Sling - Revision history

Sdhjk at 18:19, 9 September 2025

2025-09-09T18:19:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:19, 9 September 2025
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	Naturally, people quickly found out that it was good enough for killing or crippling their fellow humans. It didn't even need that much of an upgrade compared to hunting bows versus war bows - just get a bigger pouch to shoot bigger pebbles at people. Maybe make a rope longer to rain stones on the enemy formation from larger distance - it's not like you need that accuracy to hit a block of men standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Replace a pebble with a smaller lead bullet if you want it to shoot further, hit harder and potentially penetrate cloth and skin. And it worked fairly well.		Naturally, people quickly found out that it was good enough for killing or crippling their fellow humans. It didn't even need that much of an upgrade compared to hunting bows versus war bows - just get a bigger pouch to shoot bigger pebbles at people. Maybe make a rope longer to rain stones on the enemy formation from larger distance - it's not like you need that accuracy to hit a block of men standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Replace a pebble with a smaller lead bullet if you want it to shoot further, hit harder and potentially penetrate cloth and skin. And it worked fairly well.

	From the Stone Age until early Medieval times, slings were actually dominating long-ranged combat for two simple reasons: cheapness and ease of training. A bow requires good-quality wood and strings, more so if you want it to be used to shoot humans wearing at least cloth armor and basic helmets to death, and it requires fairly expensive arrows to shoot. Sling? You can make three for cheaper than a single arrow, and stones are basically free. Even if you decide to use more expensive ceramic stones or lead bullets, they're still dirt cheap compared to arrows, and were even better compared to them in terms of range and lethality for many centuries (after which they weren't, then archery became more popular). To train a proper bowman you should start with a kid, while with a sling you can grab a bunch of peasants, drill them for a few months and voila - you have a working unit of ranged fighters. Chances are you wouldn't even need to train them, as many peasants would learn sling techniques on their own to hunt some rabbits or to protect sheep from the wolves. Of course they wouldn't be as accurate, but who cares if you can field two dozens of slingers for the cost of a single archer, and replace them in no time if they happen to die?		From the Stone Age until early Medieval times, slings were actually dominating long-ranged combat for two simple reasons: cheapness and ease of training. A bow requires good-quality wood and strings, more so if you want it to be used to shoot humans wearing at least cloth armor and basic helmets to death, and it requires fairly expensive arrows to shoot. Sling? You can make three for cheaper than a single arrow, and stones are basically free. Even if you decide to use more expensive ceramic stones or lead bullets, they're still dirt cheap compared to arrows, and were even better compared to them in terms of range and lethality for many centuries (after which they weren't, then archery became more popular). To train a proper bowman you should start with a kid, while with a sling you can grab a bunch of peasants, drill them for a few months and voila - you have a working unit of ranged fighters. Chances are you wouldn't even need to train them, as many peasants would learn sling techniques on their own to hunt some rabbits, to protect sheep from the wolves, for personal protection or for entertainment/target practice. Of course they wouldn't be as accurate, but who cares if you can field two dozens of slingers for the cost of a single archer, and replace them in no time if they happen to die?

	Considering all this and adding the ease with which a sling could be carried it wouldn't take much money and effort to arm and train your spearmen and swordsmen with slings too. Romans did it with their legionaries, and it basically allowed the unengaged maniples to drive off enemy skirmishers and keep them off the backs of their fellows going in Phalanx-style.		Considering all this and adding the ease with which a sling could be carried it wouldn't take much money and effort to arm and train your spearmen and swordsmen with slings too. Romans did it with their legionaries, and it basically allowed the unengaged maniples to drive off enemy skirmishers and keep them off the backs of their fellows going in Phalanx-style.
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	Naturally there's a reason why people continued to train expensive bowmen despite the awesomeness of the sling. First off, slings are probably the least accurate military-grade ranged weapon (maybe second-least if you include throwing axes). Secondly, they lack in damage department: while it's true that blunt damage gives zero shits about most types of armor, it would not stick into their body, impeding their movements or incapacitating them via pain shock and blood loss like arrows do. Only lead balls at around 15-30m will do that. However, headshots can and will kill people, with the most notable instance of this being recorded in the book of 1 Samuel/Samuel 17, when the future King David sent Goliath right to hell with a single headshot from his sling.		Naturally there's a reason why people continued to train expensive bowmen despite the awesomeness of the sling. First off, slings are probably the least accurate military-grade ranged weapon (maybe second-least if you include throwing axes). Secondly, they lack in damage department: while it's true that blunt damage gives zero shits about most types of armor, it would not stick into their body, impeding their movements or incapacitating them via pain shock and blood loss like arrows do. Only lead balls at around 15-30m will do that. However, headshots can and will kill people, with the most notable instance of this being recorded in the book of 1 Samuel/Samuel 17, when the future King David sent Goliath right to hell with a single headshot from his sling.

