text: Ranged weapons Ahtlatl: (perhaps lit. "non-sling") This weapon was meant to represent the Aztec God Opochtli. The Aztec dart thrower (known by the Spanish as estólica) was a weapon used to hurl small darts called "tlacochtli" with greater force and from greater range than they could be thrown by hand. This weapon was considered by the Aztecs to be suited only for royalty and the most elite warriors in the army, and was usually depicted as being the weapon of the Gods. Murals at Teotihuacan show warriors using this effective weapon and it is characteristic of the Mesoamerican cultures of central Mexico. Warriors at the front lines of the army would carry the ahtlatl and about three to five tlacochtli, and would launch them after the waves of arrows and sling projectiles as they advanced into battle before engaging into melee combat. The ahtlatl could also throw spears as its name implies "spear thrower". The atlatl is a piece of equipment which was a major advancement for hunting. The atlatl practically lengthens your arms, allowing the ability to throw a spear harder, faster, and further. The atlatl creates more than 10 times the speed of a throw, and over 100 times more impact.
  Tlacochtli: The "darts" launched from an Atlatl, not so much darts but more like big arrows about  long. Tipped with obsidian, fish bones, or copper heads.
  Tlahhuītōlli: The Aztec war bow, constructed in a self bow fashion from the wood of the tepozan tree, about  long and stringed with animal-sinew. Archers in the Aztec army were designated as Tequihua.
  Mīcomītl: The Aztec arrow quiver, usually made out of animal hide, it could hold about twenty arrows.
  Yāōmītl: War arrows with barbed obsidian, chert, flint, or bone points. Typically fletched with turkey or duck feathers.
  Tēmātlatl: A sling made from maguey fiber. The Aztecs used oval shaped rocks or hand molded clay balls filled with obsidian flakes or pebbles as projectiles for this weapon. Bernal Diaz del Castillo noted that the hail of stones flung by Aztec slingers was so furious that even well armored Spanish soldiers were wounded.