'''Basic''': Heroes and swords go hand in hand.
* '''Straight''': Bob, TheHero of ''JustForFun/TalesOfTroperia'', is given a sword right before setting off on his quest to save the world.
* '''Exaggerated''':
** Absolutely every heroic character in the ''JustForFun/TalesOfTroperia'' series uses a sword, even when the game is [[JustForFun/RecycledINSPACE set in outer space]].
** Everyone, including completely random civilians, uses swords.
** Anything that's ''not'' a sword is automatically branded as a weapon fit for crooks and villains.
* '''Downplayed''':
** Bob's favorite weapon is the sword, but he [[MultiMeleeMaster uses a variety of different weapons depending on the situation]].
** Bob keeps a sword on his person as an EmergencyWeapon; he's much more proficient with the axe.
* '''Justified''':
** Firearms don't exist in the setting of ''JustForFun/TalesOfTroperia'', so melee weapons such as swords are effective in combat.
** If Bob is a peasant, then he definitely stole the sword.
** Bob is under the legal age to possess firearms, or doesn't have access to them.
** All the firearms in the setting are used by villains.
** Swords are given as an award for great feats of courage. Bob has a sword ''because'' he is a hero.
** Bob's enemies are reinforced to protect against firearms. Bob's sword is more effective against them.
** Bob uses a sword to fight against [[ColdIron fairies]].
** The SwordOfPlotAdvancement can only be wielded by TheChosenOne. Bob, having been destined to take up this sword, has been trained to use other swords all his life.
** [[MartialPacifist Bob doesn't want to fight]], but still needs a way to defend himself. He chooses a sword because it's versatile and easy to carry.
** The story is set in TheLowMiddleAges, where swords were hard to come by and [[TropeMakers this trope took form]].
** Bob just DoesntLikeGuns.
** Bob likes swords. He can have a preference too!
** When presented with an armory (in an age where guns don't exist), Bob just doesn't find anything else that he likes other than swords. Lances are reserved for (obviously) TheLancer, the Axes, Warhammers, PrimitiveClubs, and SavageSpikedWeapons and what-have-you are [[BrutishCharacterBrutishWeapon too big and scary]] and only reserved for TheBigGuy (the [[CarryABigStick maces]] and warhammers would go to ThePaladin whilst the SavageSpikedWeapons and the axes go to the BarbarianHero), not to mention the {{BFS}}s would also go to TheBigGuy, Daggers are too dishonorable and (again) should go to TheLancer, Bob's BookDumb and can't use magical spells, so those go to TheSmartGuy, Bows are usually reserved for the AloofArcher (something that Bob's not), and as for healing staves and wands, they go to the WhiteMagicianGirl. [[HeroesFightBarehanded And going in unarmed]]? Are you crazy!? That's only something that TheBigGuy would do, too! If there already isn't a BareFistedMonk too small to be considered TheBigGuy, of course. There's simply no other option than to choose the sword.
* '''Inverted''':
** Only the RedShirts and the {{Mooks}} use swords.
** Everyone in the party except the hero wields a sword. The Hero fights with a [[PoisonedWeapon poisoned]] [[DeviousDaggers dagger]] instead.
** Bob is a knife-wielder or AloofArcher, but [[BigBad Emperor Evulz]] uses swords.
** [[EmpathicWeapon Swords prefer heroes.]]
** The work features a very lowly protagonist and clearly thinks ArmiesAreEvil. Correspondingly, anyone that has a sword - a tool which is only useful for killing - is a villain of the highest caliber.
** [[TheGunslinger Bob]] [[SuperheroPackingHeat uses firearms]].
** Bob wields anything ''but'' a sword. When there's a perfectly good sword and a meagre club, you bet Bob's grabbing the club without a second thought.
* '''Subverted''': Bob is given a sword, but immediately loses it and fights with something else.
** Bob gets a sword and clearly is set up to be TheHero, but then he quickly gets killed off. The proceeding protagonist never ever even touches a sword for the rest of the story.
* '''Double Subverted''': His InfinityPlusOneSword is (you guessed it) a sword, and so is the aptly-named SwordOfPlotAdvancement.
* '''Parodied''': Anyone who touches a sword instantly becomes TheHero. This leads to characters trying to remove the threat of the VillainOfTheWeek by forcing a sword's hilt into their hands.
* '''Zig Zagged''': Bob starts out with a sword, but then he losses it. He can find one later also a variety of weapons. His better weapons are still swords, but most enemies are immune to swords(?!). However, all of Bob's {{Limit Break}}s that overcome any defense can only be used with swords...
* '''Averted''':
** Bob uses some other type of weapon.
** Absolutely all characters are {{Improbable Weapon User}}s. There's not even anything resembling a dagger!
* '''Enforced''':
** Games with sword-wielding heroes sell better so Bob is a sword-wielding hero in outer space.
** You can't change Bob's weapon, since the game doesn't let you sell and buy equipment. Bob's sword stays as his weapon for the whole game.
