Post/Author/DateTime	Post
lowendz113 01-03-08, 10:06 PM	Just wondering what a good spiked chain fighter should have in terms of feats. Also I think I heard about a feat that lets you fight with a spiked chain as if it where a double weapon. Don't know where it was though.
BugHunter 01-03-08, 11:11 PM	Besides EWP Improved Trip, power attack is good since it is a two-hander, if you have a high dex maybe weapon finesse. Then of course the whole weapon focus tree.
JamesMaissen 01-03-08, 11:11 PM	Just wondering what a good spiked chain fighter should have in terms of feats. Also I think I heard about a feat that lets you fight with a spiked chain as if it where a double weapon. Don't know where it was though. Answering the last first: master of chains from the 3.0 splatbook 'sword and fist'. Now as to good feats: EWP spiked chain, combat reflexes, power attack, weapon focus: spiked chain, extra rage. This presupposes that you want to take both a barbarian level (or 2) and an exotic weaponsmaster level (or 2). Depending on your INT then combat expertise and improved disarm& trip can come into play. Other feats would be standard fighter-thug feats depending on what all your campaign allows. -James
Nightshade 01-03-08, 11:18 PM	I don't think it's a feat, I think it is the Exotic weapons master Prc ability called twin exotic weapon fighting Combat Expertise Improved Trip Improved Disarm Whirlwind Attack (it's utility is arguable but it's better than greatcleave imo) dodge mobility spring attack combat reflexes deft opportunist elusive target knockback Standstill closequarters fighting hold the line Weapon focus tree is useful but the above are better Improved Initiative (always useful but not strictly necessary) power attack and cleave work well too (but not greatcleave cause it's almost never useful) Mage Slayer and Pierce Magical Protection (this is a specialization really and not strictly chain oriented but damn they're good)
silvergamgee 01-03-08, 11:20 PM	If you're going high dex, then remember that you can Weapon Finesse with a spiked chain. And there's nothing I've ever spotted in the rules anything that says you can't PA with Weapon Finesse, it's just doesn't come up with any of the normal WF weapons. Did they ever Errata that out?
kalstrand 01-03-08, 11:53 PM	There is also a chain in Oriental Adventures that can be used either 2 handed or as a double weapon.
JamesMaissen 01-05-08, 11:17 AM	If you're going high dex, then remember that you can Weapon Finesse with a spiked chain. And there's nothing I've ever spotted in the rules anything that says you can't PA with Weapon Finesse, it's just doesn't come up with any of the normal WF weapons. Did they ever Errata that out? You don't technically power attack with a weapon.. you declare power attack and then gain a bonus to damage based on the weapon used... That bit said, you gain 1-1 power attack for a rapier (unless it's used in 2 hands) and 2-1 power attack with a spiked chain (unless somehow it's used as a double weapon then 1-1 and 0-1). Weapon finesse has nothing to do with power attack. -James
AtsuiShoto 01-06-08, 04:14 AM	you gain 1-1 power attack for a rapier (unless it's used in 2 hands)You can't wield a rapier 2-handed. A better example would perhaps be an even courtblade [RotW] for a finessable, 2-handed weapon. This rapier thing isn't 100% clearly spelled out in the online SRD, though. The relevant line in the rapier's description is "You can’t wield a rapier in two hands in order to apply 1½ times your Strength bonus to damage." I take that statement to mean a rapier can't be wielded 2-handed at all.
runestar 01-06-08, 04:46 AM	Screw the weapon focus feat tree. Those 4-5 feats could be spent on better feats. A chain-tripper build is already very feat intensive (even for a fighter), so you need every last precious feat you can get. Chain tripper build (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=163005) :)
WackyOne 01-06-08, 08:00 AM	I think the chain tripper has "evolved" with time, into the Lockdown, losing the gatling quality of his attacks (in part), but controlling the threathened area more efficiently (Stand Still and Thicket of Blades vs Improved Trip) Lockdown build (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=953434)
runestar 01-06-08, 08:08 AM	True, but I think the OP specifically wanted a pure fighter build. Without the benefit of ToB, we will just have to make do with what we have.:P
JamesMaissen 01-06-08, 04:56 PM	This rapier thing isn't 100% clearly spelled out in the online SRD, though. The relevant line in the rapier's description is "You can’t wield a rapier in two hands in order to apply 1½ times your Strength bonus to damage." I take that statement to mean a rapier can't be wielded 2-handed at all. I take it to mean just what it says.. that you don't get the special damage bonus when doing so. If it was that you could not do so then it could have more easily said as much. That said, a home DM could easily house rule that, as it makes sense.. but while he's there he could house rule spiked chains out of existence. -James