Line #97 Main/NaturalWeapon


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7	[[quoteright:229:[[TabletopGame/PokemonTradingCardGame https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/beedrill_min.png]]]]
8	[[caption-width-right:229:To top it all off, its Japanese name is just "Spear".]]
9
10	->''"I keep forgetting that five of his six ends are pointy when he lies like that."''
11	-->-- '''Calvin''' on [[https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1987/11/21 ambushing a tiger on its back,]] ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes''
12
13	What to do when [[GiveMeASword you're without a weapon]]? PunyHumans must resort to hands and feet (or [[ImprovisedWeapon obtain]] an EmergencyWeapon). On the other hand, non-human races, animals, and aliens tend to have claws, stings, and other such abilities.
14
15	This need not involve claws; stingers or even more complex organic weapons count. As long as they're a natural part of the creature's anatomy.
16
17	Compare AnatomyArsenal (which can overlap with this; the arsenal is literally part of the user's anatomy), LivingWeapon (when the weapon is part of another creature entirely).
18
19	Any of the following could be one:
20	[[index]]
21	* AbsurdlySharpClaws: A creature attacks using its own sharp claws.
22	* AssKicksYou: A person attacks someone by hitting their opponent with their own rear end.
23	* BadWithTheBone: specifically, the "superpowered bones" variant
24	* BareFistedMonk
25	* BeakAttack
26	* BewareMyStingerTail
27	* BloodyMurder
28	* BreathWeapon
29	* CactusCushion
30	* ClamTrap
31	* CombatTentacles
32	* EarWings
33	* {{Fartillery}}: Weaponizing your own flatulence.
34	* FeatherFlechettes
35	* FemmeFatalons
36	* GrievousHarmWithABody
37	* GoombaStomp: Defeating video game enemies simply by jumping on their heads.
38	* HairWings
39	* HelicopterHair
40	* HeliCritter
41	* HornAttack
42	* ManBitesMan
43	* PowerPincers
44	* PrehensileHair
45	* {{Projeggtile}}
46	* RazorWings
47	* RollingAttack
48	* SpikeShooter
49	* StuddedShell
50	* SuperScream: Someone has a loud scream as their super power.
51	* SuperSpit
52	* SwordAndFist
53	* TailSlap
54	* UseYourHead
55	* WeaponizedStench
56	* WiltingOdor
57	* WolverineClaws
58	[[/index]]
59
60	...[[Administrivia/TropesAreFlexible but not always]].
61	----
62	!!Examples:
63
64	[[foldercontrol]]
65
66	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
67	* Dozens of examples can be found in the released forms of Arrancars in ''Manga/{{Bleach}}''. They carry around swords, but in "resurreccion" mode most arrancars' zanpakuto become natural weapons. They may have claws, pincers, tentacles, wings, tails, or horns that will be used to fight.
68	* Garyuu of ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers'', who in addition to his speed and strength, is capable of firing mana bullets as part of his biological functions, has retractable blades up the wazoo, and combat tentacles that could slice through Barrier Jackets. These, together with his other [[{{Flight}} natural]] [[{{Invisibility}} abilities]] and human-level intelligence, make him the equivalent of a skilled mage and one of the strongest amongst of Lutecia's [[BigCreepyCrawlies insect]] [[SummonMagic summons]].
69	[[/folder]]
70
71	[[folder:Comic Books]]
72	* ''ComicBook/XMen'':
73	** Riptide of the Marauders can secrete hardened resin from his skin and fire it as projectile weapons at his foes.
74	** ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} and ComicBook/{{X 23}}'s... WolverineClaws are also made of [[BadWithTheBone bone]], although they both have [[MadeOfIndestructium adamantium]] attached to them (Wolverine on [[UnbreakableBones his whole skeleton]], X-23 just on her claws) to make them much more dangerous.
75	[[/folder]]
76
77	[[folder:Fan Works]]
78	* ''Fanfic/ThePiecesLieWhereTheyFell'':
79	** Page Turner is the only one of the new Element Bearers who relies completely on her inherent magic, rather than carrying a physical weapon.
80	** Being a griffon, Wind Breaker primarily relies on his [[BeakAttack beak]] and [[WolverineClaws talons]] in battle, at least initially. He still uses them as backups even after getting a crossbow.
81	[[/folder]]
82
83	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
84	* The xenomorphs of the ''Franchise/{{Alien}}'' series. Extensible teeth, tremendously powerful arms, acid for blood, prehensile tail. Par for the course, since they were created as {{Living Weapon}}s in the expanded universe.
