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{{trope}}
[[File:Dodge_This_2Dodge This 2.jpg|link=Kim Possible|rightframe| Dodge this.]]
 
 
{{quote|''"Ah, here we are. Kevlar utility harness. Gas-powered magnetic grapple gun. The three hundred and fifty pound test monofilament.''"|'''Lucius Fox''', ''[[Batman Begins]]''}}
 
The [['''Grappling Hook Pistol]]''' is an essential item for any aspiring [[Badass Normal]], [[The Cape (trope)|Cape]], or [[James Bond|secret agent]]. This handy bit of [[Applied Phlebotinum]] can deploy a grappling hook with laser-guided precision to a secure holding point at the top of any tall building, allowing its user to climb with ease. Particularly spiffy examples are equipped with motors, and can function as field-expedient elevators as their users hold on for dear life. It can also be used to implement the [[Building Swing]], though its primary function is usually just for climbing. It also lends itself to [[You Will Not Evade Me]].
 
In settings that predate firearms the alternative is the grappling arrow used by bow wielding protagonists. While it can be an arrow with a grappling hook more often it's just a standard arrow with a rope tied to it.
 
The [['''Grappling Hook Pistol]]''' is generally a fairly bulky item for a handheld pistol, though unreasonably small for the length of line and hook firing charge that it contains. Its limited utility makes it a special-purpose item that the hero is unlikely to carry... but it generally conveniently appears from [[Hyperspace Arsenal|hammerspace]] when it is needed.
 
The hooks themselves are [[Plot -Sensitive Items]], capable of all three variants of [[Instant Knots]] - latching onto, wrapping the cable around, or piercing their target, depending on the needs of the script. The wrap-around cable is a strange effect, as it always attaches to the anchor point snugly enough to support whatever is on the other end of the cable on the first try. If the cord can automatically retract, the person can just hold on with one hand with inhuman strength to get pulled up; this is especially [[Rule of Cool|dramatic]] if they're holding someone else with their other arm. It's also very handy when you find yourself or an innocent civilian falling, but let's hope the cord [[Not the Fall That Kills You|has some elasticity]].▼
 
Grappling guns actually ''exist'' (see "[[Real Life]]" below), but the real ones are somewhat larger than depicted on screen, especially if not base-fired only (though recent designs allows more compact systems). As in "pneumatic grenade launcher of load-bearing design with built-in reel of strong rope" -- though—though strong crossbow could work too. Hook is massive, rope adds a lot of drag, so the launcher's power (and [[Law of Inverse Recoil|recoil]]) should be considerable.▼
▲The hooks themselves are [[Plot Sensitive Items]], capable of all three variants of [[Instant Knots]] - latching onto, wrapping the cable around, or piercing their target, depending on the needs of the script. The wrap-around cable is a strange effect, as it always attaches to the anchor point snugly enough to support whatever is on the other end of the cable on the first try. If the cord can automatically retract, the person can just hold on with one hand with inhuman strength to get pulled up; this is especially [[Rule of Cool|dramatic]] if they're holding someone else with their other arm. It's also very handy when you find yourself or an innocent civilian falling, but let's hope the cord [[Not the Fall That Kills You|has some elasticity]].
 
Partially busted by the ''[[Myth BustersMythBusters]]'' in 2007. (Because the abovementioned size makes them too large to be carried around on a superhero belt.) An ascension device was built that essentially fit the size, but including the launching mechanism would have made it simply too bulky.▼
▲Grappling guns actually ''exist'' (see "[[Real Life]]" below), but the real ones are somewhat larger than depicted on screen, especially if not base-fired only (though recent designs allows more compact systems). As in "pneumatic grenade launcher of load-bearing design with built-in reel of strong rope" -- though strong crossbow could work too. Hook is massive, rope adds a lot of drag, so the launcher's power (and [[Law of Inverse Recoil|recoil]]) should be considerable.
 
A variation -- alsovariation—also partially busted by the ''Mythbusters'' -- has—has the grappling hook attached to the hero's (or villain's) car, for turning corners at high speed. There is no line capable of withstanding the sheer force that goes into a car turning at high speeds -- yetspeeds—yet.▼
▲Partially busted by the ''[[Myth Busters]]'' in 2007. (Because the abovementioned size makes them too large to be carried around on a superhero belt.) An ascension device was built that essentially fit the size, but including the launching mechanism would have made it simply too bulky.
 
▲A variation -- also partially busted by the ''Mythbusters'' -- has the grappling hook attached to the hero's (or villain's) car, for turning corners at high speed. There is no line capable of withstanding the sheer force that goes into a car turning at high speeds -- yet.
{{examples}}
 
