D&D 5E Magic chainsaw stats?

[el-remmen]

There is a magic item called "The Chain Sword" in an old issue of Dragon (probably 1E, but maybe 2E) but if I can find it I'll scan the page for you.

 

[Deset Gled]

For those of you that know what the first chainsaw was designed for...

... I'm guessing if the inventor was a wizard he would have just cast Enlarge/Reduce instead.

 

[Incenjucar]

1d4 damage, 2d8 ongoing damage until the target makes a reflex save or moves away. The first whack of a chain saw isn't where the damage is, it's what happens after it gets a hold.

 

[Ancalagon]

Chainsaws can do pretty gnarly wounds, but they actually are ... pretty bad as a weapon. A sword, an axe, will cleave in a swift motion. A chainsaw is "WRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR", you need prolonged contact. Unless your target is immobile... they just are going to move out of the way.

Think about it - we've had mass stabbings with knives, swords, axe rampage... but chainsaws? Not really.

... but if the group is fine with that, maybe give it the vicious property? (more damage on a crit)

 

[ECMO3]

If it is a chainsaw it should have a damage bonus vs plants.

 

[Stormonu]

2d6 slashing (magical) damage seems fine. Remember, replacing the hand to use it is making it a one-handed weapon - that's pretty good for that.

@ECMO3 has a good point - maybe have it do double damage to structures, such as a tree, door, etc. ?

 

[Voadam]

Chainsaws can do pretty gnarly wounds, but they actually are ... pretty bad as a weapon. A sword, an axe, will cleave in a swift motion. A chainsaw is "WRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR", you need prolonged contact. Unless your target is immobile... they just are going to move out of the way.

Think about it - we've had mass stabbings with knives, swords, axe rampage... but chainsaws? Not really.

... but if the group is fine with that, maybe give it the vicious property? (more damage on a crit)

Realistically chainsaws would be terrible weapons as if it hit a snag, such as on metal spikes, the chain could snap at great risk to the wielder.

But my D&D DMing style already has an explicit heavy Army of Darkness PG 13 action horror (comedy) tone as a goal, so having an Ash-style magic chainsaw that does not break and can be used to decapitate as a slashing maneuver is completely appropriate.

Plus for this sci fi fantasy D&D game I already have a steampunk set of space marine style plate mail for the Acme cleric, with a magic power fist gauntlet (reskinned +1 mace and holy symbol) they acquired, so a 40K Chainsword aesthetic for the hexblade on recovered loot from the same bad guy faction as they got the Power Fist from is OK.