History Main / UtilityWeapon

* In ''[[VideoGame/{{Glider}} Gilder PRO]]'', rubber bands can be used to trip switches; they're more useful for this purpose than for killing enemies, which give out nothing and respawn quickly.

* ''Literature/WorldWarZ'' gives us the Lobotomizer, an axe that's also a shovel. So you can fortify your position and then kill the shit out of zombies. And then give them a proper burial because you're classy like that. The description sounds a lot like a Monk's spade, a BladeOnAStick weapon that serves as a shovel to respectfully bury any corpses found during travel but also sharpened as a weapon to fend off bandits (which the previous book, ''Literature/TheZombieSurvivalGuide'', mentioned).

** A [[WhipItGood bullwhip]] can be used to pick an object up off the ground if you're floating or riding an animal, to fish an item out of a pool of water, or can wrap around a large object and be used to pull you out of a pit.

* In ''VideoGame/StardewValley'', adding the Haymaker enchantment to your sword allows you to turn dungeon weeds into fodder for your livestock. Bombs, meanwhile, can damage enemies (including permanently killing mummies) and blow up stones and ores.

* Almost every weapon in ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'' has some non-combat utility. Swords let you break several blocks faster than by hand, including breaking bamboo plants instantly (for the other blocks this applies to, swords are slower than their designated tool, however); axes are used for mining wood-type blocks and stripping logs and copper; tridents can break dripstone and when enchanted can summon lightning or fling you through water and rain; projectiles in general can trigger target blocks; arrows can push buttons and if fired from enchanted bows can melt powder snow and light TNT; and pickaxes, hoes, and shovels are all used for breaking non-wood solid, particulate, and non-wood organic blocks respectively, among other functions (although that's closer to a case of ImprovisedWeapon, as none of them are as good as the dedicated weapons above).

* The phasers from ''Franchise/StarTrek'' have so many more settings than just as a gun (which can swap between a StaticStunGun and various intensities of DeathRay when used in an arming capacity). They can be used to heat materials (like rocks to make woodless campfires), and as emergency power packs. ''[[WesternAnimation/StarTrekLowerDecks Lower Decks]]'' even has them used as pressure washers for cleaning air filters (and graffiti).

* ''Videogame/MegaManZero'': Zero's rod weapons are often also used for utility; Triple Rod (beam spear) can be used to bounce over enemies (usually to jump over a passage), Chain Rod (beam chain) is for pulling shields off enemies (and pulling them close to you), pulling life and weapon energy towards you, rappel towards a wall or a ceiling/floating platform (and then swing around), and Recoil Rod (beam DualTonfas) is for pushing/breaking certain obstacles, as well as giving you a high jump, either from the ground or on top of an enemy. Zero Knuckle in the fourth game can be used to pluck the artificial vines in Noble Mandrago's stage and the control switches in Popla Cocapetri's stage quickly. It can also be used to pick up certain items off enemies or stage hazards that is used for a few puzzles, i.e the drill ememy's drill is used to drill through stone blocks, the card key enemy gives you access to one Subtank, and the lamp in Fenri Lunaedge's stage is used to repel the Scrap Elves and (with the right weather) push them towards the sunlight, killing them.

* In ''VideoGame/StardewValley'', adding the Haymaker enchantment to your sword allows you to turn dungeon weeds into fodder for your livestock.

* The sword in ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'' is the only item that can harvest string from cobwebs, if you're so inclined.

* Like most huntsmen in ''{{WebAnimation/RWBY}}'', Professor Oobleck carries a customized and extremely powerful SwissArmyWeapon. His is called Antiquity’s Roast, a club crossed with a flamethrower that can also collapse into a functioning thermos. Fitting for a man who lives in a constant state of CaffeineBulletTime.

This is a video game gameplay trope where a weapon in the game can be used for something other than fighting enemies; typically by bypassing obstacles or being used to solve puzzles. This could be as simple as explosives (dynamite's a popular one) which can destroy specific barriers other weapons can't touch, however on the other end of the spectrum, {{Metroidvania}} style games often give the player equipment which allows them to bypass a given obstacle but also comes in handy against the various enemies the game throws at them (for example, a jump attack which allows them to both get over large gaps and to attack [[AirborneMook flying mooks]]). Another popular variant is to have the player's melee weapon be an ImprovisedWeapon which can also be used as originally intended (e.g. repairing things, cutting through barriers, digging etc).

