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* In the ''VideoGame/{{Mary Skelter|Nightmares}}'' franchise, Alice and Otsuu, both of which are protagonists and primary {{Action Girl}}s for their respective games, wield swords in their basic classes (heck, the [[ExaggeratedTrope only]] class in which Alice doesn't use one is [[HeroesFightBarehanded Marshal]]). In ''Mary Skelter 2'' specifically, Hameln, who tries to play up her whole hero shtick as much as possible, has the same class set ''and'' starting class as Alice in order to [[InvokedTrope invoke this trope]].
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* ''VideoGame/ManaSeries'': The series' Japanese name, ''Seiken Densetsu'', means "The Legend of the Holy Sword", so it's to be expected. It refers to the Mana Sword, the holy blade [[ForgedByTheGods created by]] the [[CrystalDragonJesus Goddess of Mana]], said to be capable of destroying the great evils.
** In ''VideoGame/SecretOfMana'' Randi takes the sword to cut some [[InsurmountableWaistHeightFence impassable grass]]. It turns out to be the Mana Sword, and the first weapon in your arsenal. There are several other weapons in the game, but the hero is always depicted with the sword.
** While ''VideoGame/TrialsOfMana'' has no predetermined protagonist, Duran, the swordsman, is placed front and center on the cover, and is [[StoryBranchFavoritism implied]] to be the canon [[TheChosenOne Mana Knight]].
* In the''VideoGame/{{Mary Skelter|Nightmares}}'' ''VideoGame/MarySkelter'' franchise, Alice and Otsuu, both of which are protagonists and primary {{Action Girl}}s for their respective games, wield swords in their basic classes (heck, the [[ExaggeratedTrope only]] class in which Alice doesn't use one is [[HeroesFightBarehanded Marshal]]). In ''Mary Skelter 2'' specifically, Hameln, who tries to play up her whole hero shtick as much as possible, has the same class set ''and'' starting class as Alice in order to [[InvokedTrope invoke this trope]].
** In ''VideoGame/SecretOfMana'' Randi takes the sword to cut some [[InsurmountableWaistHeightFence impassable grass]]. It turns out to be the Mana Sword, and the first weapon in your arsenal. There are several other weapons in the game, but the hero is always depicted with the sword.
** While ''VideoGame/TrialsOfMana'' has no predetermined protagonist, Duran, the swordsman, is placed front and center on the cover, and is [[StoryBranchFavoritism implied]] to be the canon [[TheChosenOne Mana Knight]].
* In the
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* ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'': Double subverted. While our main characters, [[VideoGame/GoldenSun1 Isaac]], [[VideoGame/GoldenSunTheLostAge Felix]], and [[VideoGame/GoldenSunDarkDawn Matthew]], all start with swords, they can also equip axes, and swords are available to most other party members as well. However, the Sol Blade, the best long sword (and weapon in general) in the series, is exclusive to [[DishingOutDirt Venus]] Warrior-style Adepts... Which happens to include all three of them, and nobody else.
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** [[VideoGame/TalesOfXillia2 Ludger]] fights with dual blades, and later picks up hammers and [[GunsAkimbo dual guns]], as well as a [[DoubleWeapon double-ended spear]] in his SuperMode. However, even though he can [[RealTimeWeaponChange switches between them]] right in the battle, he's still always depicted with his dual swords.
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** [[VideoGame/TalesOfXillia2 Ludger]] fights with dual blades, and later picks up hammers and [[GunsAkimbo dual guns]], as well as a [[DoubleWeapon double-ended spear]] in his SuperMode. However, even though he can [[RealTimeWeaponChange switches switch between them]] right in the battle, he's still always depicted with his dual swords.
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* ''VideoGame/ConquerorsBlade'' invokes this trope with its very name...then proceeds to subvert it subtly. There are several sword hero classes (Shortsword and Shield, Longsword and Shield, Nodachi, and Chain Dart and Scimitar), but the majority of hero weapons actually count as polerams rather than swords.
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* ''VideoGame/ConquerorsBlade'' invokes this trope with its very name...then proceeds to subvert it subtly. There are several sword hero classes (Shortsword and Shield, Longsword and Shield, Nodachi, and Chain Dart and Scimitar), but the majority of hero weapons actually count as polerams polearms rather than swords.
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* ''VideoGame/ConquerorsBlade'' invokes this trope with its very name...then proceeds to subvert it subtly. There are several sword hero classes (Shortsword and Shield, Longsword and Shield, Nodachi, and Chain Dart and Scimitar), but the majority of hero weapons actually count as polerams rather than swords.
** The very ''playerbase'' subverts this trope: while many newcomers choose the Nodachi class or end up on the Scimitar class, the most popular weapon by far is the Maul, or war hammer.
** The very ''playerbase'' subverts this trope: while many newcomers choose the Nodachi class or end up on the Scimitar class, the most popular weapon by far is the Maul, or war hammer.
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* ''VideoGame/BreathOfFire'': The Ryu of every installment always equips swords as the main weapon. The only standout is ''[=BoF1=]'' Ryu, who can also equip {{Battle Boomerang}}s, although there are only three of them in the entire game, and none can be bought in shops.
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** ''VideoGame/TalesOfArise'' double down on this. Its hero, Alphen, usually fights with a normal sword. However, early into the game Shionne gives him the Blazing Sword, a condensed mass of Astral Energy of Fire, that Alphen can briefly use as a weapon thanks to his [[FeelsNoPain pain immunity]]. Using its power, Alphen liberates the realm of Calaglia, becoming a hero to its inhabitants. Fittingly, when [[spoiler:he's defeated by Vholran and Shionne is kidnapped, the Sword vanishes from his hand, signifying his loss]].
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** ''VideoGame/TalesOfArise'' double doubles down on this. Its hero, Alphen, usually fights with a normal sword. However, early into the game Shionne gives him the Blazing Sword, a condensed mass of Astral Energy of Fire, that Alphen can briefly use as a weapon thanks to his [[FeelsNoPain pain immunity]]. Using its power, Alphen liberates the realm of Calaglia, becoming a hero to its inhabitants. Fittingly, when [[spoiler:he's defeated by Vholran and Shionne is kidnapped, the Sword vanishes from his hand, signifying his loss]].
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* Zig-zagged in ''Literature/WarsOfTheRealm'': swords are the weapon of choice for both angels ''and'' demons.
** An interesting instance of this trope comes when [[spoiler:''human'' protagonist Drew Carter gets to use a sword himself. [[RuleOfCool To slay demons]], no less.]]
** An interesting instance of this trope comes when [[spoiler:''human'' protagonist Drew Carter gets to use a sword himself. [[RuleOfCool To slay demons]], no less.]]
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** Though Goblin Slayer is at least reasonably proficient with most weapons so that he can make use of anything he can grab off of downed goblins, he tends to carry a short sword as his default weapon. However, rather than wielding an iconic blade, he regularly obtains and replaces cheap swords.
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** Though Goblin Slayer is at least reasonably proficient with most weapons so that he can make use of anything he can grab off of downed goblins, he tends to carry a short sword as his default weapon. However, rather than wielding an iconic blade, he regularly obtains and replaces cheap swords.swords, not expecting any of them to last more than two battles max.
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* More traditionally, there's Chosen Heroine, TheAce of a world-saving adventurer who undoubtedly ''would'' be the main character of the story if not for the narrative's firm focus on LowFantasy. Naturally, she wields a sacred sword about as large as she is.
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* More traditionally, there's Chosen Heroine, TheAce of a world-saving adventurer who undoubtedly ''would'' be the main character of the story if not for the narrative's firm focus on LowFantasy. Naturally, she wields a sacred sword about as large as she is.
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** Goblin Slayer likes to use swords in battle, although rather than wielding an iconic blade, he regularly obtains and replaces cheap swords.
** Warrior tries to invoke this with a longsword, but he proves himself incapable of using it in the cramped confines of the goblin caves.
** Warrior tries to invoke this with a longsword, but he proves himself incapable of using it in the cramped confines of the goblin caves.
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** Though Goblin Slayer likes to is at least reasonably proficient with most weapons so that he can make use swords in battle, although of anything he can grab off of downed goblins, he tends to carry a short sword as his default weapon. However, rather than wielding an iconic blade, he regularly obtains and replaces cheap swords.
** Heavy Warrior goes with a {{BFS}}, and is one of the more straightforwardly powerful adventurers in the main cast.
** Young Warrior (at most a background character in the main story, but receives a great deal more attention in ''Year Zero'') is also a sword wielder.
** The Warrior from Priestess's first party tries to invoke this with a longsword, but he proves himself incapable of using it in the cramped confines of the goblincaves.caves.
** Interestingly, Rookie Warrior starts off with a sword, but during one quest when he loses it and has too little money to pay for anything better, he takes up a simple club to retrieve it. Finding it BoringButPractical, he continues using it even after recovering the sword, to the point of eventually being redubbed Club Fighter.
** According to one internal monologue from Blacksmith, the vast majority of magic weapons in the setting are swords, presumably because of this trope.
** Heavy Warrior goes with a {{BFS}}, and is one of the more straightforwardly powerful adventurers in the main cast.
** Young Warrior (at most a background character in the main story, but receives a great deal more attention in ''Year Zero'') is also a sword wielder.
** The Warrior from Priestess's first party tries to invoke this with a longsword, but he proves himself incapable of using it in the cramped confines of the goblin
** Interestingly, Rookie Warrior starts off with a sword, but during one quest when he loses it and has too little money to pay for anything better, he takes up a simple club to retrieve it. Finding it BoringButPractical, he continues using it even after recovering the sword, to the point of eventually being redubbed Club Fighter.
** According to one internal monologue from Blacksmith, the vast majority of magic weapons in the setting are swords, presumably because of this trope.
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* ''VideoGame/MediEvil'': Although Sir Dan uses a slew of weapons gifted to him by the Heroes, his signature weapon is the sword. He starts with a small sword, which can be upgraded into a larger broadsword which has a wider swing and can be temporarily magical enchanted to do more damage, and then finally the magic sword which is like a permanently enchanted broadsword. Fittingly, Sir Dan's story is that of a FakeUltimateHero knight who [[EyeScream died via arrow to the eye]] in the opening moments of his first real battle and has to prove his heroism in undeath by saving the kingdom of Gallowmere when his old nemesis returns.
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"Can't use magic" does NOT in ANY way imply "can only use swords". SAO had spears, maces, axes, daggers, all sorts of non-sword weapons.
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* ''Literature/SwordArtOnline'': Kirito's preference for swords is so strong that when he plays the VRMMO shooter ''Gun Gale Online'', he buys a [[LaserBlade Photon Sword]] and uses it extensively, to the point that [[ParryingBullets he can deflect bullets with it]]. It should also be noted that in the game SAO itself, players can only use swords, hence the name.
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* ''Literature/SwordArtOnline'': Kirito's preference for swords is so strong that when he plays the VRMMO shooter ''Gun Gale Online'', he buys a [[LaserBlade Photon Sword]] and uses it extensively, to the point that [[ParryingBullets he can deflect bullets with it]]. It should also be noted that in the game SAO itself, players can only use swords, hence the name.
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* Itto Ohgami of ''Manga/LoneWolfAndCub'' primarily uses a dotanuki sword, a heavier, shorter version of the katana. His opponents are often armed with a wide variety of more unusual Japanese weapons.
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* Itto Ohgami Ogami of ''Manga/LoneWolfAndCub'' primarily uses a dotanuki sword, a heavier, shorter version of the katana. His opponents are often armed with a wide variety of more unusual Japanese weapons.
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* Inverted in ''Manga/WolfGuyWolfenCrest'', where the villain Haguro Dou still uses a sword in the present day, and turns out to be a dangerous threat even to the werewolf Akira.
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* In ''VideoGame/MetalGear'', Raiden takes up a high-frequency blade modeled on a katana as his weapon of choice, and his cybernetics allow him to take on gunmen and robots alike.
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* Played with in ''WesternAnimation/ZakStorm'': While the titular hero Zak Storm fights with Calabrass, a [[TalkingWeapon talking sword]], depending on the Eye of the Seven Seas he is using to access his ElementalPowers, Calabrass can [[MorphWeapon transform into a different weapon.]]
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* In ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'', all three members of the PowerTrio are proficient archers, but TheHero Rand al'Thor receives a sword as he leaves home. When this sword is melted in his fight with Ba'alzamon at the end of the second book, he uses a blade [[InsubstantialIngredients made of fire]] until he gets his signature weapon [[AmplifierArtifact ''Callandor'']] from the Stone of Tear. Of the other two, TheTrickster Mat Cauthon uses a knife, a staff, and a spear, while TheBlacksmith Perrin Aybara has either an axe or can DropTheHammer.
