Line #58 Main/OrnamentalWeapon


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5	->''"That thing on your back isn't ornamental, is it?"''
6	-->-- '''Rod''' (to Rue), ''VideoGame/ThreadsOfFate''
7
8	There are some characters who like to walk around with their weapons out in the open, presumably to [[WeaponForIntimidation intimidate other people]] or to have it ready right away in the case of a monster fight. However, upon close inspection, you might find that the weapon barely has any signs of being "broken in" -- no scratches, no gunpowder... it still looks as sharp as the day the guy bought it.
9
10	Some reasons for this may be that the weapon in question has a sentimental value to its holder, can only be used for [[PlotTailoredToTheParty certain situations]], or may just be TooAwesomeToUse. At times, it may [[FridgeLogic make one wonder]] if they might just be better off leaving the damn thing at home.
11
12	Subtrope of UselessAccessory. Compare StatSticks, where weapons aren't so much "physically" used as they're just there to add stats. May sometimes overlap with ThePiratesWhoDontDoAnything. Not to be confused with BlingBlingBang, where the weapon is covered in ornamentation but (usually) still sees actual use. Contrast BreakOutTheMuseumPiece, where a seemingly obsolete or ornamental object (often a weapon) is still usable.
13
14	----
15	!!Examples:
16	[[foldercontrol]]
17
18	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
19	* In ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'', people usually think this of Guts' main weapon, a [[{{BFS}} huge slab of iron even taller than he is]], up until [[OneManArmy they see him use it]]. It's {{justified\|Trope}} that they'd think so since in real life, there are many examples of oversized versions of standard zweihanders being made for purely ceremonial use.
20	* In ''Anime/BloodTheLastVampire'', Saya steals a sword she had seen in a store window to use in a fight...[[OhCrap only to watch the blade deform and twist on impact since it was ornamental and not functional.]]
21	* ''Anime/DragonBallZ'': Android 17 carries a pistol on his waist, which is odd considering his punches and energy blasts do far more damage than a pistol ever could. The only time he's seen using it is for kicks after he got shot at by an old man in the BadFuture.
22	* Subverted with the Eto Gun in ''Manga/EtCetera''. It looks like a toy gun and could not be used to shoot normally, and Mingchao (initially) only keeps it to intimidate others. However, when added with a proper animal extract, the gun is considered one of the strongest weapons in the West.
23	* A big shiny sword in ''Literature/TheFamiliarOfZero'' turned out to be ornamental and pretty useless. The rusted one, however...
24	* ''Manga/InuYasha'':
25	** Kouga carried a katana for ornamentation and used it only ''once'' in the whole story.
26	** Naraku's [[TheDragon dragon]], Byakuya of the Dreams carries around a sword that doesn't get used [[spoiler:until the final arc of the series, where it's revealed that it can absorb any demonic aura within the area and use its power.]]
27	* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny'' gives us Ornamental [[HumongousMecha Mobile Suits]], the ZGMF-1017 GINN [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Ceremonial Decoration Type]], which could be combat capable if their weapons weren't [[TooDumbToLive a bolt-action rifle and a foam sword]] in a world where beam weapons exist and are ridiculously common.
28	* The protagonist in ''My S-Rank Party Fired Me For Being A Cursificer'' likes crafting creepy-looking but incredibly powerful (and incredibly cursed) weapons and items that he believes people will want to buy to have as decoration and conversation starters. As very few people share his taste in design - and don't want to deal with the curses - this usually don't happen.
29	* ''Manga/OnePiece'':
30	** Pekoms of the Big Mom Pirates carries a sword on his left hip, but he primarily fights with his fists and Devil Fruit, making it just a decoration.
31	** Sentomaru of the Marines wields a massive axe but prefers to use sumo against weaker foes.
32	* Meliodas of ''Manga/TheSevenDeadlySins'' carries a broken sword to deter customers from starting trouble in his bar by keeping it in a scabbard to make it look like a full sword.
33	* In ''Literature/{{Slayers}}'', [[{{Stripperiffic}} one of the few things]] Naga wears is a large sword that seems to be purely for show. It gets stuck in the sheath the one time she tries to use it, and she tends to faint at the sight of blood ([[FridgeLogic which shows up a lot around swords]]).
