History Main / TwoByFore

* Chris Vaughn (played by Creator/DwayneJohnson) in ''Film/WalkingTall2004'' arms himself with a 4x4 piece of wood as he enters the casino, he later has the 4x4 made into an {{Improvised|Weapon}} [[Batterup baseball bat]].

For some odd reason this weapon is very prevalent in works involving the ZombieApocalypse used by survivors or raiders and also in BeatEmUp or any brawls taking place in an urban setting, either in the hands of the good guys or bad guys.

* When getting a rematch with [[spoiler:the Deadite-possesed Henrietta (well technically the past version of her), Ash tries to use a wooden plank with some nails hammered through it to fight her, although due to being an undead bloated corpse. All it does is have [[NoSell the nails end up getting stuck to her body]].]]

* Taking inspiration from old-school {{BeatEmUp}}s, ''VideoGame/ActionDoom2UrbanBrawl'' naturally has a wooden plank as an available weapon, not only that however it's also got [[SavageSpikedWeapon a long spike]] (weirdly nailed through the thin side instead of the flat side) and has tape wrapped around the other end to serve as a handle.

* ''VideoGame/ProjectZomboid'' lets players use the wooden plank either as building materials, or as a weapon, either by itself, or modified with nails to create the nailed plank.

** The Majini of ''Videogame/ResidentEvil5'' are armed with a variety of melee weapons, including wooden planks with nails hammered into the end.

* The ''VideoGame/{{Splatterhouse}}'' series features the 2×4 as a very common available weapon. It naturally returns in the 2010 remake in a much meaner-looking appearance to fit with it's DarkerAndEdgier aesthetic. Instead of being a simple piece of lumber, it's more like one big block of wood that has several smaller pieces of wood nailed to it with railroad spikes and nails, acting more like an {{Improvised|Weapon}} [[SavageSpikedWeapons spiky]] [[CarryABigStick wooden mace]], it's a very common weapon to find and is classified as a medium-strength bludgeoning weapon. It was even voted number 95 in [=IGN=]'s [[http://www.ign.com/top/video-game-weapons/95 Top 100 weapons in video games list]].

* A common weapon to be found in the ''VideoGame/{{Yakuza}}'' series, usually referred to as "Lumber" (or any other names) and very prevalent. Either as something that can be bought from shops or picked up off the street/floor/wherever the fighting is, to deliver the hurt on some {{Mook}}s. It usually comes in a 4x4 shape but it's length either goes from club-like to [[SimpleStaff staff-like]] (thus referred to as "Long Lumber", and as with every weapon have some HEAT moves to deliver some serious pain.

** Ichiban's "Hero" class from ''VideoGame/YakuzaLikeADragon'', mainly makes use of [[BatterUp baseball bats]] or any other blunt weapons. Which includes two kinds of Lumber, the regular 4x4 or flaming Lumber.

* Taking inspiration from old-school BeatEmUps, ''VideoGame/ActionDoom2UrbanBrawl'' has a wooden plank that appears as an available weapon and even has tape wrapped around one end to be used as a handle.

* ''VideoGame/CastleCrashers'' features the 2×4 as an available weapon in the Blacksmith DLC pack.

This trope also covers all other kinds of lumber/timber, from boards to planks and etc. of different shapes and sizes. As long as it's a piece of construction wood and used as a weapon. [[BatterUp Baseball/cricket bats]], [[CarryABigStick wooden clubs]] or [[SimpleStaff staves]][=/=][[BladeOnAStick spears]] have their own tropes.

* The Wood board is an available melee weapon in ''VideoGame/TheLastStand'': Union City. Somewhat common weapon to find, and overall is a pretty good weapon to see some use early on, although you're encouraged to replace it with something better when you have the chance.
** Later on, you can get a quest from the local repairman Darnel, called "Something Spikey". The quest needs a broken wooden board, some nails and a roll of tape. Completing it nets you the Heavy version of [[https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/tlaststand/images/7/70/Nailboard.PNG/ the Nail Board]] as a reward. It is a large wooden board with nails hammer on the business and tape wrapped around the handle for comfortable grip. It's one of the best early weapons in the game. Depending on your luck it will be dropped by zombies with backpacks or when scavenging different containers.

* Is used a few times in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil''.
** ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4'' has Ashley attempting to employ this trope in her first cutscene when meeting with Leon.

* The first craftable melee weapon in ''VideoGame/Darkwood'' is the "Board with Nails". The community of the game has even created a challenge where you only have that weapon to beat the game.