85	* ''Film/ResidentEvil2002'': The Licker mutant has huge claws that can rip through solid metal and inflict grievous wounds. Its bite attack is also fairly impressive.
86	* ''Film/StarshipTroopers'': One [[HiveCasteSystem caste]] of the Bugs are able to [[PlasmaCannon shoot huge bursts of plasma from their backs]]; their [[Literature/StarshipTroopers novel equivalents]] build weapons just like people do.
87	[[/folder]]
88
89	[[folder:Literature]]
90	* ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'':
91	** Andalites have a scythe blade at the end of their tails, and Hork-Bajir are covered head to toe in blades and spikes. Humans are considered particularly vulnerable in large part because we don't have any, and the protagonists all acquire various animal morphs suitable for close combat, e.g. tiger, grizzly bear, or rhino.
92	** A bit of a {{subver\|tedTrope}}sion with the Hork-Bajir -- despite appearing to be a walking knife factory, they're a peaceful race and use the blades to cut and eat tree bark, but this made them a target for enslavement by the [[PuppeteerParasite Yeerks]].
93	* The tripodal Puppeteer race in the ''Literature/KnownSpace'' universe have hooves on their rear legs. Although pacifist by nature, one badly frightened Puppeteer in ''Literature/{{Ringworld}}'' [[TookALevelInBadass takes a level in badass]] when he instinctively uses his rear hoof to kick a man's heart through his spine.
94	* When she's in her CatGirl form, Danielle from ''Literature/MindGames'' has claws on both her fingers and toes that count as System weapons, which means that [[spoiler:they're more dangerous than bullets to most System-empowered beings]].
95	* ''Literature/MoreauSeries'': Many flavors of [[BeastMan moreaus]] have these, mostly claws and teeth. Angel Lopez' legs may count; as an engineered rabbit the size of a small human, she has a kick that can shatter bones.
96	* This happens frequently in ''Literature/{{Redwall}}'', since most animals have at least some natural defenses that they can bring to bear. Examples include:
97	** ''Redwall'': Constance the badger, who uses her sheer bulk to overpower the cutlass-armed [[YouDirtyRat Redtooth]]. Asmodeus Poisonteeth, being an adder, and therefore legless, has no choice but to use his fangs and coils as his main weapons. And the sparrows attack with beak and talon alone.
98	** ''Mossflower'': [[BigBad Tsarmina]], unarmed and confronted by a fully armed and armoured Martin the Warrior, attacks him with only her teeth and claws. Since she's a wildcat and he's a mouse, she damn near kills him anyway.
99	** Lask Frildur and his monitor lizards in ''Pearls of Lutra'' who use only their claws and fangs.
100	** ''Rakkety Tam'' has Gulo the Savage, a wolverine who fights using only his claws, teeth, and size.
101	[[/folder]]
102
103	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
104	* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'': In "[[Recap/BuffyTheVampireSlayerS5E7FoolForLove Fool for Love]]", Spike says that one advantage a [[OurVampiresAreDifferent vampire]] has over a [[VampireHunter Slayer]] is that while the Slayer needs to reach for her weapon, a vampire is always armed with their fangs. The episode in question demonstrates this by having Buffy suffer a near fatal encounter with a vampire in which he uses her own [[WoodenStake stake]] against her.
105	-->'''Spike:''' Lesson the first, a Slayer must always reach for her weapon. ''[vamps into GameFace]'' I've already got mine.
106	[[/folder]]
107
108	[[folder:Mythology]]
109	* In Myth/ClassicalMythology, Prometheus was given a bag full of gifts to distribute to the various new creatures populating the earth. Said gifts pretty much amounted to this, and that's why dogs have fangs, snakes have venom, lions have claws and fangs, and so on. But when it came to humans, Prometheus was out of gifts, and he decided to gave human fire that he stole from the gods. Thus, humans lack a Natural Weapon, [[HumansAreSpecial but are granted a mind capable of reasoning]]. For this act, [[AndIMustScream Prometheus was chained to a rock where an eagle would tear out his liver, he would suffer in pain all day, regenerate by the next day, and the process repeats]].
110	[[/folder]]
111
112	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
113	* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'': "Natural weapon" is a special ability for monsters (with some ways to gain access to them for non-monster player characters). Some special abilities that don't fall into the natural weapon category could also qualify (in 3e/3.5 natural weapons are specifically weapons ''in the game-mechanical sense'' that are part of the body, so more mundane breath weapons, poison secretions, etc. aren't natural weapons so far as mechanics are concerned).
