Using chains/spike chains as garrotes...

[Storyteller01]

How would you rule on this?

We have a ninja (OA/Rokugan type) in a campaign looking to use a chain as an all purpose weapon (trip, disarm, reach, double wield, garrote for SA, easy to hide, etc).

I'm guessing using grappling rules, but does a chain count as a grappling weapon?

 

[Vorput]

Hmm... good question.

Arguably, the chain is a little more hefty and unwieldy than your typical garrote... but I don't think I wouldn't allow it.

I'd probably make it just lke the garrote weapon... which was in... Song and Silence, not sure if it ever upgraded to 3.5... but I'm sure there's published rules on it somewhere out there.

 

[Storyteller01]

I have the book (should have thought of that...). I'll check and see how it applies SA.

Thanks for the response.

 

[Xombie Master]

While you could use a chain to strangle someone, I wouldn't compare it to a garotte. The trick with a garotte is that when you pull on it, the wire digs into the skin. Once set, it's near impossible to get your fingers under it to pull it away from the neck. This is not the case for a chain, as it is much thicker and thus easier to pull on to reduce tension.

 

[adwyn]

I've allowed chains, ropes, and towels to all be used as garrotes with a -4 penalty for improvised weapon and otherwise using the Song and Silence rules. The penalties are enough only the peons get killed in such a way, and what are the peons and mooks there for if not to die in amusing ways?

 

[Three_Haligonians]

Updated Rules

The rules were re-printed in Dragon Magazine #316. The issue about spies. I didn't read and compare to the rules in Song and Silence so I don't know if they are any different in 3.5.

I agree with the idea that "garrote-like" things should take the improvised weapon penalty. If you would like to get fancy, maybe you could set-up some rules so that the character in question can use a lock to emulate the "locking garrote" that Song and Silence offers.

J from Three Haligonians