History Main / JavelinThrower

* In ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'', a Nazgûl uses a javelin to almost-mortally wound Faramir.

* Literature/VanasHeritage: Avaron and Halvor use javelins as they ambush the Shor-Warriors.

* ''VideoGame/EmpireEarth'' has javelin throwers (and later pilum throwers and Persian cavalry ) as a shorter-ranged, higher-damage alternative to the archer and is useful for reversing the TacticalRockPaperScissors. In the expansion's Roman campaign, the Legionary can throw two pila at full charge, making them remarkably good at turning enemies into pincushions.

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* In ''Manga/FairyTail'', Erza's Giant Armor is made to boost her throwing skills and equipped with an evil-banishing spear, which she throws at Galuna's moon in order to end the curse.
* In the Golden Age Arc of ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'', one of the Kushan assassins is a huge, muscular man who, instead of going to close range, opts to use his strength to throw large spears with ballista-like speed and force, using an atlatl or spear-thrower. In a lightless tunnel, he's lethal... unfortunately, he's up against Guts and the Band of the Hawk's best fighters.

* Pops up in ''Creator/DCComics'' from time to time:
** As expected the Amazons have been armed with either spears or javelins. With ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1987'' having reimagined the Amazons as some of the oldest people on Earth it's unsurprising that most of the contestants in ''ComicBook/TheContest'' carry javelins as their weapon of choice and that javelin throwing is shown to be a popular hobby on Themyscira.
** The ''Franchise/GreenLantern'' villain Javelin was an Olympic javelin thrower who decided to turn to crime one day, using his Olympic talents to become a mercenary and creating an javelin-based arsenal. After a bout with Hal Jordan he ended up joining the ComicBook/SuicideSquad.

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]

* ''Literature/HaveSpaceSuitWillTravel'': Centurion Iunio shows his contempt for the [[HumanityOnTrial aliens who judging humanity]] by throwing his javelin at them. They're in an UnnecessarilyLargeInterior so he misses, but the protagonist is still impressed, claiming that Iunio must have broken several Olympic records.

* ''Series/DoctorWho'': "[[Recap/DoctorWho20thASTheFiveDoctors The Five Doctors]]" features the Raston Warrior Robot, a guardian android that fights by throwing metal javelins. And it is ''extremely'' deadly, devastating a squad of a dozen Cybermen all by itself within seconds.

* Javelins have the longest range of any throwing weapon in ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' 5th Edition. This makes them extremely popular with characters who have high strength scores, like most fighters, paladins, and barbarians, because they're the most effective ranged weapon that uses strength for attack and damage rolls. In most editions, there's also the Javelin of Lightning, a magic weapon that as its name suggests becomes a bolt of lightning when thrown.

* Kratos in ''VideoGame/GodOfWarGhostOfSparta'' can use the spear from the Arms of Sparta as a javelin. Said spear can magically respawn in his hand after being tossed.
* In ''VideoGame/GodOfWarAscension'', spears are among the weapons available to either Kratos or the playable character in the multiplayer mode. In both case, the spear has some melee options but mostly can be thrown at enemies from a distance, briefly turning into a spear of pure light and returning to the hand of the user.
* In ''VideoGame/GodOfWarRagnarok'', Kratos gains hold of the Draupnir Spear which can create copies of itself as he tosses them at the enemies and is also able to detonate the copies in a quick burst.
* The ''VideoGame/{{Avernum}}'' series has javelins as one of the possible weapons. They look like Roman pila.
* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfDragoon'', [[FaceHeelTurn rogue knight]] [[BlowYouAway Greham]] can [[ShapingYourAttacks make javelins out of light]] in his magic attack.
* ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' has the Javelin, Spear and Short Spear weapons, which alongside throwing axes count among the few weapons with 1-2 range, meaning that they can be used to attack up close ''or'' at a distance. However, this rare advantage comes at the cost of lackluster power and accuracy compared to ordinary lances.