34	* In ''Manga/{{Toriko}}'', [[TheDreaded Starjun]] carries a sword with him, but he's never seen using it, until the Cooking Festival arc, revealing it to be a [[FlamingSword flaming]] special preparation kitchen knife. Lampshaded by Toriko himself.
35	* Princess Millerna from the ''Anime/TheVisionOfEscaflowne'' movie carried a sword on her belt throughout the film, but she never, ever takes part in a single action scene, and never gets to draw it from its sheath, cementing her status as a FauxActionGirl.
36	[[/folder]]
37
38	[[folder:Asian Animation]]
39	* In later seasons of ''Animation/PleasantGoatAndBigBigWolf'', Wolnie rarely hits anyone with her frying pan. She still carries it occasionally in later seasons but doesn't hit anyone.
40	[[/folder]]
41
42	[[folder:Comic Books]]
43	* ''ComicBook/{{Asterix}}'': The titular hero has a Celtic sword, but fights exclusively with his fists. He does use it for {{Sword Fight}} twice, once for cutting cake, and once as a mountaineering tool, but he's never allowed to hurt anyone with it on the grounds that it would be too violent.
44	** Averted in Recap/AsterixAndTheCauldron, in which he uses his sword to disarm his opponent.
45	* ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'': Doctor Doom wears a pistol on his waist that he only uses for opponents he considers unworthy of facing his powered armor and other abilities, which happens rarely enough nowadays that it might as well be ornamental.
46	* ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'': The Fortress of Solitude has an armory full of alien super-weapons that Superman never touches.
47	* ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMarvel'': After Optimus Prime gets rebuilt as a Power Master he gains a pair of double-barreled shoulder cannons that he never uses.
48	[[/folder]]
49
50	[[folder:Films -- Animated]]
51	* The ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda2'' villain Shen is often shown carrying and posing with a wave-bladed guan dao but spends most of his fights throwing knives (and uses a flail and sword when he invades Gongmen City). When he finally uses his guan dao in the final battle, [[spoiler: he cuts one too many ropes on his ship and gets crushed by the cannon that was being held up by it]].
52	[[/folder]]
53
54	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
55	* In the ''Film/ThirtyDaysOfNight'' prequel ''Blood Trails'', Pat is turned into a vampire and Jenny has to grab a wallhanger sword to fend him off. What follows is a gory affair where she needs eight tries to force the blade all the way through Pat's neck.
56	* In ''Film/{{Paul}}'', an expensive replica sword is revealed to be useless when the blade snaps off upon drawing.
57	* ZigZagged by Darth Sidious' lightsabers in ''Franchise/StarWars''. He only really kept them for the sake of tradition as he believed that [[OrcusOnHisThrone open combat was beneath him]], and made them out of the most expensive and rare materials in the galaxy [[EvilIsPetty to mock Jedi humility]]. Before he used them to take out Savage Opress in ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' & Mace Windu's strike team in ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'' they had been gathering dust in his office for 20 years, and he never used them again after becoming TheEmperor. Vader borrowed one for a time before crafting his own and regarded them as antiques.
58	** In ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'' lightsabers in general were once this, as their early designs required the use of large battery packs that made them AwesomeButImpractical. Ironically it was the Sith who refined them into a viable weapon around the time of their first [[TheEmpire Empire]].
59	* One of the bad guys in ''Film/SwampThing'' wears ammunition belts over both shoulders. He never picks up a gun during the film.
60	* In ''Film/{{Yojimbo}}'', the villain Unosuke wears a katana for show but does all his fighting with a revolver.
61	[[/folder]]
62
63	[[folder:Literature]]
64	* In ''Literature/TheBridgeKingdomArchives'' a married woman from Maridrina is supposed to wear two ornamental daggers, which ''her husband'' is supposed to use to protect her honor. [[TheProtagonist Lara]] gets her set when she gets married as a part of [[AltarDiplomacy peace treaty]] and they are really beautiful, their handles and scabbards are set with famous Maridrinian rubies. Subverted in that [[spoiler: they are only a decoration, real weapons, small throwing knives, are cleverly hidden inside their handles]].
65	* ''Literature/TheHungerGames'': Subverted with Katniss' bow. After all, just because it's pretty doesn't mean it can't be deadly.
