Engines of Destruction

The Trebuchet

More accurate than the torsion engines, the Trebuchet uses a simple lever to launch the projectile.

The pictured counterweight trebuchet uses a crate full of rocks attached to a long beam.
At the other end of the beam there is a sling, which holds the projectile. The beam is pulled down, which causes the crate to rise. When released, the crate falls, causing the beam to rise and launch the projectile.
By using a hook attached to the sling and set to release and open the sling at a certain height, the trebuchet could achieve greater accuracy than the mangonel.

The traction trebuchet is very similar to the counterweight version, but the power is supplied by a team of men or beasts pulling on ropes attached to the beam.