Line #38 Main/ArchaicWeaponForAnAdvancedAge


1	[[quoteright:350:[[TabletopGame/{{Warhammer40000}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/leman_russ_hit_them_with_my_sword_4530.png]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:[[MemeticMutation Drive me closer! I want to hit them with my sword!]]]]
3
4	->''"I mean, Jedi -- as I've always said before -- well, they've chosen a sword in a time of, you know, laser guns, so they'd better be damn good with it."''
5	-->-- '''Nick Gillard''', stunt coordinator for the ''Franchise/StarWars'' prequel trilogy, ''Film/AttackOfTheClones'' DVD featurette
6
7	There's a certain amount of cultural and symbolic weight to most historical weapons, accurate or not. They invoke a feeling of the GoodOldWays, and may be seen as more honorable, {{elegant\|WeaponForAMoreCivilizedAge}}, interesting, or [[RuleOfCool simply cool]]. They're also traditional in many settings, especially for those that have roots in MedievalEuropeanFantasy, such as RolePlayingGames.
8
9	However, even in settings where these weapons ''should'' be obsolete and out of place, they often show up and are shown to be just as effective, if not more so, than weapons that are modern to the setting.
10
11	This occurs with extreme frequency in {{Eastern RPG}}s, probably due to the genre's origins in ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''. Even in {{Steampunk}} and UrbanFantasy settings, you will find swords, axes, spears, {{katanas\|AreJustBetter}}, and all other manner of ([[RealityIsUnrealistic seemingly, at least]]) anachronistic weaponry. It also appears in settings with SchizoTech. It's even possible the character uses this because s/he DoesntLikeGuns or thinks FirearmsAreCowardly. Sometimes it will be justified with a RetroUpgrade (said weapon has become useful again because something's changed), GunsAreUseless, and/or by making it an EnhancedArchaicWeapon.
12
13	It's also TruthInTelevision to an extent. While it's true that the modern battlefield is dominated by guns, hand-to-hand and melee weapon combat training will likely always be a part of military curricula: guns can be cumbersome in close combat and melee weapons are much quieter for stealthy raids or taking out sentries, so the humble dagger and its modern derivatives will never go out of style. As well, officer's dress or parade uniforms may include a sword. It's also true that swords, spears, bows and arrows, etc. coexisted with guns on the battlefield for centuries before the gun was developed enough to became the dominant weapon it is now. And even when they were completely overshadowed by guns, it took even longer (as in, the second half of the 20th century) before all major powers stopped issuing swords to officers (except for the ceremonial swords used for special occasions).
14
15	They are often employed by heroes because HeroesPreferSwords. Often a result of using the old technology in ways that were NotTheIntendedUse. Some science fiction authors who blend sci-fi and fantasy may have a mix of ray-guns and archaic weapons.
16
17	SuperTrope to TheStraightAndArrowPath. Compare BreakOutTheMuseumPiece, OlderIsBetter, RockBeatsLaser, and some forms of ImproperlyPlacedFirearms. See also ElegantWeaponForAMoreCivilizedAge.
18
19	----
20	!!Example subpages:
21
22	[[index]]
23	* ArchaicWeaponForAnAdvancedAge/{{Literature}}
24	* ArchaicWeaponForAnAdvancedAge/LiveActionTV
25	* ArchaicWeaponForAnAdvancedAge/VideoGames
26	* ArchaicWeaponForAnAdvancedAge/RealLife
27	[[/index]]
28
29	!!Other examples
30	[[foldercontrol]]
31
32	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
33	* In ''Manga/{{Gintama}}'', aliens have conquered samurai-age Japan and brought over many of their technological advancement. Most of the main cast sticks with {{katanas\|AreJustBetter}}.
