Line #200 Main/SwordFight


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4	[[quoteright:350:[[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanTheCurseOfTheBlackPearl https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_pirates-of-the-caribbean-sword-fight_388.jpg]]]]
5	[[caption-width-right:350:[[VideoGame/Uncharted4 En garde, dickhead.]]]]
6
7	->'''Wilfred Woodruff:''' You should know that I was thrice named ultimate sword master at the Southern Area Regional Volunteer Infantry Reenactment Regiment!\
8	'''Ned:''' ''I'' wanted to be a Jedi!
9	-->-- ''Series/PushingDaisies'', "[[Recap/PushingDaisiesS1E3TheFunInFuneral The Fun in Funeral]]"
10
11	[[RoyalRapier Rapiers]], [[MacheteMayhem cutlasses]], [[KatanasAreJustBetter katanas]], [[{{BFS}} two-handers]], {{Laser Blade}}s, whatever. At times, a goodie and a baddie just have to have a one-on-one fight, with UsefulNotes/{{Swords}}. Sometimes even two heroes might cross blades in a sporting, non-lethal match, to work out a kink in their {{Bromance}}.
12
13	In any given story, [[HeroesPreferSwords the main character is fairly likely to be somewhat proficient with a sword]]. In stories, this is true frm settings ranging from antiquity to the middle ages to the Victorian era, to futuristic sci-fi planets (though in the sci-fi setting, the sword may be a laser blade). Sword fights are depicted in literature, TV shows, films, video games, anime, and certain sci-fi-fantasy stories. In PeriodPiece stories, large segments of the population are shown to prefer swords as their primary weapons, over any firearms that may be available. This is true even in many cases where it would be far more intelligent to use a firearm. In warrior societies (e.g. Samurai), this may be due to a warrior's code.
14
15	Bonus points when it's a modern setting such as late 20th century or early 21st century, and using a blade is AwesomeButImpractical because you NeverBringAKnifeToAGunFight and the hero is far less likely to possess the training needed to use a sword. Exactly why this is the case varies. In some settings, swords offer advantages [[GunsAreWorthless that guns do not]]. Perhaps the predominant point-defensive system is effective against ranged weaponry and not against blades, à la ''Franchise/{{Dune}}''. Sometimes the enemy and duelists are [[ImmuneToBullets invulnerable to ranged weapons]], such as through using the Force or ImplausibleFencingPowers to deflect bullets, which means that they must battle in close-range with formalized sword martial arts that counteract this invulnerability. Perhaps it is a [[DuelToTheDeath formalized duel]] where modern weapons are forbidden by an honor code. Maybe there's another consideration, like the risk of gunfire damaging, for example, the delicate electronics or hull of the CoolStarship. Perhaps due to a gas leak, or a high-value hostage nearby, no guns can be used. Or perhaps the people using swords or edged weapons are just ''that'' [[RuleOfCool cool]], à la [[Franchise/StarWars the Jedi]]. Sometimes, of course, it is left unexplained.
16
17	A similar trope results when two characters choose to battle each other [[GoodOldFisticuffs with their bare hands]], for absolutely no reason at all. Even if one of them (usually the hero) has a gun, he will throw it away, preferring to show honor and have the visceral satisfaction (and added chance of failure) of beating his rival's face in. Again, this has no practical value in nearly all cases.
18
19	Unfortunately, even when use of swords is justified, it is usually [[{{Flynning}} done unrealistically]]. RuleOfCool fight-choreography, and safety guidelines that minimize hazard to actors have led to [[TheCoconutEffect a wide acceptance]] of the unrealistic image of swordplay.
20
21	'''Common sub-tropes:'''
22	[[index]]
23	* AudibleSharpness
24	* BarehandedBladeBlock
25	* BladeLock
26	* CutlassBetweenTheTeeth
27	* DualWielding
28	* {{Flynning}}
29	* ImplausibleFencingPowers
30	* ReverseGrip
31	* SliceAndDiceSwordsmanship
32	* SwordDrag
33	* SwordLimbo
34	* SwordLines
35	* SwordOverHead
36	* SwordSparks
37	* ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks
38	* WeaponStomp
39	* YouFightLikeACow
40
41	[[/index]]
42
43	Compare KnifeFight.
44	----
45	!!Examples
46
47	[[foldercontrol]]
48
49	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
50	* In ''Anime/TheVisionOfEscaflowne'', much of the fighting is done with swords, whether it's people or Main/HumongousMecha.
51	* Happens to [[{{Ronin}} Hatz]] from ''Webcomic/TowerOfGod'' several times.
52	* ''Anime/GreatMazinger'' -the sequel to ''Anime/MazingerZ''- was the first HumongousMecha used swords like weapon (even before ''Anime/VoltesV'' or ''Anime/GoLion''). TheHero Tetsuya was quite proficient using them, and he even did DualWield. Naturally he had several sword duels throughout the series, the most famous and most fondly remembered against TheDragon Great General of Darkness.
53	* Mobile suits in ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'', in addition to their gun and missile armaments, are usually also equipped with some type of sword, usually an energy saber. [[spoiler: At the end of [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam the original series]], the main character Amuro Ray and his rival Char Aznable had an honest sword (rather rapier) fight in the middle of the collapsing A Baoa Qu.]]
54	** Similarly, early in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing'', [[ArrogantKungFuGuy Wu Fei]] gets out of his Gundam to have a fair swordfight with [[MagnificentBastard Trieze]]. [[spoiler:He loses.]]
55	** And ''Anime/TurnAGundam'' [[spoiler:ends with [[BigBad Gym Ghingham]] throwing [[TheHero Loran]] a katana and them getting into a duel as their mobile suits are spraying GreyGoo all over the place.]]
56	* A staple of ''Manga/RurouniKenshin'', since the good guy is a swordsman, though he's also a TechnicalPacifist so a lot less fights end with exsanguinating villains than you'd expect.
57	* Most fights in ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'', since the primary power source of a Shinigami is their swords. That being said, many fights that are sword-on-sword haven't yet become actual fights, since most characters' weapons change as they power up.
58	* ''Manga/{{X1999}}''. With living swords for the end of the world, no less.
59	* In ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'', Akane and Kuno duel with swords twice: in the first instance, she comes at him with a rapier, and Kuno quickly proves why "It's foolishness to challenge the Blue Thunder with a sword!" The second time, it's during a formal Kendo tournament where she's in disguise, so he goes all-out against her. She holds her own much better, however.
60	* ''Manga/OnePiece'' has about one per arc to showcase Zoro's three-sword style - he has declared that he will refuse to back down from any enemy swordsman and gets plenty of chances to put his money where his mouth is. Enemy pirate crews seem to have top-notch swordsmen often enough that it would fall into ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman for Zoro if it didn't make a lot of sense.
61	* [[Manga/FullMetalAlchemist Ling Yao's]] fight with Bradley.
62	* ''Manga/TheFiveStarStories'' is loaded with these.
63	* ''Anime/{{Hakuouki}}'' features at least one of these per episode, though given that this is a UsefulNotes/{{Shinsengumi}}-based story, it should come as no surprise.
64	* ''Anime/SamuraiChamploo'' tends to be either Mugen/Jin facing a large number of mooks with swords, fighting a proficient master or each other, or fighting someone with an unusual-but-still-edged weapon.
65	* Happens fairly often in ''Anime/SamuraiSeven'', even against giant mecha!
66	* ''Anime/{{Bakugan}}'':
67	** In ''New Vestroia'', while the Bakugan system is down, Spectra draws an ability card which activates a beam sword in the gauntlets and duels with Dan. It ends in a draw.
68	** In a later episode, Spectra and Mylene have a duel as well. As before, it ends in a draw, but unlike the first time, only one party escapes. Mylene and Shadow are sent to the ends of the dimension.
69	** In ''Mechtanium Surge'', Dan and Mag Mel (Barodius) have an energy sword fight, but it (once again) ends in a draw.
70	* In ''Anime/KirbyRightBackAtYa'', Kirby transforms into sword Kirby against a monster with sword claws on its hands; the fight ends with Kirby using Galaxia's Sword Beam.
