Author Topic: kusari-gama as double weapon with finesse  (Read 3483 times)

Offline Ryshin

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kusari-gama as double weapon with finesse
« on: January 23, 2021, 01:10:10 PM »
Hi, so since both extremities of the kusari gama are light weapons (a sickle and a chunk of steel attached to the end of the chain) it's safe to assume that if the kusari-gama is in melee used as a double weapon with the two weapon fighting feat both extremities benefit from weapon finesse?

https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/3e_SRD:Kusari-gama

PS. is there a way beside gloves of storing and the eager weapon +1 special ability to draw a dagger as free action without quick draw feat?
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Offline altpersona

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Re: kusari-gama as double weapon with finesse
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2021, 02:10:37 PM »
Quote
Use the Weapon Finesse feat to apply a character's Dexterity modifier instead of the Strength modifier to attack rolls with a kusari-gama.
from the srd site you linked
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Offline Skyrock

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Re: kusari-gama as double weapon with finesse
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2021, 02:18:27 PM »
Keep in mind that this is 3.0 stats. 3.5 has an entirely different kusari-gama (DMG p.144f) that explicitely is not a double-weapon, so the old version of the weapon might not even exist in your game depending on how strict the DM is on 3.5 content overriding 3.0 content.

As for weapon finesse, yes, it would apply to attacks with either end of the weapon.

Offline Ryshin

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Re: kusari-gama as double weapon with finesse
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2021, 02:27:37 PM »
Keep in mind that this is 3.0 stats. 3.5 has an entirely different kusari-gama (DMG p.144f) that explicitely is not a double-weapon, so the old version of the weapon might not even exist in your game depending on how strict the DM is on 3.5 content overriding 3.0 content.

As for weapon finesse, yes, it would apply to attacks with either end of the weapon.
Kusari-gama is in 3.5 oriental adventure

Quote
Use the Weapon Finesse feat to apply a character's Dexterity modifier instead of the Strength modifier to attack rolls with a kusari-gama.
from the srd site you linked
So by the rule that specific beats general it's safe to assume that even in melee both extremities of the weapon apply weapon finesse?
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Offline Skyrock

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Re: kusari-gama as double weapon with finesse
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2021, 02:40:38 PM »
Kusari-gama is in 3.5 oriental adventure
Oriental Adventures is 3.0.
The semi-official 3.5 update in Dragon Mag #318 doesn't mention the kusari-gama at all.

Offline kitep

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Re: kusari-gama as double weapon with finesse
« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2021, 01:35:40 AM »
Looking at the DMG p144, it looks like Skyrock is correct.  In 3.5, the kusari-gama is no longer a double weapon.  It's simply a light weapon.  Which is interesting in itself, since it implies you can wield it in one hand while wielding a katana in the other.

Offline Ryshin

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Re: kusari-gama as double weapon with finesse
« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2021, 07:16:20 AM »
Looking at the DMG p144, it looks like Skyrock is correct.  In 3.5, the kusari-gama is no longer a double weapon.  It's simply a light weapon.  Which is interesting in itself, since it implies you can wield it in one hand while wielding a katana in the other.
actually reading the dmg p.144 it seams i don't even need weapon finesse for kusari-gama since i can use dex instead of str even in melee.
this is the quote from dmg:
Kusari-Gama: This small sickle is attached to a length of chain.
A kusari-gama is an exotic weapon that has reach. It can strike
opponents 10 feet away. In addition, unlike other weapons with
reach, it can be used against an adjacent foe. It can be used in all
respects like a spiked chain (see page 115 of the Player’s Handbook)
for trip attacks, disarming other foes, and using its wielder’s Dexterity
modifier instead of her Strength modifier in attack rolls.
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Offline snakeman830

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Re: kusari-gama as double weapon with finesse
« Reply #7 on: March 28, 2021, 10:39:59 PM »
Looking at the DMG p144, it looks like Skyrock is correct.  In 3.5, the kusari-gama is no longer a double weapon.  It's simply a light weapon.  Which is interesting in itself, since it implies you can wield it in one hand while wielding a katana in the other.
actually reading the dmg p.144 it seams i don't even need weapon finesse for kusari-gama since i can use dex instead of str even in melee.
this is the quote from dmg:
Kusari-Gama: This small sickle is attached to a length of chain.
A kusari-gama is an exotic weapon that has reach. It can strike
opponents 10 feet away. In addition, unlike other weapons with
reach, it can be used against an adjacent foe. It can be used in all
respects like a spiked chain (see page 115 of the Player’s Handbook)
for trip attacks, disarming other foes, and using its wielder’s Dexterity
modifier instead of her Strength modifier in attack rolls.

I read that as "in all of these ways, it works like a Spiked Chain."  Spiked chains require Weapon Finesse to use Dex instead of Strength.

Which, that line is frankly irrelevant, since the Kusari-gama is a light weapon and doesn't need any special rules text in regard to Weapon Finesse.
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Offline Stratovarius

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Re: kusari-gama as double weapon with finesse
« Reply #8 on: March 29, 2021, 05:11:11 AM »
Looking at the DMG p144, it looks like Skyrock is correct.  In 3.5, the kusari-gama is no longer a double weapon.  It's simply a light weapon.  Which is interesting in itself, since it implies you can wield it in one hand while wielding a katana in the other.
actually reading the dmg p.144 it seams i don't even need weapon finesse for kusari-gama since i can use dex instead of str even in melee.
this is the quote from dmg:
Kusari-Gama: This small sickle is attached to a length of chain.
A kusari-gama is an exotic weapon that has reach. It can strike
opponents 10 feet away. In addition, unlike other weapons with
reach, it can be used against an adjacent foe. It can be used in all
respects like a spiked chain (see page 115 of the Player’s Handbook)
for trip attacks, disarming other foes, and using its wielder’s Dexterity
modifier instead of her Strength modifier in attack rolls.

I read that as "in all of these ways, it works like a Spiked Chain."  Spiked chains require Weapon Finesse to use Dex instead of Strength.

Which, that line is frankly irrelevant, since the Kusari-gama is a light weapon and doesn't need any special rules text in regard to Weapon Finesse.

I would agree with this interpretation.