Ball & Chain (3.5e Equipment)

The ball & chain is a military flail with a single heavy steel ball on the end of a chain and handle. It's difficult and unwieldy to use, and those who use it while not proficient hit themselves on a natural 1. You take -2 penalty on attack rolls while using a ball & chain (this stacks with the nonproficiency penalty).

Those who are proficient in ball & chain gain the use of several tactical abilities:


 * Heavy Impact: If you have the Power Attack feat, you can use Heavy Impact. By taking at least a -2 penalty on your power attack, you gain the normal benefits of the feat and you may bull rush your target on a successful hit without provoking attacks of opportunity.  You do not move with the target of your bull rush.


 * Spinning Defense: When taking the total defense action, you spin your weapon around you as a deterrent. Opponents attacking you take a -4 penalty to attack.  If an opponent attacks you in melee, they may choose to ignore the penalty but will automatically be struck by your weapon for normal damage.  Ranged attackers cannot choose to ignore the penalty.


 * Whirlwind: As a full attack action you can strike all creatures within your reach as if you had the Whirlwind Attack feat.

The ball & chain has reach, so you can strike opponents 10 feet away with it. In addition, unlike most other weapons with reach, it can be used against an adjacent foe.

You can also use this weapon to make trip attacks. If you are tripped during your own trip attempt, you can drop the ball & chain to avoid being tripped.