== Anime and Manga ==
 
* [[Batman]] in ''Batman: Gotham Knight'' anime anthology.
** Not to mention the ''Child of Dreams'' spinoff manga (which, surprisingly, isn't half bad).
* ''[[The Big O (Anime)|The Big O]]'', which took inspiration from Batman, has a set of Grappling Hook ''cannons'' on its waist, which are used to pull things around, pierce enemies, hoist gigantic robots hundreds of feet into the air supported by a thin latticework, and anchor it into the ground before using its ultimate cannon attack. Roger Smith also possesses a Grappling Hook Pistol in his ''watch'' that makes an appearance nearly every time his feet leave the ground.
* Tiana in ''[[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha]] StrikerS'' has a magical [[Grappling Hook Pistol]] as part of her gun device.
* Joe the Condor's sidearm in ''[[Science Ninja Team Gatchaman (Anime)|Science Ninja Team Gatchaman]]''. Not only can it fire bullets or a hookline from the front, but also has a large weighted hook on the back and the gun can fire backwards. Joe will often use this to hit enemies that sneak up behind him. In one instance, he tricks someone who knocks him down, steals his gun, and tries to use it against him to kill himself by switching the triggers beforehand.
** Ryu the Owl carries a much smaller, normal one as well.
* Inexplicably, Hibari from ''[[Katekyo Hitman Reborn]]!'' has one inside ''his tonfas''.
* The MS-07 B-3 Gouf Custom, seen in ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team]]'', exchanges the [[Whip It Good|Heat Rod]] of the original model for an electrified grappling line. In the suit's first appearance, the pilot uses it '' to swing from enemy jets in flight''.
** Note that the jets aren't good for much afterwards.
* Hei in ''[[Darker Thanthan Black]]'' uses it (even with retractor) frequently on buildings and people alike, but with snap hooks on a thin metallic cable, not grappling hooks. And in two cases when he really needed to shoot some grapple far, he used a ''[http://www.epicwin.org/img/darkerthanblack/24/04.jpg crossbow]''.
** Hei's grapple line thing also seems to be anchored at one foot and at his waist on the same side, so there's no super-human arm strength involved.
* The [[Humongous Mecha|Knightmare Frames]] in ''[[Code Geass (Anime)|Code Geass]]'' are usually equipped with one or more Slash Harkens. Even the ones that fly (though they are also used for offense and for tight turns like car grapnels, so this isn't entirely out of place). The Lancelot even has one that can act like a pole to [[Rocket Jump|boost itself up into the air]] before it gets a flight module.
* [[One Piece|Usopp]], being a sometime [[Gadgeteer Genius]], debuted something along these lines in the Skypiea arc: it fired from his belt, enabling him (in theory) to swing from tree to tree. It was called something along the lines of "Usopp [[Tarzan|AaahAahAahAahAahAah]]!"
* In ''[[Chrono Crusade]]'', Rosette has a grapnel gun built into her pistol. It gets used once in the entire series.
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** In ''[[The Dark Knight Returns]]'', Batman opts for a grappling-hook ''rifle''.
*** Of course, that was made before Batman's grappling gun was standard fare.
* [[Spider -Man (Comic Book)|Spider Man]]'s webshooters are similar, but it uses a special strong adhesive chemical called "web-fluid" instead. [[Spider-Man (Filmfilm)|The movie]] replaces the web fluid with "natural" spider webs.
* Rorschach from ''[[Watchmen (Comic Bookcomics)|Watchmen]]'' has a [[Grappling Hook Pistol]] that operates on compressed carbon dioxide gas; not only is it his trademark tool, [[Improvised Weapon|he actually]] ''[[Improvised Weapon|shoots someone]]'' [[Improvised Weapon|with it at one point]]. It's also quite big, nearly lifesize to the real versions.<br />Rorschach was actually given the grappling hook by Nite Owl, a [[Rich Idiot With No Day Job]], [[Where Does He Get All Those Wonderful Toys?|gadgets galore]] type of hero who ends up appearing very similar to Batman -- evenBatman—even though he's actually a [[Captain Ersatz]] for the second [[Blue Beetle]].<br />Rorschach's gun is a lot more realistic than Batman's. It's much bigger, and it also doesn't have a motor in it to elevate him.
* In the 1940s, [[Sandman Mystery Theatre|The Sandman]] had a [[Grappling Hook Pistol]] called a "wirepoon gun". His [[Legacy Character|successor]], Sand, has used it as a weapon a couple of times.
** As a younger hero once pointed out: "Wirepoon. Sounds kinda dirty."
* Hilariously and realistically used in a recent issue of ''[[Deadpool]]''. Yes, he has the gun. But using it to go up 90 floors of a building takes ''forever''.
* Night Raven in the [[Marvel Universe]] wields one of these.
* In ''[[PS 238PS238]]'', it was the [http://ps238.nodwick.com/comic/03102008/ first] lesson from [[Badass Normal|Revenant]]. Whose philosophy is that a grapple is far too useful to not have, but if you're going to carry a bulky pneumatic gun, may as well stick some extra functions on it (such as [[Tranquilizer Dart|dart launcher]] or shocker). Since then, Moonshadow's costume includes a built-in grapple gun. He is getting better at using it.
* In ''[[Le Scorpion]]'', the title character uses a grappling hook crossbow.
* [[Darkhawk]] has one built into his armor.
 
== Fan Works ==
* ''[[The Secret Return of Alex Mack]]'' (and its subsequent [[Shared Universe]] project, ''[[The Teraverse]]''), is a very variant parallel of the [[DC Universe]], and has a Batman, complete with his traditional grapples. More interestingly, though, [[Hanna|Hanna Heller]], AKA "[[Action Girl]]", has a pair of grapple guns given to her by the Batman, and is quite adept at using them to get around urban environments.
 
