History Main / PowerfulPick

A SubTrope of ImprovisedWeapon and closely related to ShovelStrike, pickaxes are tools used to break up rocks and earth but like most handheld objects can easily be appropriated as a weapon. Like the sledgehammer, which is highly similar in use, most pickaxes are far too heavy to wield effectively against an armed or skilled opponent. On the other hand, its large size and shape make it highly intimidating, and against slow moving enemies like zombies its power and ease of use make it a brutal skull-smashing machine. (That is, unless the spike gets stuck).

Ice picks, used as a climbing aid in icy regions, are also covered by this trope. Though smaller than mining picks, their blades will tend to have a sharper edge and the weapon will be easier to both control and conceal.

* In ''Fanfic/TalesOfTheHungerGames'', the 94th Hunger Games arena (a snowy desert) has ice picks of varying sizes as the cornucopia weapons. The smaller ones are at the mouth, while the larger ones are at the back of the cornucopia. Mirai[[note]]the District One girl and one of the four focus tributes[[/note]] subverts this during the finale where she's sponsored a pair of twin butterfly knives.

* ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyModernWarfare2'': one level has you using ice picks as melee weapons.
** Well, you get to see [=MacTavish=] using ice picks as weapons. To dismount a guy on a snowmobile, no less. It's ''beyond'' awesome.

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* In the ''[[VideoGame/TombRaider2013 Tomb Raider]]'' reboot, Lara can use her pick as a weapon after leveling up to a certain point.

* In ''{{VideoGame/Unturned}}'', the pick axe is a decent weapon and the only tool that lets you break up boulders for crafting stone.

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* Leon Trotsky was assassinated with either an ice axe or an ice pick, depending on who you ask.

* One of the least-commonly known Japanese weapons from the SengokuJidai was the "Tsuruhashi" (Crane's Bill), sometimes erroneously called "Nanman Hachiwari". Resembling a [[SinisterScythe kama at a first sight]], the Tsuruhashi has a sharp pick in lieu of a blade and was made to pierce through armor easily. Variants mounted on long spears did exist.

* In ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}}'', picks are very powerful because they have high basic damage and a high damage multiplier. Their major limitation is that they can get stuck in a target, but even then they automatically do damage when you pull them out.

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* From a radio spoof re FamousLastWords.

A SubTrope of ImprovisedWeapon and closely related to ShovelStrike, pickaxes are tools used to break up rocks and earth but like most handheld objects can easily be appropriated as a weapon. Like the sledgehammer, which is highly similar in use, most pickaxes are far too heavy to wield effectively against an armed or skilled opponent. On the other hand, its large size and shape make it highly intimidating, and against slow moving enemies like zombies its power and ease of use make it a brutal skull-smashing machine. (That is, unless the spike gets stuck). While usually not as sharp as a conventional melee weapon, the narrow spike and heavy head of the pick make it [[AntiArmor effective against armor]]. Because of their original purpose, they're also exceptionally sturdy and not as likely to break as other improvised weapons. Ice picks, used as a climbing aid in icy regions, are also covered by this trope. Though smaller than mining picks, their blades will tend to have a sharper edge and the weapon will be easier to both control and conceal.

The use of pickaxes as weapons in ancient warfare [[TruthInTelevision is actually true]]. Their shape also influenced some [[DropTheHammer warhammers]] and traditional axes to have a big spike on one side of their heads for punching through armor (and, on occasion, ribcages, heads and other things).

* You ''can'' use your pick this way in ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'', but usually it's better to stick to swords or bows, as using your pick as a weapon deals less damage than either of those weapons and you cannot sweep with it like you can a sword.

* ''VideoGame/MountAndBlade'' has a pickaxe, a fighting pick, and a military pick [[SortingAlgorithmOfWeaponEffectiveness in increasing order of power]] as short-range one-handed weapons. They may not look so impressive at first, but they're fast, and they have an unnerving tendency to [[ArmorPiercingAttack go right through heavy armor]], and will still make a mess of lightly armored enemies besides. They are also surprisingly handy in close fighting and sieges for those same reasons, trading reach for superior armor penetration.

[[caption-width-right:335:''[[LetsPlay/DreamSMP I have a pickaxe]]'', ''and I'll put it through your teeth!'']]

* In the ''LetsPlay/DreamSMP'', after Technoblade's failed execution, he uses a netherite pickaxe as an ImprovisedWeapon until he is able to recover his items. While making his escape, Techno is evenly matched with three people at one point while weaponizing his pickaxe, [[spoiler:and he even manages to kill one of his pursuers, Quackity (who was wearing ''full enchanted netherite armour and using an axe''), with it by, as the page quote points out, putting it [[TheToothHurts through his teeth]] and [[EyeScream partially blinding him]].]]

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[[caption-width-right:335:[[LetsPlay/DreamSMP I have a pickaxe]], ''and I'll put it through your teeth!'']]