66	* The BigBad in the ''Literature/LeftBehind'' series of books carries one of these during the war of [[TheEndoftheWorldAsWeKnowIt Armageddon]]. The sword is constructed to appear TooAwesomeToUse, so it just gets waved around a lot. The books make it clear that when the BigBad really needs to kill somebody, [[WhyDontYaJustShootHim he uses a gun]].
67	* In ''Literature/MonstrousRegiment'', Maledict carries a sword he doesn't know how to use. As a vampire, he doesn't need one, but people see the sword and don't attack him.
68	* ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'': In Bree, Strider reveals that he's wearing a sword, and claims that if he wanted the Ring, he could just take it - but he doesn't, and he pledges instead to help Frodo and his companions. Then he draws his sword, revealing that it's broken.
69	-> '''Strider:''' Not much use is it, Sam? But the time is near when it shall be forged anew.
70	* ''Literature/{{Temeraire}}'': In ''Throne of Jade'':
71	** One of these almost gets Captain Lawrence killed when he gets pulled away from a formal occasion to face combat still wearing his dress sword. It's still a live blade, but it's a ''lot'' flimsier than a service weapon and comes perilously close to breaking.
72	** Near the end of the book, Temeraire gifts Laurence an antique Chinese dao adorned with images of dragons in gold and jewels to replace his old broken dress-sword. This winds up being a subversion when Laurence swings it at a man's neck a book later, much to his reluctance, and it [[AbsurdlySharpBlade effortlessly slices the dude's head off]].
73	* ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'': Power-forged weapons look like this because they have been enchanted to never break, rust, or need sharpening. One character mentions that over the thousands of years since his sword had been made his family has only had to replace the hilt.
74	[[/folder]]
75
76	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
77	* The BigBad of Season Five of ''Series/{{Arrow}}'', Prometheus, carries a bow and quiver on his back. When it comes to actual killing, however, he relies on his chokuto and shuriken.
78	* In ''Series/GameOfThrones'', Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish is a minor noble who manages the books for the Seven Kingdoms and carries a dagger on his belt instead of a full-length sword. He is not expected to use it, and only once draws it to threaten Ned Stark.
79	[[/folder]]
80
81	[[folder:Podcasts]]
82	* ''Podcast/TheAdventureZoneBalance'': Taako the wizard intends to carry the [[InfinityPlusOneSword Flaming Poisoning Raging Sword of Doom]] around as a scary prop after [[spoiler:swindling it away from Garfield.]] In the end, [[spoiler: he gives it to Magnus, a fighter who can actually wield it.]]
83	[[/folder]]
84
85	[[folder:Pro Wrestling]]
86	* Ricky "The Rocket" Roberts, who has appeared in the Florida branch of All Pro Wrestling, used brass knuckles as his belt buckle.
87	* Dementia D'Rose carries around a rather large knife because it looks pretty. She'd rather fight barehanded, and if she needs a weapon, it will likely be [[ImprovisedWeapon a random object]] or her signature [[EpicFlail ball n'chain]].[[/folder]]
88
89	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
90	* ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'':
91	** Sun-Tsu Laio, ruler of the Capellan Confederation piloted a [[BlingOfWar blinged out]] Emperor Battlemech that he never actually took into combat. Any time he took it out, it was only after the battlefield had been secured and no actual threats remained. The few times that it was deployed in real combat, one of his elite Death Commandos piloted it in his place while wearing a disguise so that people thought he was in it.
92	** The Flashfire, a light mech designed for use in the GladiatorGames of Solaris 7, featured a cosmetic gun housing in its right arm that had no actual to make it look more impressive and heavily armed than it actually was.
93	* The ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' card Garrison Sergeant has the following flavor text: "In the Legion, no flagpole is merely decorative, and every ceremonial sword bears an edge." The Boros Legion, the military forces of Ravnica, are CrazyPrepared when it comes to combat, and so when they are marching in a parade their ceremonial weapons are anything but.
94	* Many miniatures are sculpted with more weapons on them than they are actually designed to use in the game. ''TabletopGame/{{Malifaux}}'' is a big offender here, with many figures wearing multiple revolvers but only having a few attacks to use in the game, none of which involve all, or sometimes any, of them.
95	* Almost everyone in ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' has one, such as Chaos sorcerer staves, Tau bonding knives...