71	* When Guts isn't fighting demons in ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'', he's squaring off against other swordsmen. This is especially true in the Hawks arc, which has a number of duels among the main characters.
72	* In ''Manga/SoulEater'' the final fight between Black Star and Mifune in the manga ends with this.
73	* ''Anime/SwordOfTheStranger'' culminates in one of the most technically impressive fight scenes ever animated.
74	* ''Literature/SwordArtOnline'': The players use swordplay in their fighting. No {{Flynning}} here in the original story arc as players [[spoiler: are trapped in this virtual MMORPG]] and must literally fight their way through many enemies. In a later story arc in the light novels in another virtual game where guns are the primary weapon, the hero still prefers a sword. As TheAce, [[ImplausibleFencingPowers he makes it work.]]
75	* In ''Anime/PanzerWorldGalient'', many main characters and antagonists use swords, and many HumongousMecha (such like the titular giant robot) are equipped with swords. There're a lot of instances of sword duels, such like the scuffle between [[ActionGirl Hilmuka]] and [[TheDragon Hy Shaltat]] in the fifth episode.
76	* ''Anime/YuYuHakusho'':
77	** Hiei is a MasterSwordsman but ironically is only seen fighting another swordsman twice in the entire show. Once a flashback where he had a DramaticNecklaceRemoval and another when fighting Shigure, the man who taught how to wield a sword properly.
78	** Shishi and Kuwabara also fight each other and both use swords, however in their battle neither one of them uses theirs.
79	* ''Manga/{{Gamaran}}'': Given the setting and the Ogame School being a Ryuu of Kenjutsu, swordfights abound, such as Gama vs the Hyuga Brothers, Shinnojo Sakura vs Masaku Nikaido, Iori vs Tsurumaru Shinsuke or Gama vs Riko.
80	* In ''Manga/TheLegendOfZeldaFourSwords2004'', Green and Vio have a match while [[spoiler: Vio is pretending to betray their group. While Green is able to get the upper hand at first, Vio manages to overpower him with a series of blows before non-lethally taking him out with a pommel strike]].
81	[[/folder]]
82
83	[[folder:Comic Books]]
84	* During ''ComicBook/TheSupergirlFromKrypton2004'', ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} and Amazon Artemis train in a sword match overseen by Wonder Woman.
85	* ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'':
86	** [[http://atomicwanderers.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/batman-244-scorpion.jpg This climactic sword fight]] concludes the ComicBook/RasAlGhul arc, fought between a [[WalkingShirtlessScene shirtless]] Batman and Ra's al-Ghul (Batman still has his cowl on). The fight drags on for the better part of the day, and [[DiabolusExMachina only ends when a scorpion stings Batman]]. ComicBook/TaliaAlGhul lingers behind to give Batman the antidote, and that and HeroicWillpower drag him back to Ra's's tent, [[http://atomicwanderers.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/rasalghul_bythegods.jpg causing the latter to exclaim]]:
87	--->'''Ra's al-Ghul''': ''By the '''gods'''! You pursue me past your '''dying...'''! Are you '''man'''...or '''fiend from hell'''?''\
88	'''Batman''': [[TalkToTheFist One Punch]]
89	** Ra's al Ghul gets into a swordfight with his grandson Ibn al Xu'ffasch near the end of ''[[ComicBook/TheKingdomDCComics The Kingdom: Son of the Bat]]''. Ra's loses to Ibn in the duel.
90	** Ra's also got into a swordfight with ComicBook/{{Nightwing}} when Batman was believed to be dead. Nightwing won...[[CombatPragmatist by kicking him in the face]].
91	** Ra's has a sword vs. staff fight against Tim in ''ComicBook/RedRobin''. Ra's wins, but Tim knew he couldn't win the fight going in, he was just there to keep Ra's busy and prevent him from realizing Tim had thoroughly dismantled Ra's' master stroke until it was too late for Ra's to do anything about it.
92	* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1987'': Diana and Medusa have a couple of sword fights. The first one in the White House and the second on live television with Ares overseeing the formal duel to the death.
93	[[/folder]]
94
95	[[folder:Comic Strips]]
96	* ''ComicStrip/DanDare: Dan was a very successful amateur fencer. This proved invaluable to him when he became the first person ever to beat the Saturnian rebel leader Tharl in a duel. (Tharl was secretly on his side and was just testing him to see if he was a fighter, but Dan didn't know that).
97	[[/folder]]
98
99	[[folder:Fan Works]]
100	* A number in ''Fanfic/WithStringsAttached''--not involving the protagonists, though--the most notable being when As'taris fights Aurion; the latter wins when she zaps As with her pink sword, which seemingly turns him into her adoring slave. [[spoiler: Since he helped ''make'' that sword, unbeknownst to her, he's immune to it and [[ForTheLulz just screwing with her]].]] Also, when As fights the brought-to-life statue of “Biggus Dickus,” who is fighting back with his [[GagPenis leg-long penis]].
101	* [[http://kleinerkiller.deviantart.com/gallery/41037509 Yognapped]], being set in the world of Minecraft, naturally has loads of them. Lewis's battle with [[spoiler: his homicidal clone]] is a notable example.
102	* Many in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11298331/1/A-different-weasel-makes-a-difference A different weasel makes a difference]]'', given the time period.
103	** Special mention however goes to the duel between Stannis and Euron, which is a BattleHaltingDuel and remembered by those who saw it as "one of the most epic sword fights they ever watched."
104	** Defied in the "fight" between Euron and Aegon is explicitly described as ''not'' being an epic duel. Euron is an experienced raider and fighter and Aegon had never fought a true life and death battle before. It was over in less than a minute.
105	[[/folder]]
106
107	[[folder:Films -- Animated]]
108	* ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooAndTheSamuraiSword'' features a sword fight between the Black Samurai and Scoob and Shaggy, Scooby won by using the tremendous horse-cut technique.
109	* ''WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfTintin2011''. Sir Francis Haddock and pirate Red Rackham duel with cutlasses over a burning PowderTrail. In a CallBack at the finale, Captain Haddock (using a machete-like dockyard tool) duels the BigBad with his SwordCane (though it's overshadowed by their prior fight with ''dockyard cranes'').
110	[[/folder]]
111
112	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
113	* ''Film/DollFactory'': Kay's brother Melvin engages [[BigBad Yegor]] in a sword fight in the titular factory in the film's climax.
114	* ''Film/TheDragonFamily'', a little-seen HeroicBloodshed film, mostly runs on GunFu for almost all it's action scenes until the finale delivers an amazingly intense sword-battle. The Lung brothers have killed off all of BigBad Tsui's mooks, but uses up all their ammunition instead. Tsui is similarly unarmed, but there are ''real'' ornamental swords on the walls...
115	* ''Film/Fearless2006'' have one of the more brutal examples that climaxes it's first act, when Huo Yuanjia (Creator/JetLi) fights another martial arts champion, Master Qin, both of them using {{BFS}} to hack each other to pieces. Huo's weapon breaks first, but he disarms Qin of his weapon with his bare hands shortly, and the rest of the fight turns into GoodOldFisticuffs.
116	* For an example of what more realistic sword fighting looks like, check out the ''Film/LadySnowblood'' movies. Maximum carnage with a minimum of movement.
117	* ''Film/KillBill'' features a number of fights with swords and knives. Appropriately, the only two characters to pull a gun have the hero completely at their mercy.
118	* ''Film/ThePrincessBride'' has a memorable fencing scene, in part due to its use of IAmNotLeftHanded. The footwork is actually pretty accurate to real fencing.
119	* In ''Film/TheMatrixReloaded'', Neo has a swordfight with several of the Merovingian's Mooks, after they try shooting him with a wide variety of guns. However, because he is The One, GunsAreWorthless against him.
120	* ''Film/RobRoy'' features a magnificent duel at its climax that does a terrific job of telling a story and showing character through the fight choreography. Rob Roy is a [[MightyGlacier plodding]], grim, and determined hero fighting a slender, flashy, sadistic [[FragileSpeedster fencer]] who toys with him like a cat.
