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Alchemist/Ranger Gestalt Build Help
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<blockquote data-quote="SteelDraco" data-source="post: 5701960" data-attributes="member: 359"><p>I think a ranged character focusing on archery and bombs could be accomplished, and be quite fun. Here are a couple of things to think about, though.</p><p></p><p>SotS is right that the Trapper archetype sucks. All you get out of it that's actually useful is trapfinding. The effects and damage caused by the traps are minimal in comparison to any threat at the level at which you get them, and ranger spells are really quite handy. I can see a cool mechanical concept where you combine your alchemist bombs with the traps to increase their effects to something useful, but that's house rules stuff - it's what I would do for your concept, but you'd need to talk to your GM about it. As written, the trapper isn't worth it. See if you can find another way to pick up trapfinding - a replacement ability or feat would be the easiest way, but you'd have to talk with your GM.</p><p></p><p>Unfortunately, there aren't any alchemist archetypes in Paizo material focusing on bombs or poison. Not sure why - the mutagen mechanic seems to get all the attention for some reason. You'll likely be gong straight alchemist, then, which is certainly useful as it is. You'll obviously want to get the Explosive Missile discovery for your concept, but keep in mind it's a standard action. Full attacks are where damage comes from for an archer. Most of the time I'd expect you to deal more damage with a regular full attack than with one arrow + bomb damage. </p><p></p><p>Talk to your GM about how Fast Bombs (the alchemist discovery that allows you to make a full attack with bombs) would work with Explosive Missile. I see three options.</p><p></p><p>1. Fast Bombs allows a bomb to be attached to each arrow you fire in a full attack. This would deal insane damage and run through your bombs per day very quickly. I wouldn't consider this a viable option in a game I run for those two reasons - archery already deals a lot of damage, and this would deal a CRAZY amount of damage.</p><p>2. It allows you to attach one bomb to an arrow in a full attack. This is probably what I would do - you're getting some benefit, but it's not overpowering. This is the least accurate to Rules As Written, but probably the best compromise. </p><p>3. They don't interact at all. Probably the most accurate to Rules As Written, but not any fun.</p><p></p><p>If you want to keep the trapper idea, look into delayed bomb and the Remote Bomb feat. That lets you set a bomb for up to 1 minute/level and trigger it with an Intelligence check while you're in line of sight. The check DC is too high, as far as I'm concerned, but it's a cool and thematic ability for your concept.</p><p></p><p>Should you have any interest, I wrote up an alchemist archetype that focuses on bombs. Not sure the flavor would be right for your character, but you might find something useful. <a href="http://steeldraco.wordpress.com/2011/09/06/mad-bomber-archetype/" target="_blank">Mad Bomber Archetype Dylan's RPG and Nerdery Blog</a></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="SteelDraco, post: 5701960, member: 359"] I think a ranged character focusing on archery and bombs could be accomplished, and be quite fun. Here are a couple of things to think about, though. SotS is right that the Trapper archetype sucks. All you get out of it that's actually useful is trapfinding. The effects and damage caused by the traps are minimal in comparison to any threat at the level at which you get them, and ranger spells are really quite handy. I can see a cool mechanical concept where you combine your alchemist bombs with the traps to increase their effects to something useful, but that's house rules stuff - it's what I would do for your concept, but you'd need to talk to your GM about it. As written, the trapper isn't worth it. See if you can find another way to pick up trapfinding - a replacement ability or feat would be the easiest way, but you'd have to talk with your GM. Unfortunately, there aren't any alchemist archetypes in Paizo material focusing on bombs or poison. Not sure why - the mutagen mechanic seems to get all the attention for some reason. You'll likely be gong straight alchemist, then, which is certainly useful as it is. You'll obviously want to get the Explosive Missile discovery for your concept, but keep in mind it's a standard action. Full attacks are where damage comes from for an archer. Most of the time I'd expect you to deal more damage with a regular full attack than with one arrow + bomb damage. Talk to your GM about how Fast Bombs (the alchemist discovery that allows you to make a full attack with bombs) would work with Explosive Missile. I see three options. 1. Fast Bombs allows a bomb to be attached to each arrow you fire in a full attack. This would deal insane damage and run through your bombs per day very quickly. I wouldn't consider this a viable option in a game I run for those two reasons - archery already deals a lot of damage, and this would deal a CRAZY amount of damage. 2. It allows you to attach one bomb to an arrow in a full attack. This is probably what I would do - you're getting some benefit, but it's not overpowering. This is the least accurate to Rules As Written, but probably the best compromise. 3. They don't interact at all. Probably the most accurate to Rules As Written, but not any fun. If you want to keep the trapper idea, look into delayed bomb and the Remote Bomb feat. That lets you set a bomb for up to 1 minute/level and trigger it with an Intelligence check while you're in line of sight. The check DC is too high, as far as I'm concerned, but it's a cool and thematic ability for your concept. Should you have any interest, I wrote up an alchemist archetype that focuses on bombs. Not sure the flavor would be right for your character, but you might find something useful. [url=http://steeldraco.wordpress.com/2011/09/06/mad-bomber-archetype/]Mad Bomber Archetype Dylan's RPG and Nerdery Blog[/url] [/QUOTE]
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