The reason for this trope is often rooted in the constraints of a UsefulNotes/GameEngine. If the engine was originally designed for a purely combat based game and the developer wanted to make it more puzzle based (as was the case in the '90s, when the FirstPersonShooter genre began experimenting with more story based games as well as RPGElements) then they have to modify it. Since the original engine probably already allows the player to carry and use weapons, it makes sense (from both a technical and gameplay point of view) to create weapons which can be used in puzzle solving. Another good reason is that doesn't force the player to fumble around switching from "puzzle solving equipment" to "weapons" (thus averting a ScrappyMechanic). The Action/Adventure (especially the aforementioned Metroidvania games) genre also favours this trope (as well as AbilityRequiredToProceed), since it allows the player to both progress through the game and be more capable of fighting enemies at the same time.

Note that a weapon being used to smash through barriers (or [[DieChairDie innocent furnishings]]) or do anything else which any weapon could achieve doesn't count; the utility effect must be unique to that weapon (or a couple of specific weapons). Nor do weapons which happen to be the weakness of particular enemies; those fall under AchillesHeel.

Supertrope to MuzzleFlashlight, where the utility is pecifically creating light through muzzle flashes. Compare SwordOfPlotAdvancement, for when a weapon has a non-combat use in the plot rather than in gameplay. Unintended examples of this trope, such as using the recoil on a weapon to jump higher, may lead to SequenceBreaking. Within the story of the game itself, the weapon might be an ImprovisedWeapon (if it's a tool which could normally be used to bypass the puzzles which the game allows the player to use as a weapon) or an example of MundaneUtility (if it's something made as a weapon which just happens to be useful for solving the game's puzzles). Also related to the InverseLawOfUtilityAndLethality (where abilities and weapons are more useful when they're less effective at dealing out damage). This may also function as one of the StandardFPSGuns. Often leads to a form of EquipmentBasedProgression.

* Since every dungeon in ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' series contains one new piece of equipment (which will be needed to kill the boss and progress further) you can bet your last rupee that it'll have a use in both puzzle solving and combat (unless you end up against a PuzzleBoss, of course). The "Weapon" part was later downplayed in ''Zelda'' games from ''Wind Waker'' to ''Skyward Sword'', where most dungeon items were used mainly to solve puzzles, but ''Breath of the Wild'' brings it back in full force.

* The brush in ''VideoGame/EpicMickey'' serves as both a weapon and a tool (this time because of the ink based environment).

** ''VideoGame/MegaManX1'': Shotgun Ice can be charged to create a sled that X can ride to reach otherwise unaccessible places, charged Chameleon Sting gives X an invulnerability mode to traverse some dangerous sections or just speedrunning and Boomerang Cutter can be used to collect power-ups behind walls. Charged Rolling Shield gives him DeflectorShields.
** ''VideoGame/MegaManX2'': X gets one of the biggest collections of utility weapons on this game. Strike Chain can be used to grasp to walls and collect items, Spin Wheel can destroy floors and some specific terrain, charged Bubble Splash allows higher jumping height underwater, Crystal Hunter can be used to crystalize enemies and create {{Improvised Platform}}s to access other areas, Speed Burner can be used as an additional air dash, and Charged Silk Shot can bring a good bit of energy items to X if used in the correct room.

** ''Videogame/MegaManX8'': Zero's Tenshouha can be used to melt the ice that blocks the way to the armor capsule in Avalanche Yeti's level; any electric weapons can be used to power the generator in Dark Mantis' level to turn the lights on; Zero's Dairettsui (used with the T-Breaker hammer) can be used to break the breakable platform in Burn Rooster's stage to find a Rare Metal in the opened passage; fire weapons can be used to destroy the canisters blocking the armor capsule in Earthrock Trilobyte's stage; and charged Crystal Wall can be used to unearth Rare Metal in the right places. Most of the time, if you choose Palette as your navigator, she'll point out secrets in the stage along with hinting you about what you need to use to get it.

