Weapons underwater in the Whispering Cairn

[Viconus]

One of my characters uses a spiked chain that he is very fond of, and I think it might come up during the submerged showers part of the campaign.

I'm thinking it's something like a thrown weapon and therefore completely ineffective.

It also seems unrealistic to me that melee weapons suffer no penalties, but the Dungeon Master Guide doesn't mention it.

[wraithstrike]

That underwater section is pretty dangerous on its own. I would not add houserules to this one unless you plan to help them with GM Fiat. By the rules 3.5 has no penalties for underwater melee attacks.

[Callum]

Melee weapons do suffer penalties underwater, as shown on the table "Combat Adjustments Underwater". The problem is that the spiked chain is classified as a piercing weapon, which technically doesn't receive any of those penalties. However, I think it's clear that it's swung like a bludgeoning or slashing weapon, rather than thrust like a piercing weapon, so I would rule that it should definitely get -2 to attack underwater (and probably half damage, as well), assuming that there's no freedom of movement effect in play.

[wraithstrike]

I can't believe I missed that chart, and I looked for it 3 times. I even saw the fire section that was right about it.