96	[[/folder]]
97
98	[[folder:Video Games]]
99	* In ''Pocket VideoGame/{{Bomberman}}'', our hero is seen in garb reminiscent of a Roman soldier. He has the sword and everything! He is even seen unsheathing it and [[StabTheSky holding it up heroically to the sky!]] But can he use it on any one of the dozens of monsters that are out to maul him? No.
100	* ''VideoGame/ChampionsOnline'' allows the player to customize their costume including some weaponry such as daggers on the belt or a sword slung across the back. However, because these are costume items, they merely show up on the player avatar and don't get any particular use (not even if you have the same weapon as what you're carrying).
101	* ''VideoGame/CrisisCore'':
102	** Angeal Hewley from carries a gigantic Buster Sword around him on missions, but only maybe uses it a handful of times. Zack even comments on it during the mission in Fort Tamblin (dialogue not exact):
103	--->'''Zack:''' I've never seen you actually use that thing. Don't you think it's sort of a waste?\
104	'''Angeal:''' Use brings about wear, tear, and rust -- and that's a ''real'' waste.
105	** Of course the other half of the reason is that the Buster Sword "is heavy and unwieldy", as an extra scene (in Zack's DMW) reveals. Even Zack is too clumsy to use it effectively (it pulls him off balance, he swings it slowly, and momentum is hard to stop)[[labelnote:*]]The only person that's actually able to use the Buster Sword ''effectively'' is ''Cloud''[[/labelnote]]. ''Crisis Core'' actually deconstructs some iconic elements from the sub-series for laughs like that…
106	** The Buster Sword did end up getting rusted... [[spoiler:when Cloud used it as [[WeaponTombstone Zack's gravestone]].]] But not anymore; [[spoiler:the new ending to ''Advent Children Complete'' reveals that Cloud polished and repaired it, and used it as a memorial in Aerith's church, overlooking Aerith's Lake (that contains the Great Gospel)]].
107	* In the arcade beat-em-up ''VideoGame/DDCrew'', one of your enemies is a military-type who carries a large machine gun. At no point does he ever fire it, preferring to kick you instead.
108	* Ryu Hayabusa's sword in the ''VideoGame/DeadOrAlive'' series. Same goes for Hayate's and Kasumi's swords. This was averted in the [[VideoGame/DeadOrAlive6 sixth numbered game]].
109	* Any equippable weapon in either ''VideoGame/DragonballXenoverse'' or [[VideoGame/DragonballXenoverse2 its sequel]] falls into this category, as the player will either not use a weapon at all, or the weapon will materialize in their hands when needed, and vanish after use (for example, if the player is using either Shining Slash or Burning Slash, Trunks' sword techniques).
110	** Android 17 also has his pistol, which is unused in the game. Since the player can equip [[AndYourRewardIsClothes #17s' pants]] that come with the sidearm (unless the players' top prevents it from appearing), it applies to them too.
111	* In ''VideoGame/DragonQuestSwords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors'', your partners carry weapons with them but don't actually use them, leaving you to do all of the heavy lifting while they provide assistance with magic. At least you never have to update their gear yourself, they get better stuff as they level up.
112	* Minfilia in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' carries a Mythril Dagger that is imbued with materia for enhanced power. However, due to her being more of a political figure than an actual fighter, she never uses the knife at all and she also doesn't use it in the times where she is captured.
113	* In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'', some classes are guilty of this. Assassins have extra daggers strapped to their wrists and Swordmasters are carrying two extra sheaths, yet they will never use these extra weapons even if all the weapons in their inventory break.
114	* In ''VideoGame/FreedomFighters2003'', Christopher Stone gets a knife on his left shoulder, but his only CQC weapon is his [[WrenchWhack wrench]].
115	* In his GuestFighter appearance in ''VideoGame/FridayNightFunkin'', VideoGame/{{Pico}} keeps his signature uzi in his hand at all times. But since this is a RhythmGame, he doesn't actually use it at any point, at least until Week 7.
116	* Marcus Fenix of ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'' fame carried a knife on his right boot but is never used. [[spoiler:He finally uses it in the third game to kill Queen Myrrah]].
117	* Assassins from ''VideoGame/GuildWars'' are extremely guilty of this. Many armor sets (including the no-armor-equipped underwear, for women) feature several daggers strapped all over their body that are only textured on, not even in model. The assassin hero Anton is even worse: he prominently wears three [[KatanasAreJustBetter katanas]] on his back that [[GameplayAndStorySegregation he never uses]].