121	* One of the longest sword fights in cinematic history is from ''Film/{{Scaramouche\|1952}}'', at six and a half minutes long. It is also the longest single-take sword fight ever put on film. It had to be single take because they had over 800 extras in full pre-Revolutionary France costume. They couldn't trust the actors with it, so they filmed it longshot using the fight director and his sparring partner, and came back later to film close ups of the leads at significant points. They didn't even stop for two nearly fatal accidents.
122	* ''Franchise/IndianaJones'' films:
123	** ''Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk'' famously teases a swordfight when Indy is faced with a scimitar-wielding baddie, [[JustShootHim only for Jones to whip out his gun and shoot him]]. Hollywood lore has it that Harrison Ford had dysentery the day of the shoot and did not want to perform the scripted sword fight scene.
124	** In the ''[[Film/IndianaJonesAndTheTempleOfDoom Temple of Doom]]'' however, Indy does fight some of Mola Ram's henchmen with swords. He previously tried to shoot at them instead, only to find his holster empty.
125	** In ''[[Film/IndianaJonesAndTheKingdomOfTheCrystalSkull Kingdom of the Crystal Skull]]'', Mutt (Henry Jones III) and Irena Spalko have a sword fight on a pair of duck trucks while driving through the jungle.
126	* Probably the most technically flawless sword fight in cinema would have to be the climactic duel between Creator/TyronePower and Creator/BasilRathbone in the 1940 version of ''Film/{{The Mark of Zorro\|1940}}''. Honestly, almost any film with either of those two in it has excellent fencing, since both of them were excellent swordsmen (Rathbone was twice British Army fencing champion) in RealLife. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB8tiSMCwRE Here]] is a clip of the match. Sometimes their skill was used to make their opponent look good, as when either went up against Creator/ErrolFlynn.
127	* In the 1998 ''Film/TheMaskOfZorro'' Alejandro and Diego have a sword fight in a bar and all Diego is using is his cane! They later have several training fights.
128	** Later Alejandro (as Zorro) has a sword fight with Captain Love and Montero!
129	** In the next scene Alejandro fights Elena in a barn which he wins and then he cuts her shirt off, kisses her, then leaves!
130	** At the last scene, old and new Zorro are fighting their archenemies to the death, Zorro 2 (Alejandro) manges to kill Captain Love first but unfortunately Montero kills Diego first but is then killed due to being tied to a falling crate of gold.
131	** In ''Film/TheLegendOfZorro'', Zorro fights a man named [=McGivens=] and later Count Arman, both end up dead.
132	* Some of the most realistic swordfights can be found in ''Film/TheDuellists''. Three of them, in fact.
133	* ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'':
134	** ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanTheCurseOfTheBlackPearl'' has the classic duel in the blacksmith's shop between Will and Jack -- a duel in which each of the two clearly has learned a different sword style (rapier and saber) and fights faithfully to it. In between using the shop's environment to gain an edge, and one combatant [[ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks throwing his sword, of course]].
135	** ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanDeadMansChest'' features an ''epic'' three-way sword-fight between Jack, Will, and Norrington. Including, at one point, all three men taking the fight onto a water wheel (which for some inexplicable reason is attached to a ruined church), which promptly comes loose and rolls away down the beach taking them with it. They ''still keep up the fight''.
136	* ''Franchise/StarWars'' with the iconic Jedi/Sith [[LaserBlade lightsaber]] duels. The films have only had ''Film/RogueOne'' and ''{{Film/Solo}}'' [[LaterInstallmentWeirdness being exceptions]] that don't include any lightsaber duels.
137	* ''Film/TheThreeMusketeers1973'' (directed by Richard Lester) takes pride in giving fiction's most famous swashbucklers decidedly non-Flynn moves. Examples include sucker punching, groin kicking, blinding with cloaks or laundry, bashing with convenient chairs, and ''reversing the sword to beat the bad guy with the grip''.
138	* In the third ''Film/TheLibrarian'' film Flynn has a sword fight with a throwaway villain at the start.
139	-->'''Flynn''': I know two things; Your sword grip and stance show me you're fighting with a 14th century German style defeated only by the renaissance style taught by Hutton in 1892.\
140	'''Mason''': What's the other thing you know?\
141	'''Flynn''': The renaissance style taught by Hutton in 1892.
142	* ''Film/StarTrek2009'': Sulu's fencing skill was worked into the plot, when he confronted an axe-wielding Romulan with his fold-up saber.
143	* In ''Film/TheGreatRace'', Tony Curtis vs. Creator/NatalieWood at the beginning of the movie, to demonstrate just how good he is. Then, when the race goes through {{Ruritania}} he rescues the prince and engages in a massive swordfight in a parody of ''The Prisoner of Zenda''.
144	* In ''Film/DonJuanDemarco'', the title character's related backstory includes a major sword fight, which was responsible for [[spoiler: the death of his father.]]
145	* ''Film/TheChroniclesOfNarnia'':
146	** In ''Film/TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe'', Peter vs the White Witch.
147	** In ''Film/PrinceCaspian'', Peter vs Miraz.
148	** In ''Film/TheVoyageOfTheDawnTreader'', Repicheep vs Eustace.
149	* In ''Film/TheLastAirbender'', The Blue Spirit and Aang vs 200 Fire Nation guards.
150	** Later Water Tribe warriors, Aang, Sokka, Appa, and Katara vs the invading Fire Nation.
151	* ''Film/HellboyIITheGoldenArmy'' features a sword fight between Prince Nuadda and Hellboy (who else?).
152	* Sword fights happen a lot in ''Film/PrinceOfPersiaTheSandsOfTime''.
153	* The Mad Hatter vs The Knave of Hearts in ''Film/AliceInWonderland2010'' (2010).
154	* What started out as a somewhat friendly fencing match turned into a "first blood drawn from the torso" in the James Bond film ''Film/DieAnotherDay''.
155	** Also the duel between Miranda and Dual Wielding Jinx.
156	* Happens in the first ''Film/ThreeNinjas'' movie, the super awesome ninja grandpa Mori Shintaro vs. the evil big boss Hugo Snyder have a fight with katanas which in the end becomes a hand-to-hand fight.
157	* In ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheFellowshipOfTheRing''
158	** First, Aragorn fighting the Ringwraiths off with a sword in one hand and a torch in the other.
159	** Second, Aragorn fighting the leader of the Uruk-Hai.
160	* [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin As could be guessed from the title]], the film version of ''Film/{{Blade}}'' ends in a climactic sword duel between the eponymous protagonist and the BigBad. This trope is [[SubvertedTrope subverted]] in the rest of the film, where Blade is the only one using such an anachronistic weapon, while everyone else just uses guns, or maybe the occasional cattle prod.
161	* Happen several times in ''Film/{{Willow}}'' with Madmartigan against the evil soldiers, especially against the skull-masked General Kael.
162	* ''Film/{{Ricochet}}'' manages to have a Nazi swordfight in prison. What else would you expect from the director of ''Film/{{Highlander}}''?
163	* Speaking of ''Franchise/{{Highlander}}'', sword fighting seems to be the default choice of combat between Immortals in the series proper, what with [[DecapitationRequired Immortals only being vulnerable to decapitation]].
164	* In the final fight scene of ''Film/{{Popeye}}'', Popeye fights Bluto, both wielding rusty cutlasses; Popeye's breaks, and then it turns back into a good old fashioned fistfight.
165	* And speaking of Creator/RobinWilliams, it also happens in ''Film/{{Hook}}'', firstly Hook vs Rufio who loses and dies, secondly the final battle between Hook and Peter Pan.
166	* ''Film/WaxworkIILostInTime'' climaxes with a sword fight that takes its combatants through several alternative dimensions.
167	* ''Film/NightAtTheMuseumBattleOfTheSmithsonian'' ends with Larry taking on Kahmunrah, using a flashlight! It's just cause he's badass like that.
168	* As mentioned bellow, ''Anime/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren'' has many sword fights, including but not limited to the following, Cloud vs:
169	** Briefly he has a BladeLock with Reno.
170	** Yazoo (several times)
171	** Kadaj, a prelude to the next one.