* [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karla_Faye_Tucker Karla Faye Tucker]] was executed in 1998 for killing someone with a pickaxe.

* ''Film/DeadtimeStories/Volume2'': By the end of "The Gorge", Donna has started stalking tour groups in the cave system and killing them with a geologist's hammer.

* ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'': pickaxes can be looted from Boulder Giants as weapons, it does moderate damage and is difficult to use, however it does decent poise damage akin to straight swords.

* Iemitsu Sawada from ''Manga/KatekyoHitmanReborn'' uses one as a weapon.

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* ''ComicStrip/ModestyBlaise'': In "Tribute for the Pharaoh", Modesty and Willie are ambushed by a pair of crooks who were looting a tomb. The one who attacks Modesty is wielding a pick, and actually gets the best of her before an intervention from Willie tips the balance in her favour.
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* Tuhl uses a huge pickaxe as his main weapon in ''Manga/BIchi''.

* Both the original ''Film/MyBloodyValentine'' and [[Film/MyBloodyValentine3D its remake]] had killers with pickaxes as their WeaponOfChoice.
* In ''Film/FridayThe13thPart2'', Jason's very first kill is the FinalGirl of [[Film/FridayThe13th1980 the original]], who he kills with an ice pick to the head. Later, he hunts Ginny down with a pickaxe.
* Shit gets worse in ''Film/TheDescent'' when [[spoiler:Juno accidentally puts a climbing pick through her buddy's neck after a protracted fight with monsters. After said friend is found by another of Juno's friends (who are now rivals because Juno slept with her husband) she gets hunted down in revenge.]]
* The demon-possessed killer priest of ''Film/HappyHellNight'' starts using a ice axe as his weapon of choice when he finds it on a wall.
* The killer in ''Film/DeathOnDemand'' uses an [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_axe ice axe.]]
%%* ''Curse of the Forty-Niner'', aka ''Miner's Massacre''.

* The villain of ''Film/SimonSays'' has a severe pickaxe fetish, to the point of actually constructing a machine gun-like contraption that fires them.
* The Phantom Killer in ''Film/TheTownThatDreadedSundown'' takes a pickaxe to chase a woman with through a cornfield.

* ''Film/Alien40thAnniversaryShorts'': In "Ore", a female miner tries to land a blow on a Xenomorph using her mining pick. The alien is nimble enough to avoid most of her blows, but when she does hit the target [[GoryDiscretionShot we hear a scream and see an acid-scorched pick hit the ground]].
* In ''Film/WildHorsePhantom'', Fuzzy picks up a pick to defend himself while he is wandering the mine tunnels. However, he gets it stuck in the wall before he can use it as a weapon.
* In ''Film/LeftForDead'', Goldie carries a pick and uses it to attack Mobius; impaling him through the stomach with it. Mobius later pulls a LodgedBladeRecycling and uses the pick to break her back.

* In ''Film/JackTheReaper'', Railroad Jack's weapon of choice is a railroad pick axe.

* [[Literature/AdventuresOfADemonHuntingSoccerMom Kate Connor]] got a bunch of ice picks on sale because they make good weapons and having them around the house wouldn't be looked at askance.

* In an episode of ''Series/{{CSINY}}'', someone was killed with an ice pick to the neck. As it turns out [[spoiler:he was dying of cancer and he requested that he be killed this way]].

* ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII'' has the Rusty Pick item, which adds a little damage and has a chance to stun an enemy. Peasants and Peons [[PercussiveMaintenance use them as tools]] and weapons, if you order them to attack.
* ''VideoGame/RuneScape'': partially averted; pickaxes can be wielded as a weapon, but they are less effective than weapons made of the same metal. That being said, players frequently wield their pickaxes while mining, rather than simply wield another weapon, because it saves an inventory space that could be used to carry more ore. Also, some bosses have armor that needs to be broken with a pickaxe before you can actually start hacking away at its HP with another weapon (though you can still use the pickaxe if you wish).
* The Soldier class in ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' has two picks as unlockable melee weapons.
** The Equalizer turns him into the ultimate GlassCannon by raising in damage output based on how low his health level is. At 1 {{hit point}}, he can hit for 113 points of damage.
** The Escape Plan increases the Soldier's running speed the less health he has, and [[DamageIncreasingDebuff marks him for death]]. At one hit point, he can run almost as fast as [[FragileSpeedster the scout]].
* ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyModernWarfare2'': one level has you using ice picks as melee weapons.
** Well, you get to see [=MacTavish=] using ice picks as weapons. To dismount a guy on a snowmobile, no less. It's ''beyond'' awesome.

