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ShortQuests -- Pocket Sized Adventures! An all-new collection of digest-sized D&D adventures designed for 1-2 game sessions.

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Liquidsabre" data-source="post: 1781573" data-attributes="member: 15635">Other than the half-dozen or so benefits gained as opposed to other exotic or similar reach weapons? Compare the spiked cahin to every other weapon. Make a list, check it twice. I have. I suggest anyone with doubts do the same. The spiked chain is the only weapon in the core game (any other non-core?) that threatens at both 5ft and 10ft. The weapon is just plain superior to all other exotic weapons, let alone the capabilities it provides for just 1 feat compared to normal weapons + bonus feat. It's quite impressive. No more than any other exotic weapon. A double-bladed sword needs both EWP & TWF to be wielded effectively. A spiked chain but needs EWP & Combat Reflexes to be wielded effectively. The spiked chain is still better than any other exotic weapon with out a doubt, and far superior to any martial weapon and arguably over-powered for a 2 feat expenditure. Perhaps vorpal is a bit extreme of an example, knowing that a vorpal weapon is quite rare itself. As I posted above, compared to other exotic weapons a spiked chain is still cheaper to enchant.Shall I point out again that compared to other 1d8 weapons, the 2d4 does an average of 1/2 a point more? Comparatively the spiked chain does more damage. As good a target as any other weapon and not any more vulnerable.Yet the spiked chain is still superior and these two martial weapons only come close if wielded simultaneously. A heavy flail has +2 disarm and may make trip attacks but has no reach. A guisarme may trip and has a 10ft reach but cannot disarm (or with a +2 bonus) and does not threaten at 5ft. Plus neither are these weapons finessible. Instead the flail deals an avg. of 5.5 dmg at a 19-20/x2 crit and a guisarme has a x3 crit. Comparatively these 2-handed martial weapons do not measure up to the Spiked Chain's abilities (nor should they, being martial weapons), especially as over time a spiked chain deals significantly more damage with the extra number of attacks provided due to AoO. Nonetheless, it should be argued that a spiked chain+2 feats is greater in power than either of these two martial weapons+2 bonus feats.Do you have tripping interrupt a move action to stand from prone with another trip? This may contribute to any problems as by the RAW this is not possible. I'm sorry if this isn't a problem for you, I don't know what your concerns are here specifically but it is a common misinterpretation that some folk have problems with.Thanks for your thoughts though CRGreathouse, especially having played a previous spiked chain wielder. It's only that if you list the benefits vs. the resources used, the spiked chain always comes out on top in comparison to other melee weapons. It's this fact that causes many for concern and a munchkin's paradise. I happen to like the weapon alot, it is a very cool and flavorful weapon. All the more reason I dislike seeing it wielded by munchkiny little powergamers who sweep the battlefield with the sheer numbers of attacks they make every round and the amounts of carnage they sow.  <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":]" title="Devious    :]" data-shortname=":]" />I'd like to see the spiked chain see use but without the derision or groans from other gamers. Seeing a spiked chain in regular use over the course of a campaign does wonders for convincing the non-believer otherwise.</blockquote>

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