History Main / ChoiceOfTwoWeapons

* All characters in ''{{Gungnir}}'' are capable of wielding two types of weapon.

* In Literature/GwendalavirUniverse, most fighters learn to be efficient with at least two weapons which almost always include the bow. Exceptions include Bjorn who sticks with his axe whenever he can, and Edwin who is a master of arms, and is ridiculously skilled whatever the weapon.

* Just about any non-gunpowder related combo is possible in ''Franchise/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 ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'' unless you count magic.
** Each of the two weapon skills in ''Oblivion'' grant you competency in at least two types of weapons. Long and short swords as well as daggers for Blade, and the fairly similar axe and mace for Blunt.
** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind 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.
** There is also the possibility to use hand-to-hand combat as one of your "weapons," although it's not always an effective choice.

* 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 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]].

Note that [[TruthInTelevision both in real-life and in fiction]], this trope needn't be limited to individuals. Vehicles, from airplanes to mecha to battleships, normally carry at least 2 varieties of heavy weapon. The most common arrangement in real-life is a heavier, longer-ranged one meant to act as the main damage dealer, which is supplemented by a [[CherryTapping weaker]] [[MoreDakka but quicker firing one]] for use against targets which aren't worth a short from the main weapon (either because of limited ammo or because the pilot/crew can't afford to waste precious time loading and aiming another). Interestingly, this is often reversed in fiction, especially video games: the weaker, simpler to use rapidfire weapons is more likely to serve as the main mode of attack while the more powerful, homing or explosive one would be relegated to the role of a "special weapon" for those "special occasions". Examples include tanks carrying machineguns to supplement their cannons, fighter planes carrying chainguns to supplement their missiles, or a fictional starship carrying powerful torpedoes to supplement its lasers (a reverse example).

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]

* Guts of ''{{Manga/Berserk}}'' fits BowAndSwordInAccord, using [[AutomaticCrossbows a repeating crossbow]] and [[KnifeNut 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]] [[ArtificalLimbs his prosthetic arm]]) as a nasty surprise for any demons who think they have him beat.

* Vash the Stampede of the aptly named ''{{Trigun}}'' is a MultiRangedMaster who switches between three guns, but primarily chooses between either his famous revolvers, or improvisation, due to his being a TechnicalPacifist. His second gun is an emergency hold-out weapon and the third he's never fired on purpose.

* ''CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight'' lets Alucard equip a weapon in each hand, with a separate button assigned to each. Handy for areas where enemies have varying weaknesses as it keeps the player from having to constantly hit up the subscreen.
* The Hunter class in ''SaltAndSanctuary'' begins with a whip and a crossbow.

* ''GodEaterBurst'' features a transforming weapon that switches from melee to firearm. The player has several choices for each slot, but must have exactly one of each before embarking on a mission.

* ''VideoGame/{{Fallout|1}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 2}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Fallout Tactics|BrotherhoodOfSteel}}'' let you carry two weapons in your hands and switch between them without the penalty associated with digging into your inventory during combat. Most players would just carry two guns, say a long-range sniper rifle and a close-range bullet sprayer. You also had the option of carrying a gun and a [[DropTheHammer Super Sledgehammer]] or two melee weapons. And then there's the HyperspaceArsenal you're carrying around in your pants that costs a few AP to access. Finally, if you left either (or both) slots open, you had access to two different sets of hand-to-hand attacks.

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

** In the [[Literature/TheHeroicLegendofArslan Arslan]] crossover game, all characters carry more than 1 weapon type into battle, with some characters carrying up to 3 weapon types. The game's charge-shift mechanic allows characters to freely switch between weapons at any time.
** In VideoGame/HyruleWarriors, many characters possess more than one weapon moveset. However, they cannot freely switch between them during battle, so the weapon must be equipped before a mission.

** This became vastly simpler to manage in the sequel's ''Lord of Destruction'' expansion pack, which added two extra weapon/shield slots that could be toggled to and back with a single keypress (as well as providing more InventoryTetris space, natch).

* In ''RogueGalaxy'', each character has access to two distinct weapons, generally a main one for melee and a less-cool one for ranged. Of course, the ranger switches that around with a cool bow and a lame melee weapon, and the rogue dual-wields daggers with the back-up weapon being her shoes (for [[KickChick kicking]]). In practice, there are only a handful of bosses in the game where the ranged weapons are necessary, and the overpowered hero has a special ability that lets him [[SwordBeam use his sword at range]].
* In ''TalesOfSymphoniaDawnOfTheNewWorld'', Richter Abend wields a sword and an axe. [[DualWielding At the same time]].