* {{Lizard|Folk}}men in ''VideoGame/MasterOfMagic'' have Javelineers with ranged attack strength 3 like Longbowmen, but not long-range. They also move fast and are tough in melee.
* In ''VideoGame/AgeOfWonders'', the Wizard's Throne and Shadow Magic "Throw Spear" ability allows a single rather strong ranged attack. Nomads basic infantry unit Spearman has it, as well as some heroes.
* The Bandana Waddle Dee from ''VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamLand'' wields a spear that he uses for this purpose, and Kirby can, as well. Both just pull new spears [[HammerSpace out of nowhere]] when throwing them.

* In ''VideoGame/MountAndBlade'', throwing spears and axes are a common weapon type.
* In ''VideoGame/TalesOfLegendia'', this is the weapon of choice for Moses. Like some other examples, he generates new javelins to throw out of nowhere.
* ''VideoGame/AgeOfChivalry'', a medieval combat-themed ''VideoGame/HalfLife2'' GameMod, features the javelineer as one of the three ranged classes, along with the longbow-wielding archer and the crossbowman. Of some note is the fact that he's the only ranged class with any notable close combat abilities, using a longspear and shield as his melee weapons. Its SpiritualSuccessor ''Videogame/ChivalryMedievalWarfare'' combines the three classes, giving the Archer class the option to wield a javelin -- and adding the ability to throw it while sprinting, increasing its damage dramatically. A javelineer can also now use his javelin in melee combat, doing away with the need to change weapons to defend yourself in close quarters.
* ''VideoGame/DungeonFighterOnline'' has the {{C|hurchMilitant}}rusader subclass, who can use his [[HolyHandGrenade Spear of Victory]] skill to throw a spear of light.
* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII2'', Noel can [[MorphWeapon combine]] his swords into a javelin to attack unreachable enemies. His LimitBreak lets him throw a rapid barrage of javelins from the air.

* Wen Yang in ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors'' uses a javelin, and likes to both throw and strike with it.
* ''VideoGame/RyseSonOfRome'' has Roman pila being used as the primary ranged weapon for Marius.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Medievil}}'', one of the weapons you can obtain in the Hall of Heroes is a throwing spear given to you by an amazon queen. It has only 30 projectiles, but it's far more powerful than the longbow and the crossbow.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Broforce}}'', one of the characters (based on certain [[Franchise/{{Predator}} alien hunter]]) uses throwing spears as his primary ranged weapon.
* ''VideoGame/EmpireEarth'' has javelin throwers (and later pilum throwers and Persian cavalry ) as a shorter-ranged, higher-damage alternative to the archer and is useful for reversing the TacticalRockPaperScissors. In the expansion's Roman campaign, the Legionary can throw two pila at full charge, making them remarkably good at turning enemies into pincushions.

