The three chief distinguishing characteristics of a trebuchet are: Powered strictly by gravity (in our case by means of a counterweight). Counterweight rotates throwing arm (usually four to six times the length of the counterweight arm) to multiply the speed of the arm and, eventually, the projectile. The machine has a sling affixed to the end of the throwing arm, acting as a secondary fulcrum, to further multiply the speed of the projectile.
