No bonuses to crossbow damage?

[Fuzzy Wuzzy]

I'm running an alchemist who uses a light crossbow as a secondary damage source, but when shooting enemies, I notice that there's no modifier added to the damage rolls of their attack. Not even proficiency, despite being proficient in it.
https://gyazo.com/6b5e21435fbe901d9b8a95c51027e08b

[Stink Bug]

This is a pathfinder (evolution of D&D 3.X) game, crossbows only deal their base damage plus weapon enhancements and the player’s stats have no bearing aside from dexterity affecting accuracy. Proficiency only allows one to actually wield a crossbow. There are certain weapon specialization feats or Fighter training class abilities that can add damage however, as well as sone items like bracers of archery.

[Player#2201]

Losing the str bonus to damage (ex. composite bows & certain thrown weapons) is offset by the increased critical range and near universal proficiency (maybe monks can't?). It's not a huge loss though considering strength is more incidental on range builds than a core stat, and if you do a crossbow build (which is definitely viable on higher difficulties) you can dump strength all together.

[GunStarX]

The best way I've found to get damage from a crossbow is either stack sneak attacks, or elemental damage for barrage. If you really want to go wild later in the game you can also enlarge

[Aurumworks]

Doesn't vital strike work with a crossbow? Would be one way to make use of the d10 weapon damage. Plus a rowdy dip and some sneak dice would at least result in reliable damage.

[HugsAndSnuggles]

Enlarge Person with Hurricane Bow should improve your base damage roll to 3d6 (for light crossbow).

[Fuzzy Wuzzy]

On a side question, how exactly do I use the alchemist reliably? The bombs are way too limited most of the time, so I find myself constantly resting to fill them back up.

[Conquista]

only use bombs against swarms or boss fights

[Fuzzy Wuzzy]

Originally posted by Conquista:

only use bombs against swarms or boss fights

Then how exactly does an alchemist do any form of reliable damage?

[Drake]

Originally posted by Momma Fuzzy:

Originally posted by Conquista:

only use bombs against swarms or boss fights

Then how exactly does an alchemist do any form of reliable damage?

alchemist fire and acid bombs. You're supposed to buy them and throw them. Then the alchemist is more of a support class than a nuker sorcerer.

[Conquista]

Originally posted by Momma Fuzzy:

Originally posted by Conquista:

only use bombs against swarms or boss fights

Then how exactly does an alchemist do any form of reliable damage?

vivisectionist alchemist is probably the best for reliable damage
for every other bomb focused alchemist, just shoot your crossbow and against swarms or any other hard to hit target use your bombs, spamming them all the time is just too ressource heavy aka you will need to rest too much, unless you enjoy that

i also agree that they are in wotr more of a support class, beside vivisectionist
in kingmaker on the otherhand bomb alchemist are bosskillers, its just in wotr neither mythic powers nor itemization are really on their side

[Player#2201]

Setting Vivi aside, any other bomb thrower would be above average if they treated alchemical items as ammunition on the item bar, or in a way that autofills from your inventory. I'd love to set alc fire or holy water to auto attack but it's just plain annoying to refill slots that I'll want filled with other tools or expendables.

[Fuzzy Wuzzy]

I just want to be able to not be solely carried by Seelah since she's the only one in the group doing 10+ damage on average hits. Not even Lann has that kind of DPS. Meanwhile Camellia's only worthwhile ability is Evil Eye. She's absolute garbage in melee and alongside my alchemist, it makes fights nearly impossible without one of them going down.

[anfindel13]

Lann is a monster on ranged, and Camilla is an awesome tank/damage dealer if properly built. She's just b*tsh*t crazy.

[hilburnashua]

There isn't any mythic abilities that really support alchemist other then ascendant element. If we had the ability to switch from one bomb element to another during a full attack elemental barrage would be wonderful. Or if there was a mythic power to split the bomb damage between two elements. There isn't even a critical range improvement item (that I am aware of) which kineticists have access to. Since their bombs are touch attacks and don't interact with spell resistance they could be pretty good with just a few additions. Surprising there isn't a mythic feat to double the number of bonus bombs they get per day from their Int.

[Raikon]

Bombs are thrown weapons. If a bomb crits doesnt that activate cleaving shot? Tbh I am clueless here as I have never had the patience to make a bomb thrower.