114	* ''TabletopGame/FadingSuns'': {{Defied\|Trope}} by the Vorox. They are ten-foot-tall six-limbed alien bear-lion-wolves, but many of them shave their claws as a mark of being "civilized".
115	* ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}}'': Innate Attack is the most common (since it can represent thousands of different things) but the list includes: Strikers, Claws, Teeth and Spines.
116	* ''TabletopGame/HcSvntDracones'': All [[HalfHumanHybrid Vectors]] have a bite attack and a tail attack, bites are fairly weak but harder to parry than fists and deal lethal damage, while tail attacks only distract the enemy from parrying except reptiles whose tails are heavy enough to deal some nonlethal damage. [[TalkingAnimal Lateral]] Vectors also have claws. And the Reclaimed Venom surgery adds venom to bite attacks.
117	* ''TabletopGame/HunterTheVigil'': One of the most basic implants a Cheiron hunter can get is the Weapon of Last Resort, a catch-all term for physical weapons implanted directly in the body, such as razor-sharp claws or demonic fangs. They give their new owners reliably accessible just-in-case weapon if they're disarmed of their tools, and also have the added bonus of leaving wounds that most people won't associate with a human assailant, which makes cover-ups a fair bit easier.
118	* ''TabletopGame/{{Ironclaw}}'': Everyone has at least one, how effective it is depends on their brawling skill and their [[SlidingScaleOfAnthropomorphism species stat]].
119	* ''TabletopGame/LegendSystem'': Present and [[MinmaxersDelight very desirable]]. They gain something of a power boost from the fact that they -- and, by extension, their properties -- are always active and available even with another weapon drawn. This allows you to have an active weapon loaded to the gills with defensive properties while still having a strong attack freely available. Most tracks that grant them are also built around supporting them.
120	* ''TabletopGame/MyriadSong'': Some Legacies can take gifts that give them natural weapons. Adhilians can have a blade on one of their tails. Elvers can constrict or generate electricity. Ishato can have stinging tentacles. Morphirs can develop thorns, sticky sap, or disorienting spores. Rhax a poisonous bite and/or webs. Towsers can have a toxic bite and hardened alloy claws with the same gift.
121	* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'': Natural weapons are any melee weapons that are a natural part of a creature's body. Claws, fangs, pincers, stingers, and tentacles all count, but things like [[BreathWeapon breath weapons]] and natural magical abilities don't. Note that unarmed strikes don't count either, as it refers exclusively to appendages meant to do damage and not a bunch of fingers curled into a crude ball and used as an improvised bludgeoning weapon. Despite this, you'd be hard pressed to find a defensive ability that inflicts a penalty on attackers using natural weapons but not on those using unarmed strikes, or vice versa.
122	* ''TabletopGame/RocketAge'': Many creatures have natural weapons, including the Venusians. It is a trait in the character and monster creation system and can be taken to either give a creature something like AbsurdlySharpClaws or SuperSpit.
123	* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'':
124	** The Tyranids. Besides various types of claw weapons, several units have organic projectile weapons integrated into their bodies.
125	** Some {{Space Marine}}s are capable of spitting acid and eating concrete. The [[Literature/SpaceWolf Space Wolves]] go even further, with some mutations making them more wolf-like (grey hair, yellow eyes and long fangs).
126	* Many monsters in ''TabletopGame/YuGiOh'' have these, some more extravagant than others. Barrel Dragon has [[{{BFG}} oversized]] ''[[RevolversAreJustBetter revolver cannons]]'' on its hands and head.
127	[[/folder]]
128
129	[[folder:Video Games]]
130	* [[CatGirl Taokaka]] and the rest of the [[AttackAnimal Kaka]] clan from ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'' have organic {{magitek}} claws that can absorb and use [[TheCorruption Seither]], something for which most of the other characters need weapons.
131	* In ''VideoGame/CastleCat'', the titular cat can shoot cannonballs out of his head.
132	* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'':
133	** The Khajiit CatFolk have natural razor-sharp and retractable claws. They have numerous [[FantasticFightingStyle fantastical martial arts styles]] which revolve around their use of these as a primary form of defense. Gameplay-wise, they get a bonus to their unarmed skill because of their claws. {{Game Mod}}s extend this to [[LizardFolk Argonians]] as well and boost the effectiveness for both races with each gain in level.