Needless to say, a subtrope of ImprovisedWeapon. While it may seem the same as CarryABigStick, it falls more under ImprobableWeaponUser category due to the awkwardness that would be encountered when trying to wield a 2×4 as a weapon in its standard form.

* Easily one of the more plentiful melee weapons to see in ''VideoGame/CondemnedCriminalOrigins'' and ''VideoGame/Condemned2Bloodshot'', but not only that they come in many different flavors as well. From plain, to ones with bolts or nails through them and even ones that are burning. The last one is especially important as you have to use them in the final levels were you lack a flashlight for illumination

** Thanks to the combo weapon system introduced from [[VideoGame/DeadRising2 2]] and used onward. There are a few combo weapons to be made with the ubiquitous 2" x 4". In [[VideoGame/DeadRising3 3]] one can make [[https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/deadrising/images/b/b6/Heavy_Metal_Blueprint.png/ "Heavy Metal"]] a combo weapon made with another ubiquitous weapon, [[PipePain the Lead Pipe]]. Creating a large improvised and very gnarly-looking mace.

* ''Videogame/DyingLight'' features the wooden plank as a usable weapon for dispatching zombies.

* The Wood board is an available melee weapon in ''VideoGame/TheLastStand'': Union City. Somewhat common weapon to find, and overall is a pretty good weapon to see some use early on.

** Is used a few times in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil''.
* ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4'' has Ashley attempting to employ this trope in her first cutscene when meeting with Leon.
* The Majini of ''Videogame/ResidentEvil5'' are armed with a variety of melee weapons, including wooden planks with nails hammered into the end.
* One of the available melee weapons in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilOutbreak'' that can be used by most survivors.
* The first weapon James Sunderland equips in ''VideoGame/SilentHill2'' is the wooden plank that he rips from a safety barricade, complete with rusty nails stuck in the end. He makes use of it when he first encounters a Lying Figure. While obviously weaker than the [[PipePain pipe]] you receive later in the game, it has the bonus of being much quicker to swing.
* ''VideoGame/SilentHillBookOfMemories'' also features the wooden plank as a weapon. But unlike ''VideoGame/SilentHill2'', Book of Memories features the BreakableWeapons system, so it's only a temporary weapon.

* A common weapon to be found in the ''VideoGame/{{Yakuza}}'' series, usually referred to as "Lumber" (or any other names) and very prevalent. Either as something that can be bought from shops or picked up off the street/wherever the fighting is to deliver the hurt on some {{Mook}}s. It usually comes in a 4x4 shape but it's length either goes from club-like to [[SimpleStaff staff-like]], and as with every weapon have some Heat moves to deliver some serious pain.
** Shinada from ''VideoGame/Yakuza5'' doesn't enjoy the BatterUp trope, but is willing to use his skills from his baseball career to deliver some mean attacks with blunt weapons. Lumber is one of his preferred weapon with one of his Revelations showing him use Lumber.
** Ichiban's "Hero" class from ''VideoGame/YakuzaLikeADragon'', mainly makes use of [[BatterUp baseball bat]] or any other blunt weapons. Which includes two kinds of Lumber, the regular 4x4 or flaming Lumber.

** They also try out in making [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwNYKiB1IqE a real version]] of the Toys/NERFBrand [[https://nerf.fandom.com/wiki/2x4 Zombie Strike club]]. Which is a strangely shaped piece of wood with what appears to be either door hinges or a piece of sheet metal riveted/screwed onto it. Upon testing they find out it is a surprisingly very practical budget weapon in practice.

** They also try out in making [[[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwNYKiB1IqE a real version]] of the Toys/NERFBrand [[https://nerf.fandom.com/wiki/2x4 Zombie Strike club]]. Which is a strangely shaped piece of wood with what appears to be either door hinges or a piece of sheet metal riveted/screwed onto it. Upon testing they find out it is a surprisingly very practical budget weapon in practice.

** It appears [[https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/fallout/images/5/5e/Board.png/ again]] in ''VideoGame/Fallout4'' and [[VideoGame/Fallout76 76]], although very different from most kinds of 2x4 or 4x4 weapons, instead it looks somewhat akin to a cricket bat with even a long relatively thin handle that's wrapped with duct tape for grip. It can be seen often in the hands of the super mutants. Thanks to 4's rather robust weapon customization system you can give your plank different upgardes to make it more viable as a weapon.