* ''VideoGame/ThroneOfDarkness'' has the Nage-yari (throwing spear) as the strongest throwing weapon avaible, dealing much more damage than other knives, darts or shurikens.
* ''VideoGame/{{Hades}}'': Zagreus' spear can be thrown as a javelin as a special attck, complete with a return mechanic. Theseus fights using one as well, and like Zagreus' his returns to his hand after a short delay.
* ''VideoGame/{{Tyranny}}'' has this as a weapon option (along with throwing knives). Maximising your reputation with the Vendrien Guard gives you the ability to throw a javelin made of light.
* ''VideoGame/{{Gladius}}'': Javelin and spear throwers are incredibly strong offensively, enough to reliably kill most classes in a single hit with good equipment, though they are vulnerable if you can get close.
* ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'' has a few of these:
** [[JunglePrincess Nidalee, the Bestial Huntress]] alternates between [[PantheraAwesome a cougar form]] where she pounces at and assassinates enemies, and a human form where she chucks out javelins, among other things. Said javelins are slow-moving, but infamously one of the most powerful projectiles in the game (they increase in damage based on the range travelled before they collide with a target, and they scale hard), and not only can they chunk out a large fraction of a squishy target's health, it also marks them to make the next cougar pounce even more deadly.
** [[WarGod Pantheon, the Unbreakable Spear]] carries a "Comet Spear", and is able to thrust it at enemies in close range or charge it up to throw it forward (where upon impact, it immediately teleports back to his hand). Whichever version of the ability he uses, [[HerdHittingAttack it penetrates all enemies it passes through]] and [[InjuredVulnerability deals bonus damage to enemies who are already on low health.]]
** [[VengefulGhost Kalista, the Spear of Vengeance]], is a ghostly agent of revenge that hunts down betrayers and [[PayEvilUntoEvil and runs them down with spectral spears]]. Unlike the other two examples, Kalista is a high-DPS champion, conjuring and hurling out spears at frightening speed, with an added ability to instantly rip out whatever spears [[HumanPincushion remain stuck in their body]] for execution damage.
* ''VideoGame/{{Lichtspeer}}'' is ''made'' of this trope, with you playing as a lone warrior in a Germanic mythology-inspired future world fighting assorted enemies including zombies, ogres, giants and the like with your Lichtspeer, a javelin made of light which you have an unlimited supply of and use for throwing into various enemies.
* Spears in ''VideoGame/MagicRampage'' are always thrown, like all the other melee weapons. They tend to be stronger than other weapons and can always break through barriers with ease. Most magical classes are inclined to use either staves or spears.
* [[RobotSuperhero Orisa]] of ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'' gained a javelin as part of her regular arsenal in ''Overwatch 2'', and in addition to using it for melee attacks along with her [[ArmCannon Fusion Driver]], she's able to hurl it at her enemies for a chunky burst of damage and {{knockback}}. [[DifficultButAwesome With good aim]], it's her best option for creating space and knocking enemies out of the sky.

* ''Series/MidsomerMurders'': In "Written in the Stars", the second VictimOfTheWeek is done in with a thrown spear using a stolen Bronze Age spearhead -- which is unusual even for Midsomer.

* Wardens in ''VideoGame/LordOfTheRingsOnline'' specialize in spears, shields and javelins, and are very good at tanking.

See HarpoonGun for a high-tech version with aquatic associations. The more simplistic sort may fall under LowTechSpears. The victim of an especially powerful javelin attack may end up ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice, though in truth it would take incredible strength to throw a weapon right through someone.

See HarpoonGun for a high-tech version with aquatic associations. The victim of an especially powerful javelin attack may end up ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice, though in truth it would take incredible strength to throw a weapon right through someone.

One of the oldest weapons of all humanity, OlderThanDirt, along with the [[CarryABigStick wooden club]], is the javelin. Short, light spears that can be simply sharp sticks (though really, a hard point makes them much more effective), javelins can be used in melee at a pinch, but are usually thrown. They differ from the BladeOnAStick in various ways: usually, while heavy spears and lances are melee weapons associated with guards, knights, and cool-headed, calm individuals, javelins are associated with speed, as they're lighter to carry than a spear, and provide hit-and-run skirmishers with the cheapest and simplest effective option. But there are important exceptions, most notably [[UsefulNotes/TheGloryThatWasRome the Roman legions]], who developed formidable heavy infantry tactics based on close-range use of heavy javelins followed up with sword and shield.

See also BladeOnAStick, and HarpoonGun for a high-tech version with aquatic associations. The victim of an especially powerful javelin attack may end up ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice, though in truth it would take incredible strength to throw a weapon right through someone.

* In ''Film/TerrorInATexasTown'', the hero George Hanson is a whaler, who uses his father's harpoon in a ShowdownAtHighNoon against [[TheGunslinger a gunslinger]].

** The ''Franchise/GreenLantern'' villain, Javelin was an Olympic javelin thrower who decided to turn to crime one day. Using his Olympic talents into becoming a mercenary, creating an javelin-based arsenal. After that bout with Hal Jordan he ended up joining the ComicBook/SuicideSquad.

* ''Film/MadMaxFuryRoad''. Slit is a 'lancer', whose job is to be the GuyInBack who throws explosive-head spears at enemy vehicles.