	Lastly, a volley of rocks or lead bullets flying at you is almost invisible, while a volley of arrows or bolts bloating the sky is terrifyingly visible and prone to cause panic or at least disruptions in formation, and these disruptions became more and more valuable then the actual damage as warfare progressed.		Lastly, a volley of rocks or lead bullets flying at you is almost invisible, while a volley of arrows or bolts bloating the sky is terrifyingly visible and prone to cause panic or at least disruptions in formation, and these disruptions became more and more valuable then the actual damage as warfare progressed. Though, this also means that dodging or blocking sling bullets is harder, because one can't react to what one doesn't see.

	The former, of course, is bullshit once the [[Awesome\|Balearic Slingers]] enter the stage; those fuckers were described as having the damage output of ''catapults'', were said to have more range and precision than recurve bows of the Romans (and this was stated by the same Romans who fought them). Legend and history say they were trained from childhood following a training regime quite strict (as in, if you didn't get good at shooting you'd STARVE to death). Hannibal and Caesar had made a lot of use of them, and considered them highly important assets.		The former, of course, is bullshit once the [[Awesome\|Balearic Slingers]] enter the stage; those fuckers were described as having the damage output of ''catapults'', were said to have more range and precision than recurve bows of the Romans (and this was stated by the same Romans who fought them). Legend and history say they were trained from childhood following a training regime quite strict (as in, if you didn't get good at shooting you'd STARVE to death). Hannibal and Caesar had made a lot of use of them, and considered them highly important assets.
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	There also exists a sling-like weapon called an atlatl, amentum, or womera that fired spears. It was favored by many early peoples and could whip spears faster and further than a human arm could alone. There is some evidence that they were even used to pierce the armoured hides of glyptodonts.		There also exists a sling-like weapon called an atlatl, amentum, or womera that fired spears. It was favored by many early peoples and could whip spears faster and further than a human arm could alone. There is some evidence that they were even used to pierce the armoured hides of glyptodonts.

	Fantasy and traditional games tend to ignore slings or pretend they don't exist. When they are included they are usually portrayed poorly and have close to unusable (or straight-up unusable) stats in the crunch. The only time you would see them used is in the hands of a DnD cleric when they were forbidden from using sharp weapons, or if some race (Halfings are the most common pick) get a sizeable bonus to damage or accuracy with it. You'd think Alchemists would use it to throw potions and bombs at things, but seems like no one among the writers and developers gave it a good thought. In Warhammer Fantasy, Skavenslaves get slings, but they're the only thing in the whole game that does. They are also completely useless.		Fantasy and traditional games tend to ignore slings or pretend they don't exist. When they are included they are usually portrayed poorly and have close to unusable (or straight-up unusable) stats in the crunch. The only time you would see them used is in the hands of a DnD cleric when they were forbidden from using sharp weapons, if some race (Halfings are the most common pick) get a sizeable bonus to damage or accuracy with it, or someone wants [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RangedEmergencyWeapon dirt-cheap, effectively-weightless backup ranged weapon with free ammo]. You'd think Alchemists would use it to throw potions and bombs at things, but seems like no one among the writers and developers gave it a good thought. In Warhammer Fantasy, Skavenslaves get slings, but they're the only thing in the whole game that does. They are also completely useless.

