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Catapults and other projectile launchers are a cliche in LEGO action sets (specifically in recent Castle sets). So let's put a positive spin on this: We can now "scientifically" determine the best catapult for our minifigure armies to use.

I have divided catapults into these categories: Finger-launch, spring-launch, rubber band, press button, chain pull, and counterbalance. Please add to, rename, and/or consolidate any categories as this discussion evolves because a fun discussion always trumps the need for scientific data analysis (here, anyway).

I tested a wide variety of offical catapults on the 8822 Gargoyle Bridge, with the giant axes as the target. Using both logical and abitrary qualifiers such as control, launch speed, arc, distance, and aesthetics, these are my personal nominees:

Finger-launch: 1480 King's Catapult (http://www.classic-castle.com/sets/oop1991.html). Great arc and distance for a small catapult. I like using 2 x 2 round bricks than the supplied 1 x 1 rounds.

Spring-launch: 7017 Viking Catapult. The giant crossbow looks much cooler than the launcher on the Viking Ship (which is stronger). I did not try the Heavy Artillery Wagon in my test.

Rubber band: 8873 Fireball Catapult. Great control. I instantly disqualified the KKII horse saddle catapults on the grounds of ridiculousness.

Press button: None. I'm not a fan of the one mounted on the 7019 Viking Fortress.

Chain pull: None. I do not like the one that "defends" the 8781 Castle of Morcia.

Counterbalance: None. The one with 6059 Knight's Stronghold is way too weak.

Pax,
Pacificus

I was always a fan of this one...
http://guide.lugnet.com/set/?q=6059_1&v=z
simple use of gravity and tork.

Lego provides us with parts in which we have to figure out a way to make something we want.

For instance, they provide stuff that can be made in to Military even though they'er pretty much Anti-War... I think.

lil Jon wrote:I was always a fan of this one...
http://guide.lugnet.com/set/?q=6059_1&v=z
simple use of gravity and tork.

I take back some of my written sentiment toward 6059's catapult. I like it very much. I like how it looks too. I like how it launches automatically when you pull the pin. Hey, it was my first LEGO catapult!

With that said, 6059's catapult could not hurl a projectile to hit the Gargoyle Bridge's falling axes (which was the test I used to evaluate catapults). It didn't even come close.

The three catapults I nominated were extremely functional. If there were ties within categories, like in the spring-launch category, I then judged on appearance.

I am not sure which siege machine fires the best, but I recently bought the Heavy Artillery Wagon (7020) - for the minifigs of course - & it was the most ill-conceived set I have yet had the pleasure of misfiring. The plate that holds the spring firing mechanisms in place is poorly braced & I have never managed to fire its entire payload without it coming apart

The ballista on the longship was way better, however unrealistic

I would have to go with the one that has the head of a dragon on it. It is functional, and it looks awesome.

Kelderic

I like the large catapult from the viking fortress. Mine launches really far and is very durable. While it may not quite be historical, it is better than others. And the mechanism is pretty ingenious.

The fireball catapult also works well.

As far as any other older launching mechanisms I can't really remember the ones I shot, so I can't give any thoughts on them.

Sigh, I hate to say this, but it's what my opinion is- I have found no catapults that I know of that I liked. I'm sure I could be shown one I like, but so far, none that I've seen I like.

There are two more categories which I would like to add to your initial list. These two categories are NOT based on functionality of the Lego firing mechanism, but are based on aesthetics. The two new categories are:

1. The most realistic looking (historically accurate) siege machine.
2. The most visually frightening (from an enemies point of view).

My personal choice for both of these categories is:

Most realistic looking: http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=6030-1 6030: Catapult

The most frightening for the enemy: http://www.brickset.com/search.aspx?Set=8800-1 8800: Vladek's Siege Engine

I agree with Lil Jon. That 6059 was also my first catapult (actually it was my first knight's set as far as I can remember). I love that one.

That firebreathing Dragonmaster double catapult is also a great one.