34	* Justified with the Gunmen in ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann.'' In the second half of the story Gunmen were being decommissioned in favor of the Grapearls. When the Anti-Spirals attacked however, the Gunmen fared ''far'' better, because while the Grapearls were the more advanced and were based in Gurren Lagann's specs, they were unable to use Spiral Energy, while the Gunmen had been designed specifically to fight that particular enemy. It was particularly demonstrated when a Mugann attacked Kamina City for the first time. The machine destroyed several Grapearls, while they were unable to harm it in the slightest, but when Simon and Gurren Lagann arrived, they managed to destroy it with some difficulty.
35	* In ''Literature/SwordArtOnline'', there is a game (Gun Gale Online) where guns are the primary weapon. There is a [[LaserBlade sword]] called the Kagemitsu available, but it is largely regarded as an AwesomeButImpractical JokeWeapon given the fact people [[TooDumbToLive have to get up close and personal to hit a target that's probably shooting dozens of bullets straight at them]]. Kirito, being TheHero and a MasterSwordsman, picks it and manages to ''[[LethalJokeWeapon slice bullets in half]]'' thanks to all of his prior experience. Afterwards, the Kagemitsu ''explodes'' in popularity as other players try ([[DifficultButAwesome with limited success]]) to replicate his feats.
36	* ''Literature/ACertainMagicalIndex'': Justified considering the usage of history as artifacts. We have Curtana, Durandal, and Hrunting. Whether Saint Peter's Cross counts as a weapon InUniverse is up for debate.
37	* ''Franchise/LupinIII'': Goemon has an obsession with the past, and believes that the Katana is the ultimate weapon. Guns are a poor argument because he can slice the bullets out of the air, making them fall to the ground.
38	* ''Manga/BlackLagoon'' is a series where nearly everyone is either a gunslinger or a noncombatant. Even so, two characters use edged weapons to lethal effect.
39	** Shenhua, a Chinese assassin in the employ of the Kan Yi Fan Triad, favors a pair of kukris with the handles tied together with a length of rope. In her first appearance, she beheads a pair of Abu Sayyaf {{mooks}} ''from a moving car'' by [[ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks by throwing one of them like a boomerang]].
40	** Ginji Matsuzaki of the Washimine-''gumi'' {{yakuza}} carries a shirasaya, or a katana, in a simple wooden scabbard. He's incredibly lethal with it, including the ability to slice bullets out of midair, and in the final chapter of that story arc proves an (almost) even match for Revy. [[spoiler: At a critical moment, Genji loses focus for a split second and Revy doesn't. She blocks a sword thrust, with her leg thus trapping the blade for long enough to get one of her pistols under his chin and shoot him through the throat. Her own explanation for winning is chilling - Genji wanted to live, she didn't care whether she lived or died and that meant she kept focus.]]
41	* In ''Anime/{{K}}'', justified because of their powers - they put their auras onto their swords, and even without swords, color users can take out guns easily.
42	** Kuroh and Yukari use katanas, [[NamedWeapons Kotowari and Ayamachi]], from their late master who taught them how to use them.
43	** The Blue Clan, Scepter 4, has sabers as their standard weapons. [[NamedWeapons They name theirs, too.]]
44	* Downplayed in ''Manga/{{Toriko}}'', since the show focuses on other tropes, but in spite of the fact that it's an overall modern setting with plenty of high tech guns and explosives, there are still plenty of secondary characters employing archaic melee weapons, such as the countless extras in the Ice Hell arc with a WeaponsKitchenSink, Zongeh (carries an axe), Aimaru (HorseArcher) and Match (IaijutsuPractitioner). Justified with Chefs, who often employ kitchen knives in combat.
45	* ''Anime/YuGiOhVRAINS'': In an era where battle traps are rendered useless due to how often cards come with effects that either negate said traps or outright destroy them preemptively, it comes as a shock to everyone that Revolver's ace in the hole is the one and only [[spoiler:Mirror Force[[note]]Since Link Monsters cannot exist in defense position[[/note]], a card that came out ''twenty years earlier'']]. He later adds [[spoiler:Magic Cylinder]] to his arsenal. Revolver just really loves these types of traps now adding in [[spoiler:Imperial Order and Mind Crush to deal with Link Spells or at the very least, oppressive spells in general]].