* ''VideoGame/Fallout'':

* Easily one of the more plentiful melee weapons to see in ''VideoGame/CondemnedCriminalOrigins'' and ''Condemned2Bloodshot'', but not only that they come in many different flavors as well. From plain, to ones with bolts or nails through them and even ones that are burning. The last one is especially important as you have to use them in the final levels were you lack a flashlight for illumination

* The ''VideoGame/{{Splatterhouse}}'' series features the 2×4 as a very common available weapon. It naturally returns in the 2010 remake in a much meaner-looking appearance to fit with it's DarkerAndEdgier aesthetic. Instead of being a simple piece of lumber, it's more like one big block of wood that has several smaller pieces of wood nailed to it with railroad spikes and nails, acting more like an {{Improvised|Weapon}} [[SavageSpikyWeapons spiky]] [[CarryABigStick wooden mace]], it's a very common weapon to find and is classified as a medium-strength bludgeoning weapon. It was even voted number 95 in [=IGN=]'s [[http://www.ign.com/top/video-game-weapons/95 Top 100 weapons in video games list]].

* A common weapon to be found in the ''VideoGame/{{Yakuza}}'' series, usually going by many different names but still very prevalent. Either as something that can be bought or picked up off the street/wherever to deliver the hurt to enemies. Can either come in the usual plank, club, or staff-like forms.

* A common weapon to be found in the ''VideoGame/{{Yakuza}}'' series, usually going by many different names but still very prevalent. Either as something that can be bought or picked up off the street/wherever to deliver the hurt to enemies. Can either cum in the usual plank, club, or staff-like forms.

The ubiquitous 2×4, (even though it's really 1½"×3½" in real life) found just about everywhere at hardware stores, construction sites, home renovations, garages, and just about anywhere else there's wood to be found. It's an unassuming little item, highly flexible in its possible applications, able to serve as either construction material for building a home, protecting said home against [[BerserkBoardBarricade unwanted intrusion]]... or even an expedient substitute when a [[BatterUp baseball bat]] isn't available. Bonus points if there are [[SavageSpikedWeapons nails, screws, bolts or even spikes]] on the business end for added pain.

* Jim "Hacksaw" Duggan made use of a 2×4 as a weapon.

** Thanks to the combo weapon system introduced from [[VideoGame/DeadRising2 2]] and used onward. There are a few combo weapons to be made with the ubiquitous 2" x 4". In [[VideoGame/DeadRising3 3]] one can make "Heavy Metal" a combo weapon made with another ubiquitous weapon, [[PipePain the Lead Pipe]].

* The wooden plank is an environmental weapon available in ''VideoGame/GuildWars2'', it appears to be tapered and even has it's own moveset when used by the warrior class (although this is mostly relegated to move names).

* The ''VideoGame/{{Splatterhouse}}'' series features the 2×4 as a very common available weapon. It naturally returns in the 2010 remake in a much gnarlier-looking appearance to fit with it's DarkerAndEdgier aesthetic. Instead of being a simple piece of lumber, it's more like one big block of wood that has several smaller pieces nailed to it with railroad spikes or nails, acting more like an {{Improvised|Weapon}} [[CarryABigStick mace]], it's a very common weapon to find and is classified as a medium-strength bludgeoning weapon. It was even voted number 95 in [=IGN=]'s [[http://www.ign.com/top/video-game-weapons/95 Top 100 weapons in video games list]].
-->'''Terror Mask:''' 2x4... handy. Let's do some fucking carpentry.
* The 2×4 is a very common weapon in ''VideoGame/TheLastOfUs'', and is in fact the first melee weapon you come across. [[BreakableWeapons Durability is weak]], able to withstand only four hits in its unmodified form before breaking apart, but it proves to be quite common, so another is easy enough to find when facing other humans. Interestingly enough they call it a 2×4 in the game despite the fact that it's clearly square (likely a 4x4).

* ''VideoGame/MOTHER3'' has Flint, who uses a 2-by-4 as his weapon of choice. He uses it to beat the stuffing out of everything in his way. [[spoiler: When he goes into an UnstoppableRage over his wife's death, Lighter has to [[TapOnTheHead whack him in the back of the head with it to knock him out]]. It was the only way to get him to stop attacking the other villagers as they try to comfort him and reign in his fury.]]
* Like many zombie games, ''VideoGame/{{Cataclysm}}'' has these as a weapon. They're actually quite weak, but they're better than your bare hands (unless you have enough points in unarmed combat) and easy to find (just break some furniture, or have a zombie do that for you). You can also craft a version with nails in it for added damage.
* The Wood board is an available melee weapon in ''VideoGame/TheLastStand'': Union City. Somewhat common weapon to find, and overall is a pretty good weapon to see some use early on.
** Later on, you can get a quest from the local repairman Darnel, called "Something Spikey". The quest needs a broken wooden board, some nails and a roll of tape. Completing it nets you the Heavy version of [[https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/tlaststand/images/7/70/Nailboard.PNG/ the Nail Board]] as a reward. It is a large wooden board with nails hammer on the business and tape wrapped around the handle for comfortable grip. It's one of the best early weapons in the game. Depending on your luck it will be dropped by zombies with backpacks or when scavenging different containers.