172	** Sephiroth, the final battle of the movie, extremely epic.
173	* ''Film/ByTheSword'' is set in a fencing school, so it could easily be called Sword Fight: TheMovie.
174	* ''Film/KingdomOfHeaven'' is a rare case where some effort is made to present the use of Medieval European swords at least somewhat correctly. Although not perfect, the guards Balian is taught to use are similar to many real guards in the historical Italian school of longsword fencing, and the use of half-swording and pommel strikes are worked in as well.
175	* The Turkish historical epic series, ''Film/BattalGazi'', is filled to the brim with sword battles. The titular protagonist notably uses a sword to kill over 100 enemies per film.
176	* In the 2012 film of the musical ''Film/{{Les Miserables\|2012}}'', Javert and Valjean have a sword fight in the Confrontation scene because...why not? Well, Javert has a sword. Valjean makes do with a slab of wood.
177	* ''Film/ConanTheBarbarian1982'' features a number of examples (including one where Conan somehow parries a ''warhammer'' with his Atlantean sword), but the most memorable one is probably his fight with Rexor, who's wielding Conan's father's sword, where he breaks said sword, after which the "fight" quickly degenerates into Conan hacking into Rexor.
178	* Subverted in ''Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit''. Judge Doom has a SwordCane. Eddie Valiant opens an AcmeProducts box marked "Singing Sword" and draws out the sword...which [[VisualGag starts singing]] "Wicked Witchcraft" by Music/FrankSinatra. Eddie quickly picks another box.
179	* In a bit of a twist, the FinalBattle of the Literature/SherlockHolmes parody ''Film/WithoutAClue'' turns into a sword fight when Professor Moriarty unsheathes his SwordCane. This allows [[FakeUltimateHero Reginald Kincaid]] to finally stand up to Moriarty, as there are functional prop swords lying around and fencing is the one thing he's good at.
180	[[/folder]]
181
182	[[folder:Literature]]
183	* ''Franchise/{{Dune}}'':
184	** Personal shields stop any object traveling above a certain speed so projectile weapons are obsolete, and lasers trigger a fusion reaction when they hit a shield. So most fighting is done with sword and dagger.
185	** The sword was also largely just a diversionary tool, as most shields are set at a rate where the cutting speed of a sword would be repelled. So the point of swordfighting was actually to trick the opponent onto falling onto your knife, or making a misstep long enough for you to make a slow cut with your knife.
186	** Though the Fremen of Arrakis actually use dart guns because shields attract [[SandWorm Sandworms]].
187	* In ''Literature/JohannesCabalTheDetective'' Johannes' life is saved because he happens to carry a sword-cane. Specifically he's at gun-point being held by Count Marechal who really wants to kill him. Because Marechal is a decorated soldier whose constantly in uniform, complete with sword Cabal is able to taunt him into giving him the chance of a fair fight. Their fight takes place in a grand hall, complete with long table that they of course stand on during the fight.
188	* ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'': Rand and High Lord Turak have a Sword Fight near the end of ''The Great Hunt''.
189	** Rand often practices sword fights before he [[spoiler:loses his hand]]. Other people wonder at this, since he's practically a walking god.
190	* Sword fights are pretty common throughout ''Literature/CodexAlera'' such that they don't necessarily quite have the climatic feel of it that this trope implies, though more typical examples exist such as Pirellus versus Aldrick. As the series goes on, the protagonist Tavi is trained to being a competent swordsman though never seeming to be a terribly notable one while there are plenty of others who can have MasterSwordsman applied to them - BadassNormal and GuileHero are far more defining traits to him.
191	* Christopher Paolini's ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'' has Eragon and a mysterious Rider working for Galbatorix fighting at the end of ''Eldest''. [[spoiler:It's actually Murtagh.]]
192	* ''Literature/TheLiesOfLockeLamora'' is a tale of a roguish character, which is made up almost entirely of cons and mind games. Naturally, it culminates in a duel of rapiers between the hero and his foe, although to the book's credit Locke does rather cock it up almost entirely.
193	* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'' has a couple of pretty intense fights.
194	** The climactic dual between Rhaegar Targaryen and Robert Baratheon at the climax of Robert's Rebellion (though Robert is wielding an exceptionally large warhammer) wherein Robert wins the throne by smashing Rhaegar's chest in.
195	** Bronn's TrialByCombat against Ser Vardis Egen to decide whether Tyrion is executed or not. The latter is armored head to toe, providing protection at the expense of speed and movement, the latter in little more than his daily wear, trading protection for maneuverability. [[spoiler: Bronn's unorthodox, streetwise technique wins him the day.]]
196	* Michael Carpenter and Nicodemus Archleone mix it up with some intense swordplay at the end of ''Literature/DeathMasks''.
197	** It's worth noting that while Nicodemus and the [[DealWithTheDevil Knights of the Blackened Denarius]] are very much pragmatic and willing to [[NeverBringAKnifeToAGunFight bring assault weaponry to swordfights]], Nicodemus takes a point of pride in finishing off the [[KnightInShiningArmor Knights Of The Cross]] in sword fights. Justified in that the Knights of the Cross are [[HonorBeforeReason very willing to fight with swords]] (although it helps their swords are holy), and Nicodemus [[ReallySevenHundredYearsOld has had two thousand years to practice]].
198	* ''Literature/TheMalazanBookOfTheFallen'' has several notable ones, such as Whiskeyjack fighting [[spoiler: Kallor]] or Rhulad Sengar and [[spoiler: Brys Beddict]]. Not to mention Anomander Rake, or Gruntle, or Adjunct Tavore Paran... you get the idea.
199	* Happens a ''lot'' in ''Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians''. It's the thing [[TheHero Percy]] is best at at Camp Half-Blood, and the only one better than him is Luke. [[spoiler: Really, this should make it obvious that Luke's TheHeavy.]]
200	* ''Literature/RangersApprentice'' has sword fights everywhere, from Horace using a stick and his sword against a pair of thieves to Horace against Morgarath.
201	* In ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'' book 1 when Visser 3 meets Elfangor they have a tail-blade fight Elfangor loses and is unfortunately EatenAlive.
202	* ''Literature/TheBelgariad'', where the Sword Fight between the Child of Light and the Child of Dark will decide the fate of the world.
203	* Not often encounter in the ''Discworld'' novels due to the tendency of so many opponents to brawl, but one does turn up in ''Literature/MonstrousRegiment'', although as per the usual style it's ended when one of the characters [[UseYourHead head-butts]] her more experienced (with a sword) opponent.
204	* ''Literature/TheForeverWar'' uses this at one point - swords IN SPACE!!
205	* The ''Literature/JohnCarterOfMars'' books are full of these; although Martians do have fire-arms, swords are still the main weapon of choice for most of them.
206	* In the Literature/ModestyBlaise novel ''A Taste for Death'', the action climax is Modesty in a duel to the death with a MasterSwordsman villain. He's far better than her at handling a sword, but she out-thinks him.
207	* ''[[Literature/ElsabethSoesten No Good Deed...]]'' opens with one as a group of outlaws surround Elsabeth Soesten and her companion, Hieronymus. Flynning is averted, as Elsabeth makes quick work of one opponent and her second, though much more of a challenge, has a flashy fighting style which prevents him from keeping up with her simple and direct technique.
208	* In ''Literature/TheManWithTheRedTattoo'', Literature/JamesBond has to face the BigBad in a duel when he attacks him [[PostClimaxConfrontation after foiling his grand scheme]] against the decadent west.
209	* Several in ''Literature/TheBaroqueCycle'', most notably [[spoiler: Bob Shaftoe's final confrontation with his nemesis, Lord Upnor. Upnor was considered to be one of the most talented swordsmen in Europe, and defeated Bob with almost laughable ease. However, as Bob lay wounded on the ground, one of his Irish relatives wandered by, with Bob's nephews in tow, and proceeded to beat Upnor to death with a pike-staff (essentially, a great big stick), while delivering a lengthy speech on the folly of playing by the nobility's rules by using this trope.]]