46	[[/folder]]
47
48	[[folder:Comic Books]]
49	* In MediaNotes/{{the Bronze Age\|OfComicBooks}}, the alien ComicBook/{{Hawkman}} fought crime with actual ancient weapons from the museum where he worked. For some reason. [[RuleOfCool It looked awesome,]] though.
50	** This was Hawkman's gimmick since MediaNotes/{{the Golden Age\|ofComicBooks}}; Hawkman is often referred to as "The man who fights the Evils of the Present with the Weapons of the Past."
51	** During the last leg of his run on ''ComicBook/SwampThing'', Creator/AlanMoore established that ''all'' Thanagarian infantry prefer fighting like this, so their many enemies would forget just how advanced Thanagar's technology actually was.
52	** ''Hawkworld'' attempts to explain the alien Hawkman's reason by revealing that Thanagarians originally used their own weapons that are archaic in design before adapting to more advanced weaponry provided by one of many planets they've conquered. Katar Hol is the only Thanagarian who prefers his people's own weaponry, which makes him stand out.
53	* ''ComicBook/{{Grimjack}}'' has the titular character mention that in the pan-dimensional city of Cynosure "some places magic works, other places a gun will work but a sword is good everywhere".
54	* The space civilization in ''ComicStrip/{{Snarfquest}}'' has starships, fully artificially-intelligent robots, and hand-held laser weapons -- and they're ''terrified'' of Snarf's bad old 20th-century pistol. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] because lasers just cause burns that can be treated, but an old-fashioned chemical propellant pistol can kill in a single shot.
55	* Despite Marvel's universe being populated with a number of extremely advanced alien empires, swords are still a weapon of choice, something explained by the Corsair to his son, Cyclops - most space suits can resist blaster fire easily enough, but are susceptible to being stabbed.
56	* Both Marvel and DC have heroes who fight primarily with bows.
57	* ''ComicBook/StarTrekEarlyVoyages'': In "Cloak and Dagger, Part Two", when the ''Enterprise'' is [[BoardingParty boarded by Commander Tagok's followers]], Moves-With-Burning-Grace uses a traditional Masai battle lance to fight them instead of a phaser.
58	[[/folder]]
59
60	[[folder:Fan Works]]
61	* ''Fanfic/XComResurrection'' takes a TheMusketeer approach to this, arming most of X-COM's warriors with swords and axes in addition to advanced weaponry. They seem to have replaced pistols with them.
62	* ''Fanfic/BaitAndSwitchSTO'':
63	** At the time of the ''VideoGame/StarTrekOnline'' fic "Fanfic/ShakedownShenanigans" the ''Galaxy''-class is about fifty years old and is out of production but for the USS ''Bajor'''s series of 28. The ''Bajor'' and her sister ships have received a number of improvements to bring them up to date.
64	** In ''Fanfic/LastRights'', infantry and tanks in an era of starships that can glass planets, for the simple reason that [[BoringButPractical you need troops to hold territory]]. {{Discussed}} in Captain Kanril Eleya's InternalMonologue:
65	--> "Doesn’t matter if you’re a Dakhuri warlord trying to keep his territory from being overrun by Bajora, [[FutureImperfect an American general battling the Russians in World War II]], or a Starfleet officer trying to block the Klingons’ ethnic cleansing in the Hromi Cluster, there’s one single constant: If you want it back in anything resembling the state it started, you need boots on the ground. [[JustForFun/HowToInvadeAnAlienPlanet You can bomb it, you can strafe it, you can cover it with poison, you can turn it into glass, but you don’t own it unless your army’s on it and the other guy’s isn’t.]]"