134	** Most forms of [[OurWerebeastsAreDifferent were-creatures]] come with some form of claws and/or fangs. These are even able to harm creatures which are otherwise immune to normal weapons, such as ghosts and some forms of [[OurDemonsAreDifferent lesser Daedra]]. Given that they themselves are supernatural beasts in service to the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric Prince]] Hircine, this is rather justified.
135	** Scamps, the [[TheGoomba weakest]] and [[FunSize smallest]] known form of lesser Daedra, have claws at the end of their CreepyLongFingers which act as their primary weapon.
136	* All of the weapons you can get in ''VideoGame/{{Evolva}}''. The genohunters' limbs (sometimes the neck or the back) transform each time you select a weapon, as you shoot at the enemies using the transformed limb.
137	* ''VideoGame/ExtrapowerAttackOfDarkforce'': The parasitic Bem organisms only require their Panzer Arms to attack, hardening their hands into sharpened knife edges.
138	* ''Franchise/FireEmblem'':
139	** The [[OurDragonsAreDifferent Mamkutes]] use {{Breath Weapon}}s.
140	** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance'' and ''VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn'': The Laguz use claws, beaks, etc.
141	* ''VideoGame/HalfLife'':
142	** ''VideoGame/HalfLife1'': Xen aliens have "natural" weapons galore. Vortigaunts can produce huge bolts of directed electricity. Grunts have [[BeeBeeGun hornet]] [[LivingWeapon guns]], which seem to be some sort of insect hive that they've managed to turn into a weapon. Controllers can shoot balls of energy (ball lightning?) and the Nihilanth shoots these as well as teleport portals.
143	** ''Opposing Force'': The Race X aliens: pit drones, which shoot some sort of biological darts from their forehead, the shocktroopers, which like the Xen grunts use two more forms of biological weapons (shock roaches and spore launchers), voltigores, which like Xen vortigaunts can shoot massive charges of electricity, the pit worm, which can fire a laser from its eye, and the gene worm, which can fire a chemical stream from its mouth.
144	* ''VideoGame/HollowKnight'': The Mantises use their bladed claws as weapons; the flying Mantis Nymphs use their stingers instead. The only exception are the three Mantis Lords, who use spear-like blades instead.
145	* ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'': Interestingly {{defied\|Trope}}. Wookiees have claws and they use them as tools and to climb, but are not allowed to use them as weapons, because only animals do that. Any wookie that fights with his claws is branded a mad-claw and banished.
146	* ''Franchise/MortalKombat'': Baraka is a member of the Tarkatan race, which have retractable blades in their arms. These blades serve many violent purposes, such as chopping off heads and impaling Torsos.
147	* ''VideoGame/{{Pokemon}}'': Several species base moves around their anatomy. Bulbasaur is famous for moves like Vine Whip and Bullet Seed, which use the bulb on its back; Octillery's signature move is Octazooka, which uses its mouth as an artillery piece, and so on. A full list would take up the entire page.
148	* ''VideoGame/PrayerOfTheFaithless'': The Hopeless Vagrants of Confinement seem to have their WolverineClaws be natural, given that they're colored the same as their skin.
149	* Pretty much any creature more powerful than a zombie in ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'' will have these; various formerly human [[TheVirus T-Virus]] mutants (from Crimson Heads to Tyrants) tend to grow claws as they mutate. [[BodyHorror G-Virus and Nemesis]] mutants gain CombatTentacles. [[PuppeteerParasite Las Plagas]] have their own natural weapons when they leave their human hosts. Animals infected by any of these naturally keep their own examples as well.
150	* ''VideoGame/{{Shantae}}'': ''VideoGame/Shantae2002'', ''VideoGame/ShantaeRiskysRevenge'', ''VideoGame/ShantaeAndThePiratesCurse'': Shantae's hair whipping attack is due to her hair, which is natural.
151	* The creatures in ''{{VideoGame/Sipho}}'' fight through various parts grown on their bodies, from extending spikes to poison-spewing pods.
152	* ''Franchise/StarCraft'':
153	** The Zerg are a fearsome species whose swarm seeks to devour and assimilate other forms of life throughout the Koprulu Sector, particularly their arch-enemies the Protoss. The Zerg use no inorganic technology; in addition to the more animal-like creatures who serve as their foot soldiers, [[OrganicTechnology every building, spaceship, point defense weapon, etc. is some kind of Zerg creature evolved and designed to perform that role]]. In general, the natural weapons of Zerg creatures are at least as capable and deadly as the inorganic weapons of their opponents.