* In ''VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvolt'', Gunvolt's [[ShockAndAwe electricity powers]] can be used to activate machinery. For example, in the first level, he encounters a broken elevator. By shooting lightning rods at the elevator's power source, he can use his electricity to activate it.
* Videogame/{{Kirby}} will often encounter stage hazards and implements that he'd need to interact with his Copy Ability and/or game-specific abilities to pass through, or to collect goodies, collectables and PlotCoupons. Fuses can be lit with Fire or other abilities that has attacks that are on fire, plugs can be shocked with Spark, ropes can be cut with Sword or Cutter, pegs can be smashed with Hammer or Stone, and so on.

** The Energy Net, similar to the Grav Charge, is a medium weapon that doesn't deal any damage, but can temporarily disable sails, slowing them down the ship to make it an easy targets for broadsides or boarding. Unlike the Grav Charge however, the Energy Net also reduces the rate of fire of ships it hits.

** Maiev's Blink spell is a short-ranged teleport used to let her catch enemies, escape danger, or position her more efficiently. The campaign puts it to good use by adding a bewildering variety of areas she can explore with it, often with powerful items waiting for her.

* In-universe in ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 4}}'': the Super-Sledge (a sledgehammer with ''rockets'' attached) and Power Fist (pneumatically-actuated gauntlet) were construction items that were appropriated by the Wastelanders as weapons after the bombs fell. Unfortunately, the RidiculouslyFastConstruction of the settlement building mode doesn't allow for an in-game construction use of either weapons.
* In ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', there are Hidden Machines, which not only teach {{mons}} attacks you can use in battles, but also outside of battles to bypass barriers. In addition, some non-HM moves like Flash or Headbutt can also be used outside battle (but aren't typically needed to progress through the story).

* The various ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'' games have items that teach psynergy that can not only be used in battle, but also on the world map to do things like turn puddles into platforms.

** Claymores, and thus their users, can smash iron, crystal chunks and [[SuspiciouslyCrackedWall breakable walls]] quicker than other weapons. Some chests are also covered in rocks, which are easily broken by Claymore wielders.

* In ''VideoGame/NetHack'', '''any''' item can be thrown at a monster or wielded and be used to bash a monster. [[DevelopersForesight While some non-weapon items will cause specific effects upon hitting a monster]], there some weapon items that have non-combat uses:

** Pointy or sharp metallic weapons can be used to engrave words into the floor, though this is slow and dulls the weapon. But an athame (a specific type of dagger) can not only engrave without becoming dull, but also engraves much faster than other weapons.

* The weapons in ''VideoGame/DeadSpace'' are only used to kill enemies, but within the game's lore, most of them are actually heavy duty mining and engineering tools that happen to be very good at dismembering necromorphs.

* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'' takes this to extremes since every weapon in the game has some level of non-combat utility based on its different properties (though some are better at specific tasks than others). Sharp weapons such as swords and axes can be used to cut down tress and grass, blunt and heavy two-handed weapons can smash open ore deposits, metal weapons channel electricity to be used in circuit puzzles or strike flint to start fires, wooden weapons can be used as a makeshift torch, fire and ice weapons can keep Link at comfortable temperatures in places of extreme cold and heat, etc...

* [[MacheteMayhem Machetes]] or [[KukrisAreKool khukris]] also get a mention in ''The Zombie Survival Guide'' as being rather effective melee weapons but also useful for clearing brush, splitting firewood and a number of other wilderness survival tasks.
* Any gun Smith gets his hands on in ''Film/ShootEmUp'', via [[ImprobableAimingSkills trick shots.]] Mainly used to traverse or manipulate the environment around him during a fire fight.
* In the fanfic ''FanFic/AccidentMonthOne'', we have the Fenton Broom. It cleans up messes and can be used to both whack and shock ghosts. It's third quality is that ghosts can't phase through it, making it an ideal clean up tool for Danny to use as long as he doesn't press the taser button by accident again.