66	** ''Fanfic/TheRoadNotTaken'' has AlternateTimeline versions of Eleya and Morgaiah t'Thavrau fighting Jem'Hadar with a {{bayonet\|Ya}}-fitted phaser rifle and SwordAndGun, respectively.
67	** In ''Fanfic/BeatTheDrumsOfWar'', some of D'trel's crew use firearms because they're more effective against shielded targets, while at one point Eleya kills a Herald Defiler with a thrown rifle bayonet.
68	* In ''Fanfic/TheMysteriousCaseOfNeelixsLungs'', Alina t'Aimne replicates a Romulan honor blade (similar to a cavalry saber according to the author's notes) when the ''Vetar'' is {{board\|ingParty}}ed by the Kazon-Nistrim, and uses it to great effect while defending the bridge. In the next chapter, she explains to the other crew members that the Romulan MilitaryAcademy mostly teaches classical swordplay to build aggression.
69	-->"You’re not actually ''expected'' to kill with the sword in the field but there’s this old Rihan saying: ''‘Aihnir ih'sanhaein khhya emael; rhadai ih'sanhaein khhya dvaer.’'' Loose translation, [[Literature/StarshipTroopers ‘There are no dangerous weapons, only dangerous people.’]]"
70	* In ''Fanfic/TheDilgarWar'', Earthforce repurposes nuclear weapons left over from the UsefulNotes/ColdWar 150 years earlier as weapons against the Dilgar.
71	* ''Fanfic/TheWarOfTheMasters'':
72	** The Klingons favor their traditional swords when fighting the Borg, who can adapt their shields to counter disruptor fire but can do nothing about ordinary physical weapons.
73	** The Moabites still use firearms a lot, partly due to preferring BoringButPractical tech and doctrine. In one case an Orion pirate's transporter disables captives' energy weapons in transport, but one character carries a concealed revolver for self-defense and is able to mount a jailbreak.\
74	\
75	The Moabites also like firearms with AbnormalAmmo: radioactive "Black Omega" rounds for fighting Undine (who are little-affected by phasers or disruptors and can shapeshift to get rid of ordinary injuries), lye-filled bullets to fight Fek'Ihri, who have highly acidic blood.
76	* ''Fanfic/WithThisRing'' both deconstructs and reconstructs this:
77	** The protagonist is unimpressed by Green Lanterns like Hal Jordan using giant boxing glove constructs. It actually does make some sense for Green Lanterns, though, since they need to be able to focus on every part of the construct, so simple can be best. Paul still considers it to be a sign of a rookie (or, in Alan Scott's case, damaged equipment).
78	** Orange Lanterns don't have the same complexity limitations, so long as they really want the result, so Paul is much less understanding of Lantern Ragnar creating a construct sword.
79	---> '''Paul''': Use a ''gun'' you prat!
80	** Green Arrow explains to Paul that a bow is easier to purchase, carry, conceal, and explain away than a gun. Paul still thinks that Artemis could do better, and demonstrates it by challenging her to break his shields while he stands there and {{No Sell}}s her entire arsenal; she's unable to make any impression. He eventually does settle for upgrading her capabilities in other ways, though.
81	** Melee weapons do make some sense for [[DepletedPhlebotinumShells Nth metal]], which has a variety of exotic effects but is quite hard to obtain. The Nth metal cutlasses that Paul loots from some of his enemies are just the ticket for piercing certain types of high-technology force fields.
82	** Melee weapons are also easier to enchant than bullets, and enchanting a plasma or particle beam is not really possible. Paul makes extensive use of "mage slayer" ammunition himself but frequently finds that enchanted knives, swords, spears or claws are able to easily penetrate his construct-armour.
83	[[/folder]]
84
85	[[folder:Film]]
86	* [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] and [[EnforcedTrope enforced]] in ''Film/AlitaBattleAngel''; firearms of any sort are forbidden in [[MegaCity Iron City]] by its corrupt rulers, so everybody who isn't in their pocket has to make due with stuff like swords or hammers despite the setting being a futuristic EarthThatWas where advanced cybernetics are commonplace. The only person we ever see use [[ArmCannon a projectile weapon]] is a minor criminal with a bounty on his head.
