Line #38 Main/BladeLock


1	%% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1331250743008206200
2	%% Please do not change or remove without starting a new thread.
3	%%
4	[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/blade-lock_link-and-ganon2_3442.png]]]]
5	[[caption-width-right:350:[[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII "You think you can overpower ME?!"]]]]
6	%%
7	%% Caption removed per Caption Repair thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1404492079030138900
8	%% Please see thread to discuss a new caption.
9	%%
10
11	At any given time during a SwordFight, expect the two blades to lock together, with extra points for SwordSparks.
12
13	This usually works best if the swords are crossed horizontally between the combatants, who stand close together and push against the clinch, each trying to knock the other off balance. It can also be done in a knife fight, with grabbing wrists or fists instead of locking blades. If a character is DualWielding, they will usually place one blade behind the other in an attempt to use both arms for leverage.
14
15	This is the ideal moment (since TalkingIsAFreeAction) to address the combatants' mutual issues with some confrontational dialogue, or to [[YouFightLikeACow toss out taunts or threats]]. A CombatPragmatist may instead let slip with a GroinAttack or GlasgowKiss, since the other can't really defend against it. Or the two fighters may simply stand there, stare at each other menacingly, and bulge some biceps. If both combatants are super-strong, or sometimes even if they're not, the blades might [[SwordSparks grind against each other with sparks]] or even visibly glow.
16
17	Technically, this is called ''tsuba zeriai'' in kendo and ''anbinden'' or simply "bind" in the medieval German longsword tradition, where both parties try to gain a position for an attack by jockeying around so that the 'strong' (the half closer to the hilt) of one's blade is pressing against the opponent's 'weak' (the other half); the kinds of attacks that can be launched from this position vary from thrusts and snapping cuts around the opponent's blade to trapping (including the famous GroinAttack), grappling, and tripping/throwing movements, or the "bite" if both swords swing at full force and essentially cut into one another, which is basically a much more stationary bind and closer to the Hollywood style blade lock. Also called "''[[GratuitousFrench corps à corps]]''" ([[ConvenientlyPreciseTranslation body to body]]) in fencing/stage combat. But take notice that in RealLife, such blade locks are ideally brief moments before transitioning into the moves just mentioned, and not the ideal chances for [[TalkingIsAFreeAction extended conversations]] or pushing contests that fiction usually depicts.
18
19	Compare BeamOWar and BrawlerLock.
20	----
21	!!Examples:
22
23	[[foldercontrol]]
24
25	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
26	%%* ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' does this with the characters' staves, and any other device that could be swung around as a melee weapon.
27	* ''Literature/VampireHunterD Bloodlust'' features a blade lock between D's sword and the vampire Meier Link's ''cape'' complete with sparks and heated blades.
28	* ''Manga/RurouniKenshin'':
29	** When this happened to Yahiko, he did the smart thing and [[GroinAttack kicked Gohei in the nuts]].
30	** When this happened between Kenshin and Saito, Saito shoved Kenshin against a wall and nearly managed to push the blade into Kenshin's throat until Kenshin kicked him away.
31	* This happens a lot in ''Manga/{{Inuyasha}}''. One notable instance is when Sesshomaru, wielding [[MadeOfEvil Tokijin]], battles against Inuyasha, wielding the re-forged [[RestrainingBolt Tetsusaiga]]. Sesshomaru knocks the blade out of Inuyasha's hands, causing him to tap into his SuperpoweredEvilSide.
32	* ''Manga/OnePiece''. Most dramatically used in the Zoro and Mihawk fight, where Zoro, who wields three swords, is completely denied a hit by a basic knife.
33	* ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'':
34	** In ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED'' and ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny'', the blade locks are done very differently. Instead of clashing two [[LaserBlade beam sabers]], they clash their beam sabers against their shields. [[AllThereInTheManual According to various model booklets]], the process that creates beam blades doesn't allow them to block and parry other beam blades as they just slip through, thus they use shields to block beam sabers.
35	** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam0083StardustMemory'', [=Gp01=] vs. [=Gp02=] fights are also famous for having blade locks.
36	* In one of ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'''s first story arcs, Zabuza and Kakashi locked blades for a minute or so. Zabuza had a great carving knife of a sword, bigger than he is. Kakashi had a kunai, a stubby dagger about as long as your hand. If the battle had stuck to the rules of real life Kakashi would now be "the Two-Fingered Ninja".
37	** This also happens when Sai attacks Naruto out of nowhere. Sai takes advantage of this moment to question whether Naruto has any ''equipment''.
