History Main / ChoiceOfTwoWeapons

** [[TheHero Haseo]] is this trope [[UpToEleven times 2]], capable of wielding [[DualWielding Dual Swords]], Broadswords, [[SinisterScythe Scythes]], and [[spoiler: [[GunsAkimbo Dual Guns]]]] and switching between them at will.

The below example space is for examples that cover more than one of the above combinations. (Like Guts of ''{{Berserk}}'', who covers BowAndSwordInAccord and TheMusketeer.)

* Guts of ''{{Berserk}}'' fits BowAndSwordInAccord, using a repeating crossbow and a set of throwing knives along with his {{BFS}}. He deviates from the general profile by being heavily armored (since he's a mercenary who mainly favors melee) and also comes under TheMusketeer by having a ''fourth'' weapon (a [[ArmCannon gunpowder cannon built into his arm]]) as a nasty surprise for any demons who think they have him beat.

* In ''FateStayNight'', Archer ([[spoiler: and by extension Shirou]]) laughs at your ChoiceOfTwoWeapons and raises you the ability to wield any weapon he has ever seen with [[InstantExpert nearly the same skill of the original user]], giving him the ability to wield spears as easily as swords as easily as bows [[OverlyLongGag as easily as axes as...]]

* '''EmergencyWeapon:''' In more modern times, a first-person-shooter protagonist is likely to wield some kind of back-up melee weapon just in case the main blaster runs out of juice. The traditional example is a crowbar or some other ImprovisedWeapon. Professional soldiers usually carry knives. And of course, there are the futuristic weapons like [[StarWars lightsabres]] and [[TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}} chainswords.]] Desperate FPS protagonists may show [[GoodOldFisticuffs some rather startling boxing skills.]]

* Ranged units in ''TotalWar'' will either come under BowAndSwordInAccord or TheMusketeer, depending on whether they are archers or gunners. The weapons vary, low level archers use knives, wealthier ones may have swords.''

For characters who use two different weapons at the same time, see GunsAkimbo, DualWielding, SwordAndFist, and SwordAndGun. Contrast WeaponOfChoice. When a character uses one of the above as their primary weapon and any randomly acquired instrument as their secondary, compare ImprovisedWeapon. In video games, this trope is often implemented in form of a RealTimeWeaponChange.

The below example space is for examples that cover more than one of the above combinations. (Like Guts of {{Berserk}}, who covers BowAndSwordInAccord and TheMusketeer.)

** [[TheHero Haseo]] is this trope [[UpToEleven times 2]] capable of wielding [[DualWielding Dual Swords]], Broadswords, [[SinisterScythe Scythes]], and [[spoiler: [[GunsAkimbo Dual Guns]]]] switching between them at will.

* In ''DynastyWarriors 3, 4'' and ''5'', all characters can switch between their normal weapon and a bow. The bow is more or less useless, though.

** ''Dynasty Warriors 7'' takes a page from ''Strikeforce'' in that all characters can equip almost ANY two weapons, with the only real limitation being that male characters cannot equip chain whips, and female characters cannot equip great swords. Characters do have their preferred weapons, however, and will be able to execute a EX-attack if they have it equipped.

For characters who use two different weapons at the same time, see GunsAkimbo, DualWielding, and SwordAndGun. Contrast WeaponOfChoice. When a character uses one of the above as their primary weapon and any randomly acquired instrument as their secondary, compare ImprovisedWeapon. In video games, this trope is often implemented in form of a RealTimeWeaponChange.

For characters who use two different weapons at the same time, see GunsAkimbo, DualWielding, and SwordAndGun. Contrast WeaponOfChoice. When a character uses one of the above as their primary weapon and any randomly acquired instrument as their secondary, compare ImprovisedWeapon.

* [[NaziNobleman Baron Zemo]] on ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes'' varies it up a little bit. His primary WesponOfChoice is his [[MasterSwordsman longsword]], but he also usually carries a gun and (at least one) dagger. Which of these latter two he [[DualWielding Dual Wields]] alongside the sword varies depending on the situation.

* [[NaziNobleman Baron Zemo]] on ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHereos'' varies it up a little bit. His primary WesponOfChoice is his [[MasterSwordsman longsword]], but he also usually carries a gun and (at least one) dagger. Which of these latter two he [[DualWielding Dual Wields]] alongside the sword varies depending on the situation.