87	* The high-tech setting of ''Film/{{Elysium}}'' has a couple of weapons that have survived in 2154.
88	** Max gets his hands on a Kalashnikov modified to fire explosive bullets.
89	** Kruger scavenged a katana at some point and runs Julio through during a skirmish.
90	* Most of the immortals of ''Film/TheOldGuard'' use bladed weapons from their past as well as modern firearms.
91	** Andy uses a ''labrys'', a double-headed axe from at least the time of Ancient Greece (and possibly earlier). She uses what looks to be an 18th-century cavalry saber at one point as well.
92	** Joe, being an 11th-century Muslim warrior, uses a scimitar.
93	** Nicky, being an 11th-century Crusader, uses a European longsword.
94	* ''Franchise/StarWars'' has always had the lightsaber as the primary weapon of the Jedi and Sith in an era where [[SlowLaser Slow Lasers]] normally rule the day, and they get away with it because the wielder has limited precognition and the blade reflects blaster fire and [[AbsurdlySharpBlade goes through nearly anything without slowing down]]. However, almost nobody else uses them, and for good reason, as it really does require superhuman reflexes to even just avoid cutting oneself into pieces, never mind blocking blaster fire (a trick that requires Jedi to start blocking before the shot is actually fired). Melee weapons are more commonly {{vibroweapon}}s and may even be alloyed with [[{{Unobtainium}} cortosis]] to fight lightsaber-wielding Force users. And while it ''is'' possible for normal people to use lightsabers (in the old ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'' continuity, [[http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Darca_Nyl one person]] even managed to deflect a blaster bolt), it's still more advantageous to be force-sensitive.
95	* ''Film/{{Serenity}}'' has a lot of this, with the Operative's katana, Inara's bow, and the Reavers' various bladed handweapons. The Operative is just that good and also uses period-appropriate weaponry, the RPG explains that Inara's bow has been updated with modern technology to where its arrows strike with nearly the force of a bullet, and the Reavers [[AxCrazy plain don't care]].
96	* ''Film/StarshipTroopers'' has Ace complain about having to train to use a combat knife, citing the NeverBringAKnifeToAGunfight trope: what good is a knife going to do you against a guy with an H-bomb? DrillSergeantNasty Zim promptly skewers the guy's hand with a thrown knife. In ''very'' sharp contrast with the detailed lecture on the concept of controlled force that he gave in the book (see below).
97	-->'''Zim:''' ''(to the other recruits)'' The enemy cannot push a button, if you disable his hand.
98	* ''Film/{{Underworld\|2003}}'': both vampire "Death Dealers", who are in a centuries-old feud with Lycans (werewolves), and Lycans use modern weapons (machine guns, pistols) and medieval bladed weapons. Justified in-universe because they are centuries old and are thus more familiar with older weapons, and by normal bullets only slowing both vampires and werewolves down.
99	* ''Film/WonderWoman2017'': Wonder Woman fights with a sword, shield, and lasso against WWI Germans using contemporary weapons and tanks. She's shown using her shield to protect herself from machine gun fire and even deflect mortar shells. Justified in that she is using magical weaponry and not an ordinary sword, shield, or lasso.
100	* ''Film/WerewolfByNight2022'': Despite the largely modern setting, the hunters seem to favour bladed and blunt weaponry like axes, swords and crossbows. The only gun in the premises seems to be a blunderbuss. Even the Bloodstone guards only wield [[ShockStick electric staves]].
101	[[/folder]]
102
103	[[folder:Gamebook]]
104	* In ''Literature/RobotCommando'', your dinosaur rancher protagonist lives on a planet where giant mechs are commonplace and these are equipped with high tech weapons. Yet when outside of a mech, the only weapons you can use are swords, with the first one being your father's sword that you pick up at a ranch for dinosaurs (which aren't even affected by it).