	Funnily enough, slings are probably actually the only medieval ranged weapon that still sees any much practical use in this day and age - outside of practicing the tradition as a hobby (the aforementioned Baleric people still hold competitions), remote and poor areas still have sheepherders carry slings to cheaply fend off wildlife and steer their sheep by tossing rocks at the opposite direction they want them to go.		Funnily enough, slings are probably actually the only medieval ranged weapon that still sees any much practical use in this day and age - outside of practicing the tradition as a hobby (the aforementioned Baleric people still hold competitions), remote and poor areas still have sheepherders carry slings to cheaply fend off wildlife and steer their sheep by tossing rocks at the opposite direction they want them to go.

imported>Administrator: 35 revisions imported

2023-06-22T16:20:14Z

35 revisions imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 16:20, 22 June 2023
(No difference)

imported>Administrator: 1 revision imported

2023-06-19T03:46:35Z

1 revision imported

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2A02:1810:4E2C:A900:B1DB:DD21:1188:2216 at 17:11, 7 June 2023

2023-06-07T17:11:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:11, 7 June 2023
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	Considering all this and adding the ease with which a sling could be carried it wouldn't take much money and effort to arm and train your spearmen and swordsmen with slings too. Romans did it with their legionaries, and it basically allowed the unengaged maniples to drive off enemy skirmishers and keep them off the backs of their fellows going in Phalanx-style.		Considering all this and adding the ease with which a sling could be carried it wouldn't take much money and effort to arm and train your spearmen and swordsmen with slings too. Romans did it with their legionaries, and it basically allowed the unengaged maniples to drive off enemy skirmishers and keep them off the backs of their fellows going in Phalanx-style.

	Naturally there's a reason why people continued to train expensive bowmen despite the awesomeness of the sling. First off, slings are probably the least accurate military-grade ranged weapon (maybe second-least if you include throwing axes). Secondly, they lack in damage department: while it's true that blunt damage gives zero shits about most types of armor, it would not stick into their body, impeding their movements or incapacitating them via pain shock and blood loss like arrows do. Only lead balls at around 15-30m will do that. However, headshots can and will kill people, with the most notable instance of this being recorded in the book of 1 Samuel/Samuel 17, when the future King David sent Goliath right to hell with a single headshot from his sling.		Naturally there's a reason why people continued to train expensive bowmen despite the awesomeness of the sling. First off, slings are probably the least accurate military-grade ranged weapon (maybe second-least if you include throwing axes). Secondly, they lack in damage department: while it's true that blunt damage gives zero shits about most types of armor, it would not stick into their body, impeding their movements or incapacitating them via pain shock and blood loss like arrows do. Only lead balls at around 15-30m will do that. However, headshots can and will kill people, with the most notable instance of this being recorded in the book of 1 Samuel/Samuel 17, when the future King David sent Goliath right to hell with a single headshot from his sling.

	Lastly, a volley of rocks or lead bullets flying at you is almost invisible, while a volley of arrows or bolts bloating the sky is terrifyingly visible and prone to cause panic or at least disruptions in formation, and these disruptions became more and more valuable then the actual damage as warfare progressed.		Lastly, a volley of rocks or lead bullets flying at you is almost invisible, while a volley of arrows or bolts bloating the sky is terrifyingly visible and prone to cause panic or at least disruptions in formation, and these disruptions became more and more valuable then the actual damage as warfare progressed.

	The former, of course, is bullshit once the [[Awesome\|Balearic Slingers]] enter the stage; those fuckers were described as having the damage output of ''catapults'', were said to have more range and precision than recurve bows of the Romans (and this was stated by the same Romans who fought them). Legend and history say they were trained from childhood following a training regime quite strict (as in, if you didn't get good at shooting you'd STARVE to death). Hannibal and Caesar had made a lot of use of them, and considered them highly important assets.		The former, of course, is bullshit once the [[Awesome\|Balearic Slingers]] enter the stage; those fuckers were described as having the damage output of ''catapults'', were said to have more range and precision than recurve bows of the Romans (and this was stated by the same Romans who fought them). Legend and history say they were trained from childhood following a training regime quite strict (as in, if you didn't get good at shooting you'd STARVE to death). Hannibal and Caesar had made a lot of use of them, and considered them highly important assets.