210	-->[[spoiler: '''Teague''': You have responsibilities now, Bob. You must lose this naive understanding of violence! You are ''embarrassin''' me in front of the lads! You can't play by their rules or they'll win unfailingly! You don't engage in courtly play-fightin' with one such as this. You get a great big friggin' tree-branch and keep hittin' him with it until he dies. Like ''that''. D'you see, boys?]]
211	-->[[spoiler: '''Jimmy and Danny''': Aye, Uncle Teague.]]
212	* {{Literature/Redwall}} they happen pretty often, as befits the medieval setting. However, they rarely take place between TheHero and BigBad, as the main villains rarely use swords. In ''Outcast of Redwall'', there is an especially cool one between two minor characters on opposite. On one side we have Zigu, murderous corsair who favors a rapier. On the other we have Sabretache, a sword master bringing a , well, sabre into the fray. Zigu cockily orders his soldiers to stay back so he can fight the hare alone. It doesn't end well for him.
213	* ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'': Several. Dalinar notes that normal sword fights aren't really as beautiful as the stories say; they mostly just involve hitting your opponent with everything you can. He calls it "wrestling with weapons." Shardblade duels, on the other hand, can be beautiful, due to the grace granted by [[PoweredArmor Shardplate]]. Dalinar's own son, Adolin, is one of the best duelists in the world, and has even chosen it as his religious Calling. He spends much of the first book annoyed that the Codes of War his father follows forbids unnecessary duels.
214	[[/folder]]
215
216	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
217	* ''Series/{{Arrow}}''
218	** In "The Odyssey", [[ComicBook/{{Deathstroke}} Slade Wilson]] takes on his former ASIS partner-turned-RogueAgent Wintergreen, with both fighters using swords and martial arts.
219	** In the Season 3 midseason finale, Oliver Queen challenges ComicBook/RasAlGhul to a sword fight and loses despite Ra's being completely unarmed at the start of their duel. Fortunately after [[EnemyMine training with Malcolm Merlyn]] he does a lot better the second time round in the Season 3 final episode. He later fights and defeats Malcolm Merlyn, deposing him as Ra's.
220	** Malcolm Merlyn also trained his natural daughter Thea Queen. This leads to the inevitable swordfight [[ArchNemesisDad when their relationship breaks down]] in Season 4.
221	** In the Season 8 "Leap of Faith", the MacGuffin is a sword belonging to the first Ra's, sought by anyone who wants to reestablish the League of Assassins. ComicBook/TaliaAlGhul gets hold of it first, so Thea uses her right as Heir to the Demon to challenge her. Talia proves the better swordfighter, but [[CombatPragmatist Thea still wins]].
222	* ''Series/{{Bibleman}}'' has a lot of these.
223	* In the ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' second-season finale, Buffy has a fencing duel with Angelus for no apparent reason other than that [[RuleOfCool it's cool.]] (Well, OK, she had to stab him with the sword for mystical reasons related to knights, purity, and the closing of the way to hell).
224	** There was a perfectly good reason. They were going to fight. They both had swords in their hands. What else are they going to do?
225	** Series/{{Angel}} occasionally got into swordfights.
226	* ''Series/ByTheSwordDivided'' featured several, including a formal [[DuelToTheDeath duel at dawn]].
227	* Happens a lot in ''Series/{{Charmed\|1998}}''.
228	* ''Series/DoctorWho'': The Doctor has always been pretty good with a sword. His skills have been called on in:
229	** In [[Recap/DoctorWhoS6E2TheMindRobber "The Mind Robber"]], there is a swordfight in the Land of Fiction between Cyrano de Bergerac and D'Artagnan, who have been summoned by the Master and the Doctor. Finally Blackbeard is substituted for Cyrano and defeats D'Artagnan, causing the Doctor to replace D'Artagnan with Sir Lancelot, who defeats Blackbeard.
230	** In [[Recap/DoctorWhoS9E3TheSeaDevils "The Sea Devils"]], he duels the Master (because it's apparently standard practice to hang swords on the wall outside the cell of the most dangerous and evil man on the planet).
231	** In [[Recap/DoctorWhoS14E1TheMasqueOfMandragora "The Masque of Mandragora"]], the Doctor explains to Duke Guliano that he learned his swordsmanship from a captain in Cleopatra's bodyguard. This was just after the two of them had fought off six of Count Federico's elite guards.
232	** And then his duel with [[spoiler:Count Grendel, best swordsman on the planet,]] in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS16E4TheAndroidsOfTara "The Androids of Tara"]].
233	*** A lovely parting shot from that gentleman, as he leaps from a high tower into the moat to escape: "Next time, Doctor, I shall not be so lenient!". Apparently Tara is the universe's primary source of both SoftWater and [[MagnificentBastard Magnificent Bastards]].
234	** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS20E6TheKingsDemons "The King's Demons"]], against Sir Giles Estram. The Doctor defeats Estram. who then threatens him with [[spoiler:a Tissue Compression Eliminator. He is actually the Master.]]
235	** [[Recap/DoctorWho2005CSTheChristmasInvasion "The Christmas Invasion"]], against the Sycorax leader.
236	** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS32E7AGoodManGoesToWar "A Good Man Goes to War"]] has the massive sword fight with Rory, Vastra, and Jenny against the Headless Monks.
237	** In [[Recap/DoctorWhoS34E3RobotOfSherwood "Robot of Sherwood"]], although this time [[SubvertedTrope he decides]] ''[[SubvertedTrope not]]'' [[SubvertedTrope to use a sword]]. Who needs one when you can win a duel against Myth/RobinHood with a FunnySpoon?
238	* In ''Series/{{Dollhouse}}'' Adele and Victor have a sword fight. Then have sex.
239	* In the ''Series/{{Firefly}}'' episode "Shindig", Mal engages in a "duel of honor" with Atherton Wing. He tries for either fist fighting or a gun duel first. Mal, despite generally being proficient in more modern methods of fighting, has ''no'' clue how to fight with a sword. (Gentleman: "If you require it, any gentleman here can give you use of his sword." Mal: "Use of his s-what?") He has to learn from ''[[HookerWithAHeartOfGold Inara]]'' (who is, as part of her back story, classically trained in pretty much everything). Played with in [[TheMovie the Big Damn Movie]], where Mal has to fight the Operative hand-to-hand after losing his gun. When the Operative draws his sword, Mal's counter is with a ''screwdriver''.
240	* The ''Series/{{Frasier}}'' episode "An Affair To Forget" has one between Niles and the German fencing instructor whom Maris was having an affair with.
241	* In R.L. Stine's ''Series/TheHauntingHour'' four kids get sucked into a video game and when they get to the final boss he breaks out his twin dao and fights the other four and all they have are baseball bats, chains, and other around the house stuff.
242	* Hiro vs Adam in ''Series/{{Heroes}}''.
243	* Almost every episode of ''Series/{{Highlander}}'' featured a sword fight between two Immortals, usually to the death. This made some sense in the series, because [[DecapitationRequired decapitation was the only way to kill an Immortal]] and gain his power. The use of firearms to incapacitate them was also seen as dishonorable, so only the most unscrupulous Immortals used them.
244	* ''Series/ICarly'': In "iStill Psycho", Freddie's mom has a sword fight with Nora and her mom who wield fireplace equipment.
245	* In ''Series/KamenRiderDragonKnight'', sword fights happen a lot; even when some of them don't even have swords they fight the ones that do.
246	** Dragon Knight (both Kit and Adam) have fought Wing Knight: Kit's fight is a training fight; Adam's is for real.
247	** Xaviax poses as Eubulon and uses his Sword Vent against Adam, who uses his own Sword Vent agaianst Xaviax. Xaviax wins via his Speed Vent.
248	** Strike and Dragon Knight cross blades a couple of times too.
249	** Wing Knight and Strike have fought each other as well: sometimes Wing Knight is temed up with Dragon Knight.
250	** Wing Knight and Wrath have crossed swords many times in the series.
251	** Back when Sting worked for Xaviax, he tried to eliminate Wing Knight and Wing Knight wound up fighting Sting with his own sword. Sting used his Copy Vent and fought Wing Knight with another Wing Lancer.