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* In ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'', all three members of the PowerTrio are proficient archers, but TheHero Rand al'Thor receives a sword as he leaves home. When this sword is melted in his fight with Ba'alzamon at the end of the second book, he uses a blade [[InsubstantialIngredients made of fire]] until he gets his signature weapon [[AmplifierArtifact ''Callandor'']] from the Stone of Tear. Of the other two, TheTrickster Mat Cauthon uses a knife, a staff, and a spear, while TheBlacksmith Perrin Aybara has either an axe or can DropTheHammer.[[CarryABigStick hammer]].
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* Early in ''Film/TheGreatRace'', we are shown that the hero, "The Great Leslie", is an expert fencer. This comes in handy later in the film.
* ''Film/KongSkullIsland'': Two of the main heroes wield a ''[[KatanasAreJustBetter shin-guntō]]'' and use it to cut the monsters of Skull Island open, unlike the GeneralRipper played by Creator/SamuelLJackson who exclusively relies on guns and explosives. Notably, the main user of this sword is ''not'' the leader (although the leader, James Conrad, does use the sword for a brief time): it's their resident Skull Island expert, an aged WWII-era lieutenant named Hank Marlow. The ''shin-guntō'' originally belonged to a Japanese pilot named Gunpei Ikari, who crashes on Skull Island with Marlow in the DistantPrologue, initially attempting to run Marlow through on the sword before they realize where they've ended up. Cut off from the war and stranded on an IsleOfGiantHorrors together, Marlow and Ikari gradually became FireForgedFriends over the years, before Ikari was eventually killed by a Skullcrawler. His ''shin-guntō'' became a WeaponTombstone, before Marlow in the present takes the sword as a symbolic way of fulfilling his and Gunpei's promise to never leave each-other behind when he attempts to get off the island with the main cast.
* ''Film/KongSkullIsland'': Two of the main heroes wield a ''[[KatanasAreJustBetter shin-guntō]]'' and use it to cut the monsters of Skull Island open, unlike the GeneralRipper played by Creator/SamuelLJackson who exclusively relies on guns and explosives. Notably, the main user of this sword is ''not'' the leader (although the leader, James Conrad, does use the sword for a brief time): it's their resident Skull Island expert, an aged WWII-era lieutenant named Hank Marlow. The ''shin-guntō'' originally belonged to a Japanese pilot named Gunpei Ikari, who crashes on Skull Island with Marlow in the DistantPrologue, initially attempting to run Marlow through on the sword before they realize where they've ended up. Cut off from the war and stranded on an IsleOfGiantHorrors together, Marlow and Ikari gradually became FireForgedFriends over the years, before Ikari was eventually killed by a Skullcrawler. His ''shin-guntō'' became a WeaponTombstone, before Marlow in the present takes the sword as a symbolic way of fulfilling his and Gunpei's promise to never leave each-other behind when he attempts to get off the island with the main cast.
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* Early in ''Film/TheGreatRace'', we are shown that the hero, "The Great Leslie", is an expert fencer. This comes in handy later in the film.
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!!Example subpages:
[[index]]
* HeroesPreferSwords/AnimeAndManga
* HeroesPreferSwords/{{Literature}}
* HeroesPreferSwords/LiveActionTV
* HeroesPreferSwords/VideoGames
[[/index]]
!!Other examples:
[[foldercontrol]]
[[index]]
* HeroesPreferSwords/AnimeAndManga
* HeroesPreferSwords/{{Literature}}
* HeroesPreferSwords/LiveActionTV
* HeroesPreferSwords/VideoGames
[[/index]]
!!Other examples:
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[[index]]
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[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
*
*
*
*
[[/index]]
!!Other examples:
[[foldercontrol]]
* {{Inverted|Trope}} in ''Anime/CowboyBebop'', where the villain Vicious insists on using a sword while other characters use high-tech weapons or ordinary guns. It marks him as particularly bloodthirsty compared to other criminals.
* ''Anime/CuteyHoney'': The titular heroine's iconic weapon is a rapier. She's the only one of her series to wield one.
* In ''Anime/DayBreakIllusion'', a [[FlamingSword flaming rapier]] is the protagonist Akari's weapon of choice.
* Laios of ''Manga/DeliciousInDungeon'' is the series' heroic lead as well as being the only member of the current Team Touden to fight with a sword.
* ''Anime/FutureCardBuddyfight'': [[TheHero Gao Mikado]] favors item cards that resemble either a {{BFS}} or [[HeroesFightBarehanded cestuses]]. [[TheLancer Tasuku Ryuenji]] tends to favor sabers and, after he's come to terms with the trauma that robbed him of his childhood, [[FamilyFriendlyFirearms laser guns]]. [[TheBigGuy Tetsuya Kurodake]] doesn't use items terribly often, but on the rare occasions he does he prefers [[PowerStereotypeFlip spellbooks]]. [[TheSmartGuy Zanya Kisaragi]] prefers to use katanas. [[ButtMonkey Noboru Kodo]] uses lances. [[TokenEvilTeammate Gaito Kurusu]] uses [[SinisterScythe scythes]]. Lastly, [[LovableJock Kanata Ozora]] uses cleats that summon ball-shaped energy projectiles for him to kick at his opponents.
* ''Manga/{{Gamaran}}'': the main characters and the BigBad are members of the Ogame School, which teaches Kenjutsu, and thus employ sword. Most of the other Schools in the series tend to focus on different weapons, such as spears, naginata, ninja weapons, martial arts and even foreign weapons.
* ''Literature/GoblinSlayer''
** Goblin Slayer likes to use swords in battle, although rather than wielding an iconic blade, he regularly obtains and replaces cheap swords.
** Warrior tries to invoke this with a longsword, but he proves himself incapable of using it in the cramped confines of the goblin caves.
* ''Anime/GoLion'' (''Voltron'' in America) uses a huge sword as a finisher.
* ''Anime/GreatMazinger'': HeroProtagonist Tetsuya Tsurugi uses two long, double-edged swords. He is the only character on the heroes' side that wields swords, and in fact he is is the only hero of the ''Anime/MazingerZ'' trilogy that does so. This changes in ''Anime/{{Mazinkaiser}}'', where the titular mecha also carries a sword. Two in the movie, which given that they emerge from different parts of the mecha's body (chest and shoulders respectively), means it carries at least ''three''.
* The ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' series tends to show this as well, with most mobile suits piloted by the Hero packing a [[LaserBlade Beam saber]]. However Beam sabers quickly started becoming the standard about halfway through the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam original series]], and continued through subsequent series' as well. Later works would often differentiate the hero's mobile suit by giving it a more unique sword, sometimes even going back to a physical one.
** Averted by Mikazuki Augus of ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamIronBloodedOrphans'', who actually prefers [[CarryABigStick maces]] over the katana-like sword that was made for his Gundam Barbatos. He does discover its good points when he's forced to use it in the climax of the first season. In the second season Barbatos is given a mace-sword, which is essentially just a mace shaped like a sword and possessing no cutting edge.
** Played more straight by Setsuna F. Seiei from OO than by any other Gundam-protagonist. His Gundams generally have more swords than actually needed in a battle. Exia started with three and was upgraded to seven (in the episode titled "Seven Swords", where Exia got the Seven Swords upgrade). Gundam OO had eight swords, including the 5000km long Raiser Sword. OO Qan[t] only had 2 swords, though: GN Sword III and Quantum Sword (although it also had 6 Sword [[AttackDrone Bits]]). Setsuna even lampshades it in the final battle with Ribbons, saying "This is the range ''I'' excel at!" when charging in to melee range.
* In ''Manga/JojosBizarreAdventurePhantomBlood'', after defeating Bruford, Jonathan inherits his sword "Luck" (which Bruford renames to "Luck and Pluck" before giving it as a recognition to his valor). He goes on to use the blade (charged with [[ThePowerOfTheSun Hamon]] no less) in his attempt to vanquish Dio.
* ''Manga/JujutsuKaisen'': Yuta learns to wield a katana, which is his main weapon. He's perfectly fine with fighting barehanded however, albeit it notably depends more on brute force compared to characters dedicated to hand to hand combat, like Yuji and Todo.
* Itto Ohgami of ''Manga/LoneWolfAndCub'' primarily uses a dotanuki sword, a heavier, shorter version of the katana. His opponents are often armed with a wide variety of more unusual Japanese weapons.
* ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'':
** While not the main character, Fate gains a sword form for her [[EmpathicWeapon Intelligent Device]] post-HeelFaceTurn (and [[MorphWeapon several more]] post TimeSkip), marking her as one of the most lawful characters in the series. Her equally heroic friend [[LadyOfWar Signum]] also uses a sword, fitting her position as the leader of the Wolkenritter.
** Nanoha herself, ironically, does not wield a sword despite specifically coming from a family of swordsmen ([[VisualNovel/TriangleHeart3SweetSongsForever including her father, brother, sister, and paternal aunt]]). She uses a magical staff instead, which changes into a spear whenever she feels like getting into melee range.
* In ''Literature/OnlySenseOnline'', swords are very popular weapons in the titular game, and are the weapons of choice for quite a few major characters, such as Myu and Taku, and it is implied that both of them are trying to invoke this trope by using swords. Even Sei, who plays as a mage, has a spell to generate a sword she can wield with her Staff Sense.
* Sayaka Miki of ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' subconsciously invokes this trope, believing that a MagicalGirl should fight for truth and justice, and only use their powers to help others. While not the main heroine, she's the only main character to wield swords, a symbol of her idealism put to the test.
* In ''Literature/RecordOfLodossWar'', Parn, the first main character of the series, uses a sword. When the next generation of heroes takes over as the main cast in ''Chronicles of the Heroic Knight'', their main character (Spark) uses a sword as well.
* ''Franchise/SailorMoon'':
** Sailor Uranus, leader of the Outers, has a sword as her weapon.
** In the [[Manga/SailorMoon manga]], Sailor Venus, leader of the Inner Senshi, sometimes carries a sword. She was also the only one who could extract the Holy Sword from its stone prison.
** In the [[Anime/SailorMoon anime]], the legendary Sailor Senshi who sealed Chaos had one. To everyone's horror, she's actually [[spoiler:[[FallenHero Sailor]] [[BigBad Galaxia]]]].
** Also in the anime, Sailor Moon wields one when fighting Galaxia as the last hero standing.
** Having been the generals of the Golden Kingdom, the Shitennou are often armed with swords, with their leader Kunzite being the one using it most often.
* In ''Manga/SeraphOfTheEnd'', the weapons used among the main FiveManBand are a SinisterScythe, a bow, a polearm, [[DualWielding dual swords]], and a single sword. The main protagonist [[TheHero Yuu]] wields the last one.
* Meliodas from ''Manga/TheSevenDeadlySins'' usually carries a sword on him, [[spoiler:but the first one we see him holding onto is actually a piece of the [[ArtifactOfDoom Coffin of Eternal Darkness]], which has a broken sword blade attached to it. He is no less dangerous with it, regardless]]. His mainstay weapon is his [[MagicalWeapon Sacred Treasure]] called Lostvayne, a curved short sword which allows him to bring out his full magical potential... especially his devastating [[AttackReflector Full Counter]]. It also allows him to [[SelfDuplication make copies of himself when the occasion calls]].
* ''Literature/SwordArtOnline'': Kirito's preference for swords is so strong that when he plays the VRMMO shooter ''Gun Gale Online'', he buys a [[LaserBlade Photon Sword]] and uses it extensively, to the point that [[ParryingBullets he can deflect bullets with it]]. It should also be noted that in the game SAO itself, players can only use swords, hence the name.
* ''Anime/VoltesV'': Kenichi Go is both his team's leader and swordsman, and nearly always uses a sword attack to finish the MonsterOfTheWeek.
* ''Anime/YuGiOh'': The main protagonist of ''Anime/YuGiOhSevens'' has a SignatureMon called "Sevens Road Magician" who wields a sword. When a more villainous character uses "Sevens Road Magician" in the following series, ''Anime/YuGiOhGORUSH'', she gives him an equip spell that changes his sword into a lance.
[[/folder]]
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[[folder:Music]]
* {{Music/Gloryhammer}}: Subverted. The only named character in the Gloryhammer-verse who carries a sword is Proletius, and that is only mentioned in passing. The [=McFife=] kings carry the titular Gloryhammer. The Hootsman carries the scarred battle-axe that won him the throne of California, and the king of the Astral Dwarves wields the Crystal Laser Battle Axe. Ralathor is primarily TheStrategist, and uses magic or artifacts of various stripes when he is forced to get close and personal. The Goblin King of the Darkstorm Galaxy uses a magic crystal as his primary weapon, and the dark sorcerer Zargothrax wields the Knife of Evil. The exact armaments used by the Questlords of Inverness are not elaborated on.