	One last bit about slings, is that they can throw things other than stones or bullets. Like vials of Greek Fire, or Chinese bombs, or grenades. In this last capacity they survived even past the Great War, showing up in professional hands during the Spanish Civil War and more notoriously the Winter War. During the Winter War sling fired Molotovs were the only Finnish weapon effective against Soviet tanks aside from spamming anti-tank mines. They only fell out of use with the introduction of sub-munition grenades and auxiliary grenade launchers, and even then you can find under-equipped armies without the aforementioned inventions trying it out with Molotov cocktails or even grenades.		One last bit about slings, is that they can throw things other than stones or bullets. Like vials of Greek Fire, or Chinese bombs, or grenades. In this last capacity they survived even past the Great War, showing up in professional hands during the Spanish Civil War and more notoriously the Winter War. During the Winter War sling fired Molotovs were the only Finnish weapon effective against Soviet tanks aside from spamming anti-tank mines. They only fell out of use with the introduction of sub-munition grenades and auxiliary grenade launchers, and even then you can find under-equipped armies without the aforementioned inventions trying it out with Molotov cocktails or even grenades.

	There also exists a sling-like weapon called an atlatl, amentum, or womera that fired spears. It was favored by many early peoples and could whip spears faster and further than a human arm could alone. There is some evidence that they were even used to pierce the armoured hides of glyptodonts.		There also exists a sling-like weapon called an atlatl, amentum, or womera that fired spears. It was favored by many early peoples and could whip spears faster and further than a human arm could alone. There is some evidence that they were even used to pierce the armoured hides of glyptodonts.

	Fantasy and traditional games tend to ignore slings or pretend they don't exist. When they are included they are usually portrayed poorly and have close to unusable (or straight-up unusable) stats in the crunch. The only time you would see them used is in the hands of a DnD cleric when they were forbidden from using sharp weapons, or if some race (Halfings are the most common pick) get a sizeable bonus to damage or accuracy with it. You'd think Alchemists would use it to throw potions and bombs at things, but seems like no one among the writers and developers gave it a good thought. In Warhammer Fantasy, Skavenslaves get slings, but they're the only thing in the whole game that does. They are also completely useless.		Fantasy and traditional games tend to ignore slings or pretend they don't exist. When they are included they are usually portrayed poorly and have close to unusable (or straight-up unusable) stats in the crunch. The only time you would see them used is in the hands of a DnD cleric when they were forbidden from using sharp weapons, or if some race (Halfings are the most common pick) get a sizeable bonus to damage or accuracy with it. You'd think Alchemists would use it to throw potions and bombs at things, but seems like no one among the writers and developers gave it a good thought. In Warhammer Fantasy, Skavenslaves get slings, but they're the only thing in the whole game that does. They are also completely useless.
Line 26:		Line 26:
	Funnily enough, slings are probably actually the only medieval ranged weapon that still sees any much practical use in this day and age - outside of practicing the tradition as a hobby (the aforementioned Baleric people still hold competitions), remote and poor areas still have sheepherders carry slings to cheaply fend off wildlife and steer their sheep by tossing rocks at the opposite direction they want them to go.		Funnily enough, slings are probably actually the only medieval ranged weapon that still sees any much practical use in this day and age - outside of practicing the tradition as a hobby (the aforementioned Baleric people still hold competitions), remote and poor areas still have sheepherders carry slings to cheaply fend off wildlife and steer their sheep by tossing rocks at the opposite direction they want them to go.

	Most recently, a company called SpinLaunch (aka YeetLaunch) wants to build a gigantic enclosed metal sling to throw shit into space. They've built a 20% scale model (100' diameter) that can throw projectiles up 20k feet.		Most recently, a company called SpinLaunch (aka YeetLaunch) wants to build a gigantic enclosed metal sling to throw shit into space. They've built a 20% scale model (100' diameter) that can throw projectiles up 20k feet.

