A trebuchet was a common feature in medieval siege warfare. These powerful machines hurled missiles at town walls and castle defenses, creating openings large enough for invaders to breach. Trebuchets were often given distinctive names, a tradition that we continue in this competition.

Unlike catapults, which rely on tension from a cord to launch their payloads, trebuchets use a heavy weight to propel their projectiles. While cords and ropes have a limit to how much they can stretch, there is no practical limit to how heavy the weight can be. As a result, trebuchets were typically much more powerful than catapults.