118	* ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'':
119	** ''VideoGame/Halo3'' has an unlockable katana that can be worn on the back. It naturally cannot be used in-game. Also, the CQB armor has a knife on the front of the chest which cannot be used.
120	** Averted in ''VideoGame/HaloReach'', where the knife on a character's shoulder can be used for assassinations. However, it's played straight with the Security armor, which has a large kukri on its right shoulder that forever remains unused.
121	* ''VideoGame/HeroesOfTheStorm'': Anduin wields his father's sword, Shalamayne, but leaves it on his back 99% of the time. Even when he's attacking an enemy in melee, he still shoots holy energy at them. The only animations where he even holds it involve him essentially waving it around like a MagicWand. This does make some sense though -- he's a [[SquishyWizard Priest]] and not a Warrior, and was pretty bad at using the sword in ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft''.
122	* The Demon Blade sub-class from ''VideoGame/{{Kritika}}'' carries a broadsword on his back, but actually fights using katana.
123	* No matter what he has equipped, Dagran in ''VideoGame/TheLastStory'' always carries a small sword at his belt. [[JustifiedTrope This is later explained]] as being the first sword Dagran ever bought, and it is, in fact, meant to be an ornamental weapon--Dagran just wears it for sentimental reasons.
124	* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda''
125	** A variation is done in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast''. Sahasrahla's sprite doesn't show him with a sword, but he tells Link he has one and admits he's too weak to use it anyway.
126	** Ganondorf has a short sword (or long dagger) strapped to his leg in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'', but never draws it. He stops wearing it in the BadFuture.
127	** Subverted in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess''. Ganondorf carries the Sword of the Six Sages as a trophy from his escape from execution but finally resorts to using it after losing to Link in his Ganon form.
128	** Tetra the young pirate captain in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'' carries a cutlass but never uses it except in ''VideoGame/HyruleWarriors''.
129	** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'':
130	*** Prince Sidon wears a sword on his hip, but like all the other [[FishPeople Zora]] he favors the spear in actual combat.
131	*** The Royal Guard weapons the player can collect are basically this. These [[BlingOfWar fancy and highly-decorative weapons]] do a great deal of damage, but are extremely fragile and don't last long. Their description even explicitly calls them ceremonial weapons, so they were likely never intended to actually be used as practical weapons, but for display purposes.
132	* Aeolus from ''VideoGame/MegaManZX Advent'' carries a sword with him all the time, but he never uses it in combat.
133	** Although, from the transformation sequence, it appears that the sword is used as the base for his transformed model's swords, hence a reason to carry it around with him.
134	* In ''Videogame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance'', Raiden has a knife sheathed alongside his HF Blade. You get to stare at it plenty with the game's third-person camera angle but it is never drawn; even when his sword is snapped in two, Raiden attempts to use the remaining stump instead of the knife.
135	* In three of the ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' games (''[[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeadlyAlliance Deadly Alliance]]'', ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeception Deception]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombatArmageddon Armageddon]]'') Raiden wears a ''saya'' (katana scabbard) on his alternate costumes, but he never actually uses a sword.
136	* Occasionally happens in ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}''. Soldier: 76 has a pistol on his belt that he never uses, and Roadhog what appears to be a sawn-off shotgun (''not'' his Scrap Gun) slung across his back. Genji has a sword that is decorative for 99% of the time, except when he uses his ultimate ability, which begs the question: wouldn't a sword be more effective than shurikens, even without the powered-up dragon that accompanies it in his ultimate?
137	** Ana and Widowmaker likewise have spikes on their arm to stabilize their weapons while sniping, although they never get used in-game (because you can't rest your arm on anything to stabilize).
138	* In ''VideoGame/Persona4Arena'', Akihiko has a knife strapped to his hip that he never uses. The shoulder holster is probably holding his [[VideoGame/{{Persona 3}} Evoker]], which isn't really a weapon.
139	* Jack Russell of ''VideoGame/RadiataStories'' is seen carrying around his father's giant sword, the Arbitrator, as a keepsake since he himself can't use it. Unless Jack gets promoted in [[MultipleEndings the Fairy Path]], he will never get to use it.