* Music/AngusMcSix's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3u_JGmq5Fs "Master of the Universe"]] portrays him discarding [[TakeThat the hammer that lost its glory]] (a snide reference to vocalist Thomas Winkler's [[Music/{{Gloryhammer}} former band]]) and taking up a CoolSword instead.
* {{Music/Gloryhammer}}: Subverted. The only named character in the Gloryhammer-verse who carries a sword is Proletius, and that is only mentioned in passing. The [=McFife=] kings carry the titular Gloryhammer. The Hootsman carries the scarred battle-axe that won him the throne of California, and the king of the Astral Dwarves wields the Crystal Laser Battle Axe. Ralathor is primarily TheStrategist, and uses magic or artifacts of various stripes when he is forced to get close and personal. The Goblin King of the Darkstorm Galaxy uses a magic crystal as his primary weapon, and the dark sorcerer Zargothrax wields the Knife of Evil. The exact armaments used by the Questlords of Inverness are not elaborated on.
* Music/AngusMcSix's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3u_JGmq5Fs "Master of the Universe"]] portrays him discarding [[TakeThat the hammer that lost its glory]] (a snide reference to vocalist Thomas Winkler's [[Music/{{Gloryhammer}} former band]]) and taking up a CoolSword instead.
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*
* Hal, protagonist and leader of the Heron brotherband in ''Literature/{{Brotherband}},'' wields a sword, while most of the other boys fight with axes. This is actually justified in-universe, as he's smaller and more agile than many of the others, meaning that a sword
* In ''Literature/TheBraidedPath'' Tsata uses special blades adapted for close combat called "kntha".
* ''Franchise/ConanTheBarbarian'' almost always uses a sword, although never the same one since they tend to break on him or get lost. Occasionally, however, he also uses spears, hammers, and axes.
* Not surprisingly, given the setting, this comes up in the ''Literature/{{Deryni}}'' works:
** While the heroic characters can and do use other weapons (Morgan's stiletto is practically an extension of his arm, and he, Kelson, and Dhugal are among those shown shooting bows), the heroic characters are shown to use swords often. Even Duncan [=McLain=] keeps in practice, despite having taken holy orders.
** In the short story "Trial", Morgan uses his powers to find the real culprits in a rape/murder case, freeing a foreign swordsmith who was falsely accused of the crime. In gratitude, the smith offers to make Morgan a custom sword and asks to join his service.
* Orson Gregory in ''Literature/TheDreamsideRoad'' is well known for his sword of fire. By his own admission, he is mediocre, at best, with ranged weapons.
* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'':
** This is played straight with the three Knights of the Cross, who are Paladins and wield a Holy Sword with one of the Nails from the Crucifixion in its hilt. While some might use other weapons to aide them, their primary weapon is their Sword.
** This is invoked with Wardens of the White Council. They are the police officers of Wizards and their frontline soldiers too. Captain Anastasia Luccio creates for each one in her ranks an anti-magic sword that will cut through enchantments. When fighting Warlocks, human wizards gone evil, they will generally use their swords to kill the person because if they kill using magic, it taints their soul and pushes them to the dark side and becoming warlocks themselves.
** This is
---> '''Jim Butcher:''' What's he gonna do with a sword? He'll cut himself. Honestly, if he had a sword he'd fall on it, you know he would. Somebody would take it away from him and hit him with it. That's the kind of thing that happens.
* ''Literature/TheEmpiriumTrilogy'': Audric is the most powerful sunspinner to be seen in decades, if not centuries, and his main casting- Illumenor- is a sword. In ''Lightbringer'', he uses Illumenor in order to drive off a Gate-induced storm from destroying Quelbani, the capital of Mazabat.
* In ''Literature/FengshenYanyi'': nearly all the good Immortals helping Zhou can use ''jian'' (the standard, straight Chinese arming sword), including the hero Jiang Ziya, who wields the precious Three-Ringed Sword when not using his situational God-Beating Whip, contrasting normal warriors and generals who usually employ spears or polearms. Tellingly, both traitorous princes Yin Hong and Yin Jiao are given magic swords by their masters but, upon betraying Zhou, switch to using halberds instead. Downplayed in that the jian seems to be the weapon of choice of all taoists, even the evil ones such as the Ten Heavenly Lords of Jinao Island.
* Used several times in ''Literature/TheHeirsOfAlexandria'', in various ways, even though gunpowder weapons are starting to dominate the battlefields.
** When Benito and Marco gets introduced into the Venetian upper circles, they have to wear swords and are trained with them. However, they never use them in anger.
** Duke Dell'Este signals his alliance with House Dorma of Venice by sending one of his honour-blades to Petro Dorma.
** Justified in the case of the Knights of the Holy Trinity, since [[ColdIron Cold Steel is effective against supernatural forces]], and swords can be used as a cross in a pinch.
* ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'':
** Funnily {{deconstructed}} ''and'' {{reconstructed}}. The
** In addition, Eragon seems to be at least subconsciously aware of this trope as one of his main through-lines in the book ''Brisingr'' [[spoiler:(which is what he eventually names his sword)]] is trying to get himself a proper Riders' sword, as he feels he can't be a real Rider (read: hero) without one.
* Lampshaded and deconstructed in ''Literature/TheLastHero'', when Carrot faces down Cohen the Barbarian and the Silver Horde. "One simple sword in the hands of a truly brave man would cut through a magical sword like suet." Elsewhere in the series, the narrative discusses [[KingIncognito Carrot's]] AncestralWeapon -- nothing magical, just a simple steel sword so utterly mundane that it has a kind of power all its own. It's somehow ''more real'' than everything around it.
* In ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'', Aragorn goes from being a ranger among others and someone fighting a losing fight to the man who will be King of Gondor and a member of the party that will win the war. This transfer coincides with the re-forging of Narsil and him claiming it as Andúril.
** For that matter, in ''Literature/TheHobbit'', the first step in Bilbo's transformation from helpless Everyman to brave adventurer is when he receives the blade Sting from a troll hoard. By the time he uses it to kill a Great Spider, he's accepted by the Dwarves traveling with him as a hero.
* In ''Literature/TheLostRedeemer'', many of the Aeons fight with swords even as the humans develop more modern weapons like firearms.
* Literature/TheCampHalfbloodSeries:
** In the ''Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians'' novel(la) series, the titular
** In the sequel series ''Literature/TheHeroesOfOlympus'', this is embodied in the chosen seven who are supposed to save the world: The
* ''Literature/ProphecyApprovedCompanion'': Swords are the perfered weapon of the
* In ''Literature/ShadowOfTheConqueror,'' swords are [[MasterSwordsman by far the
* Music/AngusMcSix's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3u_JGmq5Fs "Master
* In ''Literature/TheSilentWar'', Serdra insists that swords are the best weapons for Redcloaks. They draw less attention that carrying a polearm around, and
* Nearly all of the important, heroic characters in ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'' use swords, and many of them are named. Axes, maces and polearms are generally relegated to mooks and characters who don't fit the heroic mold. Tyrion uses an axe, as do many of his highland bandit henchmen.
** An exception is King Robert Baratheon, who in his heyday was famous for his skill with his warhammer, and used it to kill crown prince Rhaegar Targaryen during his rebellion. This fits his BoisterousBruiser personality, but is also a symptom of the series' fondness for {{Combat Pragmatist}}s -- a warhammer is a rather better choice of weapon for a strong fighter facing an opponent in plate armour.
** [[ActionGirl Brienne of Tarth]] also prefers a mace for this reason, but she's very much aware of this trope when given a CoolSword
* In ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'', the ruling lighteyes caste of [[ProudWarriorRace the Alethi]] use swords (most mundane swords, a handful the famed magical shardblades), and certainly consider both themselves and the weapons heroic. However, it's made plain that the majority of the lighteyes have fallen far from their ideals, while TheHero is Kaladin, a lowborn darkeyes who uses the weapon of his caste, the spear, and is ''very'' good with it.
** On the other hand, back in the time of the Desolations, all of the [[KnightInShiningArmor Knights Radiant]] carried Shardblades, immensely potent magical weapons which are the only practical way to fight some of the monsters they faced.
** {{Averted}} once Syl [[spoiler: [[EmpathicWeapon turns into a Shardblade for Kaladin,]] and then adapts to optimally fit his personal fighting style by morphing into a shard-spear!]]
* The ''Literature/SwordOfTruth''. In universe, the Seeker of Truth is this, leading to a MassOhCrap when everyone figures out that Richard has control of the magic of the titular sword ''even without having the sword itself''.
-->"You don't even have your weapon."\\
'''Richard:''' I am the weapon.
* Deconstructed in ''Literature/{{Swordspoint}}'' by Ellen Kushner. The nobles of the city take lessons in swordsmanship and carry swords, but they are never expected to use them themselves. Instead they hire professional swordsmen to fight duels and entertain for them. These swordsmen are usually common-born, and treated like disposable celebrities.
* In ''Literature/TrailOfLightning'' the legendary monster hunter Neizghání uses his signature lightning sword in combat. His apprentice Maggie prefers her long Böker hunting knife. Everyone else is using either firearms or simple melee weapons.
* ''Literature/TrappedOnDraconica'': Daniar carries Truthbringer, a AncestralWeapon that belonged to her father, the king. She leads Team Good. Everyone else uses a lance or their bare hands.
* ''Literature/VillainsByNecessity'': Played straight in a weird way. Sam has a short sword that he carries with him, but prefers daggers, as he's a villain. None of the other members of the party use swords save Blackmail [[spoiler: (who, as it turns out, is actually a fallen hero).]] [[HeroAntagonist Prince Finwick, the hero pursuing our villains,]] uses a holy sword of truth.
* In ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'', all three members of the PowerTrio are proficient archers, but TheHero Rand al'Thor receives a sword as he leaves home. When this sword is melted in his fight with Ba'alzamon at the end of the second book, he uses a blade [[InsubstantialIngredients made of fire]] until he gets his signature weapon [[AmplifierArtifact ''Callandor'']] from the Stone of Tear. Of the other two, TheTrickster Mat Cauthon uses a knife, a staff, and a spear, while TheBlacksmith Perrin Aybara has either an axe or can DropTheHammer.
[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* Inverted in ''Series/{{Arrow}}'', where Oliver Queen uses a bow but many of the main villains, such as Slade Wilson, Ra's al-Ghul, and Prometheus use swords. Thea Queen has a sword as a backup weapon to her bow, but that's due to having been trained by her natural father, [[ArchnemesisDad supervillain Malcolm Merlyn]].
* According to WordOfGod the Liberator guns used in ''Series/BlakesSeven'' were meant to evoke this trope (though they look more like curling tongs). Apparently a sonic lance, they are worn in a cross-draw holster on the hip.
* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'':
** In Season 2, Buffy's given a sword blessed by the virtuous knight who first slayed the demon Acathla. She has to use it to stop him from awakening a second time, by killing Angelus, her former-lover-turned-evil. However Angelus also [[ExcaliburInTheStone happens to have a sword]], so this trope is just an excuse to set up a cool SwordFight between the two.
** In "Selfless" Buffy has to kill Anya against the objections of her friends. She selects a sword as her weapon, after making a reference to the above incident, where her duty as the Slayer meant she also had to kill one of their own.
** Throughout the series Buffy is given a number of different weapons to use, including stakes, axes, daggers, and a axe-like weapon called a "Scythe" for some unknown reason. In ''Series/{{Angel}}'', they also fluctuate between swords, axes, and other weapons, but Angel himself tends to favor swords, presumably because much is made of his role as The Champion who will save the world (or [[ProphecyTwist maybe destroy it]]).
* Several characters in ''Series/TheDarkCrystalAgeOfResistance'':
** Rian, one of the three primary protagonists, is a swordsman, and favorable picks up a new sword over any other weapon if he ever loses his. He's also ultimately the wielder of the legendary Gelfling sword, the Dual Glaive.
** Princess Tavra, the warrior of the three daughters of the All-Maudra, carries a sword as her favored weapon.
** Played with by Hup, who wields a ''spoon''. While about as far away from being a sword as you can get, the manner in which he treats and wields his spoon nonetheless fits the imagery associated with this trope. Deet directly associates the spoon with a sword on their first meeting.
* ''Series/DoctorWho''. Even though the Doctor DoesNotLikeGuns, swords [[TechnicalPacifist seem to be a different matter]]. In [[Recap/DoctorWhoS14E1TheMasqueOfMandragora "The Masque of Mandragora"]], on seeing [[TheWisePrince Duke Guiliano]] beset by the CityGuards the Doctor quite eagerly joins in with a sword that he accepted earlier (without objection) from Guiliano. Afterwards he claims to have been taught by [[ExpositionOfImmortality a captain in Cleopatra's bodyguard.]] Other occasions include [[Recap/DoctorWhoS9E3TheSeaDevils "The Sea Devils"]], [[Recap/DoctorWhoS16E4TheAndroidsOfTara "The Androids of Tara"]], [[Recap/DoctorWhoS20E6TheKingsDemons "The King's Demons"]], and in New Who [[Recap/DoctorWho2005CSTheChristmasInvasion "The Christmas Invasion"]]. It's possible a sword enables the Doctor to [[OnlyAFleshWound "pull his punches"]] in a way he can't do with a firearm, or maybe the [[{{Flynning}} swashbuckling nature]] of a SwordFight appeals to his LargeHam, but it's likely just this trope.