38	** Also happens in the Pain arc. Ebisu blocks Pain's chakra blade ''with the point'' of his kunai for ''several minutes.''
39	* ''Manga/SoulEater'' shows a decidedly pragmatic approach when Mifune locks with Black Star, grabs one of Black Star's hands, and breaks two of his fingers.
40	* In ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'', Sayaka and Kyoko get into one. To illustrate how completely outclassed Sayaka is, she holds her sword with both hands and Kyoko holds her spear with one hand. Sayaka cannot budge Kyoko, then Kyoko shifts her arm and sends her flying.
41	%%* In ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'', when Kenpachi tried to get into one with Unohana, she drew a dagger with her free hand and stabbed him.
42	%%* In ''Manga/Brave10'', it usually appears as an excuse during fights to keep up the TrashTalk and dialogue exchange, as exemplified by Hanzo and Saizo's second fight.
43	* ''Anime/FateStayNightUnlimitedBladeWorks'': Shirou and Gilgamesh get into one. Gilgamesh becomes shocked that Shirou, a mere human and "Faker", is able to rival him. After explaining how he has the advantage, Shirou shoves him back and breaks his sword.
44	* In ''Manga/{{Gamaran}} Shura'', "Bind" is the specialty of longsword-user Shiro Momose. However, it turns into a disadvantage when facing Ichinose Zenmaru, whose [[{{BFS}} Sadanaga]] is way heavier than normal swords, and thus Shiro ends up weakening his grip in his effort to push against his opponent's odachi. Another character, Karai, can also uses Bind with his falchion, but is just one of the many maneuvers he can perform.
45	[[/folder]]
46
47	[[folder:Fan Works]]
48	* ''Fanfic/FateDxDAU'': Ritsuka Fujimaru and Xenovia Quarta get into one with their swords Gram and Excalibur Destruction. Xenovia is utterly shocked because Excalibur Destruction is supposed to destroy whatever it hits. Ritsuka explains in his head that Gram is conceptually equal to the original Excalibur, so he knew it would be able to block it. Since he is channeling the power of Sigurd, he is strong enough to hold Gram with one hand, allowing him to use his free hand to punch her and knock her out.
49	* ''Fanfic/FateHaremAntics'':
50	** Saber does this against Berserker several times, but since Berserker is stronger than her, she is forced back each time.
51	** Archer and Gunner get into one. Archer is shocked by how strong Gunner is despite her small size and starts getting pushed back, but Archer [[CombatPragmatist kicks her right in a]] [[AttackTheInjury wound on her torso]], making Gunner stagger back.
52	** Assassin with a dagger and Temptress with a spear get into one, but Temptress is so strong that Assassin has to drop her dagger and back away before she is overwhelmed.
53	** Berserker and Ruler get into a few. Just like Saber, Ruler is forced back.
54	* The trope is used and subsequently linked too twice in ''Fanfic/FireEmblemThreeHousesFifthPath'', once between Byleth and Felix in Chapter 3 and once between Byleth and Yuri in Chapter 14.
55	* ''Fanfic/JauneArcLordOfHunger'':
56	** During a flashback in "Dreams", a younger Nihilus and Alek lock their lightsaber blades in the middle of their sparring match. Alek breaks the stalemate by using the Force to [[CombatPragmatist throw pebbles at Nihilus's face.]]
57	** In "Death", Cinder gets into this with [[spoiler:Nihilus]], locking her [[{{BFS}} ten-foot]] FlamingSword with the blade of [[spoiler:Nihilus's Crocea Mors]]. All the while, Cinder keeps up with the latter's SuperStrength by using her Maiden powers shoot flames from her feet and use them as thrusters. [[spoiler:Nihilus is actually forced to break off the lock when Cinder's HotBlade starts melting through his sword, though he's smart enough to move to the side. This causes Cinder to lose her balance from the sudden acceleration and she is sent tumbling forward.]]
58	* In ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'', this happens all the time when steel meets steel, but only the ones that last a bit longer count. Don't expect them to be [[PlayedStraight played completely straight]], with all the extended talking and wrestling that ensues in typical instances.
59	** Chapter 3, remastered version: Vault locks blades with Kyril after blocking a strike for his head. Vault compliments him, and in response, Kyril [[MundaneSolution simply disengages]] and strikes once more.
60	** Chapter 12, remastered version: [[GenreBlindness Alicia]] tries to do this against [[WorldsStrongestMan Kyril's]] [[SerratedBladeOfPain Beast]] [[WhipSword Cutter]]. Much to his confusion, this gives room for the obviously stronger [[CombatPragmatist Kyril]] to force her sword aside, grab her gorget, and toss her right into Maia.