140	* In the first ''VideoGame/SamuraiWarriors'' game, Shingen Takeda has a katana sheathed on his belt, which he never uses. Looking closely at it reveals that it's actually chained to the scabbard. This was removed from subsequent costumes. In the second and third games, Mitsunari Ishida keeps an unused dagger sheathed hanging out the front of his coat.
141	* Many weapons in ''Videogame/SecondLife'' don't actually do anything unless they are specifically scripted. While scripted weapons are available, unless you are in a roleplay or combat sim most swords, guns, hammers et cetera are only for decoration.
142	* In the ''VideoGame/SoulSeries'', customizable characters will sometimes get some. In 4, there is a pirate's belt that has a pistol on it, as well as gloves that have a claw on it. The only fighting is done with weapons.
143	* Adray from ''VideoGame/StarOceanTillTheEndOfTime'' equips and prominently carries around a katana, but most of his attacks are a combination of magic and punches and he never takes it out of its sheath.
144	* Dios, the commander of the Harmonian army in ''VideoGame/SuikodenIII'' is challenged to a duel at one point, and rather sheepishly admits that his sword is ornamental.
145	* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'':
146	** Ganondorf's sword, which is only used for a victory pose in ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee Melee]]'' and a taunt in ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl Brawl]]'', and is otherwise kept in {{Hammerspace}}. Finally used in ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU Smash 4]]'': One of his alternative special attacks is conjuring the sword and stabbing with it, instead of his insanely powerful Warlock Punch. ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'' also allows him to use his sword for his smash attacks.
147	** Captain Falcon and Snake have guns on their person if you look closely (the former has had his since the [[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros64 N64 original]], while the latter has had his since ''Brawl''), but naturally they don't get any use either. Sheik also carries a short sword or long dagger on her person but it likewise isn't used.
148	*** ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate Ultimate]]'' zigzags this in Sheik's case. Though she doesn't have the sword on her person, she finally wields it as her [[LimitBreak Final Smash]], [[BladeSpam Sheikah Dance]].
149	* ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'':
150	** ''VideoGame/TalesOfDestiny'':
151	*** Philia Felice's [[TalkingWeapon Swordian]], Clemente, is a {{BFS}}, that, despite his size, is blunt (Philia even hugs the blade in one artwork) and very light, making him almost useless as an actual sword. Philia uses him mostly to get access to magic.
152	*** Mary Argent always has a shortsword on her, that she keeps as a memento. In fact, her main weapon type is axes, and in the remake, she can't even ''use'' any swords.
153	** ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'': Presea has a dagger on her belt, but never uses it - her real weapon is a huge axe. It, however, might be a utility tool.
154	** In ''VideoGame/TalesOfXillia'', Alvin eventually takes a second gun that was a family heirloom but never uses it. Averted in [[VideoGame/TalesOfXillia2 the sequel]], where he finally gets to use it in one of his arcane artes. Aside from that, there are [[AndYourRewardIsClothes various decorations]] that take the form of weapons to be placed on your characters, which of course cannot be used.
155	** Rokurou in ''VideoGame/TalesOfBerseria'' is extremely attached to his greatsword Stormhowl, despite using a pair of daggers in combat instead and deflecting whenever Velvet tries to ask why he doesn't use the bigger weapon. [[spoiler:It's actually broken inside the sheath with only a few inches of blade attached to the handle. He carries it for sentimental/motivational reasons. He eventually does get an intact Stormquell that he pulls out for his final Break Soul and level 3 [[LimitBreak Mystic Arte]].]]
156	* In ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'', Pyro's bandolier has napalm grenades and the Soldier's belt has frag grenades. The former are always useless and the latter are only used in the Soldier's SuicideAttack taunt. Grenades were prominent in ''VideoGame/TeamFortressClassic'' but were DummiedOut in ''[=TF2=]''.
157	* In ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}} 6'', there is a [[VirtualPaperDoll character customization feature]] that lets you equip your characters with sheathed weapons, only for looks or stats in campaign mode. Occasionally subverted, as there are a few weapons that do allow a character to make an extra attack if they've got the weapon equipped, [[GuideDangIt but the game doesn't tell which they are or how to perform the bonus moves]].
158	** Most {{Fighting Game}}s that focus strictly on hand-to-hand combat do this, usually when there's ninjas.