== Film ==
 
* [[Batman]]: And in actuality, [[Batman (Filmfilm)|the 1989 movie]] was the first to make it a gun and not just a batarang with a rope tied to it.
{{quote| '''[[The Joker]]:''' [[Where Does He Get All Those Wonderful Toys?|Where does he get those wonderful toys?]]}}
** In the 1989 film, he asks Vicki Vale her weight so he can calculate how to set the gun before using it to hoist both of them off the ground. In another instance, he used one that fired hooks in two opposite directions. Instead of lifting him off the ground, this allowed for rapid horizontal movement by acting as a zip line. It has continued all the way into the re-imagined franchise.
** In ''[[Batman Begins]]'', the titular character's wonderful toy (see the page quote for a more technical description) allows him to latch onto a monorail car as it makes its way towards Wayne Tower in the finale of the film. It also established a bit of slightly more realistic tech to the gun; the gun fires the projectile but it is anchored to the suit and the belt has a motor for the ascension. Since his costume is likely built with a harness that means it isn't reliant on his physical strength to hold on and allows him to snatch mooks and pull them to the ceiling.
*** The Joker's men use one in the opening bank robbery in ''[[The Dark Knight]]'', though it is the size of a rocket launcher instead of a pistol because they're [[Law of Inverse Recoil|not as]] [[Rule of Cool|cool]] as Batman. This is also because the current film franchise is doing its best to be realistic, and the Joker's thugs don't have the benefit of Bruce Wayne's company providing them with innovative technological solutions (read: supersience); they have to go with the tools they can snag off the black market or build themselves.
* [[Star Wars]] is somewhat fond of this trope, too.
* The "ascension guns" in ''[[Star Wars]]: [[The Phantom Menace]]'', which seemed to be an attachment to the security forces' blaster pistols.
** The "ascension guns" in ''[[Star Wars]]: [[The Phantom Menace]]'', an attachment to the security forces' blaster pistols. ''The Visual Encyclopedia'' has a clear image of a S-5 blaster pistol (aka "Naboo blaster") with gadget resembling a folded telescopic antenna attached to it much like an underslung launcher.
** [[Star Wars]] is relatively fond of this trope, giving similar things to the Fetts (technically, it's just a whipcord to wrap around people, but Obi-Wan used it creatively in ''[[Attack of the Clones]]''), and it shows up in the EU quite a bit.▼
*** The size of the rope, at least, is [[Hand Wave|hand waved]] by its being "liquid cable."
*** The grapple itself does have good momentum, as in ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]'' (episode ''The General'') one of these was used by a clone trooper on a stealth mission to harpoon a local critter that got too noisy.
** Luke had one of these all the way back in ''[[A New Hope]]''. He and Leia used it to swing across a chasm in the Death Star.
▲** [[StarThe Wars]]Fetts ishad relativelysomething fond oflike this trope, giving similar things to the Fetts (technically, it's just a whipcord to wrap around people, but Obi-Wan used it creatively in ''[[Attack of the Clones]]''), and it shows up in the EU quite a bit.
** There's also the [[BFG]] versions mounted on the snowspeeders in ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'', proof that a properly utilized grappling hook can be the bane of any [[Humongous Mecha]].
*** It was retroactively justified by saying that the speeders were used to tow cargo containers, thus the name [[Exactly What It Says Onon the Tin|tow cable]].
* Silent Bob has a grappling hook pistol in the ''[[The View Askewniverse|Jay and Silent Bob]]'' films. Don't ask why.
* Chodaboy has a sex toy variant in ''[[Orgazmo]]''.
* ''[[The World Is Not Enough (Film)|The World Is Not Enough]]'' has [[James Bond (Filmfilm)|James Bond]] utilizing one built into his '''''wristwatch'''''.
** And earlier than that, he uses one that's inside his ''belt'' (although it [[Does This Remind You of Anything?|fires pitons]] instead of a grappling hook) in ''[[GoldeneyeGoldenEye (Filmfilm)|GoldeneyeGoldenEye]]''.
*** At the start of ''Goldeneye'' when he bungie jumps off the dam, he uses a grappling hook pistol to pull himself to the bottom.
*** Even earlier was ''[[Diamonds Are Forever (Film)|Diamonds Are Forever]],'' where he uses an almost plausible gun that fires pitons. How it's able to pierce the building when it travels as relatively slow as it does and support Bond's weight is anybody's guess.
* ''[[In Like Flint]]'': Derek Flint has such a device in his trick cigarette lighter - the grappler is the size of a small fishhook and the line as thin as dental floss, but he can still tightrope walk on it.
* ''[[Van Helsing (Film)|Van Helsing]]'' used one to escape from Dr. Frankenstein's castle. In ''the 1800's''.
* In Disney's ''[[Robin Hood (Disney film)|Robin Hood]]'', [[Robin Hood]] and Little John would fire rope arrows to set up escape paths to move themselves and money. Done with a bit of realism, in that once the arrow was fired, somebody on the other end had to tie it off, instead of relying on the arrow to support the weight.
* In ''[[The Naked Gun (Film)|The Naked Gun]] 2 1/2'', Drebin shoots a bulky grappling hook gun to get to the top of a building, but it hits the side of the building and falls. On his second try, the grapnel snags the collar of an angry guard dog, which then chases him around the roof.
* In the movie of ''[[A Series of Unfortunate Events]]'', Klaus makes one out of an ''umbrella''. Just to clarify: the wonderful device which can't take the strain of being folded up, being opened, being rained on, or being in any kind of slight breeze, can apparently take the weight of a fourteen-year-old boy who uses it to climb up a tower. And that's not the stupidest part.
* The evil Marines from ''[[The Rock (Filmfilm)|The Rock]]'' use a grappling hook rifle to set up ziplines, in order to infiltrate and steal the Chemical Weapons.
* ''[[CharliesCharlie's Angels]]'': Lucy Liu uses a grappling hook bow repeatedly throughout the movie, most notably at the end when she hooks it into the fuselage of an airborne helicopter with enough force that it can hold all three of the girls.
{{quote| '''Lucy Liu:''' Let's see if I can win the ''teddyyyy beaarrrrrrr!!!!''}}
* ''[[Sky Captain and The World of Tomorrow]]'' (2004). Sky Captain's modified Curtiss P-40 can fire wires tipped with spiked-grapnels, either as trip-wires for [[Humongous Mecha]], or to enable him to fly round very tight corners.
* Data's "Pinchers of Peril" in ''[[The Goonies (Film)|The Goonies]]''. This gadget appears to be made from [[Homemade Inventions|wind-up teeth and a Slinky]] and turns out to be useful not only in saving him from a fall, but also for a later [[Groin Attack]] against the Fratellis.
* ''[[View Askewniverse|Mallrats]]'' explicitly references not just the trope, not just its most famous practitioner, but one of the most famous scenes using it, when, chased by LaFours (the best security guard in the mall), Silent Bob pulls out a grappling hook pistol and hauls himself and Jay up to safety; LaFours rounds the corner and doesn't see where they've gone. Then, at the top of the line:
{{quote| '''Jay:''' [[Shout -Out|Where do you get those wonderful toys]]?}}
* In ''[[Transformers (Filmfilm)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'', freaking [[Attack of the 50 -Foot Whatever|DEVASTATOR]] has them, the better to scale a pyramid to get at the doomsday machine. You wouldn't think a robot so humongazoid that he towers over the ''standard'' [[Humongous Mecha]] even more than they do above humans would do much climbing, but he can and it is awesome.
* In ''[[Sky High]]'', the <s>Sidekick</s> [[Sidekick|Hero Support]] training includes learning to use one of these; as with the ''[[Batman Begins]]'' example, the whole mechanism is built into the [[Utility Belt]], which acts as a harness. It also has the option to launch a net or an inflatable raft rather than a line.
 