* ''Series/GameOfThrones'':
** Most combatant characters wield swords whether they are heroic or not, but heroes Ned, Jon, Arya, and Brienne all play it straight with their swords Ice, Longclaw, Needle, and Oathkeeper. Ned sports Ice a lot in his promos. Meanwhile, Joffrey invokes this trope as propaganda by wearing elaborate swords even though he constantly runs from combat.
** Queen Visenya Targaryen's sword, Dark Sister, is probably actually more famous than she is, due to the marginalization of her martial attributes in the histories.
* ''Series/TheHexer'': Not only swords are trademark weapon of Witchers, such as the protagonist, Geralt, but it's outright stated in the first episode they consider it an ultimate weapon.
* ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' / ''Franchise/PowerRangers'':
** Usually played straight. If a given group has personalised weapons, odds are good that [[RedIsHeroic the Red Ranger's]] will be a sword. This can even apply in series where ''everyone'' gets a short sword or dagger as a sidearm.
** Lampshaded in ''Series/HyakujuuSentaiGaoranger [[Film/HyakujuuSentaiGaorangerVsSuperSentai vs Super Sentai]]''. [[Series/ChoujuuSentaiLiveman Yuusuke]] lectures [[Series/HyakujuuSentaiGaoranger Gaku]] on the sword-wielding heroes in the series, and most are the Red or SixthRanger. (Gaku is a rare case in that he has a sword while being ''neither''; he's [=GaoYellow=].) Afterwards, Yuusuke tests Gaku in a sword fight.
* While Showa ''Franchise/KamenRider'' heroes were for the most part bare-handed fighters (with a few notable exceptions like Series/KamenRiderX and Series/KamenRiderBlackRX), most Heisei Riders have had swords in one way or another, be it a late-game upgrade ([[Series/KamenRiderKabuto Perfect Zecter]], [[Series/KamenRiderDouble Prism Bicker]], [[Series/KamenRiderFourze Barizun Sword]]), weapon of choice for one specific form ([[Series/KamenRiderKuuga Titan Sword]], [[Series/KamenRiderAgito Flame Saber]], [[Series/KamenRiderKiva Garulu Saber]]), one of the many forms of a SwissArmyWeapon ([[Series/KamenRiderDenO [=DenGasher=]]], [[Series/KamenRiderGaim DJ Gun]], [[Series/KamenRiderGhost GanGanSaber]]), or just an early-introduced normal use weapon ([[Series/KamenRiderOOO Medajalibur]], [[Series/KamenRiderGaim Daidaimaru and Musou Saber]], [[Series/KamenRiderDrive Handle Sword]]). Hell, one of the main Riders is called Series/KamenRiderBlade, who has two different swords he uses depending on his form. ''Series/KamenRiderBlack'' also kinda inverts this, with melee focused hero Black fighting against sword-wielding foes like Birugenia and the [[BigBad Shadow Moon]]. And then there's '''all''' of the heroes in ''Series/KamenRiderSaber''; they're part of an organization of swordsmen, so expect them to appear with their swords at the ready.
* ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'': Galadriel fights using Finrod's dagger.
* King Arthur from ''Series/Merlin2008''. His sword, including {{Excalibur}}, is Arthur's weapon of choice.
* In ''Series/OnceUponATime'', it's all over the map. [[TheChosenOne Emma]] would rather whip out her revolver, even when facing a dragon. [[GunsAreUseless This being a world populated by fairy-tale folk, it doesn't usually work]]. Her father, PrinceCharming, prefers a broadsword. And young Henry insisted on learning to be a hero, which means sword lessons from Grandpa Charming.
** Alice in ''Series/OnceUponATimeInWonderland'' is an ActionGirl who wields a cutlass-like sword, while [[WarriorVersusSorcerer the antagonists are magic-users]] and Alice's ally Will is a [[FighterMageThief Thief-type]] who doesn't use swords much either.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Music]]
* Music/{{Gloryhammer}}: Subverted. The only named character in the Gloryhammer-verse who carries a sword is Proletius, and that is only mentioned in passing. The [=McFife=] kings carry the titular Gloryhammer. The Hootsman carries the scarred battle-axe that won him the throne of California, and the king of the Astral Dwarves wields the Crystal Laser Battle Axe. Ralathor is primarily TheStrategist, and uses magic or artifacts of various stripes when he is forced to get close and personal. The Goblin King of the Darkstorm Galaxy uses a magic crystal as his primary weapon, and the dark sorcerer Zargothrax wields the Knife of Evil. The exact armaments used by the Questlords of Inverness are not elaborated on.
* Music/AngusMcSix's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3u_JGmq5Fs "Master of the Universe"]] portrays him discarding [[TakeThat the hammer that lost its glory]] (a snide reference to vocalist Thomas Winkler's [[Music/{{Gloryhammer}} former band]]) and taking up a CoolSword instead.
[[/folder]]
* Inverted in ''Series/{{Arrow}}'', where Oliver Queen uses a bow but many of the main villains, such as Slade Wilson, Ra's al-Ghul, and Prometheus use swords. Thea Queen has a sword as a backup weapon to her bow, but that's due to having been trained by her natural father, [[ArchnemesisDad supervillain Malcolm Merlyn]].
* According to WordOfGod the Liberator guns used in ''Series/BlakesSeven'' were meant to evoke this trope (though they look more like curling tongs). Apparently a sonic lance, they are worn in a cross-draw holster on the hip.
* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'':
** In Season 2, Buffy's given a sword blessed by the virtuous knight who first slayed the demon Acathla. She has to use it to stop him from awakening a second time, by killing Angelus, her former-lover-turned-evil. However Angelus also [[ExcaliburInTheStone happens to have a sword]], so this trope is just an excuse to set up a cool SwordFight between the two.
** In "Selfless" Buffy has to kill Anya against the objections of her friends. She selects a sword as her weapon, after making a reference to the above incident, where her duty as the Slayer meant she also had to kill one of their own.
** Throughout the series Buffy is given a number of different weapons to use, including stakes, axes, daggers, and a axe-like weapon called a "Scythe" for some unknown reason. In ''Series/{{Angel}}'', they also fluctuate between swords, axes, and other weapons, but Angel himself tends to favor swords, presumably because much is made of his role as The Champion who will save the world (or [[ProphecyTwist maybe destroy it]]).
* Several characters in ''Series/TheDarkCrystalAgeOfResistance'':
** Rian, one of the three primary protagonists, is a swordsman, and favorable picks up a new sword over any other weapon if he ever loses his. He's also ultimately the wielder of the legendary Gelfling sword, the Dual Glaive.
** Princess Tavra, the warrior of the three daughters of the All-Maudra, carries a sword as her favored weapon.
** Played with by Hup, who wields a ''spoon''. While about as far away from being a sword as you can get, the manner in which he treats and wields his spoon nonetheless fits the imagery associated with this trope. Deet directly associates the spoon with a sword on their first meeting.
* ''Series/DoctorWho''. Even though the Doctor DoesNotLikeGuns, swords [[TechnicalPacifist seem to be a different matter]]. In [[Recap/DoctorWhoS14E1TheMasqueOfMandragora "The Masque of Mandragora"]], on seeing [[TheWisePrince Duke Guiliano]] beset by the CityGuards the Doctor quite eagerly joins in with a sword that he accepted earlier (without objection) from Guiliano. Afterwards he claims to have been taught by [[ExpositionOfImmortality a captain in Cleopatra's bodyguard.]] Other occasions include [[Recap/DoctorWhoS9E3TheSeaDevils "The Sea Devils"]], [[Recap/DoctorWhoS16E4TheAndroidsOfTara "The Androids of Tara"]], [[Recap/DoctorWhoS20E6TheKingsDemons "The King's Demons"]], and in New Who [[Recap/DoctorWho2005CSTheChristmasInvasion "The Christmas Invasion"]]. It's possible a sword enables the Doctor to [[OnlyAFleshWound "pull his punches"]] in a way he can't do with a firearm, or maybe the [[{{Flynning}} swashbuckling nature]] of a SwordFight appeals to his LargeHam, but it's likely just this trope.
* ''Series/GameOfThrones'':
** Most combatant characters wield swords whether they are heroic or not, but heroes Ned, Jon, Arya, and Brienne all play it straight with their swords Ice, Longclaw, Needle, and Oathkeeper. Ned sports Ice a lot in his promos. Meanwhile, Joffrey invokes this trope as propaganda by wearing elaborate swords even though he constantly runs from combat.
** Queen Visenya Targaryen's sword, Dark Sister, is probably actually more famous than she is, due to the marginalization of her martial attributes in the histories.
* ''Series/TheHexer'': Not only swords are trademark weapon of Witchers, such as the protagonist, Geralt, but it's outright stated in the first episode they consider it an ultimate weapon.
* ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' / ''Franchise/PowerRangers'':
** Usually played straight. If a given group has personalised weapons, odds are good that [[RedIsHeroic the Red Ranger's]] will be a sword. This can even apply in series where ''everyone'' gets a short sword or dagger as a sidearm.
** Lampshaded in ''Series/HyakujuuSentaiGaoranger [[Film/HyakujuuSentaiGaorangerVsSuperSentai vs Super Sentai]]''. [[Series/ChoujuuSentaiLiveman Yuusuke]] lectures [[Series/HyakujuuSentaiGaoranger Gaku]] on the sword-wielding heroes in the series, and most are the Red or SixthRanger. (Gaku is a rare case in that he has a sword while being ''neither''; he's [=GaoYellow=].) Afterwards, Yuusuke tests Gaku in a sword fight.
* While Showa ''Franchise/KamenRider'' heroes were for the most part bare-handed fighters (with a few notable exceptions like Series/KamenRiderX and Series/KamenRiderBlackRX), most Heisei Riders have had swords in one way or another, be it a late-game upgrade ([[Series/KamenRiderKabuto Perfect Zecter]], [[Series/KamenRiderDouble Prism Bicker]], [[Series/KamenRiderFourze Barizun Sword]]), weapon of choice for one specific form ([[Series/KamenRiderKuuga Titan Sword]], [[Series/KamenRiderAgito Flame Saber]], [[Series/KamenRiderKiva Garulu Saber]]), one of the many forms of a SwissArmyWeapon ([[Series/KamenRiderDenO [=DenGasher=]]], [[Series/KamenRiderGaim DJ Gun]], [[Series/KamenRiderGhost GanGanSaber]]), or just an early-introduced normal use weapon ([[Series/KamenRiderOOO Medajalibur]], [[Series/KamenRiderGaim Daidaimaru and Musou Saber]], [[Series/KamenRiderDrive Handle Sword]]). Hell, one of the main Riders is called Series/KamenRiderBlade, who has two different swords he uses depending on his form. ''Series/KamenRiderBlack'' also kinda inverts this, with melee focused hero Black fighting against sword-wielding foes like Birugenia and the [[BigBad Shadow Moon]]. And then there's '''all''' of the heroes in ''Series/KamenRiderSaber''; they're part of an organization of swordsmen, so expect them to appear with their swords at the ready.
* ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'': Galadriel fights using Finrod's dagger.
* King Arthur from ''Series/Merlin2008''. His sword, including {{Excalibur}}, is Arthur's weapon of choice.
* In ''Series/OnceUponATime'', it's all over the map. [[TheChosenOne Emma]] would rather whip out her revolver, even when facing a dragon. [[GunsAreUseless This being a world populated by fairy-tale folk, it doesn't usually work]]. Her father, PrinceCharming, prefers a broadsword. And young Henry insisted on learning to be a hero, which means sword lessons from Grandpa Charming.
** Alice in ''Series/OnceUponATimeInWonderland'' is an ActionGirl who wields a cutlass-like sword, while [[WarriorVersusSorcerer the antagonists are magic-users]] and Alice's ally Will is a [[FighterMageThief Thief-type]] who doesn't use swords much either.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Music]]
* Music/{{Gloryhammer}}: Subverted. The only named character in the Gloryhammer-verse who carries a sword is Proletius, and that is only mentioned in passing. The [=McFife=] kings carry the titular Gloryhammer. The Hootsman carries the scarred battle-axe that won him the throne of California, and the king of the Astral Dwarves wields the Crystal Laser Battle Axe. Ralathor is primarily TheStrategist, and uses magic or artifacts of various stripes when he is forced to get close and personal. The Goblin King of the Darkstorm Galaxy uses a magic crystal as his primary weapon, and the dark sorcerer Zargothrax wields the Knife of Evil. The exact armaments used by the Questlords of Inverness are not elaborated on.