** 1st and 2nd edition were less strict, but even then, veteran players will often suggest carrying at least a dagger and club, if only because daggers are so versatile and skeletons (virtually impervious to non-bludgeon weapons) are often plentiful adversaries. 4th edition eliminates the weapon resistance issues, but a melee character is still advised to have something to shoot or throw, for those enemies that stubbornly won't fight face-to-face.

* In AhArchfall, Lind has her halberd and a seax knife. Jago has a lot more.

* While there are other occasions in the ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' series where characters can wield more than one weapon, it would appear that Noctis Lucis Caelum from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVersusXIII'' takes this trope UpToEleven. The first trailer showed him wielding swords, spears, axes, multiple types of firearms, magic, and a primary weapon consisting of a falchion with an engine built into the hilt.

* Most characters in 3rd Edition DungeonsAndDragons are proficient with broad categories of weapons, and carrying at least one for melee and one for ranged combat was generally wise. Because of the way damage reduction worked in 3.5e, some characters carried weapons that did bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage, made from adamantine, silver, or cold iron, and were holy, unholy, axiomatic, or anarchic, in various combinations, sometimes jokingly referred to as a "golf bag" of weapons.

* While there are other occasions in the ''FinalFantasy'' series where characters can wield more than one weapon, it would appear that Noctis Lucis Caelum from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVersusXIII'' takes this trope UpToEleven. The first trailer showed him wielding swords, spears, axes, multiple types of firearms, magic, and a primary weapon consisting of a falchion with an engine built into the hilt.

For characters who use two different weapons at the same time, see GunsAkimbo, DualWielding and SwordAndGun. Contrast WeaponOfChoice. When a character uses one of the above as their primary weapon and any randomly acquired instrument as their secondary, compare ImprovisedWeapon.

* Just about any non-gunpowder related combo is possible in ''TheElderScrolls''. Sword and bow? Check. Sword and sorcery? Positively recommended. Two swords? Take your claymore for beating up those slow, easy to dodge enemies, and your sword and shield for light, fast guys who won't stay still.
** Though there is only one type of ranged attack in ''Oblivion'' unless you count magic.

** In ''Morrowind'', the diversity of weapons was much greater. Swords were the usual primary weapon, but your second weapon could be throwing stars, a bow, a crossbow, or even a spear or a different kind of bladed weapon... assuming you had built up more than one type of weapon skill.

* In ''IzunaLegendOfTheUnemployedNinja'', Izuna can fight effectively with either a sword-and-gauntlet combination, or a set of [[WolverineClaws clawed gloves]]. Its sequel, ''Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns'', expands the playable character roster and the arsenal of available weapons to include [[TheArcher bows-and-arrows]], [[MarionetteMaster dolls]], [[ArmedLegs battle boots]], [[BattleBoomerang boomerangs]] and [[KillerYoyo yo-yos]]. Most player characters are able to use at least two types. Mitsumoto, being the series' [[TheChewToy Chew Toy]], can use all of the weapons, but [[MasterOfNone can't use any of them more exceptionally well than others]]. The only character who can't is Fuuka, who is limited to using [[KickChick the battle boots]].

* '''MultiRangedMaster:''' A character who carries more than one ranged weapon. Frequently, carries a short ranged weapon and a long ranged weapon. That or a bullet-hose coupled with a precise weapon. Faces the same challenge as a multi-melee wielder in that they have to quickly get rid of their current weapon if they want to use their other option.

* The Immortals of the Achaemenid Persian Empire were the embodiment of this trope. Being the professional elite of the Empire's army, and the true ethnic Persians/Medes of nomadic ancestors, they were expected to excel in both melee and ranged combat. They carried a spear with a special apple/pomegranate-shaped butt made of gold or silver as a mark of distinction that could also be improvised as a mace; a large shield, a composite bow, and a sidearm such as the kopis (Falchion-like blade), akinakes (long dagger), or sagaris (axe/hammer with icepick-like side). Even though individual equipment would depend on the designated role in combat, the company as a whole would use the whole array of weapons in an highy disciplined and coordinated fashion, so every Immortal knew how to use them all and assume different roles in different situations. On top of that, the best men fought as cavalry.

* Along with the above examples, Roman legions carried javelins as an opening weapon before moving in with their signature sword and tower shield combo, while Greek armies and armies of Macedonian descent preferred using the spear as their primary, but could switch to swords when necessary.