105	[[/folder]]
106
107	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
108	* ''TabletopGame/{{Space 1889}}'' European officers have access to machine guns and rapid-firing artillery, but still carry swords as part of their uniform.
109	* In the ''[[TabletopGame/{{Battletech}} MechWarrior]]'' RPG, swords are described as still being a preferred weapon aboard starships because combat will invariably be close quarters and the blade won't rupture the ship's hull as opposed to firearms. In the base ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'' game, some [[HumongousMecha BattleMechs]] carry hatchets, or (more rarely) swords alongside their lightning guns and railguns. Hatchets are basically lumps of endosteel or ferro-fibrous armor that is gripped by the mech ([[BladeBelowTheShoulder or built into its arm]]). Hatchets have the advantage of dealing tremendous damage for relatively little weight, generate no heat, and have no ammo. Swords deal less damage but are more accurate due to them being better balanced. Other more advanced weapons exist for both infantry and battlemechs, such as [[VibroWeapon Vibroblades]]. In the [[GladiatorGames Solaris Arena gladiatorial arenas]], more oddball weapons such as flails, maces, and pile drivers are used in battlemech and PoweredArmor combat, though more for their wow-factor than for their actual effectiveness.
110	* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'':
111	** The Imperium is prone to using [[SchizoTech mixed technology levels]] since the common technology is an odd blending of industrial and space age technology, and holding access to some highly advanced technology that isn't widely dispersed. Some of this is because it's a [[LostTechnology surviving artifact]] from [[LookOnMyWorksYeMightyAndDespair humanity's first, mind-bendingly advanced space empire]] and nobody knows how it works or how to replicate the piece; or how to make the technology in question is a jealously guarded secret. A typical squad of Imperial soldiers will be armed with weapons that are cheap and weak, but easy to make and maintain, such as [[SlowLaser laser rifles]] or sometimes even assault rifles, but the sergeant will be also be armed with a sword that isn't just for ceremonial purposes. It's not uncommon to see [[TankGoodness conventional tanks on the ground]] with dueling starships in orbit. Of course, the old-school weapons are almost invariably updated with current technology, such as {{chains\|awGood}}words or [[LaserBlade power swords]]. These are indeed much better at killing, and sometimes necessary for killing things that won't flinch at conventional weapons.
112	** This is even worse with the Orks, whose technology is either stolen and retrofitted pieces from other races, or more commonly bits of scrap welded together into a roughly functional form, whether it be gun or bludgeoning weapon or vehicle or starship. The most common weapon they use is the humble choppa, which is a huge axe to which a normal human would struggle to carry with both hands, but the average Ork boy can hold it with ease in one hand.
113	* The Imperial Marines of ''TabletopGame/{{Traveller}}'' have a thing for cutlasses, as they don't ricochet in cramped spaceship corridors and hit sensitive equipment like bullets. Though they're mostly ceremonial.
114	* ''TabletopGame/FadingSuns'' also has melee weapons frequently used in boarding actions because they don't ricochet, and spaceships are LostTechnology and thus extremely valuable so the attackers generally don't want to wreck anything. And there aren't too many manufacturers of guns or higher-tech weapons left in operation.
115	* Common in ''TabletopGame/TheWorldOfDarkness'' games such as ''TabletopGame/VampireTheMasquerade'' and ''TabletopGame/WerewolfTheApocalypse''. Hand weapons can be much more effective than firearms in the hands of supernatural creatures, to say nothing of their natural claws and fangs.
116	** In Vampire, both vampires and vampire hunters have a strong motivation towards archaic weapons: Heavy trauma is practically the only way to take down undead aside from their [[WeaksauceWeakness vulnerabilities]], so bullets that can only open bleeding wounds or puncture organs in a creature without blood circulation or an anatomy that works by anything more than magic are less effective than bladed weapons that can open up large wounds or lop off limbs. Plus, crossbows can be used to shoot wooden stakes.
