Demolitions

Use this skill to create and set explosive devices for maximum impact.

Check
Setting a simple explosive to blow up at a certain spot doesn't require a check, but any attempt to build an explosive device or set an explosive to cause a specific damage effect does.

Set Explosive Device
Placing an explosive in the optimum location for maximum blast efficiency takes skill and patience. the GM makes the check(so that you don't know how well you've done), compares it to the list of DCs on the table below, and applies the result for the highest DC that's equal to or less than the check result. For example, a roll of 19 produces a blast that does double damage and provides a -2 penalty to the Reflex save of anyone caught in the blast area. A failed check result(9 or lower) reduces the blast power by half, provides a +4 circumstance bonus on Reflex saves to avoid damage, and has a %15 chance of causing the device to explode prematurely. This application of the skill is used to set an explosive device that includes a timer or detonator.

Build Explosive Device from Scratch
Creating a scratch-built explosive device requires the appropriate materials and time. In combat, the best that could be accomplished, regardless of materials or the skill check result, would be an explosive device that's the equivalent of a molotov cocktail(damage 1d6). In general, building explosive devices happens apart from combat or some other dramatic situation. When building an explosive device from scratch, the character decides what kind of result they are after, pays the cost in credits for the raw materials, and tries to achieve the required DC. Adding a trap increases the DC but doesn't affect the cost(see below).

If the check fails, the device is ruined and the raw materials are wasted. There is a 25% chance that the explosive detonates during construction, dealing half of its intended damage to the builder and anyone else in its blast radius.

Special
You can take 10 when using the Demolitions skill, but you can't take 20.

A character with the Cautious feat and at least one rank in the skill gets a +2 aptitude bonus on Demolitions checks.

Disarming an explosive device requires the use of the Disable Device skill(see that description for details).

Time
Setting and explosive device for maximum blas efficiency takes 1 minute or more, depending on the scope of the job. You can set a simple explosive as a full round action.

Building an explosive from scratch, which includes fashioning the raw materials and combining the chemicals inside a housing of some kind, requires a check that takes one of the following amounts of time: improvised, full-round action; simple, 1 hour; moderate 12 hours; complex, 1 day; powerful, 3 days; devastating, 1 week.