61	* In ''Fanfic/SonOfTheSannin'', Sasuke and Karui get into a couple of these during their fight in the Chunin Exams finals, even channeling elemental chakra through the blades. Karui's [[ShockAndAwe Thunder Blade]] overpowers Sasuke's [[PlayingWithFire Burning Edge]] [[WreckedWeapon and breaks his sword]], forcing him to pull out a spare one. Sasuke then uses the Sharingan [[PowerCopying to copy Karui's jutsu]] and they clash again, [[LikeCannotCutLike but this time she can't break it.]]
62	* ''[[Fanfic/StarWarsVsWarhammer40K Star Wars vs. Warhammer 40K]]'':
63	** While fighting aboard Trench's flagship in Episode 8, Anakin tries locking the blade of his lightsaber against Brother Hastus's power sword. Hastus is a [[SuperSoldier Space Marine]] wearing PowerArmor, while Anakin is an unarmored baseline human Jedi. It goes about as well as you'd expect with Anakin getting overwhelmed by his opponent's SuperStrength and pinned against a wall. Only the [[BigDamnHeroes sudden intervention]] of Wrecker prevents Anakin from getting sliced in half with his own blade.
64	** Quinlan Vos and Commissar Terrandor lock blades during their duel in Episode 35; Quinlan's lightsaber against Terrandor's adamantium-tipped chainsword. Their lock is eventually broken by Rahm Kota, who slices off Terrandor's arm and kicks him away.
65	[[/folder]]
66
67	[[folder:Film -- Animated]]
68	* Happens several times in ''Anime/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren''. For example, in the battle [[HighSpeedBattle (on motorcycles!]]) between [[TheHero Cloud]] and [[TheQuietOne Yazoo]], they lock blades; Cloud's [[BigFancySword BFS]] against Yazoo's Velvet Nightmare.
69	* ''WesternAnimation/PeterPan'' has Peter locking blades with Captain Hook, his dagger against Hook's rapier. Hook seems to have the advantage, forcing Peter back step by step... but in doing so, fails to see that the both of them are headed off the edge of a cliff. Peter can fly; [[GravityIsAHarshMistress Hook, when he sees he's standing on thin air, realizes that he can't.]]
70	* ''WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}}'': During the ''brutal'' RooftopConfrontation between Leonardo and Raphael, they end up getting into a stalemate with the former’s katanas and the latter’s sais. This eventually culminates in Raph [[spoiler: using his sais to ''[[WeaponsBreakingWeapons break]]'' Leo’s katanas and ''nearly kill him.'']]
71	[[/folder]]
72
73	[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
74	* Subverted in ''Film/RobinHoodMenInTights'' of all places. When Robin Hood and the Sheriff were in the middle of one, they talked for a bit and the Sheriff tried to use a knife. Possibly a shout-out to similar scenes in ''Film/TheAdventuresOfRobinHood'' and ''Film/RobinHoodPrinceOfThieves''.
75	* ''Film/TheAdventuresOfRobinHood'': Robin Hood and Sir Guy of Gisbourne talk at intervals throughout their duel; during a Blade Lock Sir Guy stealthily pulls a dagger out and tries to stab Robin with it. Robin being an honorable sort, but not LawfulStupid, when the dagger ends up missing Robin's head, Robin runs Sir Guy through with his sword.
76	* ''Film/RobinHoodPrinceOfThieves'': When the Sheriff raises his blade for a killing blow on the prone Robin, Robin pulls out the Sherriff's own dagger (the Sheriff had given it to Marian, who had then given it to Robin) and plunges it into his heart.
77	* Parodied in ''Film/{{Spaceballs}}'', where Helmet and Lone Starr's Schwartz blades (akin to lightsabers) not only get locked, they twist up. "Shit! I hate it when I get my [[UnusualEuphemism Schwartz]] twisted!"
78	* Subverted in ''Film/KillBill Vol. 2''. When the Bride and Elle lock swords in their final battle, [[spoiler:the Bride simply takes the opportunity provided by the drop in defenses to snatch out Elle's eye, the other one having been snatched out by the late Pai Mei for disrespecting him.]]
79	* Frequently in the ''Franchise/StarWars'' films.