** When finding a weapon to give to Bob, developers just don't find anything else that fit the hero other than swords. Lances are reserved for (obviously) TheLancer, the Axes, Warhammers, PrimitiveClubs, and SavageSpikedWeapons and whatnot are [[BrutishCharacterBrutishWeapon too big and scary]] and only reserved for TheBigGuy (the [[CarryABigStick maces]] and warhammers would go to ThePaladin whilst the SavageSpikedWeapons and the axes go to the BarbarianHero), not to mention the {{BFS}}s would also go to TheBigGuy, Daggers are too dishonorable and (again) should go to TheLancer, Bob's BookDumb and can't use magical spells, so those go to TheSmartGuy, Bows are usually reserved for the AloofArcher (something that Bob's not), and as for healing staves and wands, they go to the WhiteMagicianGirl. [[HeroesFightBarehanded And going in unarmed]]? That's only something that TheBigGuy would do, too! If there already isn't a BareFistedMonk too small to be considered TheBigGuy, of course. There's simply no other option than to choose the sword.
* '''Lampshaded''': "Wow, you must be the prophesied hero! You wield a sword!"
* '''Invoked''': When Emperor Evulz' evil army invade his village, Bob the farmer takes up his sword, hoping to defeat them like the heroes in legend.
* '''Exploited''':
** Emperor Evulz is a master of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jutte jutte]], knowing that heroes are out to get him.
** Anticipating that his opponent will likely use a sword, Evulz decides on a spear or [[NeverBringAKnifeToAGunfight other anti-sword weapons]] to take advantage of TacticalRockPaperScissors.
* '''Defied''':
** With more practical weapons available, Bob sees no reason to even look twice at a sword.
** In a game that allows Bob to equip any number of weapons, including melee weapons, swords are specifically off the table.
** “Nah, swords are too generic. Gimme [[BrutishCharacterBrutishWeapon somethin' I can smash people with]]!”
** "Swords? ''Swords!?'' Are you crazy!? Everyone knows that anyone who picks up a tool ''designed to harm others'' is evil! I'm [[HeroesFightBarehanded going in unarmed]]!"
* '''Discussed''': "The stories say: in bleak times such as now, there is always a sword-wielding hero rising to fight the tyrant."
* '''Conversed''':
** "Unlike what you may read in story books, a sword is an unlikely weapon for the hero in an age of fire arms."
** [Sees a group shot of the anime or JRPG cast holding weapons] "This one's probably the protagonist; he's the only one with a sword, you see."
* '''Deconstructed''':
** Bob gets into a fight with an EliteMook. He draws his sword... and [[NoNonsenseNemesis his opponent]] casually [[NeverBringAKnifeToAGunfight draws a gun and shoots him]].
** Bob brings in a sword to fight the criminals. They view him as a SociopathicHero and flee away. [[CrimeOfSelfDefense Bob was arrested by the cops for sword possession.]]
** Bob reflexively chooses the sword as his weapon when given the chance, without knowing how much training this weapon actually entails. He finds himself easily outmatched by more experienced sword users.
* '''Reconstructed''':
** Bob trains in advanced swordplay to deflect bullets and defend himself against more practical weapons. He also wears bullet proof body armor. Thus, he becomes a much more deadly force than any firearm.
** But [[BigGood Goddess Troperia]] [[LensmanArmsRace bestows better swords to her chosens]].
** Bob, arriving in purgatory, is told by the goddess to return, and his sword is powered up. Now that he CameBackStrong he tears up the enemy.
** After being found no guilty in his records, Bob decided to carry his sword for self-defense without intentions to murder people.
** Bob is warned beforehand that the sword is [[DifficultButAwesome one of the most difficult melee weapons to master]], and so he seeks out training before going into combat with it.
* '''Played For Laughs''': Everyone else, who use more efficient weapons, ridicule Bob as a HeroicComedicSociopath.
* '''Played For Drama''':
** [[TheFettered It's Bob's code of honor to use swords]], so when a hostage-taking situation happens where he is forced to use throwing daggers, he is in a serious pinch.
** Bob's sword is broken, so he gives up being a hero and fades into obscurity.
** Bob, no matter what he chooses, will be derided by everyone he meets due to believing this trope in full effect:
*** Bob picks out a bow and arrow? He's considered a loner, a coward, a MilesGloriosus, and a prissy prima donna who would prefer to snipe people from far off than get down and dirty in a fight.
*** Bob picks out a polearm? He's considered as more or less cannon fodder and a {{Redshirt}} who isn't given much afterthought, and he shocks people simply by making it so far without being killed.
*** Bob picks out a spellbook? He's considered a {{bookworm}} who's sheltered and egotistical, and thinks he's above others simply by knowing spells, and a good amount of the archer stereotype comes with it too.
*** Bob picks out a [[BrutishCharacterBrutishWeapon direct and crude weapon]]? He's considered DumbMuscle who doesn't have the nuance or the elegance of a true fighter, and can't dodge to save his life.
*** Bob simply [[HeroesFightBarehanded doesn't even pick a weapon at all]]? He's considered even less than DumbMuscle because he doesn't even rely on a weapon to do the job, only his muscles, and everyone thinks he's ripe for an absolute schooling.
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Take this sword and return to HeroesPreferSwords. Go and save us all!
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%% Optional items, added after Conversed, at your discretion:
%%* '''Implied''': ???
%%* '''Plotted A Good Waste''': ???