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Slings were a simple type of projectile weapon[6]

Description[]

Slings consisted of a cord with a pouch to hold a projectile.[6] These cords were typically made of either leather or some form of fabric.[7]

Weaponology[]

Slings were intended to be held with one or two hands and twirled in a circle. Once a high speed of twirling was released, the wielder would then launch their projectile at an opponent by releasing one of the sling's strap's ends.[7]

Against unarmored opponents a sling could produce severe bruising or even broken bones.[8] However, they were not as powerful as bows, nor could they launch their projectiles as far as crossbows.[4] Though compared to those weapons the sling was far cheaper and easier to make, costing effectively nothing if the proper materials could be found.[7][4]

Ammunition[]

Sling and bullets

A sling lays on a table alongside a pouch full of bullets.

Slings were typically loaded with either smooth rounded stones or a ball of lead,[8] known as sling bullets. However, unlike some projectiles they were very versatile and could be used to launch a variety of objects, such as rocks or coins.[6]

Varieties[]

  • Calculus: An oversized sling, designed to throw flasks filled with alchemical substances.[9]
  • Staff sling: A sling attachment for staves, made to throw large bullets or heavy stones.[10]

Notable Slings[]

Notable Users of Slings[]

Classes[]

Groups[]

  • At least half of the guards in Dunstable's Sleeping Cat were expert slingers.[17]

Races[]

  • Due to the low cost required to manufacture them and the fact they made decent hunting weapons, slings were quite common among both human and demihuman peasants all across Faerûn.[7][18]
  • Halflings were well known for fighting with slings.[4][8]
  • Some neanderthals were known to fight with slings.[19]

Regions & Settlements[]

  • The inhabitants of Archendale were taught at a young age how to wield a sling in order to scare birds away from crops or bring them down to be made into hearth pies.[20]
  • Slings were a commonly used weapon among hunters in Daggerdale.[21]
  • Sling hunting was common in Glaur.[22]
  • Slings were a commonly used weapon among inhabitants of Malatra.[23]
  • In the land of Maztica, slings were a common weapon in regional armies.[24] Including the Payit, Pezelac, Kultaka, and orcs.[25]

Appendix[]

Appearances[]

Video games
Eye of the Beholder series (Eye of the BeholderThe Legend of DarkmoonAssault on Myth Drannor)

Gallery[]

External Links[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 149. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
  2. Grant Boucher, Troy Christensen, Jon Pickens, John Terra and Scott Davis (1991). Arms and Equipment Guide. (TSR, Inc.), p. 109. ISBN 1-56076-109-1.
  3. Douglas Niles (August 1991). “A Journey to the True World”. Maztica Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 69. ISBN 1-5607-6084-2.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 116, 121. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
  5. Rob Heinsoo, Andy Collins, James Wyatt (June 2008). Player's Handbook 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 219. ISBN 0-7869-4867-1.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Jim Zub, Stacy King, Andrew Wheeler (July 2019). Warriors & Weapons. (Ten Speed Press), p. 77. ISBN 978-1-9848-5642-5.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Grant Boucher, Troy Christensen, Jon Pickens, John Terra and Scott Davis (1991). Arms and Equipment Guide. (TSR, Inc.), p. 92. ISBN 1-56076-109-1.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Grant Boucher, Troy Christensen, Jon Pickens, John Terra and Scott Davis (1991). Arms and Equipment Guide. (TSR, Inc.), p. 93. ISBN 1-56076-109-1.
  9. Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, Jeff Quick, and James Wyatt (March 2003). Arms and Equipment Guide 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 6. ISBN 978-0-7869-2649-7.
  10. Victor Milán (October 1995). War in Tethyr. (TSR, Inc), p. 19. ISBN 0-7869-0184-5.
  11. John Terra (February 1996). Warriors and Priests of the Realms. Edited by Steven E. Schend. (TSR, Inc), p. 65. ISBN 0-7869-0368-6.
  12. Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 50, 59, 114, 147, 184. ISBN 978-0786903849.
  13. David "Zeb" Cook (April 1995). Player's Handbook 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 49. ISBN 0-7869-0329-5.
  14. Douglas Niles (August 1991). “A Journey to the True World”. Maztica Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 63. ISBN 1-5607-6084-2.
  15. David Noonan (May 2004). Complete Divine. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 15. ISBN 0-7869-3272-4.
  16. Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 188. ISBN 978-0786903849.
  17. Ed Greenwood (January 1996). Volo's Guide to the Dalelands. (TSR, Inc), p. 55. ISBN 0-7869-0406-2.
  18. Roger E. Moore (January 1999). Demihumans of the Realms. (TSR, Inc.), p. 73. ISBN 0-7869-1316-9.
  19. Wolfgang Baur, James Jacobs, George Strayton (September 2004). Frostburn. Edited by Greg Collins. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 37. ISBN 0-7869-2896-4.
  20. Ed Greenwood (January 1996). Volo's Guide to the Dalelands. (TSR, Inc), p. 11. ISBN 0-7869-0406-2.
  21. Ed Greenwood (January 1996). Volo's Guide to the Dalelands. (TSR, Inc), p. 76. ISBN 0-7869-0406-2.
  22. Ed Greenwood (January 1996). Volo's Guide to the Dalelands. (TSR, Inc), p. 207. ISBN 0-7869-0406-2.
  23. Uncredited (December 1994). “Heroes of Malatra”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #102 (TSR, Inc.), p. 14.
  24. Douglas Niles (August 1991). “A Journey to the True World”. Maztica Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 14. ISBN 1-5607-6084-2.
  25. Douglas Niles (August 1991). “Maztica Alive”. Maztica Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), pp. 32, 35, 37, 39. ISBN 1-5607-6084-2.
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