A flail is a one-handed, martial melee weapon.

See also: Heavy flail and Dire flail

Contents 1 Description 2 Weaponology 3 Realmslore 4 Notable flails 5 References

DescriptionEdit

A flail consists of a haft about two feet (60cm) long^[1] with a heavy metal ball attached by chain to the end of the haft. The ball is often spiked. An average flail costs 8gp and weighs 5lbs (2.3kg).^[2]

In 1st and 2nd edition D&D, this weapon is called the horseman's flail.^[3][4]

WeaponologyEdit

Military flails evolved from tools used to thresh grain. These lighter flails are typically used as one-handed weapons from horseback but there is a heavy flail and a dire flail for infantry that require two hands. Flails can be used to trip an opponent and the flexible chain increases the chance of entangling an enemy weapon and disarming them.^[5]

See also: Pole arm#Special Cases

RealmsloreEdit

Flails are often used by priests although several warriors of note, including the genasi Cephas preferred the flail to other weapons.^[6]

Notable flailsEdit

Flail of Ages

from Baldur's Gate (game)

ReferencesEdit

1. ↑ Gary Gygax (1978). Players Handbook, p. 38. TSR, Inc.. ISBN 0-9356-9601-6.
2. ↑ Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player’s Handbook, 3.5 Edition, p. 116. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
3. ↑ Gary Gygax (1978). Players Handbook, p. 37,38. TSR, Inc.. ISBN 0-9356-9601-6.
4. ↑ David "Zeb" Cook (August 1989). Player's Handbook (2nd edition), p. 68. TSR, Inc.. ISBN 0-88038-716-5.
5. ↑ Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player’s Handbook, 3.5 Edition, p. 117. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
6. ↑ Christopher Rowe (March 2011). Sandstorm. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 978-0786957422.