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* The "Armalite MH-12 Maghook" features heavily in [[Matthew Reilly]]'s ''Shane Schofield'' books. The amount of times Scarecrow and the other protagonists have had their bacon saved by the timely application of a maghook would fill a small book by themselves.
** It's also started appearing in his other books.
* Generator (Jade Sinclair) at the [[Super -Hero School]] Whateley Academy in the [[Whateley Universe]] has one in an arm bracer. But she can cheat. {{spoiler|She can cast a psychokinetic copy of herself into objects, so she can always make the "grappler" end do what she wants.}}
* A grappling-hook arrow was used to enter a building in one of the ''[[Heralds of Valdemar]]'' novels. [[Psychic Powers|Telekinesis]] was used to ensure it made it to the target.
* Played straight in ''[[The Lords of Creation|In the Courts of the Crimson Kings]]'' by [[SMS.M. Stirling]], thanks to [[Bio PunkBiopunk]]. A Martian 'grappeling hook' is a genetically-engineered octopoid creature that grabs onto the nearest object once it lands, thus avoiding all these problems.
* During the siege on a town in the [[Belgariad]], they use catapults to launch grappling hooks over the city walls. Of course instead of using them to scale the walls, they use them to pull them down.
** [[The Belgariad|Malloreon]] actually. But not before Belgarion and {{spoiler|Durnik}} soak the ground good by magically creating a spring under it and turn the foundation to mud. Still, very cool.
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== Live Action TV ==
 
* [[Batman (TV series)|The 60's]] [[Department of Redundancy Department|Batman]] featured a grappling hook ''mortar'' in one episode. In fact, "rope climbing up a building that looks suspiciously like the camera was set on its side" is one of the hallmark TV Batman scenes (bonus points for surprise pop-up celebrity cameos).
* James West not only used one routinely in ''[[The Wild Wild West (TV series)|The Wild Wild West]]'', but also managed to have it imperceptibly hidden up his sleeve on a mechanism that would shove it into his hand on demand. He was also able to produce various other devices as needed by the plot, including guns, knives, and, most improbably, a flare launcher.
* One of the realistic prop gadgets Jett has on the set is a compact grappling hook, which to rescue his best friend who's trapped in a well in the pilot episode of ''[[The Famous Jett Jackson]]''.
* Downplayed in the second ''[[Angel (TV)|Angel]]'' episode, "Lonely Hearts". Angel tries to use a Grappling Hook Gun to get himself and Detective Kate Lockley (prompting the response "...who ''are'' you?") out of a room they are trapped in, but the wooden beam the wire attaches to crumbles under their weight. He did use it once again, without incident in "She" to gain entry to an office building. It worked fine that time; obviously he learned from his mistake. Probably it was too expensive or cliched a stunt to replicate again. Wesley had a grapnel-launcher at the end of Season 4/beginning of Season 5, which he used at least once.
* ''[[Star Trek Enterprise (TV)|Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' was equipped with the Grappler -- notGrappler—not a primitive tractor beam, as you might expect, but twin starship-hauling-sized grappling hooks. Also, a fighter spacecraft in ''[[Babylon 5 (TV)|Babylon 5]]'' is shown using a grappler early in the series, presumably to differentiate the series from ''[[Star Trek (Franchise)|Star Trek]]'' and also because the CGI effect was pretty cool.
* Delta Runner Two in ''[[Power Rangers SPD]]'' has a magnetic grappler. The [[Power Rangers Operation Overdrive]] were also equipped with "OO zip shooters".
* ''[[Andromeda]]'''s Eureka Maru used nigh-unbreakable Fullerene "buckycables" to collect <s>anything not nailed down</s> salvage. And the force lances could be rigged for grapple-launching as well (Though it doesn't quite qualify as a "pistol" since the lance is extened for grapple-launching.)
* As mentioned in the trope description, tested by the [[Myth BustersMythBusters]], and partially busted.
* One of the gadgets used by ''[[Kamen Rider Double]]'' protagonist Shotaro is the Spider Shock, a wristwatch that can turn into a robot spider and has this as one of its functions.
 