80	** Lightsaber blocks are frequent in the franchise's universe. Indeed, among writers for ''Star Wars'' movies, this Trope seems to be required by law when choreographing a dramatic lightsaber duel. Note that this is an unbelievably stupid idea, as the lack of a crossguard on most sabers would mean that if their opponent slid the blade up [[AbsurdlySharpBlade they'd probably lose half their hand]], plus possibly [[WreckedWeapon having their lightsaber destroyed.]] But many sources claim that a lightsaber can only be properly used by someone with Force powers and anyone who does not risks killing himself anyway. Consensus appears to be that two lightsabers stick together when locked, preventing (or at least making difficult) that kind of move. Obi-Wan appears to twist his blade, rather than simply sliding it downwards.
81	** Count Dooku exploits this in ''Film/AttackOfTheClones'', pushing Obi-Wan's blade downward to give him an angle, and then sliding his blade up to incapacitate Obi-Wan with a couple of precise taps of the blade on Obi's arm and thigh while Obi-Wan's blade is unable to be re-angled in time. In the old ''Legends'' continuity, it was noted that Dooku was able to adjust the length of his saber to catch opponents off-guard in the midst of blade locks like these.
82	** Obi-Wan does exactly this to cut off two of General Grievous' arms in ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith''.
83	** ''Film/TheForceAwakens'': Kylo Ren's lightsaber also addresses the issue with a beam crossguard that he can use [[CombatPragmatist to stab opponents while locking blades with them.]]
84	%%* Done in ''Film/StreetsOfFire'' with sledgehammers rather than swords.
85	%%* Done in ''Film/ByTheSword'' as a BreakingSpeech to [[spoiler:Villard by Suba about what really happened the night Suba killed Villard's father.]]
86	* Thorin and Azog get into a pushing match with their weapons in ''Film/TheHobbitTheBattleOfTheFiveArmies''. Justified in this case as Azog's blade is forked and Thorin is on the ground pushing up with both hands.
87	* ''Film/AnneOfTheIndies'': Occurs when Anne and Blackbeard are fencing in the tavern. Blackbeard breaks the lock by [[CombatPragmatist twisting Anne's nose]].
88	%%* One such instance occurs in the final battle of ''Film/TigerOnBeat'', but with ''[[ChainsawGood chainsaws]]''.
89	* ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheFellowshipOfTheRing'': Aragorn's final confrontation with the Uruk-hai chief Lurtz begins with the two pushing their swords against each other for about two seconds, before Lurtz demonstrates his [[TheBrute overwhelming strength]] by shoving Aragorn backwards into a tree.
90	[[/folder]]
91
92	[[folder:Literature]]
93	* Subverted in ''Literature/TheSagaOfDarrenShan''. In one book, Darren gets in a sword fight with a [[OurVampiresAreDifferent vampaneze]] and tries blade locking. The vampaneze simply runs his blade down the length of Darren's and maims his hand.
94	* Creator/TimPowers' ''Literature/TheDrawingOfTheDark''. Discussed when Aurelianus attempts to explain to the protagonist Brian Duffy, using Blade Lock as a metaphor, why epic magic is impossible when there's another powerful wizard of opposing alignment in the room. Duffy, a gritty old soldier, remarks: "I wouldn't just stand there straining. I'd knee the bastard and spit in his eyes."
95	* ”Literature/TheIronTeeth” web serial is set in a fairly standard fantasy universe, so it has a lot of sword fights. This trope in particular happens while Blacknail is training.
96	* In the Literature/ModestyBlaise novel ''A Taste for Death'', Modesty gets into a sword fight to the death with one of the villains, which includes a moment where this happens.
97	-->For a moment they were perfectly still, faces inches apart, blades locked at the pommels and pointing vertically up. It was then that Modesty Blaise lifted her knee and [[GroinAttack hit him very hard in the crotch]].
98	* ''Literature/TortallUniverse''
99	** Often used against Alanna in ''Literature/SongOfTheLioness'', probably because she's a head shorter than most opponents and (after giving up the SweetPollyOliver disguise) female, making her look weaker. It doesn't work, though, because she's a highly skilled swordswoman.
100	** Used in ''[[Literature/ProtectorOfTheSmall Lady Knight]]'', though in this case it was glaive versus double-headed axe. Kel was up against one of the few opponents who ''is'' taller than her 5'11", and she was wounded, so she did a leg sweep to regain the advantage.
101	* Occurs during one of Princess Carline's fencing lessons in the first book of Literature/TheRiftwarCycle. Her teacher tells her quite flatly that she never wants to get in that situation in a real fight - the only people she'd be likely to end up facing in a real battle would be professional soldiers who would be much stronger than she is.
102	* ''Literature/TheHeroes'': Bremer dan Gorst and Whirrun of Bligh lock blades during their fight. As they strain against each other in perfect impasse, the BloodKnight Gorst wishes that the moment could go on forever.