* ''Series/MidsomerMurders'': In "Written in the Stars", the second VictimOfTheWeek is done in with a thrown spear using a stolen Bronze Age spearhead; which is unusual even for Midsomer.
* ''Series/DoctorWho'': "[[Recap/DoctorWho20thASTheFiveDoctors The Five Doctors]]" features the Raston Warrior Robot, a guardian android that fights by throwing metal javelins. And it is ''extremely'' deadly, devastating a dozen of Cybermen all by itself within seconds.

* In ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpiresII'' Skirmishers are javelin-wielding ranged infantry who are strong against archers, [[GameplayAndStorySegregation despite the informational text clearly stating that actual skirmishers were used to harry heavier infantry]]. Oddly enough, they have a minimum range and thus are unable to strike enemies who are too close to them, unlike how actual skirmishers would doubtlessly just stab at the enemy with their javelins if forced to (though the Inca's unique technology fixes that). ''African Kingdoms'' adds the Berbers and their ''Genitour,'' which is essentially a mounted Skirmisher who can be trained even by players allied with the Berbers. Finally, the Vietnamese and their allies in ''Rise of Rajahs'' can upgrade Elite Skirmisher to Imperial Skirmisher.
* In ''VideoGame/AgeOfMythology'' Peltasts are javelineers who are strong against archers, while the heroine Regenlief use her long spear as a throwing weapon. The expansion has the ''Turma,'' Atlantean horsemen who attack by throwing spears. Satyrs can throw ''multiple'' javelins as a special attack ([[LowTierLetdown but are also notoriously weak]]).

* In ''VideoGame/DiabloII'' the Amazon can specialize in javelins. Said character would return ''much'' later in ''VideoGame/HeroesOfTheStorm''. Oddly enough, her unique Maiden Javelins have a curved, glaive-like blade seemingly unfit for a throwing weapon.

* ''VideoGame/AgeOfChivalry'', a medieval combat-themed ''VideoGame/HalfLife2'' GameMod, features the javelineer as one of the three ranged classes, along with the longbow-wielding archer and the crossbowman. Of some note is the fact that he's the only ranged class with any notable close combat abilities, using a longspear and shield as his melee weapons
* Its SpiritualSuccessor ''Videogame/ChivalryMedievalWarfare'' combines the three classes, giving the Archer class the option to wield a javelin -- and adding the ability to throw it while sprinting, increasing its damage dramatically. A javelineer can also now use his javelin in melee combat, doing away with the need to change weapons to defend yourself in close quarters.

* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII2'' Noel can [[MorphWeapon combine]] his swords into a javelin to attack unreachable enemies. His LimitBreak lets him throw a rapid barrage of javelins from the air.
* Despite the weapon class being named Spear, this is what any character armed with one will do in ''VideoGame/GuildWars''.

* In the ''VideoGame/TotalWar'' series, javelinmen are a core component of most early armies; a cheap, short-distance but high piercing unit that won't last long in any direct melee combat.
** In ''VideoGame/TotalWarRomeII'', most melee units in the game carry javelins as well as their normal weapons which they'll throw just before charging the enemy or being charged. This is in addition to other specialized javelinmen and cavalry javelinmen units. ''VideoGame/TotalWarAttila'' has the javelin be very powerful in damage output, ensuring they'll quickly tear apart even the most armored units if thrown from an unshielded side but are low in range and total ammunition. They are much more uncommon in ''VideoGame/TotalWarWarhammer'', limited to being in the hands a few Chaos and Norsca ranged units. In the ''Shogun'' series and ''VideoGame/EmpireTotalWar'', javelins are entirely absent.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Medievil}}'' one of the weapons you can obtain in the Hall of Heroes is a throwing spear given to you by an amazon queen. It has only 30 projectiles, but it's far more powerful than the longbow and the crossbow.