* Music/AngusMcSix's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3u_JGmq5Fs "Master of the Universe"]] portrays him discarding [[TakeThat the hammer that lost its glory]] (a snide reference to vocalist Thomas Winkler's [[Music/{{Gloryhammer}} former band]]) and taking up a CoolSword instead.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/ANNOMutationem'': Ann's primary weapon is a single bladed energy sword. With it, she can perform an assortment of attacks after [[SomeDexterityRequired performing certain moves]] to damage enemies. She later gains usage of both a {{BFS}} and a DoubleWeapon to boost her skill-set affinities.
* ''VideoGame/ArcRiseFantasia'': The protagonist of the game, L'Arc, uses broadswords, while his friend Alf uses more traditional one-handed swords. Later, Alf leaves and [[spoiler:starts leading his own group of {{Well Intentioned Extremist}}s. You even get his party under control at one point, and he, naturally, leads it]]. You later get another party member who can use Alf's swords, but he {{Dual Wield|ing}}s them with his own short blade in the other hand.
* ''VideoGame/AtelierSeries'': Generally averted. When swords do appear as a weapon, it's usually in men's hands. And most protagonists in the series are girls, who use {{Magic Sta|ff}}ves instead.
** Averted in ''VideoGame/AtelierIrisEternalMana'', where Klein the alchemist (and hero) wields canes and maces, as well as being a powerful magic-user and healer. The most "hero-like" sword-user is Arlin, who turns out to be more of a taciturn IneffectualLoner.
** Also averted in ''VideoGame/ManaKhemiaAlchemistsOfAlRevis'': Vayne does use a bladed weapon, but it's a BladeBelowTheShoulder, and not an actual sword.
** Played straight in ''VideoGame/AtelierIris2TheAzothOfDestiny'', ''VideoGame/AtelierIris3GrandPhantasm'', and ''VideoGame/ManaKhemia2FallOfAlchemy''. Felt uses a normal, if ornate, sword, Edge fights with an absurdly large {{BFS}} with some mechanical functions, and Raze starts with a long dagger and eventually upgrades to a full sword seen in his official artwork.
** ''VideoGame/NelkeAndTheLegendaryAlchemistsAteliersOfTheNewWorld'': Nelke is one of the few female protagonists in the series to play the trope straight and wield a sword. However, that's because she's ''not'' an alchemist, unlike all previous protagonists. Her blade is mostly a symbol of her noble status, like a RoyalRapier.
* Protagonists of both ''VideoGame/BatenKaitos'' games use swords. Kalas {{Dual Wield|ing}}s it alongside a dagger, while Sagi has a nodachi. Neither of them are clear-cut heroes (Kalas is a major {{Jerkass}}, Sagi starts out as an agent of TheEmpire), which is shown by unusual shapes of their swords.
* ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}'' usually averts this with its melee loadouts, with the sword-wielding characters being Mordecai (a FriendlySniper but not really the most motivated person) and [[VideoGame/Borderlands2 Zer0]] (a cold, calculating assassin who wields a katana); the most heroic ones are Roland (combat knife) and Maya (power-enhanced punches). In ''VideoGame/BorderlandsThePreSequel'', though, sword-wielding Athena is the most heroic of Jack's Vault Hunters -- the other reasonably nice characters (Claptrap and "Jack") both use bare hands, as does haughty and cruel aristocrat Aurelia, Wilhelm just [[PistolWhipping pistol-whips]] people, and [[CombatSadomasochist Nisha]] favours a whip.
* ''VideoGame/BoundByBlades'' have The Bound, a trio of warrior animals, the feline main character Teo who wields a sword. Meanwhile his rabbit and bull companions uses bows and bladed shields (in that order).
* ''VideoGame/BlackSigil'': The main character, Kairu, uses swords, and his unique Sword of Averay allows him, usually an UnSorcerer, to use some magic.
* ''VideoGame/TheBriefAndMeaninglessAdventureOfHeroMan'': Hero Man wields a sword in the art and weapons are represented by a sword icon. However, his StarterEquipment is a Wooden Pole, though all of his weapon upgrades afterwards are swords.
* ''VideoGame/{{Chantelise}}'': Elise, the girl you play as, wields a sword.
* ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'' does this twofold. [[HeroicMime Crono]], the player character, uses Katanas, which fits this trope and KatanasAreJustBetter. However, Frog, the hero of Guardia in 600 A.D., and the only one able to equip the Hero Badge, which is tied to a prophecy of a hero wearing it coming and saving Guardia in a time of strife, uses Broadswords.
** ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' averts this, however, as the main character, Serge, uses Swallows, which look like a shorter, double-bladed polearm.
* ''VideoGame/CrisTales'': Crisbell's journey starts properly when she retrieves the Sword of Time, an ancient weapon that enhances her TimeMaster powers (and apparently gives her AdrenalineMakeover). It becomes her main weapon in battles, but, unusually, her combat role is closer to a WhiteMage.
* ''VideoGame/CrystalStory'': Across multiple games:
** The first game has the protagonist Tristam use a sword.
** ''VideoGame/CrystalStoryII'': The first playable character, D, is shown in the menus wielding a sword.
* Dante of ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' uses his father's sword Force Edge in the [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry1 first game]] and gets a sword of his own named Rebellion in the other games. Nero, his nephew and successor as series protagonist in the [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry4 fourth game]] also makes use of a fiery blade named Red Queen as well as Yamato which belonged to his father Vergil.
* ''VideoGame/DeptHeaven'' loves this trope, as all of [[VideoGame/RivieraThePromisedLand Ein]], [[VideoGame/YggdraUnion Yggdra]] and [[VideoGame/{{Gungnir}} Guilio]] have swords as their primary weapon type. This even extends to ''VideoGame/GloriaUnion'', as its main character Ishut wields a sword too. The only aversions to this are Garlot in ''VideoGame/BlazeUnion'' and Meria/Maria in ''VideoGame/KnightsInTheNightmare''- the former wields a spear [[spoiler:and in the A route, later a [[SinisterScythe scythe]] as Gulcasa]], and the latter two are capable of wielding every weapon type equally well.
* In ''VideoGame/DiceyDungeons'', the Warrior's artwork always shows him with a sword, even when he doesn't necessary start with it, showing how heroic he is when fighting his way through the dungeons.
* The main characters of ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}'' games always start out with either a sword or [[HeroesFightBarehanded fists]], although most of them have equal weapon proficiency with other weapons.
* ''Franchise/DragonQuest'':
** ''VideoGame/DragonQuestII'': The Prince of Midenhall is the hero and leader of the group, and swords are his primary weapon.
** Heroes always wield swords, which is given a twist in ''VideoGame/DragonQuestV''. There, the protagonist is always depicted as wielding a staff. Yet the Zenithian hero's equipment you spend much of the game looking for includes a sword, and it's said that the legendary hero will wield one. This is your first clue that the protagonist ''is not the Hero in question'', [[spoiler:that's his son.]]
* Taiga in ''VideoGame/DuelSaviorDestiny'' gets a shortsword (though it can change shape) while his allies get a staff, tonfa, a book, nothing, a magic glove and a bow respectively. [[spoiler:Of course, it turns out the girl who had nothing also has a sword, but then she seems to have been the leader of ''her'' group originally as well]].
* ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors'' has pretty much every important leader using a sword/swords. Sun Ce is the only leader of the three kingdoms who doesn't (Tonfas) and Meng Huo is the only important leader outside of it to have not used a sword at some point in the series (Zhang Jiao used a sword in his first appearance,Dong Zhuo used a sword up to 5, and if Sima Yi is counted, he used a sword in his first appearance).
* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'':
** Depictions of Talos, the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Aedric Divine]] [[WarGod God of War]] and [[TheGoodKing Good Governance]] (and the [[DeityOfHumanOrigin ascended god form]] of [[FounderOfTheKingdom Emperor Tiber Septim]], possibly [[MergerOfSouls along with some others]]), depict him wielding a sword. His [[HornyVikings Nordic]] depictions make it a {{BFS}} to boot. Additionally, his shrines are in the shape of a sword hilt. Talos is considered a "[[HumansAreSpecial god-hero to mankind]]" and a GreaterScopeParagon within Mundus, the mortal realm.
*** Tiber Septim, even before becoming Talos, was associated with swords. According to the [[HistoricalHeroUpgrade heretical tales]] of his life, he studied with "the sword masters of Alcaire", the supposed place of his birth in High Rock.
** Trinimac was a prominent deity among the early [[OurElvesAreDifferent Aldmer]] and served as the champion of [[TopGod Auri-El]], the Aldmeri aspect of Akatosh. Trinimac was a [[WarGod warrior spirit]], said to be the strongest of the et'Ada ("original spirits"), and in some places was even more popular than Auri-El. According to Aldmeri religious tradition, it was Trinimac who led the Aldmeri armies against Lorkhan's supporters, the races of Men. Trinimac [[GodIsDead slew Lorkhan]] and removed [[CosmicKeystone Lorkhan's heart]] from his body. At least the races of Mer, this was a very heroic act. Trinimac is associated with "the blade". The end of the Almderi veneration to Trinimac reads:
---> ''"By the blade of Trinimac I swear, and call for his aid."''
** The [[AncientOrderOfProtectors Blades]] have long served the emperors of Tamriel as [[PraetorianGuard bodyguards]] and [[SecretPolice spies]], and are almost always found using swords, particularly their namesake {{katanas|AreJustBetter}}. In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'', ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'', and ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'', the Blades contribute directly to the defeat of the game's BigBad, confirming their heroism. (Though ''Skyrim'' introduces some significant GrayAndGreyMorality between them and the [[OldMaster Greybeards]]...)
* ''VideoGame/EpicBattleFantasy'' series: One of the two primary protagonists, Matt, is a sword user who owns many of them ([[KleptomaniacHero most, if not all, stolen]]).
* ''VideoGame/EternalSenia'': Senia, the protagonist, uses only swords as her actual weapon, performing GrievousHarmWithABody only occasionally:
** ''VideoGame/EternalSenia1'': Her first sword gets {{wrecked|weapon}}, then she picks up another one from a dead adventurer.
** ''VideoGame/EternalSeniaHydrangeaAfterTheRain'': Goes from non-elemental, to {{elemental|Weapon}} swords.
* ''VideoGame/EternalSonata'': Allegretto, the on-screen avatar StandardizedLeader and Jazz, the leader of Andantino, wields a massive broadsword.
* ''VideoGame/{{Fairune}}'': In the first, Flash, game, the protagonist is shown with a sword when she starts her adventure to find the four fairies.
* ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' could very well be called a story about swords. Saber wields a sword, and [[spoiler: Shirou]] has his entire existence revolving around swords. And of course, we could never forget--
--> [[MagicalIncantation "I am the bone of my sword..."]]
** {{Exploited|Trope}} in-universe. Class of Sabers (swordsmen) is considered the strongest class of the seven, so some of participants specifically aim for getting a hero precisely of this class. Since Servants are summoned from [[AllMythsAreTrue different mythologies]], and sword-wielding individuals often happen to be [[TheHero Heroes]] and [[{{TheAce}} Aces]] of their respective stories, this is completely {{Justified|Trope}}.
** The two Archer class Servants to feature in the story (one known as "[[RedBaron the King of Heroes]]" and the other [[spoiler:[[FutureBadass Shirou's future self]]]]) both use swords as their primary weapons, [[StormOfBlades just in unconventional ways]].
* The ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' series uses this trope a lot:
** In the [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyI first game]] the strongest weapons, Excalibur and Masamune, are both swords. Unlike most swords, Masamune can be wielded by all twelve classes. The representative of ''[=FF1=]'' who appears in ''Dissidia'', the "Warrior of Light", is also a swordsman.
** While any party member can use any weapon type, Firion of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyII'' starts with a sword, is typically depicted wielding one, and his exclusive InfinityPlusOneSword in the PSP remake is the Ragnarok sword. [[spoiler:The other sword-wielding party member, conversely, ends up becoming TheDragon.]]
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'': Cecil, as captain of the Red Wings, uses swords, which don't exactly seem suited for aerial combat. Interestingly, after his job switches to Paladin, he can equip a larger array of weapons such as staffs and bows, but his best weapons are still swords, including the SwordOfPlotAdvancement.
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'': Despite how technologically advanced and futuristic the setting is, the heroic characters always prefer a sword. A specific sword, in fact.
*** In the original game, Cloud can only equip swords, while his initial weapon, the Buster Sword, is a TragicKeepsake from his deceased friend, Zack.
