Intro: "You throw like a kobold"
GURPS' thrown weapon stats neatly spell out the best distance (Maximum Range) you can achieve with a toss. These are multiples of Strength, typically STx1.5 for heavier weapons (spear), STx1 for very light ones (dagger), and STx2.5 for middle-weight weapons that hit a sweet spot for distance (throwing axe).
Working from those stats, Conrad the Bavarian and his ST 16 can hurl a javelin 16 x 2.5 = 40 yards. In battlemap terms, that's right off the dining room tabletop; it's a throw that should send even the hardiest of orc miniatures fleeing to a safer distance. With some Extra Effort, Conrad could hit 45 or even 50 yards.
And yet, our human arbalest may be chagrined to compare his toss against modern track and field records. The current men's world record holder, Jan Železný, chucked a javelin over 98 meters (well over 100 yards!) in 1996; on the women's side, Barbora Špotáková beat 72 meters in 2008. There's no need for a game to worry itself with accurately simulating sport throws, but aren't the rules holding something back from battlemap hurlers?
One problem is that the rules grant Conrad nothing for running like a true javelin thrower. Another disadvantage, less immediately obvious, is this: As with any normal attack, a weapon throw has Conrad return instantly to a defensive combat stance, ready to dodge knives and arrows. That sounds fine for close-in fighting, but it's all wrong for athletes in genteel competitions, or even battlefield spear-throwers safely out of reprisal range. Conrad needs the option to forget defensive caution and throw like he means it.
This rules nugget doesn't overhaul throwing rules or recreate sporting records. It merely hands fighters (or athletes!) in the game a couple of options they're missing to go the distance.
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