	{{MedievalWeaponry}}		{{MedievalWeaponry}}

1d4chan>REDberry33: added quotation marks to topquote

2022-04-06T08:33:10Z

added quotation marks to topquote

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:33, 6 April 2022
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	[[image:Rhodian slingers.jpeg\|thumb\|450px\|right\|Rhodians, known for annihilating their enemies with high velocity rocks]]		[[image:Rhodian slingers.jpeg\|thumb\|450px\|right\|Rhodians, known for annihilating their enemies with high velocity rocks]]
	{{Topquote\|DEXAI\|Inscribed on Slingstones, translated to Catch}}		{{Topquote\|DEXAI\|Inscribed on Slingstones, translated to "Catch"}}

	Roughly one million years ago our pre-human ancestors figured out that throwing rocks at other beings hurts them and it allows you to stay away from their teeth, claws or tusks. It took quite a long time and some evolutionary changes to the brain to improve the concept, though.		Roughly one million years ago our pre-human ancestors figured out that throwing rocks at other beings hurts them and it allows you to stay away from their teeth, claws or tusks. It took quite a long time and some evolutionary changes to the brain to improve the concept, though.

1d4chan>Lord Of The Lemmings at 18:44, 15 February 2022

2022-02-15T18:44:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:44, 15 February 2022
Line 12:		Line 12:
	Considering all this and adding the ease with which a sling could be carried it wouldn't take much money and effort to arm and train your spearmen and swordsmen with slings too. Romans did it with their legionaries, and it basically allowed the unengaged maniples to drive off enemy skirmishers and keep them off the backs of their fellows going in Phalanx-style.		Considering all this and adding the ease with which a sling could be carried it wouldn't take much money and effort to arm and train your spearmen and swordsmen with slings too. Romans did it with their legionaries, and it basically allowed the unengaged maniples to drive off enemy skirmishers and keep them off the backs of their fellows going in Phalanx-style.

	Naturally there's a reason why people continued to train expensive bowmen despite the awesomeness of the sling. First off, slings are probably the least accurate military-grade ranged weapon (maybe second-least if you include throwing axes). Secondly, they lack in damage department: while it's true that blunt damage gives zero shits about most types of armor, it would not stick into their body, impeding their movements or incapacitating them via pain shock and blood loss like arrows do. Only lead ~~bullets~~ at around 15-30m will do that. However, headshots can and will kill people, with the most notable instance of this being recorded in the book of 1 Samuel/Samuel 17, when the future King David sent Goliath right to hell with a single headshot from his sling.		Naturally there's a reason why people continued to train expensive bowmen despite the awesomeness of the sling. First off, slings are probably the least accurate military-grade ranged weapon (maybe second-least if you include throwing axes). Secondly, they lack in damage department: while it's true that blunt damage gives zero shits about most types of armor, it would not stick into their body, impeding their movements or incapacitating them via pain shock and blood loss like arrows do. Only lead balls at around 15-30m will do that. However, headshots can and will kill people, with the most notable instance of this being recorded in the book of 1 Samuel/Samuel 17, when the future King David sent Goliath right to hell with a single headshot from his sling.

	Lastly, a volley of rocks or lead bullets flying at you is almost invisible, while a volley of arrows or bolts bloating the sky is terrifyingly visible and prone to cause panic or at least disruptions in formation, and these disruptions became more and more valuable then the actual damage as warfare progressed.		Lastly, a volley of rocks or lead bullets flying at you is almost invisible, while a volley of arrows or bolts bloating the sky is terrifyingly visible and prone to cause panic or at least disruptions in formation, and these disruptions became more and more valuable then the actual damage as warfare progressed.

1d4chan>Lord Of The Lemmings at 18:43, 15 February 2022

2022-02-15T18:43:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:43, 15 February 2022
Line 12:		Line 12:
	Considering all this and adding the ease with which a sling could be carried it wouldn't take much money and effort to arm and train your spearmen and swordsmen with slings too. Romans did it with their legionaries, and it basically allowed the unengaged maniples to drive off enemy skirmishers and keep them off the backs of their fellows going in Phalanx-style.		Considering all this and adding the ease with which a sling could be carried it wouldn't take much money and effort to arm and train your spearmen and swordsmen with slings too. Romans did it with their legionaries, and it basically allowed the unengaged maniples to drive off enemy skirmishers and keep them off the backs of their fellows going in Phalanx-style.