* Like most huntsmen in ''{{WebAnimation/RWBY}}'', Professor Oobleck carries a customized and extremely powerful SwissArmyWeapon. His is called Antiquity’s Roast, a club crossed with a flamethrower which can also collapse into a functioning thermos. Fitting for a man who lives in a constant state of CaffeineBulletTime.

** "Breach" allows you to set up next to an obstacle and (provided that you're trained in Engineering) use your Strength modifier to bust the barrier as usual, adding the weapon's item level to the check. The aptly-named Breaching Gun is this as well as Penetrating; they see use on Absalom Station as a high-powered fireman's battering ram, but are generally used by SpacePirates for door-kicking and stuff-taking.

** "Injection" can be used to shoot your allies with [[HealingShiv medicinals/serums]], your enemies with [[PoisonedWeapon poisons]], or wild animals with {{Tranquillizer Dart}}s. "Needlers" come in handy dandy Pistol, Rifle and single-shot "[[SniperRifle Wraith-Sting]]" forms, as well as the mildly disturbing Injection Spear familiar to ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' players. The [[CombatMedic Biohacker]] class is especially good at using these, being proficient in all of them, not hurting their allies, and gaining [[GeneticAdaptation various]] [[StatusBuff buffs]] ([[{{Plaguemaster}} and]] [[MasterPoisoner debuffs]]) they can apply at-range.

* The german newspaper comicstrip ''ComicStrip/VaterUndSohn'' once features a rifle being used to fire raisins into a cake after the eponymous father and son forgot to add the raisins before baking.

* [[MacheteMayhem Machetes]] or [[KhukrisAreKool khukris]] also get a mention in ''The Zombie Survival Guide'' as being rather effective melee weapons but also useful for clearing brush, splitting firewood and a number of other wilderness survival tasks.

Note that a weapon being used to smash through barriers (or [[DieChairDie innocent furnishings]]) or do anything else which any weapon could achieve doesn't count; the utility effect must be unique to that weapon (or a couple of specific weapons). Nor do weapons which happen to be the weakness of particular enemies; those fall under AchillesHeel. Supertrope to MuzzleFlashlight.

Compare SwordOfPlotAdvancement for when a weapon has a non-combat use in the plot rather than gameplay. Unintended examples of this trope (for example using the recoil on a weapon to jump higher) may lead to SequenceBreaking. Within the story of the game itself, the weapon might be an ImprovisedWeapon (if it's a tool which could normally be used to bypass the puzzles which the game allows the player to use as a weapon) or an example of MundaneUtility (if it's something made as a weapon which just happens to be useful for solving the game's puzzles). Also related to the InverseLawOfUtilityAndLethality (where abilities and weapons are more useful when they're less effective at dealing out damage). This may also function as one of the StandardFPSGuns. Often leads to a form of EquipmentBasedProgression.

* ''VideoGame/ProjectZomboid'' allows you to explore this trope extensively, since there are more "[[ImprovisedWeapon weapons]]" that have mundane uses than don't. [[DropTheHammer Hammers]], [[KnifeFight knives]], [[FryingPanOfDoom frying pans]], even [[ThePenIsMightier pens]], are all usable both for their intended purposes and for dispatching zombies.

* The weapons in ''VideoGame/DeadSpace'' are pretty much only used to kill enemies. But within the game's lore, most of these weapons are actually heavy duty mining and engineering tools that happen to be very good at dismembering necromorphs.