117	** In Werewolf, on the other claw side, the preference is limited to the titular creatures due to their 10-feet-warforms usually possessing enough strength to flip cars. Additionally, their magical items are usually of a low-tech basis since any high-tech items automatically have an affinity to the Weaver, a cosmic entity most werewolves are not willing to deal with. Plus, their traditional ceremonial weapons are silver daggers/swords. Werewolf ''hunters'', on the other hand side, usually go for guns, preferably of a high calibre and with silver ammo.
118	** The preference is also sometimes motivated by the sheer number of magical things which can interfere with clockwork and gunpowder in the setting. With a tension weapon like a bow, or a simple lever like a club or blade, you'll at least know your weapon has been sabotaged by a mage spell or werewolf gift before you rely on it to fire in a dangerous situation. Many even prefer bare fists when they don't have claws, simply because hexing someone's actual body is very difficult.
119	* Melee weapons are common in the {{cyberpunk}}-verse of ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}'', ranging from period-proper combat knives to katanas, battle axes and swords. Certain tradition-fond megas, like Aztechnology and Renraku, make a point of equipping their EliteMooks with melee weapons to reinforce their image.
120	* A massive variety of melee weapons appear in ''TabletopGame/{{Rifts}}'', including {{Vibroweapon}}s ranging from standard knives and axes to esoteric weapons like scythes and kusari-gamas (strangely they do ''not'' vibrate, despite the name). Interestingly enough, it is noted in the game books that the setting's HumongousMecha typically do not use equally humongous swords, preferring instead modern weapons.
121	** Most Giant Robots, instead of using a handheld weapon, mount a BladeBelowTheShoulder in a retractable housing. German mechs are starting to carry vibro-axes, electrified maces, kinetic hammers, and plasma whips into battle, however; along with shields that can mount missile launchers.
122	[[/folder]]
123
124	[[folder:Webcomics]]
125	* In ''Webcomic/{{Terra}}'', set in the 24th century, [[DarkActionGirl Catella Myrha]] {{dual wield\|ing}}s a pair of scimitars against people armed with assault rifles. It helps that her armor contains a deflector shield generator that {{No Sell}}s small arms fire. Melee attacks can penetrate it but she's good enough that this usually isn't an issue. [[spoiler:Operative word being "usually". Agrippa Varus, who himself prefers a combat knife to a gun, disarms and immobilizes her with almost contemptuous ease.]]
126	* ''Webcomic/TerminalLance'': [[http://terminallance.com/2014/01/17/terminal-lance-302-pirate-sword/ "Pirate Sword."]]
127	-->'''Grunt''': Wait, [[LampshadeHanging you really brought your]] [[AwesomeYetImpractical NCO Sword]] on deployment?\
128	'''[=NCO=]''': I spent $600 on this stupid thing. I'm not going home 'till I ''[[BloodKnight stab a motherfucker.]]''
129	[[/folder]]
130
131	[[folder:WesternAnimation]]
132	* ''WesternAnimation/DragonsTheNineRealms'': While exploring the Fire Realm, Jun finds [[spoiler: Hiccup's millenia-old shield and starts using it quite effectively. Downplayed as there are no fire arms in this show.]]
133	** Buzzsaw's henchmen Ford and Winston also start using crossbows in Season 7. Again, downplayed as there are barely any modern weapons in this show.
134	* The police in ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' use lightsaber-like batons with laser blades that can be turned on and off, but (judging from the sound they make) they simply act as simple blunt police batons to beat someone into submission with.
135	* ''WesternAnimation/StarTrekLowerDecks'': Although a spacefaring civilization, the Gelrakians haven't developed any {{Ray Gun}}s and still rely on crystal spears when attacking enemies. Crystal battle blades and crystal-embedded clubs are traditional for a TrialByCombat.
136	[[/folder]]
137

Context Main / ArchaicWeaponForAnAdvancedAge