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The Speargun[1][2] is a Yautja projectile weapon that launches a spike of razor-sharp metal at a target. These projectiles are fast-moving, and are often launched with enough force to shatter stone.

Unlike many Yautja weapons, which typically adhere to a single design with little variation beyond personal tastes, many different models of Speargun have been seen. These range from gauntlet-mounted devices[3] to handheld, pistol-like weapons[2] to full size rifles.[1]

Overview[]

P2Urban HunterSpear Gun Tip

A projectile from the City Hunter's Speargun in flight.

Regardless of the exact form of the weapon, all Spearguns serve as projectile weapons firing metal spears. How these projectiles are fired is not clear, as the weapon produces no discernible muzzle flash and often little noise, yet fires spears with tremendous velocity and accuracy. Regardless of physical appearance, the Speargun is long-ranged and very powerful, capable of pinning victims to solid surfaces like a nail gun.[4] Some have been seen with integrated computerized scopes further increasing their range.[2] A common tactic, particularly with young and inexperienced hunters, is to use the Netgun to immobilize prey before finishing it off with the Speargun.

Despite the weapon's name, the projectiles fired by the Speargun are not typically spear-shaped; the most common form seems to be a U-shaped projectile with a weighted tail and two serrated prongs pointing forwards.[3] They are made from an unknown metal that is incredibly lightweight yet able to cut like hardened steel.[3] They spears often have a blood groove down the middle, designed to cause a target to bleed out if they become stuck in the flesh. Occasionally the projectiles themselves are also equipped with their own Cloak.[4]

Other Variants[]

Bleeder Speargun[]

Used by the Stalker in Aliens versus Predator: Extinction, this modified version of the Speargun fires spears that cause the target to, as the name implies, bleed internally. This causes humans to become increasingly slow and ineffective in combat.[5] However, this doesn't apply to Xenomorphs, who seem to have greater resistance to its effects.

The Bleeder Speargun is much like a harpoon gun, rifle and bazooka mixed together. It fires a large number of small spear tip darts.

Speargun Rifle variant[]

AVP2 SPEARGUN

A rifle speargun viewed held by a Yautja.

Although still named the speargun in game, the rifle variant is used in Aliens versus Predator and Aliens versus Predator 2. This powerful speargun can fire a sharp spear at velocity so extreme that it can decapitate a human. The spear rifle has a telescopic scope attached to the top rail of the weapon and is used like a sniper rifle by the Yautja. The weapon can also retract and extend to decrease dimension so it can be carried easily by the shooter.

Bolt Gun[]

Prey-Laser-Guided-Arrow-Speargun

Bolt Gun being held by Feral Predator.

A variant of the Speargun wielded by Feral Predator, the Bolt Gun[6] had guided bolts that sought out their target via the use of the bio-mask's targeting laser system not unlike a Plasmacaster. The system had a standard triple laser sight, but it had the option to go after a total of 3 targets if necessary. A major drawback to the Bolt Gun is that it is reliant on the Bio-Mask's targeting system to hit its target, as even when the Feral Predator is not wearing the mask, the target system still lights up before the weapon is used; another drawback is that it has limited space for ammunition (only three bolts total), and the Yautja must also manually retrieve the bolts before they can be used again.

Bolt Gun also happened to be among Speargun variants which projectiles spear-shaped instead of typical U-shaped.

Trivia[]

  • The original Predator design was to use a Speargun as its primary weapon. This was changed to the Plasmacaster when Stan Winston redesigned the creature.
  • The Speargun was considered overpowered in the original Aliens verses Predator video game, able to kill most targets in a single shot. Perhaps because of this, in Aliens versus Predator 2 its power was significantly reduced.
  • Alec Gillis describes Bolt Gun as the precursor to Plasmacaster, something which reflected by its targeting system which integrated to the user's Bio-Mask complete with three-pointed laser sight not unlike latter. Design-wise, it is also reminiscent to Wolf's custom-built Plasma Pistol.[7]
  • In two pieces of concept art, it is revealed that the bolts of the Boltgun would have had different variants and features, such as fletchings that flared outwards when in flight, and "shrapnel rounds" that split apart mid-flight to deliver more damage.[8][9]

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