154	*** Most Zerg units such as Zerglings naturally grow fangs, mandibles, claws, horns, etc. which are sharp and durable enough to tear through PoweredArmor, tanks, and just about anything.
155	*** Ranged attackers such as Hydralisks and Queens can use powerful muscles to launch organic spines from their bodies, whose range and damage are sufficient for shooting down enemy aircraft and spacecraft.
156	*** Roaches [[AcidAttack spit acid]] at their enemies.
157	*** Banelings are zerglings that mutate to incorporate bulging sacs of acid. They serve as [[ActionBomb suicide bombers]] by charging into the enemy and bursting apart, splashing them with acid.
158	*** Spore colonies and spore crawlers serve as anti-aircraft cannons by spitting projectiles called spores. In the campaign, the Zerg have larger spore cannons which are especially effective against capital ships.
159	*** Brood Lords are giant fliers which [[WeaponizedOffspring continuously produce smaller creatures called broodlings]], which they shoot down at ground enemies from a long distance. They're basically the Zerg equivalent of heavy bomber aircraft, if the bombs were like ravenous piranhas that nibble the enemy to death.
160	** Protoss warriors such as Zealots and Dark Templar can generate energy blades from their own psionic energy. Most use forearm devices to focus and contain the energy, but at least one warrior, Tassadar, could channel his energy into blades without the need for forearm units.
161	[[/folder]]
162
163	[[folder:Webcomics]]
164	* The characters from ''Webcomic/{{Dogfight}}'' use their claws, fangs, horns, and hooves for unique martial arts fights.
165	* In ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'', species with abilities along these lines (as well as [[TheBigGuy sheer size]]) are in high demand for private security (legal or otherwise) in places like [[MegaCity Dom Atlantis]] (the capital city of Earth) where even non-lethal weapons outside the local law enforcement are ''heavily'' restricted since they can't be regulated.
166	-->'''[[BodySurf Not-Garcia]]:''' Captain, where is your weapon?\
167	'''Landon:''' If you're referring to the [[TheParalyzer M3 "Tater"]], I don't carry one. Speaking frankly, [[BearsAreBadNews as one to whom nature has given a nice tooth-and-claw package]], I don't consider the M3 a weapon. And speaking as an armed agent of [[InternalAffairs J.S.C. Internal Affairs]], ''[[BadassBoast I ask the questions]]''.
168	[[/folder]]
169
170	[[folder:Web Original]]
171	* Some of the [[BeastMan anthropomorphic animals]] in ''Roleplay/DarwinsSoldiers'' have natural weapons. Most of the time, it takes the form of teeth, claws and muscle, but SnakePeople possess ''working'' venom glands.
172	* Psycho Gecko of ''Literature/WorldDominationInRetrospect'' realizes that he can use his {{Nanomachines}} to give himself these, and immediately installs a set of fangs, and zirconium fingernails that may as well be claws.
173	[[/folder]]
174
175	[[folder:Western Animation]]
176	* Most of ''WesternAnimation/TheHerculoids'' have at least one of some kind.
177	[[/folder]]
178
179	[[folder:Real Life]]
180	* The cone shell can fire a neural-toxic laced harpoon. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcBKH7s4SVQ Seriously.]]
181	* Skunks have a [[SmellySkunk well-known natural chemical weapon]], spraying a substance that smells so foul that other animals fear it. Bombardier beetles take this even further, spraying a boiling chemical to severely burn targets.
182	* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC6I8iPiHT8 Pistol Shrimp]] can use its claws to create shockwaves that hit with the equivalent force of a .22 caliber bullet as its main weapon (it's been known to shoot its way out of aquariums this way). Mantis shrimps have a similar mechanism that is used in the same way, being able to "punch" things with a similar amount of force.
183	* Venomous snakes and monitor lizards have natural PoisonedWeapons.
184	* Sawfish are so named for their barbed, sword shaped noses which they use to dig up and then impale fish and small crustaceans.
185	* Several herbivorous dinosaurs had various natural weapons to deal with carnivores, such as ''Triceratops[='=]'' horns, ''Stegosaurus[='=]'' thagomizer, ''Ankylosaurus[='=]'' tail club, ''Therizinosaurus[='=]'' long claws, and such.
186	%%Please don't add bare hands as a Real Life example, there's already a trope for that (also, they aren't technically intended as weapons, they can merely be used as such with training).
187	[[/folder]]
188

Context Main / NaturalWeapon