The Great Chain, a Spiked Chain alternative

[Tetsubo]

There have been two different threads on the Wizard's boards as of late discussing the Spiked Chain. To sum up my view on the weapon, "No, I don't like it".

So I though I would post what my version of a chain weapon would be. I plan on using this weapon in my next campaign... I'm writing up a Fighter build based on it as well...

Great Chain (Exotic, Two-handed)

The Great Chain is a length of nine-foot chain with two-pound weights at either end. It is a versatile and dangerous weapon in the hands of a trained wielder. It is however a rather uncommon weapon and is not often seen on the battlefield.

You can make trip attacks with the chain. If you are tripped during your own trip attempt, you can drop the chain to avoid being tripped.

When using a Great Chain, you get a +2 bonus on opposed attack rolls made to disarm an opponent (including the roll to avoid being disarmed if such an attempt fails).

Exotic Two-handed Weapon
25 GP, Dmg (Small) 1d6, Dmg (Medium) 1d8, Critical x2, 15 lbs., Bludgeoning.

 

[Tetsubo]

Okay...

Someone on the Wizard's boards just pointed out that the Heavy Flail does everything I want the Great Chain to do and it is Martial rather than Exotic. My mistake. I'll just rename the Heavy Flail and never speak of this again...

 

[Cabral]

Personally, I like OA's Chain weapon.

Exotic weapon. Very similiar to the Spiked chain but you can choose to wield as a reach weapon or as double weapon. Pretty snifty.

 

[Tetsubo]

Personally, I like OA's Chain weapon.

Exotic weapon. Very similiar to the Spiked chain but you can choose to wield as a reach weapon or as double weapon. Pretty snifty.

I could see a weapon that could be used either two-handed or as a double weapon. But the whole Reach thing still bugs me...

 

[Cabral]

When using it as a double weapon, you hold it in the middle, sort of. Look at the three-sectioned staff (the top is the chain weapon). When wielding is a double weapon, you'd hold the chain weapon in the same spots that the three-sectioned staff's chains hold it together. When wielding it for reach, you'd hold it by one end, much like a whip.

I like the chain weapon because you can enchant the two heads seperately, even making them different material. It's maybe not that more effiecient over carrying two weapons, but it's nifty. (Especially seeing someone with a chain that's fiery at one end and frozen at the other )

 

[Felnar]

a thought i had for toning down the chain was to require space to rotate it around you
if you didnt have space, it couldnt be used as a reach weapon