Is the Spiked Chain really a Two-Handed Melee Weapon?

[Shin Okada]

In cleric with magic domain can just take "exotic weapon proficiency :spiked chain" and cast Shield spell through scrolls or wands. Now in 3.5 this combo is not that significant. But in 3.0, this combo almost always grant him +7 AC....

 

[Darklone]

Why would a cleric need a Spiked Chain to cast Shield spells?

Well... the weapon seems to be balanced by the assumption that kytons live in every 2nd backwater village

... and by the low damage.

 

[Shin Okada]

Why would a cleric need a Spiked Chain to cast Shield spells?

Well, in 3.0e Shield spell protected only certain directions. So opponent often takes 5-foot step to avoid it (of course, there should be some difficulty as they can't see the disk) and still make full-attack. With spiked chain, it is much easier to prevent this.

 

[Darklone]

Ah right. I remember this cheese.

Well, gladly you had 3.0 haste to counter that one

 

[mikebr99]

Anyone have idea's to fix the chain?

[caution] house rule appearing...

Make the character decide what range he is threatening each round... Seems clear by the picture you have to adjust your hold on different rings to get a longer weapon to go out 10ft.

1 free action threat range change per round.

YMMV


Mike

 

[Shin Okada]

Even without using Spiked Chain, you can threaten both 10 ft. reach and 5 ft. area, just by using reach weapon + Improved Unarmed Strike feat or Armour Spikes.

Considering the low base damage of the chain, I think this is not that unbalanced thing.

 

[mikebr99]

Even without using Spiked Chain, you can threaten both 10 ft. reach and 5 ft. area, just by using reach weapon + Improved Unarmed Strike feat or Armour Spikes.

Considering the low base damage of the chain, I think this is not that unbalanced thing.

All of the reach weapons are 2-handed... I'd be thinkin' 2-weapon penalties apply to both your examples.


Mike

 

[Shin Okada]

All of the reach weapons are 2-handed... I'd be thinkin' 2-weapon penalties apply to both your examples.


Mike

IIRC unless you actually attack with 2 weapons in the same turn, you don't suffer from 2-weapon penalties even if you are holding (or otherwise preparing) 2 or more weapons.

 

[mikebr99]

IIRC unless you actually attack with 2 weapons in the same turn, you don't suffer from 2-weapon penalties even if you are holding (or otherwise preparing) 2 or more weapons.

That's the gray area WRT 2WF... The "defending" ability would impose 2WF penalties even if you didn't attack with it as a second weapon in a round.

But your example stated using something like a longspear to attack at 10ft., then bashing the guy next to you with your spiked elbow. Which I would count as 2WF... and impose penalties. YMMV.

Mike

 

[Shin Okada]

That's the gray area WRT 2WF... The "defending" ability would impose 2WF penalties even if you didn't attack with it as a second weapon in a round.

That appears only in FAQ and IMHO a very special case. You don't suffer 2 weapon penalties even if you are holding a short sword (or a shield. remember you can use a shield as a weapon) in your off-hand, if you don't actually use 2 weapons in a same turn.

>But your example stated using something like a longspear to attack at 10ft., then
>bashing the guy next to you with your spiked elbow. Which I would count as
>2WF... and impose penalties. YMMV.

Yeah it could be a grey area. I think it is obvious that if I attack with a reach weapon and unarmed strike (could be a kick)/armor spikes in the same turn, I will suffer the 2 weapon penalty. But whether if I can threaten 10 ft. area with a reach weapon and 5 ft area with another method, is a grey zone.