Alright, in my never-ending quest to make my 'natural attacking Tiefling barbarian', I cam across a very interesting item:
Tailblade: A ratfolk wielding a tailblade can make a tail attack, adding its Strength modifier to the tailblade's damage. It takes a full-round action to strap on or remove a tailblade. The wearer can loosely attach the tailblade (without strapping it securely in place) as a move action, but using a loosely attached tailblade gives the wielder a –4 penalty on all attack rolls made with the weapon, and other creatures get a +4 bonus on disarm combat maneuver checks to disarm the tailblade. Ratfolk are considered proficient with such attacks and can apply feats or effects appropriate to natural attacks to tail attacks made with a tailblade. If used as part of a full attack action, attacks with a tailblade are considered secondary attacks.
Now then, a Tiefling can be given a Prehensile Tail, which has the following effect:
Prehensile Tail: Many tieflings have tails, but some have long, flexible tails that can be used to carry items. While they cannot wield weapons with their tails, they can use them to retrieve small, stowed objects carried on their persons as a swift action. This racial trait replaces fiendish sorcery.
Alright, before anyone points out the obvious, I realize that 'technically' speaking, as far as RAW are concerned...this idea won't work. However, I feel confident that a GM would potentially allow this given the weapon and the ability.
However, I do have some questions about the tailblade -
1) Does the tailblade count as a 'primary natural attack' (it looks like it does since it adds full strength to the attack). I realize that it states that 'if used as part of a full attack action, attacks with the tailblade are considered secondary attacks'. However, when I read that statement, I can't help but wonder if it was intended to mean 'when making a full attack action using other manufactured weapons, the tailblade counts as a secondary attack.' Therefore, if u made a full attack action using 'other' primary natural attacks, would the tailblade still be considered a secondary attack?
2) Since the tailblade seems to function as a 'natural attack', yet still possesses the qualities of a 'manufactured weapon' (hence the light martial weapon status) does this mean that you can enchant it like a normal weapon? Or would need something like the 'amulet of mighty fists' to enchant the attack since it is 'technically' a natural weapon?
Again, thanks for any clarification. If possible, I would also like to know if anyone else feels that other races with 'tails' should be allowed to use the tailblade weapon (I mean, heck, ratfolk don't even HAVE prehensile tails and they're they only ones who get this cool item).
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I think the intention is to have the tail attack always being a secondary attack if it is part of a full attack.
Most creatures appendages are on the front, the tail, generally, is on the rear. While our characters have 360° vision and can attack at 360° mixing frontal and rear attacks will be difficult. As generally the tail attack is the weakest it stand to reason that a person mixing frontal and rear attacks would favour the frontal attacks, not the tail attack.
There are exceptions like the scorpion but ratfolks and humanoid shaped tieflings would generally favour their claw/bite/manufactured weaponsw above tail attacks.
Tieflings cannot use the Tailblade.
Please refer to my previous statement.
Alright, before anyone points out the obvious, I realize that 'technically' speaking, as far as RAW are concerned...this idea won't work.
If we're playing with theory, the tiefling would need to become proficient with the weapon somehow, only ratfolk are granted it automatically.
1) I isn't a primary attack, it states if you make an attack (singular attack) you get to add full strength. When making a singular attack with any manufactured weapon you get to add your full strength. Are there parallels? Sure, the whole tack on the attack to a full round attack action for -5 and half STR. It still isn't a natural attack, it is a manufactured weapon with some odd clauses RAW.
2) Yes you can enchant it, no AoMF woulnd't do anything for a tail blade, it is a manufactured weapon with some odd clauses (again). The only reason this attack capacity exists is the weapon itself.
I figured that any 'martial class' could probably wield the weapon (barbarian, fighter, etc) since the weapon itself isn't exotic, just martial.
I figured that any 'martial class' could probably wield the weapon (barbarian, fighter, etc) since the weapon itself isn't exotic, just martial.
It is a martial weapon for the Ratfolk, similar to a race weapon if you will. We're ignoring the mechanics of you not even being able to use it because you aren't Ratfolk, not racial weapons in general. Typically a weapon is exotic and then the race it is known to be used by can handle it as a martial weapon, the designation makes sense. Every weapon listed in the ARG is essentially the epitome of exotic, it can only be wielded by the race it is listed under and is listed as a weapon (usage martial/simple) for that race.