Bard w/Bow or w/Spiked Chain? That is the question. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Bard w/Bow or w/Spiked Chain? That is the question. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
mrpopstar
04-05-05, 12:50 AM I've been newly acquainted with the Spiked Chain.

My characters have a tendency to be classical, romanticized and Tolkienesque(comparitively, not intentionally) while the Spiked Chain is rather exotic, gruesome and barbaric(yet I like it). I am considering the use of the Spiked Chain by a Bard character I am creating(fresh concept that strikes from my norm). Is spending the feat on gaining proficiency with this weapon worth it? What sort of experience do others have with the Spiked Chain? Any known drawbacks or obvious pitfalls? Any tips, tricks or tactics to share? Words of caution/encouragement?

My biggest question is: Is a build with the Spiked Chain "more" or "less" effective than an archer build?
Big Tom
04-05-05, 12:58 AM The spiked chain is an awesome (and somewhat 'broken') weapon. It is definetly one of the most powerful weapons available in the game.

I don't think it would be a good choice for a bard. The bard works better, IMO, as a ranged combat and suport character. The bow allows you to not get up in the enemies face, where your low AC and d6 hit die could help you die better.
mrpopstar
04-05-05, 04:05 PM Doesn't the 10ft reach on a Spiked Chain help keep the enemy at bay?

I just don't feel that I'm bringing 100% to the group if I don't have the ability to AID ANOTHER and FLANK so that the fighter types are assisted and the rogue's can get in their sneak attacks.

What if I took a level of Fighter now and again to beef up my hp and maximize my Spiked Chain?

I think I'm still bitter that they deleted the Longbow from the Bard weapon proficiency list. :mad:
Begle1
04-05-05, 05:28 PM As previously stated, bards are best as support characters. In combat, being "support" can either mean tripping and disarming people or shooting them from 100 feet away with a longbow.

The spiked chain would be great for tripping and disarming, but why waste a feat to gain porficiency in the chain when you have whip proficiency for free?

Here's what I would do; buy a whip instead of a spiked chain, and use your feat to either get Combat Expertise/ Improved Trip or Improved Disarm, or use it to get either Longbow or Repeating Crossbow proficiency.

That way, you can control close combat with the whip and kick butt from afar with the crossbow/ longbow.
mrpopstar
04-05-05, 05:37 PM Hmm. Decisions, decisions.
PurdueDave
04-05-05, 05:41 PM I don't think the bard has enough feats and related abilities to pull off the spiked chain. If you want to do something similar, I'd recommend whip+disarm.
Dotac
04-05-05, 05:48 PM the whip will def be nice, the other option is just taking a bunch of bolas and using them to trip people. Also, note that elves get proficiency with the longbow, so if you really want to use one, and save yourself the feat, be an elf. We had a bard in our party that took the chain, but wasn't proficient with it. She still was able to make the touch attack necesary to trip someone most of the time.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
mrpopstar 04-05-05, 12:50 AM	I've been newly acquainted with the Spiked Chain. My characters have a tendency to be classical, romanticized and Tolkienesque(comparitively, not intentionally) while the Spiked Chain is rather exotic, gruesome and barbaric(yet I like it). I am considering the use of the Spiked Chain by a Bard character I am creating(fresh concept that strikes from my norm). Is spending the feat on gaining proficiency with this weapon worth it? What sort of experience do others have with the Spiked Chain? Any known drawbacks or obvious pitfalls? Any tips, tricks or tactics to share? Words of caution/encouragement? My biggest question is: Is a build with the Spiked Chain "more" or "less" effective than an archer build?
Big Tom 04-05-05, 12:58 AM	The spiked chain is an awesome (and somewhat 'broken') weapon. It is definetly one of the most powerful weapons available in the game. I don't think it would be a good choice for a bard. The bard works better, IMO, as a ranged combat and suport character. The bow allows you to not get up in the enemies face, where your low AC and d6 hit die could help you die better.
mrpopstar 04-05-05, 04:05 PM	Doesn't the 10ft reach on a Spiked Chain help keep the enemy at bay? I just don't feel that I'm bringing 100% to the group if I don't have the ability to AID ANOTHER and FLANK so that the fighter types are assisted and the rogue's can get in their sneak attacks. What if I took a level of Fighter now and again to beef up my hp and maximize my Spiked Chain? I think I'm still bitter that they deleted the Longbow from the Bard weapon proficiency list. :mad:
Begle1 04-05-05, 05:28 PM	As previously stated, bards are best as support characters. In combat, being "support" can either mean tripping and disarming people or shooting them from 100 feet away with a longbow. The spiked chain would be great for tripping and disarming, but why waste a feat to gain porficiency in the chain when you have whip proficiency for free? Here's what I would do; buy a whip instead of a spiked chain, and use your feat to either get Combat Expertise/ Improved Trip or Improved Disarm, or use it to get either Longbow or Repeating Crossbow proficiency. That way, you can control close combat with the whip and kick butt from afar with the crossbow/ longbow.
mrpopstar 04-05-05, 05:37 PM	Hmm. Decisions, decisions.
PurdueDave 04-05-05, 05:41 PM	I don't think the bard has enough feats and related abilities to pull off the spiked chain. If you want to do something similar, I'd recommend whip+disarm.
Dotac 04-05-05, 05:48 PM	the whip will def be nice, the other option is just taking a bunch of bolas and using them to trip people. Also, note that elves get proficiency with the longbow, so if you really want to use one, and save yourself the feat, be an elf. We had a bard in our party that took the chain, but wasn't proficient with it. She still was able to make the touch attack necesary to trip someone most of the time.