm really looking for WotC only stuff- my DMs are fairly conservative. However, if there is a REALLY good 3PP option, let me know.

2) The PC should be Int and/or Wis based, and not divinely inspired- he knows how to make his grenades because he is a man of science and knowledge, not because he was told "______" by some divine being. This doesn't mean he can't be a man of faith and even some levels in a divinely oriented class, just not as his primary class.

3) Ideally, I want a mix of mundane and magical abilities. I don't want him to be completely screwed if he enters a low/no magic zone. Something more than just firebombs and tanglefoot bags would be ideal. (I've already thought about pepper bombs, FWIW).

Obviously, Alchemy is a must. I would think that some knowledge of poison and nature would also be key.

Since he's using grenades, he'll need to have a decent Dex.

I would think something like a sling, staff-sling, or even the curved basket attached to the hand to throw the ball in Jai Alai. Anyone know of stats for the latter 2 or anything similar?

Brew Potion seems like a natural, but according to the text in the SRD, the products of the feat must be consumed to be effective.

Feats :: d20srd.org

The Artificer class would seem to be a good option...but I'm not too familiar with them.

So...any suggestions?

 

[Flatus Maximus]

So...any suggestions?

launch item (a cantrip!) + 10 alchemist fires in a sack = 10d6 of non-magical fire damage plus splash. Probably not the most cost-efficient way to blow stuff up, but could be handy in a tight spot and available at 1st level!

Edit: launch item is in the Spell Compendium.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

The Hulking Hurler prestige class from Complete Warrior includes the ability "Throw Anything" which could be helpful.

I gave an NPC stone giant the Hulking Hurler prestige class and the effects were awesome! (think of hurling the mine/bomb used at Helm's Deep in the Two Tower LOTR movie)

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

*Looks at box on floor, sees nothing in it*

Showoffs!

I love this site- post a simple PC design query and you'll find NOBODY thinking inside the box!

 

[frankthedm]

*Looks at box on floor, sees nothing in it*

Showoffs!

I love this site- post a simple PC design query and you'll find NOBODY thinking inside the box!

Well I suspected there really is not much material in d20 fantasy for a grenade user. You have to reskin abilities, have your own DM work with you to make new material, borrow from D20 Modern or play around with the Necklace of Explosive Decapitation.

 

[frankthedm]

DP delete please

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Well, does anyone know any RW explosive Chemistry tricks someone with 15th Century (max) alchemical knowledge might know? (Besides black powder, that is.)

Anything that could be made into a low-tech binary grenade (stored in a divided bottle so that the chemicals combine on impact)?

I mean, I know that you can do some nifty tricks with modern pharmacopia (like water purification tablets and certain disinfectants found in first aid kits), or that certain ultra pure chemicals combined with air or water can be explosive/caustic...but that's all beyond the typical FRPG tech level.

I'm talking about things like this recipe that dates back to Iron Age China (altered to eliminate proportions of ingredients):

* straw and/or dry leaves
* bicarbonate of soda
* powdered sugar (must be powdered; granulated won't work. If you want to be really authentic, you could use honey diluted water)
* overcooked rice, mashed and boiled into a lumpy paste
* animal feces
* lemon juice

Mix the solid ingredients together in a large bowl. Under direct sunlight, stir them constantly for about 30 minutes, then add the lemon juice and stir for about 10 more minutes. Knead well, roll into small balls and set out in the sun to bake dry. There you have it, the ancient equivalent of plastique, which ignites with fire or sparks.

It doesn't even have to be explosives- anything that makes smoke, stenches, gases, solvents, glues, greases or the like that can be stored and delivered in a typical fantasy grenade would be of value!

 

[Deset Gled]

If you can create a grenade that's an exotic weapon, a couple of quick dips into the Exotic Weapon Master PrC can give a couple of intersting options. First, Close Quarters Ranged Combat allows you to drow the AoO from throwing a grenade. Second, Ranged Disarm would allow you to literally blow an opponents weapon out of his hands. Finally, the Show Off ability lets you use your grenade to Intimidate opponents and make them shaken.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Nifty! Up until your post, I never had a PC concept that involved Exotic Weapons that the Exotic Weapons master PrCl even helped.

Thanks!

Hmmm...perhaps a halfling version of this...with the Outrider PrCl as well!

 

[Jeff Wilder]

I'm almost positive there's an official WotC prestige class based on grenade-like weapons. Includes abilities like extra damage with alchemist's fire and stuff like that. Dunno which book, though.

As an aside, any chance you could negotiate a called shot ("down the gullet!") rule with your DM?