PowerGlows meets [[WeaponsAndWieldingTropes Weapons And Wielding]]. Science and logic need not apply -- the RuleOfCool is in charge here.

Some will argue it is made of or propels PureEnergy.

Subtropes:
+RangedEnergyAttackTropes
* LaserBlade
* FlamingSword
* RayGun
* LightningGun

Contrast to KineticWeaponsAreJustBetter, is when the fiction uses weapons just like or similar to RealLife Weapons despite the tech level of the story.
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!!Examples

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder: Film ]]

* ''StarWars'' isn't limited to [[LaserBlade lightsabers]]. For instance, "light whips" -- which make a bit more sense than a lightsaber, as the "energy" tendrils actually have a solid metal core.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Live Action TV ]]

* The first appearance of the Ferengi in ''StarTrek'' had them using energy whips -- which were physical whips that, for [[RuleOfCool no logical reason]], shoot FrickinLaserBeams when swung.
* ''RedDwarf'' had "holowhips", apparently made out of whatever AppliedPhlebotinum a "HardLight" hologram is made out of.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Webcomics ]]

* Parodied in the webcomic ''{{Isometric}}'', where a villain facing defeat proclaims himself inventor of the electric whip when the hero corners him, only for the hero to point out that he had merely pulled electric cables out of the wall.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Anime ]]

* In ''{{Gundam}}'', normal energy weapons are fine for the small fry, but energy-based melee weapons are just about the only thing that can settle a duel between Gundams. An especially egregious example is Deathscythe's energy [[SinisterScythe scythe]] in ''GundamWing'', which knows both how to come to a point and to ''curve''. In this case, though, you ''do'' get an answer: The plasma used in beam weapons can also be guided and shaped by specially-aligned magnetic fields, essentially forming a surface tension around the 'blade'. When it makes contact with a solid object, the field is disrupted around the point of contact, allowing the plasma to do its work. See [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minovsky_Physics Minovsky Physics]] (wikipedia), even if it is extensive {{technobabble}} and [[HandWave handwaving]].
** Then there's the ridiculousness of ''GGundam'' 's Argo Gulskii. He wears a pair of gigantic beam manacles -- the bracelets are metal, as are the first links attached to them, but if he pulls them too far apart, a blue beam ''chain'' snaps between them. Yes, with individual beam links. This is even worse with his Gundam, the Bolt Gundam. Aside from the obligatory head-mounted vulcan guns, the only armament it has is the Graviton Hammer -- a ball of metal with a handle that fires a super-long, super-huge version of the beam chain between his handcuffs. What's worse is that the beam chain doesn't burn anything -- he can hold the chain and swing the ball in a smaller circle, and even gets tied to a gigantic spire of rock by his own weapon once!
** ''GundamSEED'' attempts to justify it. One of the Strike's swords was essentially a giant potato peeler with the blade replaced with a laser. Hence, there were two solid bits for the beam to start and finish at.
** ''{{Gundam 00}}'' subverts the beam saber stereotype, establishing such weapons as highly impractical in its setting, as energy is an extremely scarce resource. Thus far, melee energy weapons are only available to a small number of SuperPrototype HumongousMecha.
*** It also subverts in a different way, with Gundam Exia's GN Blade, an enormous metal blade that was designed to penetrate GN Fields, something that normal beam sabers couldn't do.
*** It actually makes sense since the GN fields are condensed particles held by a field. A similar weapon like a beam saber which functions under similar principles would be unable to penetrate since the field holding the saber together would be disrupted and the particles would just disperse. This would result in the need for a humongous amount of particles to rupture the field much less damage the unit it's protecting (which the O-raiser did by freaking creating a giant beam saber on the Empress) GN blades on the other hand were solid weapons and as a result after meeting the GN Field head on, it could simply push its way through the field to hit the unit. Although it was thrown in on episode 25 and read as a Deus Ex Machina, it wasn't justified due to the GN Arms having PIERCED the Alvatore's GN field before said revelation.
*** In the same way the Seraphim gundam in season 2 had to fight the Garazzo which was using a GN field to protect himself. In response, the Seraphim's hands were forced through the field so that the barrels would be beyond the scope of the field before having clearance to fire.
* The Third Angel (Sachiel) in ''NeonGenesisEvangelion'' came equipped with what was essentially an energy ''spear''. The Fourth Angel (Shamshiel) had energy whips in place of "arms". In a typical ''Evangelion'' subversion, the Evas themselves had nothing but giant-sized versions of mundane weapons to work with -- and even then, no swords, only knives (sonic knives, though), spears (The Lance of Longinus, to boot) and guns (really big guns, larger than your average ship based artillery cannon). The only time an Eva got to wield an Energy Weapon, it was a [[{{BFG}} monstrous particle beam sniper rifle]] that sucked down the entire power output of Japan to fuel a single shot.
* ''Zegapain'' not only has weapons made from light, but also armor made from light. Result: a cool-looking glow on the mechs.
* ''Megazone 23''
* ''MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha'' has [[SinisterScythe energy scythes]], [[WhipItGood energy whips]], energy swords, energy daggers, and who knows what else. Of course, they're also [[MagicFromTechnology pseudo-magical]] so you could probably {{Handwave}} it.
* In ''CodeGeass'', Luciano Bradley's [[HumongousMecha Knightmare]] wields an arm-mounted laser [[ThisIsADrill drill]] lance.
*In ''{{Bleach}}'', Uryu Ishida obtains the ''Seeleschneider'' (Soul Cutter). Essentially, spiritual energy extends from the handle and uses high-rotation physics similar to a chainsaw to cut away at spiritual pressure, which most powerful beings in ''Bleach'' are made of and use as energy. However, there's a surprise: [[spoiler: Like all Quincy weapons, the ''Seeleschneider'' is actually an energy arrow. After it absorbs the energy it cuts away from enemies, it can be fired as a projectile. [[ChainsawGood Chainsaw]] [[KatanasAreJustBetter Katana]] [[ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks Launcher]], indeed.]]