 
== Real Life ==
{{spoiler|* [[EpilepticRunning TreesGag|Batman]] {{spoiler|doesn't actually exist. [[Epileptic Trees|Probably.]]}}
* Plumett Ltd. -- [https://web.archive.org/web/20131222133931/http://home.btclick.com/smithandjewell/plumett/ several variants], shoulder fired one is 47kg47&nbsp;kg. 45m horizontal:30m vertical or 55m h 15m v trajectory. Sadly, it is too bulky for [[Batman]]'s utility belt.
* [http://www.rebs.no/Products/Grapnel_Launcher/HH_Grapnel_Launcher.htm OBS Launcher] -- up—up to 50 m upwards or 80 m horizontally.
* In a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OyoWAZEcIE three-part series on YouTube], Colin Furze showed himself building and testing a working forearm-mounted rope launcher out of welded metal, a CO<sub>2</sub> canister, and a heavily modified Ryobi electric drill.
* [[Running Gag|Batman.]]
 
== Tabletop Games ==
 
* There is a grappling hook coil gun in ''[[GURPS]]: Ultra-Tech''. Rather than a pistol it's counted as a form of grenade launcher. You can use it to play [[Batman]].
* ''[[Shadowrun]]'' features grappling hook guns, along with rules for use as weapons (dealing stun damage) and implantation as cyberware.
* ''[[Dungeons and& Dragons]]''. introducedThere theare Rodalways ofballistae Ropeswith in Complete Scoundrelgrapnel, whichof allows wielders to use it as a grapple guncourse, abut zip-line,on or asthe amore ropecompact dispenserside...
** Back in ''Companion'' boxed set (Basic D&D Set #3) appeared [[Trick Arrow|Arrow of Climbing]], which can be shot from a bow normally, then sticks and produces rope. Unlike in ''[[Thief]]'' games (below), it's time-limited once deployed and not reusable.
 
** ''Complete Scoundrel'' introduced the Rod of Ropes, which allows wielders to use it as a grapple gun, a zip-line, or as a rope dispenser.
* All lines of [[Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay]] have grapnel launchers, though they are not tiny (weight 2kg and in a pinch equivalent to one-shot crossbow as a weapon).
** ''[[Dark Heresy]]'' even have Vertical Spindle Set - climbing gear with magnetic and/or burrowing fiber pads that (in good-quality variants) can shoot these pads as grapnel.
** ''[[Deathwatch]]'' has Astartes Grapnel with cable that can hold an armored [[Super Soldier]]. The grapnel (hooked or magnetic) as such is fired from bolt pistol, presumably muzzle loaded (it's easier with short .75 caliber weapon) or (less likely, since bolts are HE-I shells, not inert slugs) as a rifle grenade.
** ''[[Only War]]'' also includes grapnel in standard regimental equipment options and weapon upgrades ([[Bifurcated Weapon|underslung attachments]]), though it's somewhat less useful than having rifle and grapnel separately and not any lighter.
 
