Stake Launcher

Stake

• 

Statistics

Type	Ammunition
Damage	25 (Ranged)
Knockback	4.5 (Average)
Base Velocity	3
Velocity Multiplier	4×
Rarity	00*
Buy	15 CC
Sell	3 CC
Research	99 required

Projectile created

• Stake
  

• Internal Item ID: 1836
• Internal Projectile ID: 323

Stake Launcher

• 

Statistics

Type	Weapon
Uses ammo	Stake
Damage	75 (Ranged)
Knockback	6.5 (Strong)
Critical chance	14%
Use time	12 (Very fast) (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) / 26 (Average) (Old-gen console and 3DS versions)
Velocity	9
Rarity	08*
Sell	10 GC
Research	1 required

Sounds

Use

• Internal Item ID: 1835

 Obtained from

 Classic

 Expert

 Master

Entity	Special drop	Rate
Mourning Wood Mourning Wood	Stake Launcher + Stake (30–60)	2–20%5–20%

The Stake Launcher piercing through nine Target Dummies, breaking on the tenth hit.

The Stake Launcher is a Hardmode, post-Plantera repeater-like weapon which auto-fires Stakes as ammunition. Stakes are unaffected by gravity and pierce through up to nine enemies, dissipating upon hitting a tenth, while also traveling faster than most arrows. On the  Desktop version,  Console version, and  Mobile version, the Stake Launcher applies a 10% damage penalty to the next hit for each enemy the Stake projectile pierces. The Stake Launcher has a base 14% critical strike chance as opposed to the usual 4%. Additionally, it receives a substantial damage boost of 1000% against Vampires.

The Stake Launcher is dropped by the Mourning Wood during the Pumpkin Moon event with a 2–20% (5–20%) chance depending on the current wave. When dropped, the Stake Launcher is always accompanied by 30 to 60 Stakes. Additional Stakes are sold by the Witch Doctor and Arms Dealer for 15 CC each while the Stake Launcher is in the player's inventory.

Its best modifier is Unreal.

Notes

• The Stake Launcher is considered an arrow-type weapon by the Magic Quiver, Shroomite armor, (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) and Archery Potion, and the Stakes it fires cannot be retrieved. However, it is considered a gun by the Rifle Scope and its upgrades, allowing it to use the zoom function.
• The 1000% damage boost against Vampires is applied to the combined damage of Stake Launcher and Stake after all damage calculations (e.g. armor, accessories, buffs, randomized deviation, etc.) have been completed. However, it is applied before the damage is reduced by the enemy's defense.
  • Note that this boost does not affect Vampire Miners(Old-gen console and 3DS versions).
• Because of the absurdly high damage dealt to Vampires, the Stake Launcher is prone to setting off anti-cheat measures when used in some multiplayer servers.

Tips

• The Stake Launcher is easily one of the most powerful ranged weapons obtainable, given its extremely high damage (base of 100 with the Stakes), powerful knockback, high velocity, automatic fire, cheap ammunition, and the fact that said ammunition can pierce up to nine times and is not affected by gravity.
  • (Old-gen console and 3DS versions) The only downside would be the fire rate, which is relatively slow in comparison to other high-tier ranged weapons, like the Megashark.
• The Stake Launcher is very effective against multi-segmented enemies like worms, as its piercing effect can damage multiple segments.

Trivia

• The Stake Launcher's damage bonus references vampire folklore, in which the only way to completely kill a vampire is to drive a wooden stake through its heart.

History

 Desktop version

• Desktop 1.4.1:
  • Use time decreased from 26 to 12.
  • Applies a 10% damage penalty to the next hit for each enemy a projectile pierces.

• Desktop 1.4.0.1: Now affected by the Archery Potion.

• Desktop 1.2.1.2: The Rifle Scope now works with the Stake Launcher.

• Desktop 1.2.1: Introduced.

 Console version

• Console 1.02: Introduced, works with the Rifle Scope.

 Nintendo Switch version

• Switch 1.0.711.6: Introduced.

 Mobile version

• Mobile 1.2.6508: Introduced, works with the Rifle Scope.

Nintendo 3DS version

• 3DS-Release: Introduced, works with the Rifle Scope.^Verify