252	* ''Series/MidsomerMurders'': "[[Recap/MidsomerMurdersS11E2 Blood Wedding]]" features attempted murder by mace, and the would-be victim grabbing a sword to defend himself.
253	* Sword fights happen often in ''Franchise/PowerRangers''/''Franchise/SuperSentai''.
254	* In ''Series/PushingDaisies'', Ned fought the man who murdered the twin of the man he killed in a sword fight. Ned's sword-fighting skills are [[ImplausibleFencingPowers pretty implausible]], even given his explanation (see quote at the top of the page).
255	* Happens at least once in ''Series/PrettyGuardianSailorMoon'', where Endymion and the Shitennou all have swords as weapons.
256	** ''Everyone'' has a sword in ''Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon''. Well, except Jupiter who gets a poleaxe instead.
257	* In ''Series/SamuraiSentaiShinkenger'', Takeru vs Juzo, Mako vs Dayuu... it's a show about samurai...
258	* In the ''Series/{{Smallville}}'' episode "Icarus", [[GeneralRipper Slade Wilson]] finds his gun to be ineffective against the mace-wielding Hawkman. What does he do? Draw out a [[KatanasAreJustBetter katana]] and close with the hero. Badass ensues.
259	* Subverted in an episode of ''Series/StargateSG1'' when the team is on an Arthurian grail quest. Lt-Col. Mitchell touches Excalibur in an attempt to get at the Main/McGuffin, and is challenged to a sword fight with a holographic knight to prove his worth. While he is a seasoned and deadly warrior, he is a ''20th century'' warrior, and is completely worthless with a sword. As he's taking a whupping, his team discovers that their other weapons go right through the knight and he tries to give the sword to Teal'c (a Main/ProudWarriorRaceGuy that's excellent at this sort of thing), but discovers that only he can touch it. They end up shutting off the trial another way.
260	** Actually, the first time Mitchell duels the knight, he is actually able to beat it in a straight sword fight. It isn't until the season finale, when he duels a far more powerful one, that they have to take it down via alternate means.
261	** Mitchell mentions that he took fencing in college, which explains why he's even remotly competent with a sword. In the season finale, prior to the sword fight, he encounters two kids who are mock-swordfighting, and gives them a few pointers.
262	** ''Series/StargateAtlantis'': Ronon has a rather big sword and he's rather good at it (mainly due to him being even more muscular than a Jaffa, he handles it like a really big knife). In fact, Satedans appear to be naturals at sword fighting despite being skilled at guns and [[RuleOfCool gunplay]] too.
263	* ''Franchise/StarTrek''
264	** Various alien races were far too eager to engage in this type of combat. Naturally, Starfleet actively shunned it, because swords lack a stun setting. But this didn't stop a preposterous amount of crew members from engaging in an ancient ritual combat to avoid offending said aliens' culture.
265	** ''Series/StarTrekPicard'': In "[[Recap/StarTrekPicardS1E04AbsoluteCandor Absolute Candor]]", Tenqem challenges a very reluctant Picard to a duel, and their swords clash a couple times before Picard drops his weapon to the ground, refusing to continue. A thug then attempts to strike Elnor with his blade, but the latter is too quick and too agile, and Elnor ends the confrontation by beheading Tenqem.
266	[[/folder]]
267
268	[[folder:Pinballs]]
269	* The playfield for ''Pinball/StarWarsDataEast'' has Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker crossing lightsabers right above the flippers.
270	* The "Blade Fight" Round in Creator/{{Gottlieb}}'s ''Pinball/{{Gladiators}}''
271	[[/folder]]
272
273	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
274	* ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'': The Draconis Combine, thanks to their strong samurai culture, ''loves'' this trope to the point that Combine mechwarriors carry [[KatanasAreJustBetter katanas]] and will fight with them on a regular basis. They even add swords to their HumongousMecha in order to sword fight with mechs!
275	* ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}'': Swords are a popular weapon among shadowrunners. They're virtually silent, they don't run out of bullets, and they let orks, trolls, and chromed-out StreetSamurai utilize their superior strength. The Japanese Empire and yakuza also regularly engage in sword fights.
276	* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'''s chainweapons and powerswords. 'Nough said.
277	** Nope, [[EvilWeapon Daemon]] [[SoulCuttingBlade Swords]]. Now 'nough said.
278	* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'' ''Fantasy'' with regular, and magical swords.
279	* Dueling with swords is still a custom in the TabletopGame/{{Traveller}} universe.
280	[[/folder]]
281
282	[[folder:Theatre]]
283	* ''Theatre/{{Hamlet}}''. "A hit, a very palpable hit!"
284	* ''Theatre/RomeoAndJuliet'' has several between members of the feuding families.
285	** Even though he's TheWoobie of the play, the titular Romeo [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass is the one who gets to walk away from every fight]].
286	* In ''[[Theatre/HenryIV Henry IV, Part I]]'', the fight between Prince Hal and Hotspur usually takes the form of a sword fight; however, in many productions it ends up suffering a CombatBreakdown, usually serving to highlight (intentionally or not) the massive amounts of FoeRomanceSubtext going on between the two characters.
287	* A sword fight is a stock element of the {{Mummers}} play, common to most (if not all) versions.
288	* ''Theatre/CyranoDeBergerac'': At Act I Scene IV, Cyrano and Viscount de Valvert engage in one and Cyrano wins, at Act V Scene VI, Cyrano raves another SwordFight with all his enemies (Falsehood, Treachery, Compromise, Prejudice, Folly and Death itself), a combat that Cyrano knows he already has lost.
289	* Theatre/{{Macbeth}} vs. [=MacDuff=].
290	* ''Theatre/TwelfthNight'' has quite a lead-up to a swordfight set up by Sir Toby because [[ItAmusedMe he thought it would be funny]]--the coward Andrew Aguecheek against the SweetPollyOliver, "Cesario", both terrified because each has been separately convinced that their opponent is pure evil. After [[HalfIdenticalTwins Sebastian]] shows up and gets mistaken for Cesario, he thinks he's being attacked for no reason, and a fray results, ending with Sir Toby (who's jumped in to help his friend) bleeding at the head.
291	* ''[[http://angevin2.livejournal.com/148520.html The Things I Will Not Do When I Direct A Shakespeare Production, On Stage Or Film]]'', #187: "If the play I am producing does not have a swordfight, I will resist the urge to add one." [[/folder]]
292
293	[[folder:Theme Parks]]
294	* The finale of ''Theatre/PoseidonsFury'' at [[Ride/UniversalStudios Universal's Islands of Adventure]] has Poseidon locked in a sword fight with Lord Darkenon, where he uses his own trident as a sword.
295	[[/folder]]
296
297	[[folder:Video Games]]
298	* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII'''s introductory cinematics, fighters are shown jockeying for air supremacy... [[RuleOfCool while hordes of knights in armour and swords go at each other on the ground]].
299	* Every game in the ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'' series ends in a similar fashion, and one plays it straight. [[spoiler: [=MGS1=] features a two examples, one with Snake's old friend, Gray Fox, where weapons are actually useless against him because KatanasAreJustBetter, and a second against Snake's Brother, Liquid atop the Metal Gear. The second plays it straight with a katana battle on top of Federal Hall. The third subverts this with a duel that allows guns. The finale of the series ends with a recreation of all the games fighting styles atop of a submarine.]]
300	* The ''Franchise/StarWars: VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' video game series, in addition to lightsabers and Main/EnergyWeapons, have ''metal swords''. It is {{Handwave}}d by a shopkeeper, who explains that with personal energy shields becoming commonplace, melee weapons that can penetrate them are also becoming increasingly common, akin to ''Franchise/{{Dune}}''. Why they didn't just use bullets is not explained. (This is [[{{Handwave}} handwaved]] even ''more'' when lightsabers are involved; the blades are supposedly made with [[AppliedPhlebotinum cortosis ore]], a metal capable of blocking even lightsabers.)
301	** You do use bullets, sometimes. Ranged weapons that bypass shields are variously explained as being "disruptor" weapons or as being actual projectile weapons (the best of which is the Mandalorian Ripper). Of course, said weapons tend to do [[OnlyAFleshWound crappy damage]] relative to melee weapons anyway.