== Video Games ==
* ''[[Lego Adaptation Game|Lego Batman]]''.
* ''[[Batman: Arkham Asylum]]''. Also featured is a Burton-Bats style zipline launcher and a weaponised variant used to pull things around rather than for climbing. He can even use it to stop himself from falling in [[Bottomless Pit|Bottomless Pits]]s.
** In the sequel, Arkham City, you can even upgrade it with a version equipped with a more powerful motor that not only elevates him, but launches him in the air.
** And the ''[[Batman Forever]]'' game for the Super NES. [[The Angry Video Game Nerd (Web Video)|The Angry Video Game Nerd]] comments on how Batman's "grappling dick" (since he shoots it out of his crotch) is activated by the freaking ''Select'' button.
* ''[[Justice League]] Heroes'' puts an interesting twist on the usual usage. Since there's little to no platforming in the game, Batman's GHP instead is used in an attack: He shoots it at an enemy, and the GHP pulls him into the enemy for a kick.
* ''[[Tribes: Vengeance]]'' (A game set in the [[Starsiege]] universe) has a grappling hook pistol, which shoots out a hook at extremely fast speeds and latches onto any surface except for players. You can use the grappling hook to pull extremely fast turns when flying down mountains, use it to latch onto vehicles, and if you have insanely good aim, grab weapons and ammo off the ground while moving.
* Link's Hookshot from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: theThe Wind Waker (Video Game)|The Legend of Zelda the Wind Waker]]'', which now exists in two versions (in the same game!): one grabbing onto its target (the traditional Hookshot) and one wrapping around it and back (Grapple Hook).
** In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Video Game)|The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time]]'', it has an upgradeable form called the Longshot which, obviously, allows for a longer range than the standard Hookshot, making it the only weapon that can weaken Morpha, the boss of the Water Temple. The ''Majora's Mask'' version has a range that is average between the two ''Ocarina'' versions.
** In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Video Game)|The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess]]'', the item is called a Clawshot and can be dual-wielded later in the game, allowing for Spider-Manesque stunts.
** In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (Video Game)|The Legend of Zelda Phantom Hourglass]]'', the Grapple Hook is back, and also has the ability to pull things together (or form a rope bridge, or a slingshot) by connecting them. And it's elastic.
** Link's whip in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (Video Game)|The Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks]]'' can be used to form an [[Instant Knots|instant loop]] around a big log suspended in the air to swing off it. And appears to be an elastic red snake on the end of a stick.
* The extremely useful grappling hook from the ''[[Tenchu]]'' series of [[Ninja]] [[Stealth Based Game|Stealth Based Games]]s is apparently an ordinary, hand-swung version -- butversion—but nonetheless shares all of the features of the [[Grappling Hook Pistol]], including the ability to almost instantly pull you to the anchoring point. Must be a ninja thing.
* Functionally, this was the main power of the main character in the NES game ''[[Bionic Commando (Video Game)|Bionic Commando]].'' Unique in how the writers recognized the inhuman strength required and explained that he had to be a cyborg with the grappling hook built in with ''hydraulics'' for this to work.
** Not only that, but Radd couldn't jump. ''In an NES platformer''. The programmers took a ''huge'' leap of faith here, but [[Rule of Fun|it paid off]].
** Although the NES game doesn't show the main character (Ladd or Radd depending on which version you're playing) being of any particular build, and looking entirely human in all respects, the Playstation 3/Xbox 360/PC remake and sequel establish that the bionic arm is ''freaking huge'', literally half the size of the titular bionic commando. As an added bonus, it allows him to pull off feats of super-human strength, though in the trailers, that strength is only applied directly to his arm, not the rest of him.
* The Special Forces expansion pack for ''[[Battlefield (Video Gameseries)|Battlefield 2]]'' gives some classes a crossbow that fires a cable that can be used as a zipline. Grappling hooks are also available to some classes, though they're the old-school hand-thrown variety.
* The ''[[Half-Life]]: Opposing Force'' expansion features a grappling hook weapon, although not a pistol. Rather, it's an alien barnacle that's been detached and that can be used on some maps to latch onto biological outcroppings.
** And in ''[[Freemans Mind|Freeman's Mind]]'', Gordon Freeman's [[Internal Monologue]] continually laments that his HEV suit doesn't have one.
* Ada Wong frequently uses one in ''[[Resident Evil]] 4''.
** And Leon uses a grapple belt to escape one of [[The Dragon]]'s traps in the same game.
* ''[[Painkiller]]'' has the titular grappling hook-type weapon that is used to pierce enemies ([[For Massive Damage]]!) and pull their now-lifeless corpses to you, as well as being able to destroy/collapse items, usually in a single shot. You never use it for climbing though, seeing as how the cord/rope is a ''frickin' laser'' that's used to incinerate enemies.
* The ''[[Worms (Video Game)|Worms]]'' series of games feature a "ninja rope" that can be lengthened and retracted at will, plus released and refired while in midair over and over to replicate [[Spider -Man]]'s method of travel. Mastery of the ninja rope is necessary to become a true worm warrior.
* In ''007: Agent Under Fire'', Bond actually has one of these '''''inside his cell phone!'''''
** In ''[[James Bond]], 007: Everything or Nothing'', Bond carried a variant of the [[Grappling Hook Pistol]], called a "rappel gun", which functioned like a GHP, but he had to walk up a wall in order to retract it (!).
*** In The World is not Enough, Bond gets a watch with several functions, including a grappling hook. Of course, in single player you had to aim for a large yellow and black block on the ceiling, after which a rope would "fall down" for Bond to climb.
**** ''[[From Russia Withwith Love]]'' featured the "Rappel Belt." True to the '60s flair of the game, this was a hook that detached from Bond's belt and had to be thrown onto ledges, and climbing would retract it. It was a little more flexible than ''[[Eon]]'s'' rappel gun in that Bond could swing across ledges with it.
* The ''[[Lego Star Wars]]'' games go one up on ''Phantom Menace'' by allowing any character with a blaster to connect it to a grappling hook. The "blaster" category includes all varieties of pistols as well as Chewbacca's crossbow and the Ewok's slingshot.
* They appear as a Crusader weapon in ''[[Hellgate :London]]''... however, instead of being used for anything remotely plausible, they're used to grab enemies and ''[[Mortal Kombat|drag them to you]].''. Why? [[Rule of Cool|Because it's cool.]]
* Goemon from the ''[[Legend of the Mystical Ninja]]'' games never left home without his chain pipe.
* Lucas from ''[[EarthboundEarthBound|Mother 3]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros.]] Brawl'' makes use of a "rope snake", a happy stretchy snake.
** The Rope Snake was originally used by Duster in ''Mother 3''; he used it to swing across gaps in a dilapidated castle. In a later chapter, the entire party has to hang onto the snake {{spoiler|while it hangs from the Pig Army's main aircraft}}, but it can't support the weight. Having thus dishonored its ancestors, it changes its name to Snake Rope and mopes.
* ''[[God of War (Video Gameseries)|God of War]]'' series: Three words, Chaos/Athena Blades.
* The ''[[Metroid]]'' series' Grapple Beam. In both ''[[Metroid Prime]] 1 and 2'', the beam when acquired takes the form of a literal gun that clips under Samus' left arm. In 3 it takes the form of a disc attachment to the back of Samus' left hand - but adds being able to latch onto ''and yank away'' certain obstacles...metal bars, plates, enemy deflector shields...
** Later in ''Corruption'', Samus gets the Grapple Voltage device which augments the functionality further by allowing her to siphon energy from her tanks into another device to power it up, or siphon it away from a device or enemy to recharge her own reserves. A Phazon-based version allows her to dump Phazon into the target; {{spoiler|she can use this to prolong her purity on Phaaze as well.}}
** The Grapple Beam also appears in the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series, where it can work as a long-distance enemy grab, or let you grab stage edges to recover from falls. In ''Brawl,'' the emergency pistol Samus wields in armorless ("Zero Suit") form includes grapple functionality as well.
* The Thunder Claw in ''[[Mega Man 8 (Video Game)|Mega Man 8]]'' functioned similarly. It would extend its normal firing range if a grabbable object was nearby.