*** ''VideoGame/CrisisCore'' has Zack starting the game with a sword, which seems the preferred weapon of 1st class SOLDIER members. His dream is to become a hero. At some point, he inherits the Buster Sword from his mentor, Angeal. In this context, the Buster Sword seems to symbolize dreams and honor passed down from one man to the next.
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'': Squall's gunblade is a VibroWeapon looking like the combination of a gun and a sword, a weapon only usable by the elite SEED members. Along with his perpetual lion motif, it symbolizes his status as a heroic and proud figure. Squall's gunblade is actually an in-universe example of this: Gunblades are DifficultButAwesome[[note]]Pulling the trigger on the gun sends a shockwave through the blade, adding a lot more punch to the user's attacks. However, and like real life guns it also produces recoil, making it ''extremely'' difficult to control[[/note]] and so not used very often; however, it's also said that one day a hero will save the world wielding one. Most gunblade users chose the weapon in hopes of being this hero, though with [[TheRival Seifer]], it's a bit more complicated.
** Even ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'', which stars a [[LovableRogue thief]] as the leading man and thus has Zidane initially specialize in daggers, manages to squeeze in this trope by giving Zidane thief swords, which are two daggers merged together into a double-bladed staff. Said swords eventually overpower the daggers, making them the weapon of choice.
** Lightning of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'' wields gunblades, though unlike ''FFVIII'' they're weapons that transform between blade and gun modes. Serah follows her sister in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII2'' with her bowswords (as does her partner Noel with two swords that combine into a javelin), and the majority of Lightning's weapons in ''VideoGame/LightningReturnsFinalFantasyXIII'' are traditional swords.
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' plays with this trope, to some extent. The main promotional character has been depicted using an axe, lance, and fists. In practice, tanks are typically at the front of the group, giving the appearance of a leader, and three of the four tanks use swords (Paladin uses one-handed swords; Dark Knight uses two-handed greatswords, and Gunbreakers use Gunblades). However, several leading antagonists do use swords, including Gaius van Baelsar and [[spoiler:the surprise antagonist of Heavensward, King Thordan.]] Raubahn Aldynn, leader of the Immortal Flames and probably the most capable NPC fighter in the Eorzean alliance, uses two swords. Meanwhile, the members of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn tend to forgo swords; Minfilia and Alphinaude are non-combatants, Thancred uses daggers (before Shadowbringers, in which he switches for a Gunblade), Yda uses fists, Urianger uses a grimoire, and Y'shtola and Papalymo use magic wands and rods.
** Noctis of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'' doesn't carry a sword around, but instead has the ability to summon and dismiss swords instantly from his hand.
** Ramza in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'' gains the ability to wield Knight Swords in his unique Squire class in Chapter Four. All of the noble knights who join Ramza's squad, as well as the Knight Job itself, wield standard swords and Knight Swords (and typically can't use their GameBreaker abilities without them).
*** Both protagonists from the Advance games are depicted with massive swords in their artwork, but what they'll actually use is up to the player.
** Benjamin of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyMysticQuest'' starts off with a sword, and his strongest weapon is the Excalibur.
** Yuri in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyCrystalChroniclesRingOfFates'' is the protagonist of the game, leading even his older mentors. Although his first weapon is a hatchet, the weapon he adopts after the TimeSkip is his father's sword and all weapons scrolls thereafter give him swords.
** Although it's a job class game, the protagonist of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyThe4HeroesOfLight'', Brandt, is depicted with a sword. He also has high natural growths in Strength and HP, giving him a natural inclination to swordwielding jobs.
** Jack of ''VideoGame/StrangerOfParadiseFinalFantasyOrigin'' can wield a variety of weapons, but he starts out with a greatsword. [[spoiler:Greatswords are also the specialty weapons of his final job Cyclic Warrior, alongside axes.]]
* In the ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' series:
** While there are a few exceptions, the series as a whole tends to feature main characters who use swords. Their respective [[InfinityPlusOneSword Infinity+1 Weapons]] will also invariably be swords.
*** [[VideoGame/FireEmblemShadowDragonAndTheBladeOfLight Marth]], [[VideoGame/FireEmblemThracia776 Leif]][[note]]Only as the Lord of ''Thracia 776''; after he promotes in ''Genealogy of the Holy War'', he gets access to every non-legendary weapon in the game except Nosferatu, Aura, and dark magic[[/note]], [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBindingBlade Roy]], [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheSacredStones Eirika]], ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance Path of Radiance]]'' Ike, [[VideoGame/FireEmblemHeroes Alfonse]], and [[VideoGame/FireEmblemWarriorsThreeHopes Shez]] all exclusively wield swords.
*** [[VideoGame/FireEmblemGenealogyOfTheHolyWar Sigurd, Seliph]], [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade Eliwood]], [[VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening Chrom, and Lucina]] prefer swords but can use lances as a backup; Sigurd can uniquely do so right out of the gate since he's a pre-promoted unit, while everyone else needs to promote to do so.
*** ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn Radiant Dawn]]'' Ike prefers swords but can use axes as a backup.
*** [[VideoGame/FireEmblemGaiden Alm]] and [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade Lyndis]] prefer swords but can use bows as a backup.
*** [[VideoGame/FireEmblemFates Corrin]] prefers swords but can use dragonstones just as well, and can also pick up either magic or staves as a backup.
*** [[VideoGame/FireEmblemWarriors Rowan and Lianna]] prefer swords but can use staves as well.
*** [[VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses Byleth]] prefers swords, but also has proficiency in brawling and a budding talent in faith magic. Their unique class also increases skill experience for these three weapon types, and has a sword-boosting class skill. Note, however, that ''Three Houses's'' mechanics allow any unit to use any weapon type, aside from magic.
*** [[VideoGame/FireEmblemEngage Alear]] uses swords, and later picks up body arts (a renamed brawling) as a secondary weapon type. Engaging with as Emblem may change it, although it's true for anyone. [[spoiler:It's also true for their Emblem form, in which they give their Engage partner two swords and a Body Art, and grant proficiency in these two weapons.]]
*** [[VideoGame/TokyoMirageSessionsFE Itsuki]] wields swords, but the mechanics of his game [[MagicKnight allow him to use magic just as well]]; which part of his kit he specializes in is determined by which way he promotes.
*** [[VideoGame/FireEmblemGaiden Celica]] and [[VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening Robin]] wield magic and swords, but are more associated with magic. However, mechanically they can use both equally well (Celica's games lack weapon levels, while Robin has equal weapon levels for tomes and swords), and became more directly associated with magic in later entries.
*** [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade Hector]] (axes), [[VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses Edelgard]] (axes), [[VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses Dimitri]] (lances), and [[VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses Claude]] (bows) all specialize in various other weapons, but gain swords upon promotion. Also note that the last three entries are from ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses Three Houses]]'', where, with the exception of magic, any class can use any weapon.
*** The only total aversions in the series are [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheSacredStones Ephraim]] (lances), [[VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn Micaiah]] (light magic and later staves), [[VideoGame/FireEmblemHeroes Sharena]] (lances), and [[VideoGame/FireEmblemHeroes Anna]] (axes).
** In a series-wide example, the class ''named'' "Hero", promoted from Mercenary, primarily uses swords.
** In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade'', the game discusses and attempts to defy it briefly: [[ChivalrousPervert Sain]] insists early on that "the lance is more heroic. A knight should look heroic, don't you think?" and so refuses to [[TacticalRockPaperScissors use a sword against the axe-wielding]] bandits they're fighting. It doesn't last.
* In ''VideoGame/ForHonor'', sword-wielding heroes are disproportionately represented opposed to heroes who use other weapons. The Knights have [[JackOfAllStats their Vanguard class the Warden]] who wields a heavy longsword, [[FragileSpeedster their Assassin class, the Peacekeeper]], a [[NinjaPirateRobotZombie knight-ninja-nun]] who [[DualWield dual-wields a pairing sword and dagger]], and their first DLC hero [[BoisterousBruiser the Centurion]], a Roman-inspired hero who wields [[SwordAndFist a gladius and his fists]]. The Vikings have their Heavy, the Warlord, who like the Centurion uses a short-sword and shield for superior defense, as well as their first DLC hero [[BraveScot the Highlander]] who wields a [[StanceSystem Scottish claymore to switch between offensive and defensive stances respectively]]. [[{{Samurai}} The Samurai]] sword-users are the Vanguard [[DifficultButAwesome the Kensei]] wielding a [[{{BFS}} nodachi]], and their Assassin [[KatanasAreJustBetter the Orochi and their katana]]. The Warden and the Orochi are also the heroes of the Knight and Samurai chapter as well, fitting this trope even more.
* ''VideoGame/FortuneSummoners'': Arche, the girl that you start the game as, and whose story you follow, wields a sword.
* The ''VideoGame/GloryOfHeracles'' series typically goes with this. In [[VideoGame/GloryOfHeraclesIII the third game]], while anyone can learn to use swords, it's the Protagonist who begins as a sword-user. [[spoiler:An inversion of this trope is a major clue to the Protagonist's identity.]]
* In the original ''VideoGame/GoldenAxe'', the two playable human heroes use swords, while [[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame Gilius Thunderhead]] uses an axe. Also, those two characters are the only characters in the game to use the typical straight-bladed, one-handed European longswords, other than the giant Knights: the skeletons wield [[SinisterScimitar scimitars]] while every other enemy wields either a mace, a club, an axe or a hammer.
* Gran and Djeeta from ''VideoGame/GranblueFantasy'': Their canonical appearances, and promotional artworks are depicted using a sword and they have exclusively been using swords in the anime adaptation.
* ''VideoGame/{{Grandia}}'' series in general has sword-wielding protagonists, and even gives them a specific weapon, the Spirit Sword, as their best weapon.
** Justin from the original ''VideoGame/Grandia1'' can also use maces and axes, but he starts with a sword, and his Specials mostly require higher skill in swords.
** Yuki from ''VideoGame/GrandiaIII'' uses swords, and his battle model always shows him with a sword, even though his starting weapon is a wrench.
* Subverted in ''[[Franchise/DotHack .hack]]'': the usual indicator of the main hero is dual shortswords (or long knives) held in a ReverseGrip, not a single larger blade (that's usually carried by TheLancer, oddly enough). Primary protagonists in the series have also wielded spears, staffs, and scythes.
* In ''VideoGame/HaikuTheRobot'', Haiku fights using a sword, unusually for a robot -- although technically, while it's called a sword in the game, it's actually a large metal chip with sharp edges.
* Inverted in ''VideoGame/{{Infernax}}'', [[spoiler:where Alcedor wields a mace and shield combo normally and only swaps to a longsword if he [[KarmaMeter becomes evil]]. Played straight however if you input "Swordcedor" as your name, which gives you the longsword right away and allows you to use it on a good playthrough.]]
* ''VideoGame/JitsuSquad'': The character who is literally named [[MeaningfulName Hero]] Yamagiwa fights using a katana. This also extends to his secondary weapons, which are all katanas with an elemental effect applied to it.
* While none of the three player characters of ''VideoGame/{{Kamiko}}'' really count as its de facto main character, the sword-wielding Yamato can be considered the game's "face," being the one who normally appears on the title screen and appearing at the forefront of the physical release's boxart.
* The heroes of ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' all end up wielding a specific kind of sword called a Keyblade, which allows the wielder to combat the forces of evil, seal away the hearts of worlds for their protection, and open any kind of lock. One of the main requirements to wield one is a strong heart, although at least two ''villains'' have also wound up with them (Master Xehanort and Vanitas).
* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfDragoon'' only [[TheHero Dart]] and [[TheLancer Rose]] use swords. Of the eighteen dragoons in the game, the only one to use a sword who isn't either the hero or lancer is the DiscOneFinalBoss Doel.
* Rean Schwarzer from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsOfColdSteel'' is the first protagonist of the ''VideoGame/TrailsSeries'' to use a sword, specifically a [[KatanasAreJustBetter tachi]].
* In both ''VideoGame/LegendOfLegaia'' and its InNameOnly sequel, ''Duel Saga'', the hero and main character of the story uses a sword as his weapon of choice.
* The protagonist of every game in ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' series has a sword. He's usually given one at the start of his quest, coinciding with learning he's the [[ChosenOne Chosen Hero]]. It's replaced with the Master Sword, his fated weapon, in time to fight the BigBad. In some games, he gives up the sword at the end, signifying that a hero is no longer needed.
* The [[RedIsHeroic red-haired heroes]] of the ''VideoGame/{{Lufia}}'' series, with the Dual Blade as the games' SwordOfPlotAdvancement. Aside from the Hero of [[VideoGame/LufiaAndTheFortressOfDoom the first game]] being able to equip axes and spears, all of the main characters have been sword-wielders.