302	** KOTOR 2 tried to fix that problem by increasing the damage that ranged weapons do. It helped, but they were still no match for a lightsaber.
303	* Played straight ''and'' subverted in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII''. The final, final battle is Cloud and Sephiroth, one on one with swords. However, earlier in the game, Barrett fights his old friend Dyne ... and both wield their [[Main/ArmCannon Arm Cannons]].
304	** Scenes from Crisis Core and Advent Children offer a potential justification for the fact that [=SOLDIERs=] wield large swords: They have a small ability to block bullets with the large weapon, especially from their vitals.
305	** May also be justified by the better [=SOLDIERs=] having SuperReflexes which makes [[GunsAreWorthless Guns relatively useless against them]]. Zack -- recognized in canon as pretty much the top [=SOLDIER=] around except for Sephiroth -- appears to be capable of pulling off some serious [[DodgeTheBullet bullet-dodging]] (as seen in ''Last Order'') as well as the [[CutscenePowerToTheMax bullet-blocking shown in the intro cutscene]] of ''VideoGame/CrisisCore''.
306	* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'' starts with Squall and Seifer dueling each other with their gunblades.
307	* Played, to a point, in ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoSanAndreas''. One mission gives you the choice of going sword to sword against a crimelord. Your other options involve whatever other guns you picked up on the way to him.
308	** There is also a similar mission in ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoLibertyCityStories'' mission, titled Waka-Gashira Wipeout, that ends with you facing off against a Yakuza boss sword-to-sword. If you opt to go with guns instead, he'll order his men to respond in kind.
309	* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
310	** Played straight in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess''. Both Zant and [[spoiler: Ganondorf]] go through various stages until finally duking it out with Link in a straight one-on-one swordfight.
311	** Actually, most games in the series since [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker The Wind Waker]] have had a some sort of sword fight as the FinalBattle.
312	** Not to mention various minibosses in the series that use swords. These enemies, if appearing in pairs, usually even have the decency to fight you one at a time.
313	** While Link's been using a sword in every game, ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]'' puts special focus on his actual skill with the blade beyond "use an item to make him vulnerable, then swing away," because of the improved Wii Motion Plus controls. Several bosses and Elite Mooks exist mainly to showcase this aspect of the game. It helps that nearly every aiming-based item available to you is less than automatic in Z-targeting mode(it still locks on to enemies, but still uses manual aiming, similar to Metroid Prime.).
314	** ''VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink'' also plays out in a similar manner where Link's abilities come from his swordplay rather than items and various enemies fight Link with swords of their own. The FinalBoss is Link's shadow and the two of them duke it out in a sword duel. This game has some of the most intense sword fighting on the NES when it comes to battling Iron Knuckles. It also illustrates the faster reflex-based combat of this title in comparison to the subdued movement-based combat of [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaI the previous game]].
315	* Played straight in ''VideoGame/RedSteel''. Every level had you fighting a [[Main/MiniBoss boss-type character]] one on one with a sword. This in spite of the fact you just blew away hordes of [[Main/{{Mooks}} cannon fodder]] with all sorts of weaponry. Not to mention the advantage of [[Main/BulletTime slowing time to be able to shoot the guns from their hands]]. Nope, had to be a sword duel. And even then, you had [[Main/DualWielding two swords]] to use.
316	* In ''VideoGame/RedSteel2'' sword fights happen just as often, especially against Shinjiro, whom you face twice, once earlier in the game and he's also the last opponent.
317	* ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2'': At the end of the Ronin missions, the Boss will end up in a sword duel with the Ronin's boss, who mocks them and asks if they truly believe that they could possibly win a duel against someone with his experience. The Boss says "Nope. [[CombatPragmatist That's why I'm gonna cheat,]]" and pulls a pistol, subverting the typical NeverBringAGunToAKnifeFight.
318	* In ''VideoGame/ProfessorLaytonAndTheDiabolicalBox'', when Layton battles Anton in his manor. But, just so you know, that was the only weapon available, and only 2 swords out of the many in the room (including Anton's) it occurs in are real.
319	* ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes'': A number of the Ranking Fights in this game and its sequels are of the good ol' fashioned "One-on-one sword fight" variety, albeit with laser swords and Mexican Luchador wrestling thrown in. Off the top of the head, the battles with Death Metal, Shinobu, Harvey Moiseiwitsch Volodarskii, Dark Star, and [[spoiler: Henry]] in the first game are all sword duels.
320	* ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes2DesperateStruggle'': The game continues the trend started with its predecessor, featuring sword fights between Travis and, in order of appearance, Skelter Helter, Kimmy, Ryuji, and technically Alice Twilight (if you count "Swords being held by armored frame" as the proper type).
321	* ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroesIII'': There are surprisingly fewer sword fights in this game than in its predecessors, since Travis' opponents are aliens who resort to other means of attack. However, the Rank 8 boss (Black Night Direction) still plays it straight. He faces Travis with two katana blades, and as the fight progresses Travis learns unique skills he can use to defeat him (and subsequently apply them to all future fights).
322	* In ''VideoGame/TheWitcher'', less common but more climactic encounters are sword duals. All of Geralt's techniques are SliceAndDice, and his Group and Fast styles employ the maximum {{Flynning}}.
323	* In ''VideoGame/MarioAndSonicAtTheOlympicGames'' you can have a fencing match with all sorts of Mario and Sonic characters and even your Miis!
324	* You can have a sword fight In ''Wii Sports Resort'' in the swordplay part, not only can you fight just one person but in a different mode you can fight a whole horde of Miis.
325	* You're pretty much forced to do this in ''VideoGame/LEGOIndianaJones 2'' with the guys with black swords.
326	* In ''VideoGame/LEGOPiratesOfTheCaribbean'' whenever you face any character with a sword you have a sword fight with them.
327	* ''VideoGame/{{Loopmancer}}'' have the hero, Xiang Zixu, wielding a sword, and a RecurringBoss Hiroyuki Ogata being another swordsman. Their battles (both of them) is an epic clash of blades, and in fact the game encourages the player to use swords more often despite having firearms.
328	* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'':
329	** In the Subspace Emissary, Marth fights Meta Knight briefly but they both learn the other is the good guy and team up.
330	** Meta Knight's [[VideoGame/{{Kirby}} native series]], he always offers Kirby a sword of his own before fighting him. Most often, he will [[WorthyOpponent refuse to battle until he takes it]].
331	* ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'':
332	** There are several instances of this like whenever Sora fights someone else using a different Keyblade and then there are the bandits that carry {{Sinister Scimitar}}s.
333	** Also when Sora fights Cloud or Sephiroth.
334	** And inevitably that's what happens whenever Cloud and Sephiroth meet.
335	* In ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' background lore, the Imga, a race of intelligent "ape men" native to Valenwood, practice these with dueling swords in an attempt to impress the [[OurElvesAreDifferent Altmer (High Elves)]], who the Imga idolize.
336	* The climactic duel in the penultimate chapter in ''VideoGame/Uncharted4AThiefsEnd'' - which was pretty much inevitable given the game's plot has been chasing after a {{pirate}} treasure this whole time - where Rafe gets a hold of a saber and Nathan Drake has nothing (and Rafe's SwordPointing at him the whole time when he's not trying to slash him), until he evades some slashes long enough to get a sword of his own around the pirate ship they're on.
337	---> Rafe: You care...about that parade of losers so much... [[AndYourLittleDogToo I'm going to make sure they join you.]]
338	---> Nate: [[BringIt En garde, dickhead]].
339	---> Rafe: That's the spirit.
340	---> Rafe: You know how to sword fight?
341	---> Nate: Yeah. I stick you with the sharp end, right?
342	---> Rafe: Oh, this should be fun.