103	[[/folder]]
104
105	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
106	* Happens in the ''{{Series/Dollhouse}}'' episode "Spy in the House of Love", during a sword fight between Victor and Dewitt.
107	* ''Series/GameOfThrones''.
108	** In Season 1, Jaime Lannister catches Jory's sword this way, then stabs him in the eye with a dagger held in his other hand.
109	** In Season 4 after Jaime has his sword hand amputated, he gets a magnificent gilded-steel hand to replace it and trains with sellsword Bronn in fighting with his left hand. [[spoiler:Jaime regularly gets his ass kicked, but at one point he catches Bronn's blade in his own and grins, thinking he's finally got the advantage. Bronn reaches down, twists off Jaime's fake hand and smacks him in the face with it.]]
110	** Karl Tanner spits in Jon Snow's eyes and then kicks him in the shin when they lock blades.
111	* ''[[Series/WonderWoman1975 Wonder Woman]]'': In "The Return of Wonder Woman", [[BigBad Dr. Solano]] (Fritz Weaver) and Wonder Woman are in a pitched sword duel. They lock blades! [[spoiler: And he's able to physically throw her back a few steps which reveals that he has switched places with a Dr. Solano robot!]]
112	[[/folder]]
113
114	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
115	* In ''TabletopGame/LaceAndSteel'', parrying an attack with a special Lock Hilts card allows you to make a Strength contest against the attacker, potentially seizing the initiative and stealing two cards from their deck if you succeed.
116	[[/folder]]
117
118	[[folder:Theme Parks]]
119	* In the finale of ''Theatre/PoseidonsFury'' at [[Ride/UniversalStudios Universal's Islands of Adventure]], this happens during Poseidon's sword fight with Lord Darkenon, with the locking of their weapons creating a noticeable glowing effect. The two briefly exchange words between each other before breaking it off.
120	[[/folder]]
121
122	[[folder:Video Games]]
123	* ''VideoGame/ANNOMutationem'': In her second battle against [[BloodKnight Absalom]], Ann performs a DashAttack with her sword that locks with Absalom's blade, sending out a KungFuSonicBoom when they follow up with a counter move.
124	* ''VideoGame/LunarLux'': In the boss fight against the Murk Slayer, one of his attack patterns will have him and Bella clash blades. The player has to pass a button mashing sequence in order to push the Murk Slayer back and deal damage, otherwise Bella will take damage.
125	* Attack at the same time as your enemy in ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes'' and you go into a blade lock, which you win by moving the Wii Remote in a circle. If you lose, you get hit; if you win, you can instantly hit the enemy with a Death Blow. Of note also is the real ending, in which Travis and Henry have a conversation while running down a whole city block with their blades locked together.
126	* ''Franchise/StarWars'':
127	** The Blade Lock is used as an actual game mechanic in the ''VideoGame/DarkForcesSaga'' series, in which you push against a "lightsaber lock" in an attempt to shove your enemy back and/or down and gain a free shot. Losing one against the tougher ones can instantly cause death. There are ways of breaking the lock, though, such as a well-timed Force Push which is handy if you know you're going to lose in a lock. Probably the flashiest move performable from the lock is when one party has two lightsabers and manages to throw one to circle around their opponent and slice them from behind.
128	** Subverted in the Deception trailer for ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'', the main villain of the trailer momentarily locked his blade with the leading Jedi he was facing off with, whom immediately breaks the lock by turning slightly to one side, [[JustShootHim loosing his blade and smashing]] [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Darth Malgus]] in the face with the pommel of his saber hilt. Ala the counterattack described below in the Real Life section.
129	** ''VideoGame/TheForceUnleashed'': It often happens during lightsaber duels. If the player presses the right buttons, the enemy will be knocked back and take damage, if not, the opposite will happen. For examples of this happening during the plot:
130	*** Starkiller and Rahm Kota get into one. When Kota gets distracted by a vision of himself as Starkiller's Jedi Master, Starkiller overpowers him and shoves Kota's own lightsaber into his eyes, blinding him.
131	*** In the Dark Side ending, Starkiller and Emperor Palpatine get into one. Palpatine uses his free hand to blast Starkiller with Force Lightning, knocking him across the room.
132	*** In the Hoth DLC, Lord Starkiller and Luke Skywalker get into one. Starkiller uses his free hand to Force Push Luke in the gut, making him let go of his lightsaber and allowing Starkiller to chop his hand off.
