Flails

Flails are weapons that are used in a limited ranged manner, and inflict melee damage. A flail consists of an object linked to the player by a chain, and is automatically reeled back in after being thrown.

Types
There are two styles of flails: thrown and launched.

Thrown
On the, thrown flails have special mechanics unlike any other weapon. Holding down will cause the flail to be rapidly swung around the player, dealing half of the flail's listed damage. Letting go of during this state will throw the flail in the direction of the mouse cursor, dealing full damage and piercing enemies infinitely. After the flail is thrown, holding again will cause the flail to suddenly drop to the ground and stay there, dealing contact damage to enemies for as long as  is held.

On the versions, thrown flails have special physics that allow the player to swing them around continuously without refiring. When pressing, thrown flails are heavily influenced by gravity, making them good weapon to attack from above with. However, by holding down when throwing, the player can execute a more powerful throw, making the flail fly farther. Thrown flails will ricochet off walls, but pierce through multiple enemies on both their forward and return trips.

Launched
Launched flails lack the physics of thrown flails, cannot pierce, and cannot be swung around by holding the attack button. However, they make up for this by firing rapidly and being unaffected by gravity (except for the Anchor). This generally makes it easier to aim launched flails, particularly upwards, and grants them higher damage potential. Rather than smoothly stretching and then swinging back, a launched flail will extend at a fixed speed until it strikes a block or reaches its maximum length, and then retract at a slightly faster, fixed speed.

Most launched flails can auto-fire, which makes them extremely effective at short ranges. Enemies that are vulnerable to knockback can be pushed away easily, and enemies that are immune to knockback, like bosses, can be quickly dealt a large amount of damage by the rapidly-firing flail.

Tips

 * Thrown flails can be used to attack enemies on both sides of the player by throwing the flail without letting go of the button, and heading in the opposite direction when the ball reaches its maximum distance and is about to return, which will make it go to the other side, where the process can be repeated. Furthermore, holding the button and not moving lets the ball part of the flail fall to the ground, where it will damage enemies who walk, fly, or burrow into it, which works exceptionally well against worms.

History
Fléaux 철퇴류 Cepy 连枷