D&D 3E/3.5 Is there ANY way to make whips good using WotC-only 3.5 material?

[Artoomis]

the whip's treated differently, for some reason:
"Using a whip provokes an attack of opportunity, just as if you had used a ranged weapon."

i assume (dangerously) that because you're using the whip for a trip attack instead of a normal melee attack, Improved Trip takes care of this.

Alas, no. Improved Trip does away with the AoO from the tripping action, not the AoO from wielding a whip.

The only real way to get some real value from a whip is to maximize disarming and tripping and/or use energy weapon enhancements. Alternatively, get your DM to allow some version of the Lasher prestige class and/or some custom feats.

A couple of feats you can use to help are Precise Swing (to ignore cover), Improved Disram and Improved Trip.

Reasonable custom feats would remove the AoO from wielding it, allow it to threaten (at 5-feet only, perhaps) and allow it to do real damage. Perhaps a three-feat chain?

 

[geosapient]

and this makes sense why? i understand the unarmed strike thing. i can't punch someone five feet away because my arms aren't that long; i would have to "enter my opponent's space," thus provoking an AoO. with a whip, not so much.

I believe that the whip is probably the worst thought out weapon in the books. In some books it states melee attacks and in others it is a ranged attack with a maximum range of 15'. Most sources say that you don't threaten the area and provoke attacks of oppurtunity when wielding a whip some neglect both.

Personally, I like the whip. I just wish they would have kept it like the 2nd Edition whip. Non-typed (not listed as B/S/ or P) damage that did 1d2(?) points of damage to the opponent as long as they were wearing nothing better than leather or maybe studded leather.

Also, I'm not sure what edition or if it's even book published, but you could check out the Lasher PrC. It allows you to threaten with the whip so you can make and avoid AoO's

 

[Legildur]

Personally, I like the whip. I just wish they would have kept it like the 2nd Edition whip. Non-typed (not listed as B/S/ or P) damage that did 1d2(?) points of damage to the opponent as long as they were wearing nothing better than leather or maybe studded leather.

1d2 v small/medium and 1 v large. I can't find any description of a whip in the 2nd ed PHB, so I can't confirm the vrs armor stuff.

Also, I'm not sure what edition or if it's even book published, but you could check out the Lasher PrC. It allows you to threaten with the whip so you can make and avoid AoO's

It's in the 3.0e splatbook Sword and Fist. Makes a whip-wielder viable, but it hasn't been updated for 3.5e.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Another PrCl to examine is the Dervish- it requires proficiency with a slashing weapon- which the whip is- and gives you some fun abilities.

(I don't know them by heart- I was never interested in the PrCl, but I know a lot of people like it.)

 

[Hypersmurf]

I believe that the whip is probably the worst thought out weapon in the books. In some books it states melee attacks and in others it is a ranged attack with a maximum range of 15'.

Well, that's because in 3E, it was a ranged weapon with a maximum range of 15 feet, and in 3.5 it's a melee weapon.

The books that describe it as a melee weapon will be 3.5 books, and the books that describe it as a ranged weapon will be 3E books.

There's no inconsistency in that respect that I'm aware of...?

-Hyp.

 

[geosapient]

Well, that's because in 3E, it was a ranged weapon with a maximum range of 15 feet, and in 3.5 it's a melee weapon.

The books that describe it as a melee weapon will be 3.5 books, and the books that describe it as a ranged weapon will be 3E books.

There's no inconsistency in that respect that I'm aware of...?

-Hyp.

I see. That means I'll have to go through my books again to make sure that everything is on its proper shelf. I hate that I have it organized by edition and people put the wrong books in the wrong place.

Of course, it could also be the matter of non-updated 3.0 books confusing me.

At any rate, thanks for setting me straight on it being an edition change.

 

[Darklone]

Well, that's because in 3E, it was a ranged weapon with a maximum range of 15 feet, and in 3.5 it's a melee weapon.

The books that describe it as a melee weapon will be 3.5 books, and the books that describe it as a ranged weapon will be 3E books.

There's no inconsistency in that respect that I'm aware of...?

-Hyp.

And in 3.5 it's a melee weapon that works like a ranged weapon ?

 

[AbeTheGnome]

And in 3.5 it's a melee weapon that works like a ranged weapon ?

yeah, apparently, it's a weapon that gains no benefits from being melee, and all the penalties from being ranged.

 

[Artoomis]

yeah, apparently, it's a weapon that gains no benefits from being melee, and all the penalties from being ranged.

Some benefits from being a melee weapon:

1. Coup de Grace at with 15' reach.
2. Melee attack feats, such as Precise Striuke, apply.
3. All special manuevers for melee weapons can be done with a whip.

Whip is a very cool weapon, but you need to find a way to allow real damage, to threaten, and to remove the AoO provoking from using it.

Custom feats and/or custom prestige classes are an integral part of D&D 3.5e, so I'd work on that angle with the DM.

 

[Hypersmurf]

And in 3.5 it's a melee weapon that works like a ranged weapon ?

But consistently so!

-Hyp.