* A pickaxe is also the best weapon in ''VideoGame/{{Penumbra}}: Overture''--or more accurately, [[ImprovisedWeapon every other weapon is worse]]. You'll still have to hit {{Hellhound}}s a dozen times to kill them, but two hits can handle a GiantSpider.
* Grayback from ''VideoGame/BattleRealms'' wields one; justified as he and most of the Wolf Clan pre-revolt were miners.
* One of the first weapons in ''VideoGame/{{Drakensang}} 2: The River of Time'' is a pick, classified as a "Two-Handed Axe" type weapon.

* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'':
** ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind'' has mining picks that can be equipped as weapons, but they're pretty useless in combat.
** ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'' includes picks, which are required to mine ore. They can make a decent weapon if enchanted. Two unique versions can be found: the [[VideoGame/MineCraft Notched]] [[ShoutOut Pickaxe]], which raises the Dragonborn's Smithing skill when equipped and deals minor shock damage to enemies, and Hoarfrost, which deals frost damage and has a chance to [[HarmlessFreezing freeze enemies solid]].
* ''Franchise/FireEmblem'': The recurring sword type Armorslayer has no tip, its blade instead splitting into a spiky T shape, creating an AntiArmor weapon that functions more like an oddly-shaped pick than a sword. WebVideo/{{Skallagrim}} gives a breakdown of how these weapons would work [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UnzFzkQimU here]].
* Some enemies in ''VideoGame/RedDeadRevolver'' wield mining picks in melee combat.
* You ''can'' use your pick this way in ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'', but usually it's better to stick to swords or bows, as using your pick as a weapon deals less damage than either of those weapons and you cannot sweep with it like you can a sword.
* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'' has the Esthar Soldiers, who wield a pickaxe with some sort of triple barreled gun on the handle just above the handgrip. It looks about as silly as it sounds.
* In the ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork'' series, the [[MascotMook Metools]] get these as weapons to go along with their mining hard hats. They hit the ground with them to produce shockwaves that travel straight down their row at speeds that vary from slow to barely visible depending on the type of Metool. Mega Man can also use them with the battle chips won from said enemies (For the first three games, at least).
* Picks are available as weapons in ''VideoGame/NetHack'', with the two-handed dwarvish mattock being one of the most damaging non-artifact weapons in the game, but they are generally more useful for [[DungeonBypass digging shortcuts and bypasses through the dungeon]].

* In ''VIdeogame/RiskOfRain'', the miner dual wields these, using them in his basic attack. It manages to keep up with the mercenary's laser sword and Hand-E's hydraulic punch quite well, even outranging them. Still, in matters of more complex attacks, he moves on to this weapon's [[ThisIsADrill high-tech cousin]].
* ''VideoGame/MountAndBlade'' has a pickaxe, a fighting pick, and a military pick [[SortingAlgorithmOfWeaponEffectiveness in increasing order of power]] as short-range one-handed weapons. They may not look so impressive at first, but they're fast, and they have an unnerving tendency to [[ArmorPiercingAttack go right through heavy armor]], and will still make a mess of lightly armored enemies besides. They are also surprisingly handy in close fighting and sieges for those same reasons, trading reach for superior armor penetration.
* ''VideoGame/CaptainToadTreasureTracker'' lets Captain Toad wield a pickaxe as a temporary weapon in a manner identical to the hammer from ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong''.
* In ''{{VideoGame/Unturned}}'', the pick axe is a decent weapon and the only tool that lets you break up boulders for crafting stone.
* The Grave Robber from ''VideoGame/DarkestDungeon'' usually prefers throwing knives and darts for weaponry but carries a pickaxe as well. Presumably it's for breaking into mausoleums and the like, but it's just as effective at smacking the local {{Eldritch Abomination}}s very hard in the face. The pickaxe attack skill has the bonus of [[ArmorPiercingAttack ignoring enemy PROT]], making it very useful against armored opponents.
* One of the kamas of Pendles from ''VideoGame/{{Battleborn}}'' is a [=BlissTek=]™ ice-climbing axe modified into a scythe.
* One of the harvesting tools/melee weapons players can use in ''VideoGame/{{Fortnite}}'' and ''Fortnite: Battle Royale'' is a pickax... made out of lawn flamingo heads attached to a shovel handle with a garden hose. The Death Valley harvesting tool in the shape of a pick mattock with a [[DesertSkull cow skull on top]].
* In ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaCurseOfDarkness'', the Zaghnol is the best one-handed axe, taking the appearence of a highly-ornated pick with a bird motif. Also surprisingly easy to made, making it overall BoringButPractical.
* ''Videogame/DeepRockGalactic'', starring miner dwarves in the future, naturally features these. Acting both as your QuickMelee option and terrain destruction/rearrangement for navigational and mining purposes, it can be upgraded to be even better at opening enemies up, down to adding a charged, massive swing that can clear a good swath of [[BugWar glyphids]] easy.
-->''TASTE THE PICKAXE!''
* ''VideoGame/MinecraftDungeons'': You can use a pickaxe to fight the Arch-Illager's hordes, and it's more powerful than the sword, but at the cost of attack range.