History Main / BlackSwordsAreBetter

** Nightblood of ''Literature/{{Warbreaker}}'' is a black sentient [[TalkingWeapon telepathic]] sword that is just the deadliest thing around. The only thing that keeps people safe around it is its [[AntiMagic aluminum sheath]]. When it is fully drawn, it bleeds black smoke, ''screams'' inside the head of its wielder to "DESTROY!", sucks in any magic in the surrounding area (then when that has run out, the wielders ''lifeforce''). Due its magical nature, Nightblood exists in all realms (Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual), making it a SoulCuttingBlade; anything it so much as [[DeadlyScratch scratches]] puffs into smoke. Its soulcutting ability extents to the souls of objects; when Vasher, it's current wielder [[spoiler: and co-creator]] needs to move through a building in a hurry, he simply stabs walls and floors to make large holes. Also, anyone who picks it up who might think of using it for 'evil' purposes (as defined by Nightblood) is driven to kill their companions and then themselves; its most common use is being thrown into groups of enemies who end up killing each other off. The only exemptions to this are people who the sword thinks are 'pure of heart' - those people just feel nauseous. The second most common use is to club people with it while it is still safely sheathed. Despite its status as TheCorrupter, it was Awakened with the Command 'Destroy evil'. Only thing is, being a sentient length of metal, it doesn't ''actually know'' what evil is. [[WordOfGod Word of Brandon]] is Nightblood might define evil as "someone who would try to take the sword and use it for evil purposes, selling it, manipulating, and extorting others, that sort of thing".

[[caption-width-right:350: Trainer and Trainee]]

* ''VideoGame/Halo5Guardians'' has the [[FictionalGovernmentAgency ONI]] line of UNSC vehicles, which have stronger, black-colored armor and much more deadly weapons.

* ''Literature/SonOfTheBlackSword'': Ashok wields Angruvadal, a black sword with magical powers.

* ''Franchise/SwordArtOnline'': As the ''Black Swordsman'', Kirito frequently uses these including Elucidator in the original SAO Arc and the Night Sky Sword in ''Alicization''.

** The Darksaber makes its live-action debut in ''Series/TheMandalorian'', though despite its unique look, it's stated by Moff Gideon to be more or less a typical lightsaber in terms of its abilities. However, the myth and legends associated with the Darksaber, and its association with the Visla/Vizla lineage, make it a symbol of Mandalorian rulership. [[spoiler:Din Djarin (the titular Mandalorian) becomes the new owner of the Darksaber after defeating Gideon in a one-on-one battle, making him technically the new ruler of Mandalore, a position he neither wants nor can abdicate as Mandalorian tradition holds that the Darksaber can only be claimed through violence.]]

** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'', the BigBad, Ghirahim, has a black rapier (and later, two) in the second phase of each fight against him. [[spoiler:Turns out that Ghirahim himself ''[[EquippableAlly is]]'' a sword, belonging to Demise, which resembles a black and bulkier version of the Master Sword]].

* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'', the Royal Guard weapons are blacked-out {{Palette Swap}}s of the gilded Royal weapons, and have the highest raw damage stats in the game. However, [[AwesomeButImpractical they break easily]], and they tend to only be found in Hyrule Castle.
* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'', the BigBad, Ghirahim, has a black rapier (and later, two) in the second phase of each fight against him. [[spoiler:Turns out that Ghirahim himself ''[[EquippableAlly is]]'' a sword, belonging to Demise, which resembles a black and bulkier version of the Master Sword]].