Monks and Spiked Chain

[Vaxalon]

I think the spiked chain cries out for a monkish prestige class.

 

[Number47]

It is a very good question why there is a spiked chain in the PHB, but no chain. I suppose you could make a character that uses a chain and just use the whip statistics.

 

[hong]

I think the spiked chain cries out for a monkish prestige class.

Take the master of chains, reduce the HD to d8, and give it a good Fort save. Easy.

 

[Tellerve]

All the monk weapons pretty much stink really, they are pushing the issue of using your unarmed strikes. And I know what your talking about Trainz in regards to the chain seeming a lot more monkish than anything else. I'm just glad they put at least the quarterstaff (bo staff) as a monk weapon. Good lord was that an oversight. And, does anyone know of any real world siangham (that's random but that seems like such a made up weapon)?

Maybe a prestige class for monks that allows the spiked chain to become a monk weapon..hmm

Tellerve

 

[Trainz]

Hell, even Claudio Pozias agrees with me.

The following is taken from his web site, and is entitled "Elven Monk"

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/hosted/Pozas/Pictures/Oddballs/elf_monk.jpg

I rest my case.

 

[devnull]

Take a look at the Shou Disciple prestige class in Unapproachable East. At 5th level it grants the ability to flurry w/ ANY weapon. A monk can qualify after 4 levels.

 

[Legildur]

I was seriously looking at taking Exotic Weapon Proficiency (spiked chain) for a 3.5E Monk.

Taking Combat Reflexes (2nd) and Improved Trip (6th) as the bonus feats (and Knockdown from S&F) you could have some serious fun.

Particularly as Monks are allowed to carry things in their hands and still make unarmed strikes. It seems to me that they would get the best of both worlds when you include the 1.5x Str bonus to damage when using the chain.

And if they were counter-tripped, they drop the chain. Is that a big deal for a monk?

Of course, you can also take the Disarm route instead....

But regardless, reach is cool, and I think a feat is reasonable (regardless of cultural/historical precedent)

 

[reapersaurus]

In OA, it's listed under Chain.
"also called the manriki-gusari"

 

[DMauricio]

on siangham

And, does anyone know of any real world siangham (that's random but that seems like such a made up weapon)?

Actually, I think you're right... it seems to be a made up weapon.

Unless they're basing it on rattan fighting sticks (which I've statted similar to light maces)

Dom

 

[paulewaug]

....
Particularly as Monks are allowed to carry things in their hands and still make unarmed strikes. It seems to me that they would get the best of both worlds when you include the 1.5x Str bonus to damage when using the chain.....
But regardless, reach is cool, and I think a feat is reasonable (regardless of cultural/historical precedent)

Hey Legildur-
not to try to dissuade you from taking the spiked chain, but there are also a couple of other reach weapons that it could be argued make sense for a monk also.
Especially the longspear.
IMHO any of the polearms, the tridet, spears (all) and all of the double weapons.
The crossbow- no, the (long)bow -yes.
I don't see how the monk would be "overpowered" by having access to these weapons and IMO they suite the (at least shaolin) style of the monk and their exotic fighting styles.
Well that is just my opinion anyhow.