Originally invented by Crobat One-and-a- Halfwit, the harpoon launcher's crude appearance belies its potency in the hands of an Ogre Hunter. Crobat One-and-a-halfwit was an Ogre Hunter who slew many famous beasts, although he is perhaps best remembered for something else. After destroying a Goblin raiding party, Crobat kept the bolt thrower that wounded him as a souvenir. He learned to fire it from the hip and the first harpoon launcher was created.

Based upon the heavy crossbows used by the lesser races but far too large and tough for a puny human to use, the launcher is capable of firing a barbed bolt as thick as a man's arm, to which coils of rope are attached. Ogre Hunters use these weapons to harpoon their cave-beast prey, digging their heels in and dragging the creature to the ground in a titanic tug-of-war before smashing their prey's cranium with a blow from their trusty club.