** The Wire Adapter from ''4'' could only be fired straight up, but otherwise followed the trope.
*** ''[[Rock Man 4 Minus Infinity]]'' upgraded the Wire Adapter by expanding its range and allowing it to damage enemies.
* ''[[Mega Man X (Video Game)|Mega Man X]] 2'' had the Strike Chain, which was a horizontal-only variant. Charging the weapon with the X-Buster upgrade extended it's range.
* The Chain Rod in ''[[Mega Man Zero (Video Game)|Mega Man Zero]] 2'' was perhaps the most versatile. It could be fired horizontally, vertically or diagonally and let you grapple from nearly any surface. It could also be used to pull crates, and occasionally, enemies around.
* Variant in ''[[Triggerheart Exelica]]'': Exelica and Crueltear use the grappling hook cannon-like Anchor Shot to, rather than travel, grab and pull enemies toward ''them'', and spin them around as a shield, or toss them at an enemy hammerthrow-style.
* One of the many powers of Nero's Devil Bringer from ''[[Devil May Cry]] 4''.
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* In ''[[Resident Evil]] 0'', the player characters periodically had to make use of a grappling hook gun to access certain areas. However, it was a closer in size to a rifle than a pistol, taking up a 2/6 inventory blocks at one time.
** And it realistically can only hold 150 pounds max, which means only the lighter Rebecca Chambers can use it to pull herself up.
* ''[[Quake (Video Gameseries)|Quake]]'': The "Threewave CTF" [[Game Mod|mod]] (and all since that copied it) included an offhand grappling hook to move around the levels faster.
* In ''[[Tomb Raider]]'', Lara Croft uses them. A grappling hook was used in the beginning cinematic in the original ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' game but never used again, however, in the remake Lara actually used her <s>grappling hook</s> Magnetic Grapple. Lara's grappling gun seems more like a replacement for her super long jumps she used to have in the older games because beginning with Legend, Lara's jumps became "bunny hops". Her current magnetic grapple is small, but workable with Phlebotinum.
** ''[[Tomb Raider]]: Chronicles'' is the first time you actually could use a grappling gun. Unlike the newer one, or even Anniversaries', this grappling gun was much closer in size to a real one and you actually had to be precise with your aim. In the newer games, all you have to do is position the camera and Lara in the general direction of a ring to successfully use your grapple.
* ''[[Earthworm Jim (Videovideo Gamegame)|Earthworm Jim]]'' parodies this by using ''himself'' as a grappling hook for his [[Super Suit]].
** And his nemesis Psy-Crow uses a grappling ''fishhook'' gun as his weapon to try and pry Jim ''out'' of his suit.
* ''[[Just Cause (Videovideo Gamegame)|Just Cause]]'' and its sequel. Used not only to hijack planes and helicopters, but also to glide while being towed by a car. The sequel, as shown in trailers, also allows the player to hook a mook to a vehicle and drag him around.
* ''[[Final Fantasy Mystic Quest (Video Game)|Final Fantasy Mystic Quest]]'' has the Dragon Claw for this purpose.
* ''[[Dark Messiah (Videoof Game)Might and Magic|Dark Messiah]]'' gives you the Rope Bow, a magic bow that upon hitting something made of wood spits out a bit of rope for you to swing/climb on.
* The sci-fi third-person shooter ''[[Lost Planet]]'' allows the protagonist to grapple up objects among other things with his Anchor. Note that the protagonist does not need a special weapon in order to grapple, but he must be on the ground to use it.
* Inputting "Grapple" in ''[[Scribblenauts]]'' gives you one of these. It's very useful.
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* In the first ''[[No One Lives Forever]]'' game, one of the bonus items Cate Archer can get is a grappling hook hidden inside her belt buckle used primarily to reach secret areas.
* The bonus levels of the first ''[[Alien vs. Predator]]'' game on the PC gave a grappling hook to the marine to allow him to traverse the Alien levels.
* Adding a grappling hook is a common mod for first-person shooters such as ''[[Unreal Tournament (Video Game)|Unreal Tournament]]'' and ''[[Quake]]''.
* Hazama/Terumi from ''[[Blaz BlueBlazBlue]]'' can use his Ouroboros Drive in this manner to pull himself to his opponents.
* Alex Mercer from ''[[Prototype (Videovideo Gamegame)|Prototype]]'' does not really need a grapple device, being an excellent ''[[Le Parkour|traceur]]''. However, his upgraded Whipfist does allow him to reach out and snag stuff to either pull to him or, if it's bigger, pull himself to it.
* The Japan-only [[Konami]] [[Nintendo DS|NDS]] platformer ''Arumana no Kiseki'' (''Miracle of Almana'') features an Indiana Jones-like adventurer who navigates a cave by grappling hook.
* Trilby, of the ''[[Chzo Mythos]]'', uses a Grappling Hook ''umbrella'', and it works.
* In ''[[Blaster Master (Video Game)|Blaster Master]] Overdrive'', the [[Cool Car|S.O.P.H.I.A.]] can acquire a grappling hook attachment to allow it to zip up toward certain ceilings.
* The protagonist of ''[[Nitrome|Frost Bite]]'', a would-be mountain climber, uses this as both her only mountain-climbing equipment and her primary defense against [[Bigfoot, Sasquatch, and Yeti|yeti]]s and the like.
* ''[[Rocket Jockey (Video Game)|Rocket Jockey]]'' gives each rocket bike two grappling hooks-mostly for better turning, but the two cables can also be joined together, creating clotheslines and attaching objects to each other. [[Video Game Cruelty Potential|The greatest uses for them are on other jockeys, of course!]]
* Jack van Burace of ''[[Wild ArmsARMs]]'' and its remake, ''[[Wild ArmsARMs 1 (Video Game)|Wild Arms Alter Code: F]],'' gains one of these in the course of the game. It's mostly used to get through otherwise-unpassable sections of the dungeons. Given the kind of acceleration the thing has, it's a wonder it doesn't rip his arms off or pull itself out of his grasp. Full stop to full speed in roughly zero time. ''Youch!''
* One of the new things introduced in ''[[Little Big PlanetLittleBigPlanet|LittleBigPlanet 2]]'' is a grappling hook.
* In ''[[Strife]]'' this is used against you by a boss. It doesn't do much damage on its own but he likely throws you off high ledges in the process.
* The fishing pole in ''[[Minecraft]]'' isn't meant for this purpose, but it has the ability to stick to mobs and when you yank the reel back, the mob is dragged to you, making it extremely handy to drag flying mobs like Ghasts and Blazes to you so you can whack them with your sword, or hook the line to a mob across a cliff and yank the line to make them fall in the abyss or even a lava pit.
* One of the brush techniques in ''[[Okami (Video Game)Ōkami|Okami]]'' allow Amaterasu to let the vine of a hovering flower platform attach her to reach previously inaccessible spots.
* In ''[[Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Video Game)|Super Mario Galaxy 2]]'', Yoshi's tongue can be used this way when floating flower-shaped hooks are nearby.
* [[DC Universe Online]] allows any character who chooses the "Acrobatics" travel power set to utilize Batman Style grappling hooks. It comes in two varieties: A vertical shot to ascend buildings and a horizontal shot to head towards climbable walls. It's the fastest way to ascend vertically, but limited by the need for a wall to climb.
* Nautilus in ''[[League of Legends]]'' does this with an ''anchor'' throwing it at terrain to make quick escapes or catch enemies. If it hits a champion it drags them back too and they meet in the middle.
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== Webcomics ==
* This [[Overused Running Gag|Batman]] [http://batmanandsons.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html webcomic] features several uses of the grappling hook, including a scene where Batman uses it to win a foot race (don't ask).
* ''[[Casey and Andy (Webcomic)|Casey and Andy]]'' give Jenn a [[Steampunk]] grappling hook projector in [http://galactanet.com/comic/view.php?strip=651 this strip]. She's not impressed.
* ''[[Girl Genius (Webcomic)|Girl Genius]]'': Standard issue for [[McNinja|Smoke Knights]] (Seen [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20060630 here] [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20080917 and here]). And [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20100721 yet another] Order's operative.
** [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20030321 The Baron had one, too...]
* The Raccoon from ''[[KiwiblitzKiwi (Webcomic)Blitz|Kiwiblitz]]''.
* The Raccoon from [[The Incredible and Awe Inspiring Serial Adventure of The Amazing Plasma -Man]] (no relation).
 
