spiked chain

[Yonshalmnu]

I'm looking for suggestions on the best way to choose class and progress in feats and weapon enchantment to make the best use of the spiked chain. Thanks.

 

[kengar]

well, obviously for weapon/feat progression, your best bet is human fighter. Look at feats leading to Whirlwind Attack and Great Cleave (both achievable by 6th level). Weapon enchantments could include: Frost/Shock/Flame, Keen, etc.

 

[psionotic]

Since you have that nifty reach available, I would highly recommend giving yourself at least a 14 Dex and taking Combat Reflexes, along with Power Attack and Cleave.

 

[Yonshalmnu]

Should I get improved trip, and if so, can I use that with AOO's?

 

[Shard O'Glase]

yes, and yes you can trip on AoO and you should get improved trip.

Don't go for whirlwind though, it doesn't help much and you don't get your reach benefit with it anyways unless you are looking for epic. (spring attack is cool, but you can gain the no AoO part by buying tumble cross class and having a decent dex, which you should do anyways for the combat reflexes, though str is still more important)

Good feat list in order, (human fighter) exotic weapon prof, combat refexes, power attack, cleave, weapon focus, specialization, improved trip, expert tactician, knockdown.(that is up to 8th level fighter,hold the line somewhere in here or at 9th if this list is kept as is but I don't know its pre-reqs) I wouldn't suggest going for improved crit, with a natural crit range of 20 the benefit isn't worth the feat,

 

[wolff96]

I'd go for Weapon Master, actually.

The Ki Whirlwind won't help that much, but the 5th level Superior Combat Reflexes will give you plenty of AoOs to use.

The free Improved Critical that the class grants -- if combined with the Improved Critical feat -- will let you use a Keen Spiked Chain for a 16 - 20 threat range. Not to mention the Ki hits and the Increased Multiplier abilities.

 

[Glod Glodson]

I'm looking for suggestions on the best way to choose class and progress in feats and weapon enchantment to make the best use of the spiked chain. Thanks.

I think the 'Best' setup is with a Psi Warrior.

Feats: Stand Still, Combat Reflexes, Fortify Power (Adds 25% to Psi power variable minimum +1 for +2 pp), Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave ect...

Psi powers: Reach (on WoTC site, increases reach 5'), Animal Affinity, Polymorph Self. There is also one (on the WOTC site that allows an extra attack of opportunity). (other powers are good, but we're focusing on chain here)

Assuming best case scenerio, at 10th level you Poly Self into an Annis Hag (25 str, 10ft reach). Your Animal Affinity Strength, fortified 3 times gives 1D4+4 for 9 pp. So your strength is 33.

Using the chain you have a 20 ft reach (25 with the reach power), you do 2D4 +2 (specialization) + 16 (Str bonus) + any enhancement bonus on the chain. Using the stand still feat anyone you get an AoO against must make a fortitude saving throw DC 10 + damage done (average DC 33) or stop moving. At this point you pretty much control battlefield movement...


glod

 

[jmucchiello]

I just created a human rogue spiked chain weilder. My rogue is a tinkerer not a skulker. EWP (spiked chain) and Combat Reflexes are his first level feats. At 3rd level, I will take Weapon Finesse. I am debating taking a few fighter levels for the extra hit points. Flanking lots of creatures at once is great since it boosts the front line fighters just as much as it boosts the rogue.

 

[sigfried]

Chain Tripping

Tripping with the chain is a strong tactic. I'd work on having as high a strength as possible. Any class that lets you up your strength somehow could help out.

I made a character that started as barbarian. Moved into cleric with strength and war as their domains. (we whoshiped the patron god of slaves so that spiked chain was the favored weapon) Then when I got bulls strength I moved into fighter for all the feats.

He was definately a beast in HTH combat.

Feats were....
BR 1st, power attack, combat reflexes
CL 2nd (weapon prof, weapon focus spiked chain from war domain)
CL 3rd (cleave)
CL 4th (nothing) +1ST
FT 5th (Sunder)
Ft 6th (two feats)
FT 7th (no feats)
FT 8th (Weapon Spec) +1ST

 

[Storm Raven]

I'm looking for suggestions on the best way to choose class and progress in feats and weapon enchantment to make the best use of the spiked chain. Thanks.

I woudl recommend something along these lines (though the actual feat order can be moved about to some extent if you want):

Human Fighter, good Strength (14+), good Dexterity (14+) preferably. Try to get a 13+ Intelligence so you can take Expertise:

1st: EWP: Spiked Chain, Combat Reflexes, Expertise
2nd: Improved Trip
3rd: Power Attack
4th: Cleave
5th:
6th: Great Cleave, Weapon Focus: Spiked Chain
7th:
8th: Weapon Specialization: Spiked Chain
9th Improved Critical: Spiked Chain
10th: Knockdown

. . . . and so on.

My preference is to use a non-exotic reach weapon, and save the feat. Something like:

1st: Combat Reflexes, Power Attack, Cleave
2nd: Expertise
3rd: Improved Trip
4th: Great Cleave
5th:
6th: Weapon Focus: Chosen Polearm, Weapon Specilization: Chosen Polearm
7th:
8th: Knockdown

. . . and so on.

This works well for a Glaive or Guisarme. Switch Improved Trip with Improved Disarm if you want to use a Ranseur.