* In ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'', the Engineer's wrench melee weapon also repairs/upgrades his machines. In addition, several unlockable weapons can have other utility effects, such as;
** The Pyro's "Homewrecker" allows them to remove Spy saps from the Engineer's buildings. The later-released Neon Annihilator has this ability as well, though in a weakened form.
*** Later on, his flamethrowers are given a patch that gives them a blast of compressed air as their SecondaryFire. Aside from knocking back foes far away, it can be used to extinguish a burning teammate, reflect projectiles (i.e not {{hitscan}} attacks) to where he points his weapon, and blast away {{sticky bomb}}s. Even its normal use (shooting flames) can be used for checking spies around or lighting your Sniper teammate's arrows.
** The Scout's Force-A-Nature has massive recoil, allowing what amounts to a second DoubleJump on top of the one he gets for being the Scout. The Atomizer adds an actual third jump (at the cost of 10 damage), and the two can be combined for more jumping power.
*** The Soda Popper allows Scout to jump in midair multiple times when enough Hype is accumulated, and the Winger allows Scout to jump higher when it's active. These (and the Atomizer) can be combined to allow the Scout to jump ''very'' high.
** The Medic's Crusader's Crossbow primary weapon heals allies hit with (similar to his [[HealingShiv medigun]]).
** The Soldier's Disciplinary Action melee can be used to hit friendly players to make them and the Soldier move faster.
** The Eureka Effect wrench will teleport you back to your spawn, or to your teleporter exit, even if the entrance has not been built.
** The Engineer's Rescue Ranger shotgun can be used to pick up his buildings from a distance when you right-click, at the cost of 130 metal. The Rescue Ranger's shots also repair friendly buildings they hit.
* ''VideoGame/HalfLife2'''s [[WreakingHavok gravity gun]] can be used to lift objects around (as well as punt them into enemies, of course).

* The breaching shotgun in ''Videogame/SWAT4'', which is a regular SawnOffShotgun loaded with specialist shells designed to [[ShootTheLockOff force open locked doors]].

* In ''[[VideoGame/BanjoKazooie Banjo-Tooie]]'', Clockwork Kazooie eggs function primarily as remote-controlled {{Action Bomb}}s, but they also can help collect items in hard-to-reach places.

* The ''VideoGame/LEGOAdaptationGame'' series is full of these. Practically every weapon in ''LEGO Indiana Jones'' is useful for something else (the wrench for repairs, the shovel for hidden items).

%%* The breaching shotgun in ''Videogame/SWAT4''. (Zero Context Example, please expand)

** ''VideoGame/MegaMan6'' has the Power Adapter, for [[RuleOfThree breaking those hard walls]].

* The phasers from ''Franchise/StarTrek'' have so many more settings than just as a gun (which can swap between a StaticStunGun and a DeathRay when used in an arming capacity). They can be used to heat materials (like rocks to make woodless campfires), and as emergency power packs. ''[[WesternAnimation/StarTrekLowerDecks Lower Decks]]'' even has them used as pressure washers for cleaning air filters (and graffiti).

* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'': The weapons used by the Miraculous Holders (yes, even the villains) have all sorts of extra functions: cell phone access, trackers, doubles as a rebreather, etc. Cat Noir's staff can be used as a periscope, and Ladybug's yo-yo can catch and purify the akuma butterflies (and amok feathers). This is beside the obvious on-the-spot utilities of a yo-yo with an absurdly long, unbreakable string, and a staff
that can extend to any length.
* The phasers from ''Franchise/StarTrek'' have so many more settings than just as a gun (which can swap between a StaticStunGun and a DeathRay). They can be used to heat materials (like rocks to make woodless campfires), and as emergency power packs. ''[[WesternAnimation/StarTrekLowerDecks Lower Decks]]'' even has them used as pressure washers for cleaning air filters (and graffiti).

* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'': The weapons used by the Miraculous Holders (yes, even the villains) have all sorts of extra functions: cell phone access, trackers, doubles as a rebreather, etc. Cat Noir's staff can be used as a periscope, and Ladybug's yo-yo can catch and purify the akuma butterflies (and amok feathers). This is beside the obvious on-the-spot utilities of a yo-yo with an absurdly long, unbreakable string, and a staff that can extend to any length.

** ''VideoGame/MegaMan8'': The Mega Ball can be bounced upon for a slightly higher jump than normal[[note]]And with some skill and good timing, can be used in mid-air to continuously propel him upward[[/note]]. Tornado Hold can be used to rapidly damage an enemy, as well as lift Mega Man to a higher platform. Thunder Claw can be used to grab onto bars.

** ''VideoGame/MegaManIV'': Although they lacked the ability in the original series, the Rain Flush can stop the quicksand in Pharaoh Man's stage (also puts out the fires in Napalm Man's stage, but he represented a different game), the Ring Boomerang could fetch items for Megaman, and the Charge Kick can be used to break through blocks
and open side rooms in the depths of Wily's ship.