Included in the game are two new ranged weapons, slings and javelins.

The sling throws bullets with great force and deal blunt damage. Heavier metals are better for bullets in order to maximize their impact, and there is a custom reaction to make lead bullets at the smelter. The skill used when 'firing' a sling is 'Blowgunner', however the playable civilizations all have their blowgun user's title replaced with 'Slinger'. Thus, you will find a 'Slinger' skill in a normal adventurer's skill sheet but an animal person will need 'Blowgunner' to use slings effectively. In melee combat, the sling operates as a whip using the 'lasher' skill.

The javelin works around a shortcoming in the game where conventional throwing weapons are not used by the AI. In order to use javelins in fortress mode, make the plain 'javelin' item. This is the ranged weapon and is handled like a bow or crossbow. Then produce either 'broadhead javelins' or 'long javelins' as their ammunition. Firing the weapon uses the throwing skill. The javelin has a tremendous advantage in combat because it functions effectively as a spear in melee, using the spearman skill.

Because both of these weapons are ranged weapons and use ammunition, you will need a quiver and your other hand free in adventure mode in order to fire the javelin or sling. You do have the option of using the broadhead or long javelin ammunition as a stabbing weapon or throwing the ammunition 'by hand' without a 'weapon' javelin.