159	* Speaking of which, ninja Kagemaru in ''VideoGame/VirtuaFighter'' can have a sword. DrunkenMaster Shun Di can have a hermit staff as well.
160	[[/folder]]
161
162	[[folder:Webcomics]]
163	* Strobe from ''Webcomic/DemonFist'' has that huge sword on his back, but fistfights his enemies. Apparently he swore an oath or something not to use it.
164	* NJ from ''Webcomic/ElectricWonderland'' always carries a katana despite having no formal training on how to fight with it.
165	[[/folder]]
166
167	[[folder:Web Original]]
168	* ''Website/SCPFoundation'': [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-572 SCP-572]] is a replica sword in a fantasy style, which, when held, produces a major mind-control effect, whereupon people will become convinced of its superior balance and sharpness, of which it really has neither, being purely a decorative piece. It also compels them to perform insane stunts with it (all while convincing them they can), such as deflecting bullets with the blade, taking on trained swordsmen with real swords, and cutting moving cars in half. Due to the prevalence of unnecessary blades facing in odd directions, the slightest swing will result in injury to the user. Fortunately, upon removing the sword from the holder with tongs, the psychological effects can be instantly redacted by [[DopeSlap a smack on the head]].
169	[[/folder]]
170
171	[[folder:Western Animation]]
172	* ''WesternAnimation/ExtremeDinosaurs'': Spike and Bullzeye have blasters on their arms and T-Bone has shoulder-mounted cannons. These weapons have no function other than decoration.
173	* ''WesternAnimation/GIJoeARealAmericanHero'': Roughly half the members of G.I. Joe are equipped with some kind of combat webbing or utility belt laden with grenades, sidearms, knives, or other equipment. Out of the entire series, they have actually been ''used'' maybe twice.
174	[[/folder]]
175
176	[[folder:Real Life]]
177	* Older-model rifles that have been replaced as general-issue might be retained for ceremonial use by certain units.
178	** The USMC Silent Drill Platoon carries the WWII-vintage M1 Garand. Three reasons why: tradition, [[RuleOfCool it looks awesome]], and it is far more well-balanced than a modern rifle (and thus better for twirling around without accidentally smacking somebody in the face).
179	** The US Army's Tomb Sentinels at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier wield M14 rifles, conspicuously missing the magazine--though the Sentinels will often have a concealed pistol locked and loaded. Their bayonets however, are not something you want pointed towards you.
180	** The Simonov SKS saw only brief frontline service as the Soviet Union's standard rifle before it was supplanted by the AK, but remains a common sight at Russian parades and memorials.
181	* The Lee-Enfield Mk 3/4 bolt action rifle that was the British Army's mainstay for nearly seventy years is retained by some units for neither combat nor ceremonials. Long obsolete for front-line use, this rifle is used as extra weight for recruit soldiers and others detailed to take on assault courses in full kit: simply because the issue front-line rifle is too delicate (and expensive) to withstand continual bashing, battering, immersion in mud and water and frequently being dropped by ham-fisted recruits. Rather an old heavy weapon designed to be exceedingly forgiving to rough treatment, and which will never be fired in action again, takes all the impacts of hard dirty training -- and it also weighs heavier than the SA-80.
182	* Swords have been this for a long time and in certain situations (like a formal officers party, perhaps) to this day.
183	** In the 18th century, a well-dressed gentleman was almost required to carry a smallsword on his hip, though carrying a walking stick was an acceptable alternative.
184	** US Marines in full dress uniform carry swords, in respect to the sense of tradition that pervades the entire Corps. These are only for the most formal of formal occasions, however: a Marine in full dress for a party likely won't be carrying the sword. Marines have to buy their swords out of their paycheck, though at a heavy discount. Apparently they are functional though, and many jokes (like [[http://terminallance.com/2014/01/17/terminal-lance-302-pirate-sword/ this one]] from ''Webcomic/TerminalLance'') have been made about [[AwesomeButImpractical actually carrying one into combat.]]
185	** US Navy officers still sometimes wear swords with their Full Dress Whites and Blues, that is, with [[BlingOfWar medals]]. Like the Marines, they have to buy them out-of-pocket, although some are handed down to a junior officer from a senior officer. If an occasion calls for commissioned officers to wear swords, Chief Petty Officers will wear cutlasses. Thankfully, they are only required for officers above a certain grade, and training units, like the [[MilitaryAcademy Naval Academy]] or Officer Candidate School, will have a number that can be used by the students.