** They also try out in making a real life version of the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwNYKiB1IqE NERF Zombie Strike club]]. Which they find out is surprisingly very practical in practice.

* ''VideoGame/CastleCrashers'' features the 2×4 as an available weapon in the DLC Blacksmith pack.

** Thanks to the combo weapon system introduced from 2 and used onward. There are a few combo weapons to be made with the ubiquitous 2" x 4". In 3 one can make "Heavy Metal" a combo weapon made with another ubiquitous weapon, [[PipePain the Lead Pipe]].

** ''VideoGame/Fallout3'' and ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' features a nailed plank as a common weapon among mutants and raiders, with at least one variant called the Board of Education.
** It appears [[https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/fallout/images/5/5e/Board.png/ again]] in ''VideoGame/Fallout4'', although very different from most kinds of 2x4 or 4x4, instead it looks somewhat akin to a cricket bat with even a long handle that's wrapped with duct tape for grip. It can be seen often in the hands of the super mutants. Thanks to 4's rather robust weapon customization system you can give your plank different properties to make it more viable as a weapon.

* The wooden plank is an environmental weapon available in ''VideoGame/GuildWars2''.

* ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4'' has Ashley attempting to employ this trope in her first cutscene.

* The ''VideoGame/{{Splatterhouse}}'' series features the 2×4 as a very common available weapon. It naturally returns in the 2010 remake in a much gnarlier-looking appearance to fit with it's DarkerAndEdgier aesthetic. Instead of being a simple piece of wood, it's more like one big block of wood that has several smaller pieced nailed to it with railroad spikes or nails, acting more like an {{Improvised|Weapon}} [[CarryABigStick mace]], it's a very common weapon to find and is classified as a medium-strength bludgeoning weapon. It was even voted number 95 in [=IGN=]'s [[http://www.ign.com/top/video-game-weapons/95 Top 100 weapons in video games list]].

The ubiquitous 2×4, (even though it's really 1½"×3½" in real life) found just about everywhere at hardware stores, construction sites, home renovations, garages, and just about anywhere else there's wood to be found. It's an unassuming little item, highly flexible in its possible applications, able to serve as either construction material for building a home, protecting said home against [[BerserkBoardBarricade unwanted intrusion]]... or even an expedient substitute when a [[BatterUp baseball bat]] isn't available. Bonus points if there are nails, screws, bolts or even spikes on the business end for added pain.

This trope also covers all other kinds of lumber/timber, from boards to planks and etc. of different shapes and sizes. As long as it's made of wood and used as a weapon.

* ''Series/TheATeam'' made occasional use of this trope whenever BA needed to go flying for a mission, and the usual sedative wasn't available for the job.

* ''VideoGame/Fallout3'' features a nailed plank as a common weapon among mutants and raiders, with at least one variant called the Board of Education.
* ''VideoGame/FullThrottle'' features this as one of the weapons you can obtain at the Mine Road, [[spoiler:which is then used to obtain the Cavefish's goggles]].

* The ''VideoGame/{{Splatterhouse}}'' series features the 2×4 as a very common available weapon.

* The Wood board is an available melee weapon in ''VideoGame/TheLastStand'': Union City. Somewhat common weapon to find, and overall is a pretty good weapon to see some use early on. Later on after finishing a quest given by Darnel you are rewarded with the "Nail Board". A wooden board with rusty nails hammered onto the business end and some kind of tape wrapped around the handle to make it more comfortable to hold and swing. It's one of the best weapons early in the game.

* ''WebVideo/ZombieGoBoom'':
** It has tested the 2×4 as a possible zombie apocalypse weapon, and have found that it can indeed destroy their test skull analog zombie heads. It's even stated as being [[FirstInstallmentWins Jim Goza's]] favorite weapon.

[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/FullThrottle https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ben_plank_of_wood.png]]]]

[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/TheLastOfUs https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/latest.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Get it? [[GolfClubbing Fore!]]]]

The ubiquitous 2×4, (even though it's really 1.5×3.5" in real life) found just about everywhere at hardware stores, construction sites, home renovations, garages, and just about anywhere else there's wood to be found. It's an unassuming little item, highly flexible in its possible applications, able to serve as either construction material for building a home, protecting said home against [[BerserkBoardBarricade unwanted intrusion]]... or even an expedient substitute when a [[BatterUp baseball bat]] isn't available. Bonus points if there are nails, screws, bolts or even spikes on the business end for added pain.

