Trick arrows

Trick arrows are fictional arrows often found in the world of comic book superheroes. They are often used by archers such as Green Arrow of DC Comics, and Hawkeye of Marvel Comics. In some portrayals, particularly during the Silver Age, trick arrows are sometimes shown to defy the laws of physics and reality, to varying degrees. Each one possesses a specialized function such as compact explosive charges or rotary drills.

Trick arrows are generally technological, although they can be magical, like those used by the comic book characters Celestial Archer and Maya, or Hank the Ranger of the Dungeons & Dragons TV series.

A live-action variety of explosive arrow, kit-bashed from two M203 grenades, was used in the movie "Predator"; Explosive arrows were also seen in the film "". The character Yeoman of the Wild Cards superhero anthology series also makes occasional use of exploding arrows.

Green Arrow's trick arrows

Oliver Queen is DC Comics' primary archer hero. His arrows over many decades worth of stories (of various tones and degrees of seriousness) have included:
* Acetylene Arrow
* Acid Arrow (contains a vial of highly corrosive acid which is released on impact)
* Antler Arrow
* Atomic Warhead Arrow (contains an extremely miniaturized atomic warhead)
* Baby Rattle Arrow
* Boomerang Arrow
* Bola Arrow
* Boxing Glove Arrow
* Buzzsaw Arrow
* Chimney Sweep Arrow
* Cryonic (Freezing) Arrow
* Drill Arrow (tipped with a motorized drill-bit)
* Explosive Arrow (contains a simple compact explosive charge)
* EMP arrow first appear in "Smallville" episode "Reunion." It is designed to disable electronic devices.
* Fire extinguisher Arrow
* Flash Arrow
* Fountain Pen Arrow
* Glue Arrow
* Grappling Hook Arrow
* Handcuffs Arrow (tipped with a pair of handcuffs that close around a person's wrist on impact, if aimed properly)
* Ink Arrow
* Kryptonite Arrow (contains an isotope of Kryptonite, to be used against Kryptonians such as Superman or Supergirl should they go rogue)
* Mini-Arrow
* Mummy Arrow
* Net Arrow (contains a spring-loaded nylon mesh which is released and entangles the target on impact)
* Paint Brush Arrow
* Plastic Cat Arrow with accompaining Meow Noise Arrow
* Safe-Cracking Arrow
* Smokescreen Arrow (releases a wide stream of harmless obscuring smoke through the air after being fired)
* Sonic Arrow
* Stunner Arrow
* Tear Gas Arrow
* Tumbleweed Arrow
* Quantum Arrow (actually two arrows to be used simultaneously, one fired by Green Arrow and another by his sidekick Speedy. Used in an episode of JLU, "Patriot Act".
* Greek Fire Arrow

The miniseries "Infinite Crisis" introduced a one-off Phantom Zone arrow, used by GA's sidekick Mia Dearden/Speedy.

Hawkeye's trick arrows

Trick arrows used by Marvel's Hawkeye include:
* Acid Arrows
* Adamantium Arrows (often combined with Electrical arrowhead)
* Blunt Arrows
* Bola Arrows
* Boomerang Arrowhead (allows an arrow to return to shooter)
* Cable Arrow (allowing him to swing through the air)
* Electrical Arrow
* Blast (Explosive) Arrow
* Flare Arrow
* Magnetic Arrowhead (adheres to metal surfaces; can be added to other arrows)
* Net Arrow
* Putty Arrow (adheres to rough surfaces, and can stop exposed machinery)
* Pym Particles Arrow (increases or decreases the size on an object or opponent)
* Rocket Arrowhead (boosts range, can be added to other arrows)
* Smoke Arrow
* Sonic Arrow
* Suction Cup Arrowhead (adheres to smooth surfaces; can be added to other arrows)
* Tear Gas Arrow
* Thermal (incindiary) Arrow
* Vibranium Arrow (must have supplement Magnetic, Putty, or Suction Cup arrowhead to stick to target; deadens kinetic and vibratory energies)
* Vibration Arrow

= City of Heroes/Villains =

The Superhero-based Massively Multiplayer games have a Trick Arrow power set as a primary power set for Defenders and a secondary set for Controllers and Masterminds. Arrows available in COH are:

* Entangling Arrow
* Flash Arrow
* Glue Arrow
* Ice Arrow
* Poison Gas Arrow
* Acid Arrow
* Disruption Arrow
* Oil Slick Arrow (which can be ignited by an energy attack into Flaming Oil Slick)
* EMP Arrow