* ''{{Arcanum}}'' characters can be built to switch between guns or bows and melee weapons, but carrying multiple weapons of your chosen type is also common because BreakableWeapons is in effect and swords are no good for breaking open stubborn chests.

* ''VideoGame/MightAndMagic'' series is the king of this trope, not bothering to stop with only two different weapons, but three and even four in some cases.

* In the earlier ''{{VideoGame/XCOM}}'' games, ''[[VideoGames/XCOMUFODefense UFO Defense]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/XCOMTerrorFromTheDeep Terror from the Deep]]'', your soldiers had two 'hand' inventory slots, where you would need to put weapons in order to use them. Most larger weapons such as rifles or rocket launchers suffered big accuracy penalties if both hands were used, but pistols did not and so having some troops wielding pistols and grenades or stun rods or thermic lances saved valuable [=APs=] by not swapping weapons when confronted with suitable situations.

* In the earlier {{X-COM}} games, Enemy Unknown/UFO Defense and Terror from the Deep, your soldiers had two 'hand' inventory slots, where you would need to put weapons in order to use them. Most larger weapons such as rifles or rocket launchers suffered big accuracy penalties if both hands were used, but pistols did not and so having some troops wielding pistols and grenades or stun rods or thermic lances saved valuable [=APs=] by not swapping weapons when confronted with suitable situations.

* In ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'', Master Chief can carry two weapons at a time, as well as repurpose the fundamentally different Covenant technology and use it for himself. From 2 and onwards a Musketeer style approach was possible with the energy sword and gravity hammer. Too close for comfort? Take one of them out and continue the slaughter close-up. Its better than the butt of a gun.

* The majority of units in ''BattleForWesnoth'' carry two different types of weapons, often one each of ranged and melee.

* '''MultiMeleeMaster:''' A character who carries more than one melee weapon. Frequently, carries a short ranged and a long reach weapon. That or a weapon that is good for offense and defence. They tend to have trouble changing between them though as it means they have to draw the new weapon and dispose of the old one somehow.

* Vash the Stampede of the aptly named ''{{Trigun}}'' is a MultiRangedMaster who switches between three guns. He has his signature revolver for general purpose use,[[spoiler: a submachinegun built into his arm for close ranged combat, and an angel arm cannon for blowing holes in the moon.]]
** Actually, his two weapon specialties are '{{revolver|sAreJustBetter}}' and '[[ImprobableWeaponUser improvised]];' the latter is useful for maintaining both ObfuscatingStupidity and {{Technical Pacifi|st}}sm. The second of the three listed above is a hold-out emergency weapon, and the third he has never intentionally fired.

* In ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia'', Yeager, one of the antagonists, wield a rather unique weapon, in that it is a scythe that can transform into a rifle. One of the party characters, Raven, also has a transforming weapon, his being a bow that transforms into a short sword. This is interesting to note given that they also have a more notable thing in common in that [[spoiler:both men were brought back to life and subsequently manipulated by Alexei. They also both have blastia hearts, and, most likely, loved the same woman.]]
** Actually, Yeager's Scythe had 4 or 5 settings to it; Scythe, Crossbow, Sword, Rifle, and a Sheild-looking one that may have just been the crossbow mode used for defence instead of attacking making it more of a SwissArmyWeapon, and if you pay attention durring the fight you'll notice the "Rifle" setting only appears durring his [[LimitBreak Mystic Arte]] in battle. In the actual story, he uses it [[spoiler: on the Heracles to shoot Zagi out the window]]. Yeager's two lackies, Gauche and Droite, had swords that turned into guns for some of their special attacks. Sadly said swords lose that ability when the player gets ahold of them (via stealing them during the fight with Gauche and Driote) as Estelle is the only character who can use them.
** Raven might count too since he's wielding both a bow and a dagger at the same time.

* Common practice in many current military units; where soldiers will carry at least two guns - e.g. a rifle and a handgun, with often with [[WalkingArmory | few other weapons as well]].

* ''MightAndMagic'' series is the king of this trope, not bothering to stop with only two different weapons, but three and even four in some cases.

Subtrope is the MagicKnight, who wields just one weapon but backs it up with magic rather than another weapon.

* Guts of ''{{Manga/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 ''{{Halo}}'', Master Chief can carry two weapons at a time, as well as repurpose the fundamentally different Covenant technology and use it for himself. From 2 and onwards a Musketeer style approach was possible with the energy sword and gravity hammer. Too close for comfort? Take one of them out and continue the slaughter close-up. Its better than the butt of a gun.