The ubiquitous 2x4, (even though it's really 1.5x3.5" in real life) found just about everywhere at hardware stores, construction sites, home renovations, garages, and just about anywhere else there's wood to be found. It's an unassuming little item, highly flexible in its possible applications, able to serve as either construction material for building a home, protecting said home against [[BerserkBoardBarricade unwanted intrusion]]... or even an expedient substitute when a [[BatterUp baseball bat]] isn't available. Bonus points if there are nails, screws, bolts or even spikes on the business end for added pain.

Needless to say, a subtrope of ImprovisedWeapon. While it may seem the same as CarryABigStick, it falls more under ImprobableWeaponUser category due to the awkwardness that would be encountered when trying to wield a 2x4 as a weapon in its standard form.

[[folder:Film]]
* Sara and Billy utilize this trope in ''Film/DayOfTheDead1985'' when they're locked in the corral full of zombies.

* The infected in ''Film/TheLastManOnEarth'' make use of 2x4s in their efforts to kill Robert Morgan.
* ''Film/NightOfTheLivingDead1990'' features 2x4s being used both to reinforce the windows and doors, and to dispatch a zombie when things have gone from bad to worse.

* ''Film/TommyBoy'' - when Richard's car is well and truly ruined thanks to Tommy, he angrily pulls off the highway next to a 'Prehistoric Forest' roadside attraction, and has it out with him. They step out of the car to duke it out, and Tommy lets Richard take his best shot. After a couple of punches have no effect, Richard picks up a 2x4 and smacks Tommy across the face, knocking him cold. Richard looks up and says "Hey, Prehistoric Forest!"

[[folder:Live Action Television]]

[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
* Jim "Hacksaw" Duggan made use of a 2x4 as a weapon.

* ''VideoGame/CastleCrashers'' features the 2x4 as an available weapon in the DLC Blacksmith pack.
* The 2x4 is a very common weapon in the ''VideoGame/DeadRising'' series.

* ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'' features a nailed plank as a common weapon among mutants and raiders, with at least one variant called the Board of Education.

* The ''VideoGame/{{Splatterhouse}}'' series features the 2x4 as a very common available weapon.
* The 2x4 is a very common weapon in ''VideoGame/TheLastOfUs'', and is in fact the first melee weapon you come across. [[BreakableWeapons Durability is weak]], able to withstand only four hits in its unmodified form before breaking apart, but it proves to be quite common, so another is easy enough to find when facing other humans. Interestingly enough they call it a 2x4 in the game despite the fact that it's clearly square (likely a 4x4).
* The video game ''VideoGame/UrbanReign'' features the 2x4 as a playable weapon, but it breaks after one use.

* ''ZombieGoBoom'' has tested the 2x4 as a possible zombie apocalypse weapon, and have found that it can indeed destroy their test skull analog zombie heads. It's even stated as being [[FirstInstallmentWins Jim Goza's]] favorite weapon.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'' episode "The Redneck of Rainey Street" Kahn and Hank square off in a stick fight with 2x4s, with the latter trying to talk the former out of his adopted redneck lifestyle.

* In Los Angeles, California, a pitbull attack on an animal control officer was caught on tape while the officer was investigating reports on said animal. While the present camera crew failed to stop the attack, a neighbor came to the rescue and beat the dog off of the officer with a 2x4.

The ubiquitous 2x4, (even though it's really 1.5x3.5" in real life) found just about everywhere at hardware stores, construction sites, home renovations, garages, and just about anywhere else there's wood to be found. It's an unassuming little item, highly flexible in its possible applications, able to serve as either construction material for building a home, protecting said home against [[BerserkBoardBarricade unwanted intrusion]]... or even an expedient substitute when a [[BatterUp baseball bat]] isn't available. Bonus points if there are nails or screws in the business end for added pain.

* ''Videogame/DyingLight'' features the wooden plank as a playable weapon for dispatching zombies.

* The first weapon James Sunderland equips in ''VideoGame/SilentHill2'' is the wooden plank that he rips from a safety barricade, complete with rusty nails stuck in the end. While obviously weaker than the [[PipePain pipe]] you receive later in the game, it has the bonus of being much quicker to swing.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Film]]

[[folder: Live Action Television]]

[[folder: Professional Wrestling]]

[[folder: Video Games]]

[[folder: Web Original]]

[[folder: Western Animation]]

[[folder: Real Life]]