Spiked Chain - AKA "The Cheese Whip"

Lots of people have problems with the spiked chain, and there is a lot to consider.

A reach weapon that can also attack close in.
Weapon Finesse with a two handed weapon.
Improved Trip using the weapon.
Improved Disarm, with a +2 to the check.

On the down side, it's a two handed weapon that does weenie damage (2 D4), and Exotic to boot.

So, what would you do to fix this thing?

One proposal would be to make it two different weapons: Create a light and a heavy version.

The Light version would allow Weapon Finesse, but not Power Attack. A quicker version, this would be suitable for Improved Disarm, with perhaps a +1.

The Heavy version would allow Power Attack, but not Weapon Finesse. Heavier and with more weight to towards the end, this weapon could be used for Improved Trip.

Both would include Reach, as they do now.

And, as they are separate weapons, they'd require separate Feats to use.

So that's my proposal. What's yours?

(Personal note: I've seen people use chains in fights. The classic "bull chain" type is typically used with one hand, frequently wrapped around a fist to emulate a Cestus, and is a fast, light weapon. You can whip with it, hard enough to bruise or break bones, you can club with it, like a Cestus (armored, weighted glove), or you can use it like a garrote.

Double or even triple wide sprocket chains are used with two hands. They tear at exposed skin and rip clothing. Since they're rigid in one direction but flexible along the other axis they're a remarkably versatile weapon, definitely in the "slash and break bones" category, and yes, they'll wrap you up and take your legs right out from under you.

I could see adding spikes or spiked weights to either one to take it out of the "street weapon" category and into the arena.)

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