133	*** In the sequel, Starkiller and Darth Vader get into one. Starkiller gets distracted by a vision of his love interest, Juno Eclipse, dying, allowing Vader to punch him away and escape.
134	*** In the sequel's Endor DLC, the Dark Apprentice and Princess Leia get into one. Unfortunately, the Dark Apprentice is DualWielding, so while she is occupied blocking one lightsaber, he uses the other one to kill her.
135	* In ''VideoGame/GunGrave'', the three playable characters get in a three way weapon lock, that being Grave's guns locking with Jujy's Blades and Billy's Guitar, and they all spark.
136	* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
137	** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'': During the final battle, there is a move called "chance" that initiates a lock between [[spoiler:Link's sword and Ganondorf's. It's the easiest way to beat him fairly, and without use of the [[LethalJokeItem Fishing Rod]]]].
138	** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaPhantomHourglass'': The lock is won by scrabbling the stylus over the screen rapidly. It's the best way to win against the recurring MiniBoss Jolene, and it's also needed to stun the final boss.
139	* In ''VideoGame/SuikodenV'' (and probably earlier ones in the [[VideoGame/{{Suikoden}} series]] too) during a one-on-one "[[DuelBoss duel]]" battle, your protagonist almost always gets in at least one of these, requiring you to mash buttons as fast as you can to push the opponent back until the lock is over. Note that at least in this particular iteration, the protagonist doesn't actually use a blade, nor do many of his opponents, and yet you still get the "weapon lock" showing up.
140	* ''VideoGame/SlyCooperThievesInTime'': Sly and Le Paradox do this in the final boss fight with their cane and sword.
141	* Your battle against CowardlyBoss Koji Shindo in ''VideoGame/Yakuza2'' has you doing this during the final phase of the battle, which takes place in a Japanese courtyard, when Yayoi throws you a sword to use against him.
142	* Happens all the time in the ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'' series. It's (probably) the only way to disarm your opponent too; though it's a little silly when the claws disarm the giant beads.
143	* Done with every possible weapon and a few impossible ones in the ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors'' series.
144	** In the ''VideoGame/SamuraiWarriors'' series, winning one of these results in the character pulling off a special combo against the enemy.
145	** Also used in ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriorsGundam'', where they are resolved with ActionCommands.
146	%% Needs context * Happens at the end of a "boss" minigame in ''VideoGame/WarioWareSmoothMoves''.
147	* This is an ''ability'' in ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars''. A pilot with this ability in a machine with a bladed weapon has a chance to block another robot's blade attack. With the Blade Lock animation and everything.
148	* ''VideoGame/AnotherCenturysEpisode'' has this in games 2 and 3 when two machines with melee weapons try to melee each other at the same time; the player has to [[ButtonMashing mash the Melee button]] to break the lock and stun the enemy, or he himself will be stunned instead.
149	* This tactic features prominently in ''Franchise/KingdomHearts''. A notable instance occurs in [[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII the second game]], where [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Cloud and Sephiroth]] blade lock while Cloud is on the receiving end of a TheReasonYouSuckSpeech.
150	* ''Franchise/MegaMan'':
151	** ''VideoGame/MegaManX4'': Zero and Colonel are engaged in this when fighting at Memorial Hall.
152	** ''VideoGame/{{Mega Man Battle Network 3\|WhiteAndBlue}}'': In the Japanese advertisement, Mega Man and Proto Man clash their cyber-swords when they charge towards each other.
153	* ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil4'': Even though he uses knives, Leon locks blades quite often when facing up against Krauser.
154	* You can lock chainsaw bayonets with an enemy in ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar 2''. Mash B to win.
155	* ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'': Commonly seen in cutscene fights between Dante and Vergil in ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry3DantesAwakening'' and ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5''. During their first encounter from ''[=DMC3=]'', they were pushing against each other with so much force that the blades visibly heated at the contact point from the friction.
156	* Happens almost every single battle in ''VideoGame/SengokuBasara'', particularly if the two characters are rivals like Masamune and Yukimura or Motochika and Motonari. SwordSparks are always present. The third game introduces something like this combined with {{Flynning}} where characters start clashing their weapons against each other until one of them wins the duels.
157	* ''VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamLand'' has a variation. [[spoiler:When Kirby delivers the final blow with his Ultra Sword to Magolor in his first form, Magolor tries to defend himself by conjuring a shield that results in one final struggle before Kirby manages to overpower him.]]
158	* In ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2'', this happens during the cutscene for the mission "Bleed Out". It also occurs in the ''VideoGame/SaintsRowTheThird'' mission "deckers.die".
