A very interesting article, and one I'm sure some of you will enjoy reading:

QuoteThe simple sling is often neglected when reviewing the long history of ranged warfare. Scholars typically focus on the simple thrown spear (javelin), atlatl, throwing axe, bow, and crossbow. However, in experienced hands, the sling was arguably the most effective personal projectile weapon until the 15th century, surpassing the accuracy and deadliness of the bow and even of early firearms.

Read the article

pretty powerful unit in age of empires IIRC

I've done a bit of slinging myself. It's really good fun and I can recommend it to anybody who likes throwing stones or shooting guns. Try this place: http://slinging.org/

Sounds like good fun. I loved to shoot with slingshots (the Y-thingy with the gum) until my teen years, so slinging might be a fun activity for me.

In gaming, it's the typical ranged weapon for my supporters. Light, easy to carry around, better then nothing, free ammo that can be wasted even for the most unlikely shots, and there are many problems where a long and stable leather string can be an useful tool, and it doesn't hurt in the purse if it gets destroyed for this purpose.
In NetHack I'd also never leave my house without one. When something is to puny to waste arrows/quarrels on it, but it's not a good melee target (like the various molds with their passive melee attack), the sling and a few picked up stones are what you want to have in your inventory.

Consider me inspired.  We've seen a variety of superheroes and villains toting swords, shields, bows, and even boomerangs, but it is time the sling got the respect it deserves.  For your consideration, I give you, the Slingmaster!
Though he possesses no "super powers", the Slingmaster can hold his own against Earth's mightiest with his arsenal of "trick" sling bullets and his pin-point accuracy
Brawn 1
Agility 2
Mind 4

Powers:
Sling Attacks: Special Attack 3 [Enhancement: Variable; Limitation: Stealable Gadget: Sling] 3pts
   Potential uses:
Long-Shot- Range 20, x4 Dmg
Skipping Betty Range 10, Richochet 1, x4 Dmg
Point Blank: Range 5, x6 Dmg
Overload Shot: Range 5, Radius 1, x5 Dmg
Boost 1: Agility (When using his sling) 1pt
Flash-Bang Bullet: Daze- Range 5, Radius 1 [Limitation: Ammo Gadget] 3pts
Bolo Bullet: Immobilize 20-- Range 10 [Limitation: Ammo Gadget] 3pts
Grapple Bullet: Swinging [Limitation: Ammo Gadget] 1pt

Disadvantage: Normal
Advantage: Gadgeteer

Skills: Craft/Leatherwork, Athlete/Acrobatics, Social Science/Ancient History, Technology/Invent, Science/Electronics (to build his trick sling bullets)

25 Pts (14 Stat, 11 Powers)

The nice thing about the D&D weapon is that the weight on the sling is practically non-existant, the ammo is free, enchantable with Magic Stone, and unless you want to pack bullets, doesn't weigh anything until you need it. Plus, it has the nice bonus of adding your Str. modifier to it.

So, its damage isn't astronomical, but it's not a shabby weapon as a back-up ranged weapon.

And it has plenty of range for standard dungeon encounters. Although I've found that lobbing torches works just as well for an opening move.

First off, slings are just plain fun.  A couple of years back I made my first sling from a design I found on sling.org, and it worked great.  The problem with it, though, is the amount of room it takes to use one effectively.  While you can orient the arc of the swing either roughly horizontally above the head or vertically at the side, you need clearance of about 5 or 6 feet (depending on the length of the sling, of course).  They're also dreadfully easy to tangle on things, and not always easy to move about with them when preparing to fire.  For all of these reasons, a bow becomes a much more convenient and consistent weapon.

!i!