	Naturally there's a reason why people continued to train expensive bowmen despite the awesomeness of the sling. First off, slings are probably the least accurate military-grade ranged weapon (maybe second-least if you include throwing axes). Secondly, they lack in damage department: while it's true that blunt damage gives zero shits about most types of armor, ~~hitting anything but a head aren't likely to knock the target down, and apart from lead balls at direct-fire range (15-30m)~~ it would not stick into their body, impeding their movements or incapacitating them via pain shock and blood loss like arrows do. ~~Lastly, a volley of rocks or~~ lead bullets ~~flying~~ at ~~you is almost invisible~~, ~~while a volley~~ of ~~arrows or bolts bloating~~ the ~~sky is terrifyingly visible and prone to cause panic or at least disruptions in formation~~, ~~and these disruptions became more and more valuable then~~ the ~~actual damage as warfare progressed~~.		Naturally there's a reason why people continued to train expensive bowmen despite the awesomeness of the sling. First off, slings are probably the least accurate military-grade ranged weapon (maybe second-least if you include throwing axes). Secondly, they lack in damage department: while it's true that blunt damage gives zero shits about most types of armor, it would not stick into their body, impeding their movements or incapacitating them via pain shock and blood loss like arrows do. Only lead bullets at around 15-30m will do that. However, headshots can and will kill people, with the most notable instance of this being recorded in the book of 1 Samuel/Samuel 17, when the future King David sent Goliath right to hell with a single headshot from his sling.

	The former, of course, is bullshit once the [[Awesome\|Balearic Slingers]] enter the stage; those fuckers were described as having the damage output of ''catapults'', were said to have more range and precision than recurve bows of the Romans (and this was stated by the same Romans who fought them). Legend and history say they were trained from childhood following a training regime quite strict (as in, if you didn't get good at shooting you'd STARVE to death). Hannibal and Caesar had made a lot of use of them, and considered them highly important assets.		Lastly, a volley of rocks or lead bullets flying at you is almost invisible, while a volley of arrows or bolts bloating the sky is terrifyingly visible and prone to cause panic or at least disruptions in formation, and these disruptions became more and more valuable then the actual damage as warfare progressed.

			The former, of course, is bullshit once the [[Awesome\|Balearic Slingers]] enter the stage; those fuckers were described as having the damage output of ''catapults'', were said to have more range and precision than recurve bows of the Romans (and this was stated by the same Romans who fought them). Legend and history say they were trained from childhood following a training regime quite strict (as in, if you didn't get good at shooting you'd STARVE to death). Hannibal and Caesar had made a lot of use of them, and considered them highly important assets.

	One last bit about slings, is that they can throw things other than stones or bullets. Like vials of Greek Fire, or Chinese bombs, or grenades. In this last capacity they survived even past the Great War, showing up in professional hands during the Spanish Civil War and more notoriously the Winter War. During the Winter War sling fired Molotovs were the only Finnish weapon effective against Soviet tanks aside from spamming anti-tank mines. They only fell out of use with the introduction of sub-munition grenades and auxiliary grenade launchers, and even then you can find under-equipped armies without the aforementioned inventions trying it out with Molotov cocktails or even grenades.		One last bit about slings, is that they can throw things other than stones or bullets. Like vials of Greek Fire, or Chinese bombs, or grenades. In this last capacity they survived even past the Great War, showing up in professional hands during the Spanish Civil War and more notoriously the Winter War. During the Winter War sling fired Molotovs were the only Finnish weapon effective against Soviet tanks aside from spamming anti-tank mines. They only fell out of use with the introduction of sub-munition grenades and auxiliary grenade launchers, and even then you can find under-equipped armies without the aforementioned inventions trying it out with Molotov cocktails or even grenades.

76.27.207.191 at 08:49, 18 January 2022

2022-01-18T08:49:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:49, 18 January 2022
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[image:Rhodian slingers.jpeg\|thumb\|450px\|right\|Rhodians, known for annihilating their enemies with high velocity rocks]]		[[image:Rhodian slingers.jpeg\|thumb\|450px\|right\|Rhodians, known for annihilating their enemies with high velocity rocks]]
			{{Topquote\|DEXAI\|Inscribed on Slingstones, translated to Catch}}

	Roughly one million years ago our pre-human ancestors figured out that throwing rocks at other beings hurts them and it allows you to stay away from their teeth, claws or tusks. It took quite a long time and some evolutionary changes to the brain to improve the concept, though.		Roughly one million years ago our pre-human ancestors figured out that throwing rocks at other beings hurts them and it allows you to stay away from their teeth, claws or tusks. It took quite a long time and some evolutionary changes to the brain to improve the concept, though.