 
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== Western Animation ==
* ''[[Batman: The Animated Series (Animation)|Batman the Animated Series]]'', ''[[Justice League]]'', ''[[Super FriendsSuperfriends]]'', ''[[The Batman (Animation)|The Batman]]'' (where he once used his [[Grappling Hook Pistol]] to apparently hook onto the ''sky''), and especially ''[[Batman: theThe Brave And The Bold (Animation)|Batman the Brave And The Bold]]''.
** [[Harley Quinn]] attempted to use her own device for that. It didn't have enough punch to throw the hook high enough, but turned out useful for knocking people out.
* ''[[Kim Possible]]'' has one of these, as seen in the page pic. It's [[Shoe Phone|shaped like a hair dryer]]. Her use of [[Shoe Phone]] tech is probably based more on fashion sense than stealth, though, because everyone knows she's a superhero.
* In a clear parody, the ''[[Futurama (Animation)|Futurama]]'' episode "A Head In The Polls" has Leela using a grappling hook rifle. On landing, it walked over to a pipe like a spider, grabbed on, and tugged twice on the rope to tell her it was anchored. Yay for the year 3000.
** [[Fridge Brilliance|When you think about it]], this makes lots of sense, more so then the Batman-style GHP, as it's usually depicted. And the tech's [[Twenty Minutes Into the Future|not that out of reach]], either.
* This is one of the most commonly used attachments for [[Darkwing Duck]]'s all-purpose "gas gun."
* The [[Shoe Phone|Expandable Cable Bungee Belt]] on ''[[Totally Spies!]]''.
* [[Wrench Wench|Gadget]] from ''[[Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers (Animationanimation)|Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers]]'' uses something similar in the pilot "To the Rescue"; however, instead of a grappling hook, it uses a suction cup (as do most of her inventions). In other episodes, she uses a self-made crossbow with the same function.
* Although not named, it's in fairly common usage in ''[[Max Steel]]'': The titular character has a gun version in hammer-space, while one of his partners, Kat Ryan, has a small version built in to her watch.
* Razor of the ''[[Swat Kats (Animation)|Swat Kats]]'' has a grappling hook firing device on his glove.
* ''[[Aeon Flux]]'' can convert her standard gun into one with the simple expedience of replacing the magazine with a pressurized gas reservoir and cramming the hook down the barrel.
* ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender (Animation)|Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'' featured both low ''and'' high tech versions: the [[Elite Mooks|Yu-Yan Archers]] fired ropes tied to arrows, enhancing their capacity to give chase. And, as seen in "The Northern Air Temple," the Fire Nation's all-terrain tanks have grappling-hook-tipped chains they fire to ascend shear surfaces. Notable in that both examples are in use [[Schizo -Tech|by the same society in the same era]].
* One of Agent K's favorite wepons/tools on ''[[The Replacements]]''.
* Zak Saturday's Claw in ''[[The Secret Saturdays]]''.
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[[Category:Guns and Gunplay Tropes]]
[[Category:Applied Phlebotinum]]
[[Category:Tropes Examined By the Mythbusters]]
[[Category:Grappling Hook Pistol]]
[[Category:TropeTropes Examined by the Mythbusters]]
Retrieved from "https://allthetropes.org/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/529543...1848896"