Ballista

Content

Ballista (plural: ballistae) is a missile mechanical weapon designed to throw heavy bolts at a large distance. They are the heaviest type of bolt-throwing artillery, usually much more expensive and complicated to build than others. Ballistae and other bolt-throwers used to be more accurate and precise than other types of siege weapons. That comes at the price of lower range more expensive projectiles.

1. Evolution

Evolution of the bolt-throwers led to the development of various types. One of those types was the Ballista - a heavy bolt-thrower, able to throw very large bolts at great range with impressive accuracy.

1.1. Initial design

The ballistae were one of the first bolt-throwers that use the concept of a non-detachable bow. Instead, the arms were build-in into the holder with leverage to load and keep the mechanism engaged. This increased the complexity and required some finer tools to build. The ballistae started being built in remote workshops far from the actual battlefields and brought there disassembled and packed like any other heavy siege engines.

1.2. Advanced

1.3. Charge-loaded projectiles

Continuously development of ballistae reached the point where all further improvements did too insignificant an impact. So a new approach to the problem was done. Instead of modifying the thrower, the efforts were concentrated on the projectiles. Several new types of bolts were developed before the breakthrough was made. The introduction of chare-loaded projectile threw the largest bolt-thrower into a new era of use. New designs appeared.

2 Design

2.1. Classical

2.2. TODO

2.3. Launching bed

2.4. Modern

3. Employment

3.1. Land Ballista

The size of ballistae may vary from medium to very large. Smaller ones most often are used to throw standard or charged bolts while larger ones easily can operate with relatively straight branches or even entire trunks.

3.2. Naval Ballista

Particular types of ballistae are developed for use on ships. They used to be built from lightweight materials and are much more water-resistant. They often mount on rotating carriage on the stern or bow where they can be pointed in any direction. For boards usually, the smaller Scorpio are preferred, as they are much cheaper and easier to build and maintain.
Unlike their land counterparts, the naval ballistae are much pickier in terms of projectiles. Most of them can operate with only one type of bolt, which must be above average quality. However, such ballistae are well optimized for use with charged- or container projectiles and usually most of their ammunition stock is that kind.

Parent Technologies

• Bolt Thrower