186	** British infantry officers carried swords in combat until the early months of UsefulNotes/WorldWarI. The move away from swords was prompted by [[StraightForTheCommander enemy snipers targeting the one guy waving a sword]].
187	** Until the end of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, Japanese officers were required to wear swords. They originally carried ''kyū-guntō'' ("old military sword" in Japanese), which resembled Western cavalry sabers, until a nationalist movement demanded a more traditional katana shape. Most of the resulting katanas, called ''shin-guntō'' ("new military sword") were simply mass-produced pieces of machined steel with an edge ground into them. The swords also made it easy for enemy soldiers [[StraightForTheCommander to spot (and snipe) Japanese officers from a distance]].
188	** Royal regalia/crown jewels frequently include a sword. This sword is almost always heavily decorated and is rarely used as an actual weapon of war (except perhaps as a bludgeon, since they are almost invariably very heavy). The British Crown Jewels feature not one, not two, but ''six'' swords, none less than 200 years old, and most dating from the 17th century. [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtana One of them]] is intentionally blunted for symbolism's sake.
189	* Ceremonial maces are a common one in government and academia. The elaborate decoration at the "top" of the mace is actually a descendant of the decorative "button" occasionally included at the ''bottom'' of historical [[CarryABigStick maces intended for fighting]]. Today, they are most commonly found resting in the debating chambers of legislatures, where they symbolize the body's right to assemble and make law for the State; while they are heavy enough to [[BloodOnTheDebateFloor cause mayhem if actually used as weapons]], they are generally only ever picked up and swung threateningly (either by the sergeant-at-arms or equivalent, to remind a particularly unruly member that they could be thrown out bodily for being disruptive, or by an unruly member to show that they are particularly passionate about the issue at hand).
190	* The Swiss Guard and their polearms. Yes, they are sharp, and yes, the guy in the ridiculous-looking Renaissance costume with the spear does have a modern automatic weapon tucked into those balloon pants.
191	* In the Ottoman Empire it was expected that a noble be allowed to keep his personal sidearm at all times, even at formal parties. This got a bit dicey when personal weapons shifted from swords to pistols. In the end, it was compromised with highly ornamental pistols, that usually couldn't shoot (although they were heavy enough to be used as a blackjack and many had a blade under the barrel).
192	* Many weapons in the Arms and Armor gallery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or any other art museum that displays weaponry, were probably ornamental weapons (and some are ''known'' to have been ornamental weapons, like an Ottoman sultan's investiture sword). Swords that the average person carried into battle rarely survived to be museum-quality art.
193	* Several American Civil War generals never drew their swords, not even to command their men. One is said to have had his sword rust in the scabbard, while another didn't even bother taking one with him, instead strapping an umbrella to his waist.
194	* Souvenir and decoration swords fall under this by definition. Weapon enthusiasts call these blades [=SLO=]s ("Sword-Like Objects"). They're vaguely sword-shaped, are ornamental, and certainly look flashy. But looking cool is all they're good for since they're too weakly built to actually use in combat. [=SLOs=], more often than not, are horribly balanced, made from inferior materials (such as stainless steel, which is prone to shatter when used on anything longer than a kitchen knife and can't keep its edge for a long time), and either over-tempered to be too stiff or not tempered at all. One notorious "feature" common to [=SLO=]s is a thin welded-on tang attaching the blade to the handle. A quality sword suited for combat should have a tang that's integral to the blade, and preferably a full tang that extends down the full length of the handle. As a result, this small tang (derisively known as a "rat-tail tang") is very prone to snap off if the blade hits anything. Some [=SLOs=] have tangs built so badly that they can break just from ''swinging it through the air''. Using a blade with such construction for anything other than display can be outright dangerous to the person holding it. They are purely wall-hangers and nothing else; anyone who attempts to use an SLO like a real sword would have more luck injuring their opponent if they were using a butter knife.
195	* One of the five major tenets of UsefulNotes/{{Sikhism}} is that adherents must carry a dagger -- as this has naturally presented problems as times change, workarounds such as this, daggers that are locked into the sheaths, and even images of daggers have been developed.
196	[[/folder]]

Context Main / OrnamentalWeapon