>>5590625It's only a stupid weapon if you don't know how to use it. Against a man in plate armor armed with a sword and shield, the flail is very effective.
Because the weapon operates primarily through the transfer of force rather than by creating lacerations or puncture wounds, most armor is ineffective against it. The ball and chain configuration allows the wielder to strike an enemy from angles that are difficult to defend against, able to wrap around a man's normal defenses. In addition, the flail can be used to disarm unwary enemies as the chain can wrap around weapons making them easy to be taken away.
In trained hands this is a deadly weapon. In untrained hands, it is just as likely to cause injury to the wielder as any enemies he may face.