343	** The proceeding fight will [[spoiler:have Nate do all right despite apparently never using a sword before, probably because [[SwordAndFist he'll take the opportunity to wallop Rafe when he gets the chance]] like he's [[GoodOldFisticuffs been doing throughout the series]], up until he tries to retire from the fight after he's got the advantage on Rafe in a clash at which Rafe ruthlessly disarms him, puts him on his back, and smashes at the replacement sword Sam tosses to Nate until it breaks. Fortunately, there's enough of the remainder of the blade on Nate's sword to [[DeathFromAbove cut a rope that was suspending a large bundle of treasure in a net over Rafe]].]]
344	* ''VideoGame/SwordFight'', duh. The whole game is 1v1 fights against swordwielders where both you and them have different styles and techniques.
345	[[/folder]]
346
347	[[folder:Webcomics]]
348	* In ''Webcomic/BeyondTheEnd'', [[https://beyondtheend.gay/index.html?pg=577#showComic Chapter 23]] is a sword fight between the main cast, the angels, and demons.
349	* ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'':
350	** Despite being friends with Riff, and therefore having access to most forms of weaponry known to man, Torg tends to prefer using his [[EmpathicWeapon talking sword]] Chaz in battle. This is usually justified, however, since Chaz can kill just about anything in a single strike, even near-omnipotent immortals. Plus, most of the times Torg's used Chaz have been when he's stuck in [[FantasyGunControl another world]] or time where there aren't any firearms around.
351	** On the one occasion when Torg ''does'' [[http://www.sluggy.com/daily.php?date=020702 bring a sword to a gunfight]], he says, "A sword is an elegant weapon. [[Film/ANewHope Not as clumsy or random as a blaster.]]" After almost getting killed by the first hail of gunfire, he runs back to the weapons cache shouting, "Clumsy and random's got my name all over it!"
352	* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', Raven fights Abraham when the latter invades Moperville South and refuses to surrender. Unbeknownst to both of them Nanase witnesses them.
353	-->'''Nanase (thinking)''': My history teacher is swordfighting a wizard.
354	* ''Webcomic/BitsFair'' has featured a few sword fights so far: [[http://bitsfair.spiderforest.com/comic/40 Irya vs. Reba]], [[http://bitsfair.spiderforest.com/comic/42 Reba vs. the masked boy]] and [[http://bitsfair.spiderforest.com/comic/54 Irya vs. the masked boy]].
355	[[/folder]]
356
357	[[folder:Web Original]]
358	* ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'': Bladedancer vs. Swordmaiden. Bladedancer vs. Nightbane. Bladedancer vs. Tennyo. Wait, seeing a trend here...
359	* ''Literature/TheQuestportChronicles'': [[AmnesiacHero Mei]] takes on the EldritchAbomination BigBad to buy her companions some time to start the spell that will imprison the monster. She actually manages to hold her own.
360	* There are so many in ''Roleplay/MallFight'', it is impossible to count. Eric and Diablo both had a sword fight that nearly made the Mall itself self destruct.
361	* There are a lot of LEGO sword fights on Website/YouTube, this one has to be one of the best [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-XWzqZ15LSw]]
362	* This is a recurring theme in ''Roleplay/ShadowhunterPeril''. It was originally subverted by [[GunsAkimbo the Architect]], but ultimately played straight when it was revealed that he [[HiddenWeapons keeps a collapsible sword inside his sleeve.]]
363	** [[ManicPixieDreamGirl Veronica]] and [[TheStoic Osiris]]; Veronica has a BagOfHolding that holds multiples of nearly every kind of sword. She'll often grab a bunch and distribute them among her allies. Osiris has seven magical swords, and an [[ImprobableWeapon improbable sword.]]
364	** Many superpowered beings such as Oblivion and Umbra will create a sword out of thin air to fight with, just because they can.
365	* The 90th episode of ''Podcast/WelcomeToNightVale''.
366	--> '''Cecil:''' I want to tell you I drew a glowing sword, and he drew a sword made of fire. I want to tell you our mighty blades clashed above our heads, as our elbows and faces met. I think it’d be a really cool thing to say that I then pushed him back with a kick to the chest and swung my blade down upon him as he tried to deflect it with his own, my sword shattering his, causing him to burst open with white light and doves, and order returned for good to Night Vale. But what I’m going to tell you is… I don’t own a sword.
367	[[/folder]]
368
369	[[folder:Western Animation]]
370	* There were two sword fights in ''WesternAnimation/{{Metalocalypse}}''.
371	** One was a (presumably) staged one for a music video between Skwisgaar and Toki.
372	** The second was a fencing match between Charles Ofdensen (Dethklok's manager, and a college fencing champion) and Melmord Fjordslorm, who had been told by Ofdensen that the only way Melmord would get his job was to kill him. [[spoiler: Ofdensen ended up kicking Melmord off the roof of Mordhaus.]]
373	* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' had Zuko vs Jet, where both of them were DualWielding. Zuko won.
374	** Also the entirety of the episode "Sokka's Master."
375	** In "Nightmares and Daydreams" Aang has a daydream about Appa and Momo as samurai fighting each other.
376	** One of the earliest sword fights happened between the Jangs and the Gan-Jins in "The Great Divide".
377	* ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfTheGalaxyRangers'': "Heart of Tarkon," "Tower of Combat," and "Heartbeat"
378	* Crops up from time to time in ''Anime/TransformersCybertron''. The FinalBattle between Optimus Prime and Galvatron turns into one.
379	* In ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'', Jack has fought beetles with sword-shaped legs, 6-armed robots with scimitars, a robot/ninja/assassin with a blade that could cut through solid metal, a Scottish man with a machinegun for a leg and a magic claymore, his own evil side, a giant mecha, and more.
380	* In ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'', Perry has a wrench fight with Doofenshmirtz.
381	** In a later episode they have a sword fight with a hot dog and a bratwurst that make sounds similar to lightsabers clashing.
382	** In the episode "No More Bunnies", Perry and Dennis the evil bunny fight with barbeque equipment.
383	* ''[[WesternAnimation/{{Thundercats 2011}} ThunderCats (2011)]]'':
384	** In "Omens Part One" King Claudus has a sword fight with Lion-O to show off the Sword of Omens' power.
385	** In "Legacy", Leo has a sword fight against his commander, both using their respective {{Cool Sword}}s.
386	** In "The Duelist and the Drifter" there are multiple fights against MasterSwordsman The Duelist.
387	** In "Between Brothers" Lion-O and Tygra have a sword fight both using the Sword of Omens, one the real version, one created in the astral plane. In the end Tygra said he would never betray Lion-O and both put their swords away.
388	** History repeats itself in What Lies above part 2 when Lion-O takes on Mumm-Ra (technically) again.
389	* In ''WesternAnimation/SymBionicTitan'' episode ''Escape from Galaluna'', Lance has a sword fight with his former Commander. In the end, Lance stabs the commander through the stomach and lets him fall from the platform they were fighting on.
390	* In the ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' episode "Mystery Train", Finn follows the Train Conductor and finally corners him in the engine and has a sword fight, quickly throws the conductor's sword away and as he is about to dispatch him the conductor reveals he is Jake who was previously believed to be dead.
391	* Somewhat averted in ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperHeroSquadShow'' episode 1602 due to the fact that a) it's a pretty dumb show, b) Thor used his hammer which he cheated with by breaking Abomination's sword.
392	* In the ''[[WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries Batman]]'' episode "Showdown", BountyHunter Jonah Hex takes on Arkady Duval, who is using a saber, and beats him using only a knife!
393	** Batman himself does this against Ra's al Ghul.
394	* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'': in the episode "Headhunters", Dipper has a fight with a wax version of Sherlock Holmes, the former uses a piece of fireplace equipment while the latter uses a sword.
395	* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSmurfs''' adaptation of Robin Hood, Vanity as Robin Smurf and Brainy as Prince John are both fighting with wooden swords, but Vanity acts as if he's barely even fighting. It only ends when Harmony tackles Brainy and sends him flying into the moat.
396	[[/folder]]
397
398	[[folder:Real Life]]
399	* [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Churchill "Mad Jack" Churchill]] remarked that "any officer that goes into combat without his sword is improperly dressed." ''During [=WW2=].'' He also carried a longbow, and used them both on several occasions.
400	[[/folder]]

Context Main / SwordFight