159	* In ''VideoGame/DarkMessiahOfMightAndMagic'', you can enter a "contest of might" with an opponent where your weapons lock together and you push against each other.
160	* You can end up locking your gun to Kai Leng's blade in your final boss fight with him in ''VideoGame/MassEffect3''. The final boss of the ''Citadel'' DLC can involve an omni-blade lock, depending on your class.
161	* ''Videogame/WarhammerOnline''. The announcement trailer featured a Chaos Champion and a Sigmarite Warrior-Priest doing this with maces. At a certain point they lock their weapons and it seems as if the Warrior-Priest will win. In true Warhammer fashion, the Champion then knees him in the side while he's distracted, sending him down to the ground and then crushes his skull with his mace.
162	* Occurs in ''VideoGame/PrinceOfPersia2008'' during battle, particularly when fighting against the Mourning King, which requires mashing a button to defeat him. In a variant, the Hunter may lunge the Prince with his pincer weapon; the Prince catches one blade on his sword and another on his [[TrickedOutGloves armored gauntlet]], leaving the middle one inches from his face. Again, button mashing is required to overpower the Hunter.
163	* In ''Videogame/DarkSiders'', War can lock blades with one of the enemy angels. It's also necessary to win the final fight [[spoiler:against Abaddon.]]
164	* In the original game from the VideoGame/SoulSeries, ''[[{{Prequel}} Soul Blade]]'', when you clashed swords it'd happen two things, a clash in which both weapons [[{{Flynning}} repelled]] each other, but on the other hand is the attack was fierce enough, usually while doing a heavy slash. The swords'd lock and then red lightning'd appear while both combatants pressed againt each other, and finally one has to be quick enough deliver the finishing blow. It's as awesome as it sounds.
165	* ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'':
166	** In the final boss fight of ''VideoGame/GodOfWarI'', Kratos and Ares end up doing this several times during the third round. Winning the confrontation [[LifeDrain gives the winner a big chunk of the loser´s life bar]].
167	** ''VideoGame/GodOfWarRagnarok'' features an unusual case of this during Kratos' first battle with Thor, where partway into the brawl, both of them [[ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks chuck their respective weapons at each other]] (Kratos' Leviathan Axe and Thor's Mjölnir). This leads to both divine weapons colliding and ''hanging'' in a mid-air power struggle, leading to [[CirclingMonologue their respective wielders calmly circling around for a brief exchange of words]] before they both [[SummonToHand recall their weapons to their hands]] and resume duking it out.
168	* In ''VideoGame/MiddleEarthShadowOfMordor'', Nemesis Orc Captains will do this if they're introduced during a fight.
169	* ''VideoGame/Persona5Strikers'': Joker may be prompted to execute an "???" action while fighting [[spoiler:Akane's Fake Joker]], which will start a quick-time event where he and the boss clash, and the player must repeatedly press the Attack button to knock the boss off balance. Succeeding deals massive damage and opens up the boss for a "1 More" follow-up.
170	* ''Videogame/SonicRush'' has [[spoiler:Sonic and Blaze]] doing a variation of this with their heads towards the end of the boss fight at Dead Line, aiming to push each other off the platform.
171	* Happens a few times in ''[[VideoGame/TrailsSeries The Legend of Heroes - Trails]]''.
172	** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsInTheSky SC'', Joshua and Loewe and at one point, they engage in this with Loewe calling out Joshua on why he's not going faster than usual with Joshua delivering an ArmorPiercingQuestion on Loewe on why he's still working for Ouroboros.
173	** One of Kurt's bonding events in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsOfColdSteel III'' has Rean and Kurt engage in this in a friendly duel.
174	* ''VideoGame/GhostOfTsushima'' has this happen during one-on-one duels, marking a change in the fight's phase and allowing Jin and his opponent to trade dialogue. [[spoiler:Subverted during Black Hand Riku's duel - when the blades lock, he ''immediately'' pulls back and attacks you.]]
175	[[/folder]]
176
177	[[folder:Web Animation]]
178	* ''WebAnimation/SparkleOnRaven'' has Raven and Slash lock blades at the end of episode 2. After exchanging a bit of banter, Raven overpowers Slash and ''cuts his sword in half'', with the sword spurting out HighPressureBlood.
179	* ''WebAnimation/SuperMarioBrosZ'': In Episode 8, Mario and Basilisx clash their weapons in the midst of their duel, with Mario using a hammer and Basilisx having WolverineClaws.