* ''VideoGame/{{Lunar}}'' series:
** ''VideoGame/LunarTheSilverStar'' is pretty blatant about it. The game begins with our hero, Alex, trying to pull a sword from the [[WeaponTombstone tombstone]] of Dragonmaster Dyne, a hero whom he idolizes. Late in the game it's revealed that [[spoiler:said sword is actually the legendary Althena's Sword, and Alex gets to finally pull and use it. Naturally, it becomes his strongest weapon]].
** ''VideoGame/LunarEternalBlue'': Hiro ([[MeaningfulName not very subtle, huh?]]) uses swords, and later [[spoiler:gets his hands on the very same Althena's Sword that Alex once used]].
* While swords are a common party member weapon in ''VideoGame/{{Lunarosse}}'', main character Channing uses knuckle weapons. He was originally to play this straight, but the game's creator felt he was more of a [[TalkToTheFist face-punch]] kind of guy.
* In ''VideoGame/LuxarenAllure'', the ChosenOne, Karuna, uses a sword, while her companions use axes and knives.
* In the ''VideoGame/{{Mary Skelter|Nightmares}}'' franchise, Alice and Otsuu, both of which are protagonists and primary {{Action Girl}}s for their respective games, wield swords in their basic classes (heck, the [[ExaggeratedTrope only]] class in which Alice doesn't use one is [[HeroesFightBarehanded Marshal]]). In ''Mary Skelter 2'' specifically, Hameln, who tries to play up her whole hero shtick as much as possible, has the same class set ''and'' starting class as Alice in order to [[InvokedTrope invoke this trope]].
* Inverted in ''Franchise/MassEffect'', where Villains Prefer Swords. Though melee combat has not gone away, the PlayerCharacter and his or her TrueCompanions avoid using swords. No swords appear in the first two games. The characters will use pistol whips and smash with the stock of their guns, punch, headbutt, and in the third game, use bayonets and a technological HardLight blade that is formed for a slashing sweep of the arm, then disappears. Only Cerberus, a villainous group, makes heavy use of swords, and only in the third game. The only named character using a sword is the villain [[spoiler: Kai Leng]], and it would take a few ''Mass Effect 3'' multiplayer DLCS before any of the "good guys" would be seen carrying a sword.
** TheDragon of ''VideoGame/MassEffect1'' was intended to carry a sword in his early concept art.
** As of ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda'', Ryder & Friends can equip a variety of melee weapons, including an Asari sword.
* ''VideoGame/MasterDetectiveArchivesRainCode'': Yuma is the only one capable of wielding the Solution Blade within the Mystery Labyrinth to fight against the Mystery Phantoms.
* In ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork'', if there's a chip that only works at melee range, a good 95% of the time it's some variant of a sword. The Life Sword Program Advance is also probably the first one you will be able to actually use, which is itself made of three other swords.
* ''VideoGame/{{Neptunia}}'': Neptune is ''[[NoFourthWall aware]]'' that she's the protagonist, and uses two-handed swords, such as [[KatanasAreJustBetter katanas]] or broadswords, in all incarnations. Noire, who was the first character to get an ADayInTheLimelight spinoff, also uses swords, specifically one-handed short-swords and [[RoyalRapier rapiers]]. Nepgear and Plutia, the protagonists of ''[[VideoGame/HyperdimensionNeptuniaMk2 mk2]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/HyperdimensionNeptuniaVictory Victory]]'', respectively, also use swords, though Nepgear uses a LaserBlade (that becomes a sci-fi {{Bayonet|Ya}} in [[SuperMode HDD]]) and [[YouWouldntLikeMeWhenImAngry Plutia]] only uses a sword when in [[SuperMode HDD]], specifically a WhipSword (to go with her being a {{Dominatrix}}, [[CanonImmigrant although this feature of her sword was not explicitly shown in her first game, and was added in later games after appearing in the anime adaptation]]). Fittingly, Vert uses a RoyalRapier in her ADayInTheLimelight spinoff, ''VideoGame/CyberdimensionNeptunia4GoddessesOnline'', when she usually fights using a spear or lance.
* In ''VideoGame/OdinSphere'', though three of the five main characters, including the one you start with, use a spear, crossbow, and chain, the two ''male'' heroes do in fact both use swords.
* ''VideoGame/{{Parameters}}'': Implied. The symbol for ATK increases is a sword.
* Defied in ''VideoGame/PlanescapeTorment'' in its quest to subvert, invert or avert as many classic RPG tropes as possible. The game contains only two swords. One is the signature [[EmpathicWeapon weapon]] of a companion and can't be taken off him because that would cause it to cease to exist. The second is [[spoiler:Celestial Fire, the sword of a deva. You can only wield it if you're LawfulGood and he's not about to hand it to you, but if you kill him, you've very likely just ceased to be Good. If you can wield it, it changes shape and ceases to be a sword!]]
* Played with in ''VideoGame/RakenzarnTales''. Swords are a common weapon, but they're more the JackOfAllStats. Since Kyros can equip many weapon types, he can play it straight or avert it, depending on your needs.
* ''VideoGame/RemiLoreLostGirlInTheLandsOfLore'': Remi, the protagonist, starts the game off with a One-Handed Sword, "Remi's Broom". It's a broom.
* Albert from ''VideoGame/RevenantSaga'' plays this straight for the most part, but is one of the few heroes who uses a two-handed sword instead of one-handed.
* In ''VideoGame/RustyHearts'', Frantz and Angela both use swords, though they get axes and [[SinisterScythe scythes]] respectively as secondary weapons.
* The hero in each ''VideoGame/SakuraWars'' game uses [[DualWielding dual]] [[KatanasAreJustBetter katanas]]. And in all but one of the games, the primary female hero uses a katana as well, including the titular Sakura.
* ''VideoGame/SandsOfDestruction'' normally averts it, as its main character, Kyrie, {{dual wield|ing}}s knives. However, [[spoiler:after he comes back from the dead and awakens his Destruct powers, he also gains a sword and a new set of skills to go with it. This is also the point where he [[ScrewDestiny defies his purpose]] to destroy the world, and aims to recreate it with better conditions]].
* ''VideoGame/ScarletNexus'': One of the protagonists, Yuito, uses a sword that he can [[FlyingWeapon propel with his psychokinesis]]. When he's asked why he chose the sword as his weapon, he replies that he thinks that swords are cool.
* Seemingly enforced in ''VideoGame/ShadeWrathOfAngels''. You play as a mercenary and has a gun, but after meeting the Angel of Faith the first time, when she transports you to the Netherworld she gives you a magic sword capable of harming the undead. You try turning her down...
--> '''Angel of Faith''': Take this weapon. I'm sure you can handle it.\\
'''You''': What for? I have a gun, I'm sure that's enough...\\
'''Angel of Faith''': ''Just''. ''take''. ''the''. ''sword''.
* ''VideoGame/ShadowOfTheColossus'' subverts it: while Wander does carry a sword, and while the sword is the only thing that can kill Colossi, one look at how he wields it demonstrates that he has no idea what he's doing. [[spoiler:It is heavily implied that he stole the sword, so it makes sense he has no training with it.]] His actual weapon of choice is his bow, which he shoots like a master.
* In ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'', this trope is almost universal, though in most games the characters have the option of a [[EveryoneHasPistols gun]] as a side arm.
** Downplayed in ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiStrangeJourney''. Unlike most protagonists, his gun is his primary weapon and his sword is his backup.
** Played with in ''VideoGame/Persona2 Eternal Punishment''. The protagonist Maya uses [[GunsAkimbo dual pistols]] but the ''actual'' [[TheHero hero]] of the story -- namely Tatsuya -- uses a [[KatanasAreJustBetter katana]]. The same goes for the ''VideoGame/Persona1'' veterans Kei Nanjo and Eriko Kirishima, who use a broadsword and a rapier respectively, just like they did back then.
** Also played with in ''VideoGame/DigitalDevilSaga''. Everyone uses a gun of some sort when in human form, but Serph's demon form has a BladeBelowTheShoulder in each arm, and he primarily uses those for combat.
** Averted in ''VideoGame/Persona3 Portable'' with the female protagonist. She uses a [[NaginatasAreFeminine naginata]].
** In ''VideoGame/Persona3'', other characters who use swords are HeroicWannabe Junpei and the former leader of [=SEES=] Mitsuru.
** Also averted in ''VideoGame/Persona5''. GentlemanThief Joker uses a {{Devious Dagger|s}}, and various swords are distributed to the other party members; Morgana uses scimitars, Yusuke favors katanas, Akechi wields {{Laser Blade}}s, and Kasumi has rapiers.
** Also averted in ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne'', where the Demi-Fiend is bare-fisted the entire game, instead gaining his powers from various Magatama.
* In ''VideoGame/RivieraThePromisedLand'' all [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Grim Angels]] have a special powerful weapon, known as "Diviner". Three of these weapons show up in the game, and of these three the one that is used as a sword belongs to our hero Ein, while others two (a spear and an axe) belong to [[spoiler:KnightTemplar Ledah, and Malice, who is [[BlindObedience slavishly devoted]] to an ObviouslyEvil villain]].
* In ''VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia'', Vyse is a SkyPirate who favors a pair of cutlasses. His companions' weapons include a giant boomerang, a mechanical arm, a RoyalRapier, a pistol, and a shapeshifting pet.
* The ''VideoGame/StarOcean'' series alludes to this in every game:
** ''VideoGame/StarOcean1'' has our medieval hero Roddick use swords, even though he comes from an isolated small village. The remake elaborates on this by explaining that he learned from his [[DisappearedDad late father]].
** ''VideoGame/StarOceanTheSecondStory'' plays with this. Rena believes in the prophecy of a hero holding a sword of light. When Claude uses his Phase Gun to vanquish a monster that attacks her, she takes it to be the prophesied sword. After his gun is broken, Claude is forced to equip swords, as he's stuck on an underdeveloped planet. The rest of the journey has him overcoming his father's shadow and becoming a real hero.
** ''VideoGame/StarOceanTillTheEndOfTime'' has Fayt using a sword because he is stuck in a medieval planet, and that in the battle simulator video game he always prefers a swordsman avatar.
** ''VideoGame/StarOceanTheLastHope'' has two examples discussed in the story. Edge chooses a sword-type weapon because it was the only thing he could reach for to defend himself against a group of alien bugs. He noticed beforehand that blasters and laser guns were useless against them. Later on in the story, Edge is asked about it and says he's gotten used to using swords at that point. [[spoiler: There's also the fact that, as a Seed of Hope, his reflexes are so good that he does very poorly with ranged weapons because he'll instinctively aim for where his target is going to be, rather than where they are. However, his reflexes work perfectly with a melee weapon.]]
** ''VideoGame/StarOceanTheDivineForce'' uses this for both possible protagonists. Raymond is stuck on an underdeveloped planet without equipment, and is forced to use local weaponry, while Laeticia is a princess of a kingdom on said planet, and was trained in swordsmanship to defend herself. They, however, equip different types of swords - Raymond uses {{BFS}}es, while Laeticia uses dual swords.
* ''VideoGame/{{Suikoden}}'':
** ''VideoGame/SuikodenIII'' has all ''three'' main characters wielding swords. Hugo's is closer to a dagger/main gauche, since he's younger than the others and requires a smaller weapon, but a sword it still is. To top it off, Thomas, star of an optional secondary scenario (and who as the Tenkai Star is actually the counterpart of the main heroes of each other the other games in the series), wields a sword too.
** ''VideoGame/SuikodenIV'' hero Lazlo [[DualWielding wields two swords]].
** The heroes of the first two games, however, avert the trope. Tir [=McDohl=] wields a staff, while Riou wields tonfas.
* [[PlayingWithATrope Played with]] in ''VideoGame/SummonNight Swordcraft Story 2''. The hero can use any weapon with equal proficiency, including [[ThisIsADrill drills]]. However, when they need to make a special weapon to exorcize an evil spirit, the [[ReligionIsMagic Holy Man Toumei]] says he will only cast the spell on a sword. When the heroes question if there is a reason for this, he states "[[LampshadeHanging Because I only like swords."]]
* This trope has an effect on the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series: With ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'', the game's roster consists of heroes from fantasy series like ''The Legend of Zelda'', ''Final Fantasy'', ''Fire Emblem'', and even ''Dragon Quest'', among others. This has led to a number of fans ''complaining'' about the sheer number of sword-wielders in the game, especially from ''Fire Emblem'', which has eight fighters, all of whom use swords (although one of them is primarily a spell-caster who uses a short sword as a ''secondary'' weapon, another's moveset revolves mostly around shapeshifting into a dragon, and the last one uses various weapons along their sword). In [[VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses Byleth]]'s reveal trailer, this complaint is given a knowing nudge as Byleth gets ganged up on by sword-wielding fighters and sent back to Sothis, before returning with other weapons.
-->'''Sothis:''' So you return, and sooner than expected. I see. Too many swordsmen, are there?