71.205.180.193 at 07:54, 30 December 2021

2021-12-30T07:54:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:54, 30 December 2021
Line 16:		Line 16:
	One last bit about slings, is that they can throw things other than stones or bullets. Like vials of Greek Fire, or Chinese bombs, or grenades. In this last capacity they survived even past the Great War, showing up in professional hands during the Spanish Civil War and more notoriously the Winter War. During the Winter War sling fired Molotovs were the only Finnish weapon effective against Soviet tanks aside from spamming anti-tank mines. They only fell out of use with the introduction of sub-munition grenades and auxiliary grenade launchers, and even then you can find under-equipped armies without the aforementioned inventions trying it out with Molotov cocktails or even grenades.		One last bit about slings, is that they can throw things other than stones or bullets. Like vials of Greek Fire, or Chinese bombs, or grenades. In this last capacity they survived even past the Great War, showing up in professional hands during the Spanish Civil War and more notoriously the Winter War. During the Winter War sling fired Molotovs were the only Finnish weapon effective against Soviet tanks aside from spamming anti-tank mines. They only fell out of use with the introduction of sub-munition grenades and auxiliary grenade launchers, and even then you can find under-equipped armies without the aforementioned inventions trying it out with Molotov cocktails or even grenades.

	There also exists a sling-like weapon called an atlatl that fired spears. It was favored by many early peoples and could whip spears faster and further than a human arm could alone. There is some evidence that they were even used to pierce the armoured hides of glyptodonts.		There also exists a sling-like weapon called an atlatl, amentum, or womera that fired spears. It was favored by many early peoples and could whip spears faster and further than a human arm could alone. There is some evidence that they were even used to pierce the armoured hides of glyptodonts.

	Fantasy and traditional games tend to ignore slings or pretend they don't exist. When they are included they are usually portrayed poorly and have close to unusable (or straight-up unusable) stats in the crunch. The only time you would see them used is in the hands of a DnD cleric when they were forbidden from using sharp weapons, or if some race (Halfings are the most common pick) get a sizeable bonus to damage or accuracy with it. You'd think Alchemists would use it to throw potions and bombs at things, but seems like no one among the writers and developers gave it a good thought. In Warhammer Fantasy, Skavenslaves get slings, but they're the only thing in the whole game that does. They are also completely useless.		Fantasy and traditional games tend to ignore slings or pretend they don't exist. When they are included they are usually portrayed poorly and have close to unusable (or straight-up unusable) stats in the crunch. The only time you would see them used is in the hands of a DnD cleric when they were forbidden from using sharp weapons, or if some race (Halfings are the most common pick) get a sizeable bonus to damage or accuracy with it. You'd think Alchemists would use it to throw potions and bombs at things, but seems like no one among the writers and developers gave it a good thought. In Warhammer Fantasy, Skavenslaves get slings, but they're the only thing in the whole game that does. They are also completely useless.

1d4chan>Piroko at 06:07, 12 December 2021

2021-12-12T06:07:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:07, 12 December 2021
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	Funnily enough, slings are probably actually the only medieval ranged weapon that still sees any much practical use in this day and age - outside of practicing the tradition as a hobby (the aforementioned Baleric people still hold competitions), remote and poor areas still have sheepherders carry slings to cheaply fend off wildlife and steer their sheep by tossing rocks at the opposite direction they want them to go.		Funnily enough, slings are probably actually the only medieval ranged weapon that still sees any much practical use in this day and age - outside of practicing the tradition as a hobby (the aforementioned Baleric people still hold competitions), remote and poor areas still have sheepherders carry slings to cheaply fend off wildlife and steer their sheep by tossing rocks at the opposite direction they want them to go.

			Most recently, a company called SpinLaunch (aka YeetLaunch) wants to build a gigantic enclosed metal sling to throw shit into space. They've built a 20% scale model (100' diameter) that can throw projectiles up 20k feet.

	{{MedievalWeaponry}}		{{MedievalWeaponry}}