180	[[/folder]]
181
182	[[folder:Web Comics]]
183	* ''Webcomic/ChampionsOfFaraus'': At one point when fighting one of Sarengal’s cultists, Daryl & the cultist lock swords. The cultist [[TalkingIsAFreeAction starts gloating]] to Daryl about how the blade lock will let her do something, but we don’t get to know what, as [[SubvertedTrope Daryl takes the opportunity to use his free hand to slice at her stomach with his dagger]], giving him time to get away.
184	* In ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'' this happens between [[http://sluggy.com/daily.php?date=041203 Torg and the Demon King.]]
185	* ''Webcomic/ZokushoComics'': Shows up all throughout [[http://www.waywardcross.com/?p=109 Clash.]]
186	* Occurs in ''Webcomic/BitsFair'' during [[http://bitsfair.com/comic/3-27-32/ the fight between Irya are Reba.]]
187	[[/folder]]
188
189	[[folder:Web Original]]
190	* ''WebVideo/YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries'' has one of these between Yami Bakura and Yami Marik in a parody of ''Franchise/StarWars''.
191	[[/folder]]
192
193	[[folder:Western Animation]]
194	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'': In "Reunion", Anne and Sasha briefly lock blades and banter at the start of their SwordFight.
195	* ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'' where Danny and Vlad did this in one episode with [[KatanasAreJustBetter katanas]].
196	* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': The dual wielding Jet and Zuko have one during their SwordFight in an EvasiveFightThreadEpisode.
197	* OlderThanTelevision: In the Creator/VanBeurenStudios era WesternAnimation/FelixTheCat cartoon ''WesternAnimation/TheGooseThatLaidTheGoldenEgg'', Felix and Captain Kid are sword fighting, and their swords end up locking together due to the blades actually ''fusing together due to the heat from the friction of the fast fight''.
198	* ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'' occasionally blade locks with various opponents throughout the show.
199	* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'': Optimus and Megatron spar like this with their [[BladeBelowTheShoulder arm blades]].
200	* ''WesternAnimation/MightyDucksTheAnimatedSeries'' episode "To Catch a Duck" had Duke and Falcone lock blades during a sword fight. Duke knocked Falcone off balance and flat on his back, then made a snarky comment that Falcone always did talk a bigger fight then he could deliver.
201	[[/folder]]
202
203	[[folder:Real Life]]
204	* Conversely, in Olympic fencing, this sort of overdramatic parry is sometimes referred to as a Hollywood parry or Star Wars parry. Students are reminded to [[BoringButPractical stop looking cool]], [[MundaneSolution disengage]], and [[JustShootHim stab him already]].
205	** The angle needed to parry an attack varies between weapons, but is almost always much less than the average person suspects. Fencing is a fast enough sport that even a hint of movement in the wrong direction can mean a touch against you; exaggerated movements ''will'' get you hit.
206	* Contrary to most sport fencing today, longsword fencing in the German styles practically required this. Combined with other techniques like using the pommel and guard as blunt instruments and surprisingly advanced grappling, this was practically the only way to effectively fight an opponent in full armor. The general strategy was to bind, smash or throw your opponent to the ground, and then make a thrust at the now (slightly more) exposed gaps in your opponent's armor. Several techniques involved putting one or both hands on the blade of the sword, for extra leverage. However, this sort of blade contact was transient, usually with one fighter either disengaging or winning the bind, most often though superior technique.
207	** The main reason that this technique (called "binding") works is due to the edges in both swords ever so slightly "biting" into one-another, allowing leverage in directions other than forwards.
208	** As opposed to the face-to-face brute-force contest of strength that is often portrayed in cinema and video games, winning the bind doesn't mean overpowering your opponent, so being "strong" in the bind doesn't automatically mean a position of advantage. A sword blade will always follow the path of least resistance, so a fighter "weak" in the bind can win simply by allowing his opponent's sword to push through...while angling his own blade so his opponent's sword runs off somewhere it won't do any damage (thus using the opponent's own strength against him). This is a part of the concept called ''fühlen'' (literally: "feeling"), and essentially boils down to countering weakness with strength, and strength with weakness.
209	** There are some times where the historical sources advocate parrying with the flat (rather than the edge), however these are usually more deflecting than stopping actions, and don't involve much bind-work
210	* To a lesser degree, this is also a valid tactic in kenjutsu (not so much in kendo). As a matter of fact, the blunt side of the katana's blade usually plays a major role. Like in German style, putting one hand on the blade for extra leverage is a very common technique. However, since it's safe to slide the hand through it, there is a bigger variety of techniques for both winning or breaking free from these situations.
211	[[/folder]]
212

Context Main / BladeLock