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Request: Spearfishing with javelins

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 4:09 pm
by qinweiqi
I found a shop that sells javelins! So, I was wondering if it would be possible to spearfish with them. Could that be a thing? I know it can be done with spears and (I think) tridents already.

Re: Request: Spearfishing with javelins

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 4:23 pm
by Kiyaani
That seems like it might be a bit awkward and unwieldy. Javelins are huge.

Re: Request: Spearfishing with javelins

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 5:59 pm
by Enepttastic
Kiyaani wrote:That seems like it might be a bit awkward and unwieldy. Javelins are huge.
Actually, a few quick searches say that most combat javelins were shorter and lighter than spears. However, the balance would be different since javelins tend to be weighted specifically toward the head while a spear's balance point should be centered.

That said, since I don't have really any experience handling the two in RL, I wouldn't know if the different balance would cause issues while spearfishing.

Re: Request: Spearfishing with javelins

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 6:08 pm
by Kiyaani
Hm. I guess so. Per the in-game description:
The javelin is like a smaller, shorter spear, primarily used for hurling at an enemy, though it can be used in melee in a pinch.

Still hard to wrap my head around using them for spearfishing.

Re: Request: Spearfishing with javelins

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 8:28 am
by xavier
i think the major reasons that javelins are not used in spearfishing is due to design.
1. the balance is off like was said before and yes that would make a difference.
2. javelins are mostly designed to be sleek, non-barbed throwing implements and with water resistance you are way more likely to kill the fish underwater and then pull the javelin out of the fish before it comes out of the water.the fish wouldn't stick on the javelin very well complared to a spear and even a combat spear wouldn't be the best choice.

Re: Request: Spearfishing with javelins

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 10:09 am
by qinweiqi
Honestly I'd love to just be able to use a pointy stick (or medium/large branch technically), but the losing the fish in the water due to the lack of barbs is a good point.

Re: Request: Spearfishing with javelins

Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2015 11:25 am
by Fayne
I like the pointy stick suggestion. You really could be a hermit on the beach then. Make a pointy stick, spearfish with a sharpened stick, stick the fish on a skewer you carved, cook it over an open campfire. Also, find a volleyball, draw a face on it, call it Wilson.

Re: Request: Spearfishing with javelins

Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2015 11:56 am
by Lysse
Fayne wrote:I like the pointy stick suggestion. You really could be a hermit on the beach then. Make a pointy stick, spearfish with a sharpened stick, stick the fish on a skewer you carved, cook it over an open campfire. Also, find a volleyball, draw a face on it, call it Wilson.
Well, you can just make a simple spear out of a branch, a piece of flint, and some... Leather strips I think it is? It's been a while since I've made one.

Re: Request: Spearfishing with javelins

Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2015 3:55 pm
by Fayne
Yeah, that's all that's needed. But you still have to go to a town somewhere in order to tan a pelt into leather for those strips. There currently is no way to have a purely survivalist character, as no matter what, you eventually have to go back to civilization eventually.

EDIT: Actually, if you want to use a bow, you could be purely survivalist, since areows only require sinew. So I guess I have to retract that statement.

Re: Request: Spearfishing with javelins

Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2015 5:21 pm
by Lysse
Fayne wrote:Yeah, that's all that's needed. But you still have to go to a town somewhere in order to tan a pelt into leather for those strips. There currently is no way to have a purely survivalist character, as no matter what, you eventually have to go back to civilization eventually.

EDIT: Actually, if you want to use a bow, you could be purely survivalist, since areows only require sinew. So I guess I have to retract that statement.
I thought the Snowpine Lodge had the means to tan, outside of a town if you're a member? Admittedly, it's been a while since I've been there.