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Video Games ]]

* All of Zero's weapons in the ''MegaManZero'' series are energy melee weapons, with the Z-Buster being the exception. The Rod series of weapons were the most bizarre, as they started off with an energy spear, then an energy whip (which also doubled as a grappling device), then an energy ''tonfa'', finally ending up with an energy '''fist'''.
* ''SuperSmashBrothers Brawl'' has Zero Suit Samus's energy whip, because the Paralyzer from ''{{Metroid}}: Zero Mission'' wasn't [[RuleOfCool cool enough]] before. Unlike most of the whip examples on this page, this one's actually made of energy, not just coated in it.
* ''PhantasyStar Online'' used what was known as Photon weapons. What this meant is that every weapon in the game had a glowing Lightsaber-like part on it. Even the ''guns''.
** Of course, the ''PhantasyStar'' series as a whole, with its sci-fi setting, had several breeds of "laser" weapons, notably swords, knives, slicers, claws, and axes. Though stuff made out of [[{{Unobtainium}} laconia]] managed to be superior.
* ''CityOfHeroes'' has unlockable skins for most of the weapon powersets based on this trope. The Talsorian blades, available from Vanguard, are tintable blades of energy available for [[CoolSword Broad Sword]], [[KatanasAreJustBetter Katana]], [[AnAxeToGrind Battle Axe]], [[DualWielding Dual Blades]] and [[StraightArrow Archery]] (and TrickArrow) powersets. Yes, there's a Talsorian ''bow''. But '''not''' a [[DropTheHammer mace or hammer]], for stylistic reasons (which the developers have justified with self-aware {{Technobabble}}).
* In ''{{Castlevania}}'' is often lampooned by cynics for its ability to destroy vampires (among other evil creatures), in spite of the fact that it is only a whip/long morningstar (depending on game and power level). However, The Vampire Killer's true form is shown in ''Castlevania: Bloodlines'', where, when powered up to full, it manifests as a light whip.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Western Animation ]]

* In the original ''{{Transformers}}'' series, the second episode featured Optimus Prime using his laser axe against Megatron's... laser flail.
** The tradition continues in ''TransformersAnimated'' with Prime's energon axe (but rocket-powered this time!), Sentinel Prime's energon ''lance'' and ''shield'' and Jazz's [[RuleOfCool energon Nunchuks]].
** Interestingly, the 2007 movie Prime was supposed to have an energy axe, but the CGI model looked for all intense and purposes like a superheated/molten metal blade.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Tabletop Games ]]

* In ''{{Warhammer 40000}}'', there are "power weapons", which are a variant on this. The common models are not pure energy, but have a physical sword or gauntlet or set of claws and a surrounding field of energy. There are actually pure-energy models, but those are very rare. Nevertheless, like most expressions of this trope, they cut through other materials with ease. In the tabletop game's rules, no armour saves are permitted against an attack from one.
** Eisenhorn had a power sword that was all hilt, and when activated had a long energy blade. He also had magic powers and was worried about falling to the dark side. He didn't use it to fight his cybernetic psychic dark lord adversary, he used a physical power sword for that.
* ''DungeonsAndDragons'' has Brilliant Energy weapons that ignore armor bonuses to AC because they pass through armor, but they cannot hurt undead, constructs or objects.
** The Ur-example of an energy weapon in D&D would be Hank's bow from the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' cartoon.
* {{GURPS}} has lasers (UV, IR, blue-green, X-ray, gamma-ray, polychromatic), masers, force blades, force glaives, force whips.
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