* In ''VideoGame/AgeOfEmpiresII'' Skirmishers are javelin-wielding ranged infantry who are strong against other archers, [[GameplayAndStorySegregation despite the informational text clearly stating that actual skirmishers were used to harry heavier infantry]]. Oddly enough, they have a minimum range and thus are unable to strike enemies who are too close to them, unlike how actual skirmishers would doubtlessly just stab at the enemy with their javelins if forced to (though the Inca's unique technology fixes that). ''African Kingdoms'' adds the Berbers and their Genitour, which is essentially a mounted Skirmisher which can be trained even by players allied with the Berbers. Finally, the Vietnamese and their allies in ''Rise of Rajahs'' can upgrade Elite Skirmisher to Imperial Skirmisher.
* In ''VideoGame/AgeOfMythology'' Peltast soldiers are javelineers who arestrong against archers, while the heroine Regenlief use her long spear as a throwing weapon. The expansion has the Turma, Atlantean horsemen who attack by throwing spears. Satyrs can throw ''multiple'' javelins as a special attack ([[LowTierLetdown but are also notoriously weak]]).
* Some units from ''VideoGame/TheBattleForWesnoth'' can use javelins, the most noticeable being the Javelineer, who can use them in both melee and distance.

* In ''VideoGame/GodOfWarAscension'', spears are among the weapons avaible to either Kratos or the playable character in the multiplayer mode. In both case, the spear has some melee options but mostly can be thrown at enemies from a distance, briefly turning in a spear of pure light and returning to the hand of the user.

* In ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'', [[HordesFromTheEast Caesar's Legion]] uses small throwing spears similar to javelins, mimicking the historical Roman pilum. The Gun Runners' Arsenal DLC adds a challenge known as "[[Film/ThreeHundred Even A God-King Can Bleed]]" that rewards you if you kill Caesar with a throwing spear to the head. Spears used by the player can also have [[PoisonedWeapons poison applied]].
* {{Lizard|Folk}}men in ''VideoGame/MasterOfMagic'' got Javelineers with ranged attack strength 3 like Longbowmen, but not long-range. They also move fast and are tough in melee.

* In ''VideoGame/AgeOfMythology'' Peltast soldiers are javelineers who arestrong against archers, while the heroine Regenlief use her long spear as a throwing weapon. The expansion has the Turma, Atlantean horsemen who attack by throwing spears. Satyrs can throw ''multiple'' javelins as a special attack ([[TierInducedScrappy but are also notoriously weak]]).

* One of the favored competitors in ''Film/TheHungerGames'' is Marvel, whose [[WeaponSpecialization weapons of choice]] is the javelin, with which he scores one of the film's relatively few on-screen kills of a named character.

Javelins are thus favored by [[BornInTheSaddle light cavalry]] and skirmishing infantry, who can use them instead of bows and arrows -- javelins are more economical to make and easier to use, and can be thrown one-handed while the other hand holds a shield, though they lack the bow's range. (A well-equipped HorseArcher might ''also'' carry a couple of javelins, for closer-range work and as a backup to the bow.) The javelin ''is'' a very old weapon as well as being quite simple, so it's often associated with wild, primitive-looking cultures (though, again, the Romans provide a major counterexample). If a story takes place in a maritime setting then you may see its nautical cousin, the harpoon. In some stories, javelins will be [[PoisonedWeapons coated in venom]].

* The Doryphoros ("Spear-Bearer") of Polykleitos was a [[UsefulNotes/AncientGreece Classical Greek]] sculpture, known today from Roman copies, which is considered one of the masterpieces of its age. It depicted a male nude holding a spear or javelin, in a ContrappostoPose; he may have been a soldier taking a spear to war, but alternatively he may well have been an athlete engaged in a javelin-throwing contest.

* The Doryphoros ("Spear-Bearer") of Polykleitos was a [[UsefulNotes/AncientGreece Classical Greek]] sculpture, known today from Roman copies, which was considered once of the masterpieces of its age. It depicted a male nude holding a spear or javelin, in a ContrappostoPose; he may have been a soldier taking a spear to war, but alternatively he may well have been an athlete engaged in a javelin-throwing contest.

* The Doryphoros ("Spear-Bearer") of Polykleitos was an ancient Greek sculpture, known today from Roman copies, which was considered once of the masterpieces of its age. It depicts a male nude holding a spear or javelin; he may be a soldier taking a spear to war, but alternatively he may well be an athlete engaged in a javelin-throwing contest.