Nagamaki, Sulacu Variant (3.5e Equipment)



Literally meaning long wrapping, a nagamaki is a type of Japanese single-edged sword that combines the functionality of several weapons, mainly the sword, spear and polearm. Traditionally, the samurai class used these weapons, whose elongated hilts were roughly equal in length to the blade of the weapon, to make fierce, sweeping close-quarters strokes that carry immense momentum, due to the large spacing between the hands.

A nagamaki is a tactical exotic weapon. It can be used normally as a martial weapon, though having the appropriate Exotic Weapon Proficiency grants the benefits of additional bonuses and attack options listed below.

Combat
A nagamaki is a 'quality build' weapon. Any save DCs associated with this weapon are 10 + the wielder's base attack bonus + the higher of the wielder's Strength and Dexterity bonuses.


 * Due to the intense momentum generated by each swing, a properly trained wielder gains the benefit of the Strong Grip feat while wielding the nagamaki two-handed. If she already has the feat, the bonus to Strength based damage is doubled to 2½ times instead. This benefit only applies to slashing attacks made with the nagamaki. Slashing attacks with the nagamaki use the 19-20/×2 critical modifier.


 * The wielder of the nagamaki may make polearm like thrusts. By eschewing the spaced grasp of the long hilt and angling the blade forward, she may make powerful piercing attacks. This increases the wielder's reach to 10 feet. While using piercing attacks, the wielder's grasp on her weapon give her an advantage against creatures with higher vantage than herself. She gains a +2 circumstance bonus on any piercing attack rolls against larger creatures, creatures with high ground (5 feet or more), and mounted creatures. Piercing attacks with the nagamaki use the 20/×3 critical modifier.


 * The wielder may chain her slashing and piercing attacks. Switching from one to the other during the same turn against the same target will unbalance the target, forcing it to make a Reflex save or lose their Dexterity bonus to AC. Only one saving throw can be provoked per turn.


 * Once per turn, a wielder with a base attack bonus of +6 or higher may perform a dash as part of an attack action. She may do this during a full attack action, but in doing so she loses her iterative attack with the highest penalty.


 * The wielder of a nagamaki may use its long hilt as a blunt weapon to shock attackers. She may expend her attack of opportunity against an opponent entering one of her threatened squares to attack 'from behind'. This ability may only be used on a creature that declares an attack on the wielder, that has not been targeted by the wielder during her last turn, and the attacker must be in a position to flank the wielder (even if the wielder has Improved Uncanny Dodge or cannot otherwise be flanked). The resulting attack of opportunity deals no damage, but if it hits the attacker loses its attack action and must make a Fortitude save or be staggered until the end of his turn.