* In ''VideoGame/SwordAndFairy'' series main characters always use some kind of sword (or [[DualWielding two swords]]), with the only exception so far occurring in a GaidenGame. Some other party member also use swords, often with some kind of twist, like using a [[FlyingWeapon flying sword]] (Yue Qi from ''[[VideoGame/SwordAndFairy6 6]]'') or a {{BFS}} (Xiu Wu from ''[[VideoGame/SwordAndFairy7 7]]'') instead of classic ''jian''.
* The main character of each game in the ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'' always uses swords, with two notable exceptions: Senel from ''VideoGame/TalesOfLegendia'', and Jude from ''VideoGame/TalesOfXillia'', both of whom fight with [[GoodOldFisticuffs their fists]]. In Jude's case, you can choose to pick Milla as the main character instead of him, which would play this trope straight since Milla uses swords.
** Several main characters ([[VideoGame/TalesOfPhantasia Cress]], [[VideoGame/TalesOfDestiny Stahn]], [[VideoGame/TalesOfEternia Reid]], and [[VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia Yuri]]) in fact can use weapons other than swords in their home games[[note]]Axes for all of them; spears and halberds for Cress, Reid and Stahn; maces for Stahn; daggers and broadswords for Reid[[/note]]. However, in various crossovers they fight exclusively with swords, to keep in line with this trope.
** [[VideoGame/TalesOfXillia2 Ludger]] fights with dual blades, and later picks up hammers and [[GunsAkimbo dual guns]], as well as a [[DoubleWeapon double-ended spear]] in his SuperMode. However, even though he can [[RealTimeWeaponChange switches between them]] right in the battle, he's still always depicted with his dual swords.
** ''VideoGame/TalesOfBerseria'' inverts this: none in the AntiHero filled playable cast uses traditional swords; the closest example is Velvet, but she uses a BladeBelowTheShoulder the size of a large knife. The KnightTemplar [[LightIsNotGood Exorcists]] meanwhile are more liberal in their usage of swords, and [[BigBad Artorius]]' blade wouldn't look out of place in the hands of protagonists of previous games.
** ''VideoGame/TalesOfArise'' double down on this. Its hero, Alphen, usually fights with a normal sword. However, early into the game Shionne gives him the Blazing Sword, a condensed mass of Astral Energy of Fire, that Alphen can briefly use as a weapon thanks to his [[FeelsNoPain pain immunity]]. Using its power, Alphen liberates the realm of Calaglia, becoming a hero to its inhabitants. Fittingly, when [[spoiler:he's defeated by Vholran and Shionne is kidnapped, the Sword vanishes from his hand, signifying his loss]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Thief}}'': Subverted. In the first two games, Garrett carries a sword, but the combat system is unreasonably complex and difficult, and it's likely that the player will never be as good with the sword as the basic enemy {{Mooks}}. This fits with the theme of the game: you're supposed to ''avoid'' combat at every opportunity; the sword is generally a weapon of last resort. Nevertheless, the most important weapon story-wise that Garrett gets to wield is the ''Sword'' of Constantine.
* The ''VideoGame/TreasureHunterMan'' series: A sword is the first weapon available in each game.
** ''VideoGame/TreasureHunterMan1'': A sword is one of the first treasures you find.
--->It's your sword! Every adventurer needs one. Only wimpy ones use whips instead.
** ''VideoGame/TreasureHunterMan2'': The starting weapon.
* ''VideoGame/WildArms'' series in general averts this, as heroes wield titular [=ARMs=], and swords are more often used by TheLancer. Still, there are a couple of examples that are used as EmergencyWeapon.
** Rudy from the original ''VideoGame/WildArms1'' uses a sword for his normal attacks, because his ammo is severely limited, especially at first. ''VideoGame/WildArmsAlterCodeF'' remake, however, averts it completely.
** Jude from ''VideoGame/WildArms4'' uses a gun, but when he runs out of ammo, it {{Morph|Weapon}}s into a sword. He also uses this form for his strongest attack, [[SpeedBlitz Assault Buster]].
* Geralt in ''Videogame/TheWitcher'' is [[JustifiedTrope trained from his youth to use a sword]] to fight man and beast. Sure, he can use other weapons, but it's the sword that he utilizes most of the time, with devastating (and flashy) efficiency.
* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'':
** Meta-example. In ''Legion'', most of the artifact weapons are swords, at least for classes that can use them. When a fan asked why this was at a Q&A, [[WordOfGod Blizzard]] responded that swords were far and away the most popular weapon type used for transmog (at least for melee -casters tended to gravitate towards [[MagicStaff staves]]).
** Humorously referenced in ''Shadowlands''. In the expansion's preliminary quests in the Maw, Thrall states that he agrees that swords are good weapons, but he doesn't understand why the Alliance is so fascinated with them. "[[AwesomeButImpractical Too much blade, not enough haft.]]"
* Averted in ''VideoGame/{{Wynncraft}}''; none of the five [[CharacterClassSystem classes]] wield swords as their weapon of choice.
* ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles'' series:
** ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1'':
*** The game is built around the Monado, a bright-red LaserBlade that's the only weapon capable of reliably destroy the [[KillerRobot Mechon]]. It was wielded by Dunban, the "Hero of [[HumansByAnyOtherName Homs]]", and later falls into the hands of Shulk, the protagonist of the game. Later it's revealed that [[spoiler:the Monado is actually an UnholyHolySword, and its real owner specifically chooses Shulk to become his vessel, inverting the trope in a sense]].
*** Even after losing the Monado, Dunban fights with various swords (with his [[HandicappedBadass left arm]], no less), and has a closet full of katanas at home.
** ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'' takes it to an almost absurd degree. TheHero Rex wields the Aegis sword, the Blade weapon of… well, the Aegis. Two of the other party members' Blades provide their Drivers [[spoiler:Morag and Zeke]] with a pair of {{Whip Sword}}s and a {{BFS}} respectively. The former also gets a Blade who has a katana. The wannabe-Driver ScienceHero of the party can modify his artificial Blade in a sidequest to wield a LaserBlade, clearly based on the Aegis sword. Finally, [[spoiler:when Nia reveals her Blade nature, she gives Rex her Blade weapon - a SinisterScimitar]]. In other words, the entire party can use some form of a sword.
*** ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2TornaTheGoldenCountry'' expansion gives us Addam, who fights with a sword, and Hugo, who has a shortsword and shield combo. Jin and his [[{{BFS}} nodachi]] from the main game also return, showing him before his StartOfDarkness.
** ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles3'' once again has its main protagonist, Noah, wielding a red blade, called "Veiled Sword". This time around, it's not really plot-relevant, and the entire party can use it through the game's JobSystem. However, Noah's version of the weapon also serves as a sheath for his secret weapon: an expertly-made [[KatanasAreJustBetter katana]], that can slice through almost everything. He eventually gains an art that allow him to draw it for a single strong attack, [[spoiler:and later draw it for a minute and a half as a SuperMode]]. This katana is important, because it's the only thing that can destroy the Flame Clocks. [[spoiler:As such, at least several previous incarnations of Noah got their hands on similar swords.]]
* Meanwhile ''Xenoblade'''s predecessors ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Xenosaga}}'' seemingly go out of their way to avert this trope, with a single playable character at most (plus the HumongousMecha they pilot) getting to wield a sword.
** ''Xenogears''' Fei Fong Wong is a martial artists who fights exclusively with his [[BareFistedMonk bare hands]], while the {{Deuteragonist}} Elly fights with a pair of batons. This ends up being played straight towards the end by Citan, another BareFistedMonk who originally swore against weapons before taking one up in the climax as a sign of his dedication to the heroes' cause.
** Given that ''Xenosaga'' is a SpaceOpera set in the far future, most of your party sticks to guns or other futuristic weaponry. The main protagonist Shion makes use of an [[ArmCannon arm-mounted cannon]], while ''Episode II'''s protagonist Jr. fights with [[GunsAkimbo a pair of revolvers]]. The only member of the main party who wields a sword is latecomer Jin Uzuki, who is noted to be particularly old-fashioned.
* {{Exaggerated}} by [[TheHero Adol]] from the ''VideoGame/{{Ys}}'' series. As far as the games show, ''every single weapon'' he's used in his more that ''30-years long'' adventuring career was some type of a sword.
** In ''VideoGame/YsVITheArkOfNapishtim'' he uses three magical swords that can be upgraded over the course of the game. They actually serve as keys to the titular Ark.
** In ''VideoGame/YsSEVEN'' Adol is the only character able to change his weapon attribute. Other party members use weapons like knifes for Slasing, bows for Piercing and hammers for Striking attacks. Adol, meanwhile, equips normal swords to Slash, rapiers to Pierce and {{BFS}}es to Strike.
** ''VideoGame/YsVIIILacrimosaOfDana'' puts a twist on it. Adol, naturally, returns as the sword-wielding protagonist, but titular Dana, the {{deuteragonist}} of the game [[spoiler:and the sole playable character in the flashbacks]], is the only other user of Slash attribute. She fights with {{dual|Wielding}} crescent-shaped blades.
[[/folder]]
* ''VideoGame/ANNOMutationem'': Ann's primary weapon is a single bladed energy sword. With it, she can perform an assortment of attacks after [[SomeDexterityRequired performing certain moves]] to damage enemies. She later gains usage of both a {{BFS}} and a DoubleWeapon to boost her skill-set affinities.
* ''VideoGame/ArcRiseFantasia'': The protagonist of the game, L'Arc, uses broadswords, while his friend Alf uses more traditional one-handed swords. Later, Alf leaves and [[spoiler:starts leading his own group of {{Well Intentioned Extremist}}s. You even get his party under control at one point, and he, naturally, leads it]]. You later get another party member who can use Alf's swords, but he {{Dual Wield|ing}}s them with his own short blade in the other hand.
* ''VideoGame/AtelierSeries'': Generally averted. When swords do appear as a weapon, it's usually in men's hands. And most protagonists in the series are girls, who use {{Magic Sta|ff}}ves instead.
** Averted in ''VideoGame/AtelierIrisEternalMana'', where Klein the alchemist (and hero) wields canes and maces, as well as being a powerful magic-user and healer. The most "hero-like" sword-user is Arlin, who turns out to be more of a taciturn IneffectualLoner.
** Also averted in ''VideoGame/ManaKhemiaAlchemistsOfAlRevis'': Vayne does use a bladed weapon, but it's a BladeBelowTheShoulder, and not an actual sword.
** Played straight in ''VideoGame/AtelierIris2TheAzothOfDestiny'', ''VideoGame/AtelierIris3GrandPhantasm'', and ''VideoGame/ManaKhemia2FallOfAlchemy''. Felt uses a normal, if ornate, sword, Edge fights with an absurdly large {{BFS}} with some mechanical functions, and Raze starts with a long dagger and eventually upgrades to a full sword seen in his official artwork.
** ''VideoGame/NelkeAndTheLegendaryAlchemistsAteliersOfTheNewWorld'': Nelke is one of the few female protagonists in the series to play the trope straight and wield a sword. However, that's because she's ''not'' an alchemist, unlike all previous protagonists. Her blade is mostly a symbol of her noble status, like a RoyalRapier.
* Protagonists of both ''VideoGame/BatenKaitos'' games use swords. Kalas {{Dual Wield|ing}}s it alongside a dagger, while Sagi has a nodachi. Neither of them are clear-cut heroes (Kalas is a major {{Jerkass}}, Sagi starts out as an agent of TheEmpire), which is shown by unusual shapes of their swords.
* ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}'' usually averts this with its melee loadouts, with the sword-wielding characters being Mordecai (a FriendlySniper but not really the most motivated person) and [[VideoGame/Borderlands2 Zer0]] (a cold, calculating assassin who wields a katana); the most heroic ones are Roland (combat knife) and Maya (power-enhanced punches). In ''VideoGame/BorderlandsThePreSequel'', though, sword-wielding Athena is the most heroic of Jack's Vault Hunters -- the other reasonably nice characters (Claptrap and "Jack") both use bare hands, as does haughty and cruel aristocrat Aurelia, Wilhelm just [[PistolWhipping pistol-whips]] people, and [[CombatSadomasochist Nisha]] favours a whip.
* ''VideoGame/BoundByBlades'' have The Bound, a trio of warrior animals, the feline main character Teo who wields a sword. Meanwhile his rabbit and bull companions uses bows and bladed shields (in that order).
* ''VideoGame/BlackSigil'': The main character, Kairu, uses swords, and his unique Sword of Averay allows him, usually an UnSorcerer, to use some magic.
* ''VideoGame/TheBriefAndMeaninglessAdventureOfHeroMan'': Hero Man wields a sword in the art and weapons are represented by a sword icon. However, his StarterEquipment is a Wooden Pole, though all of his weapon upgrades afterwards are swords.
* ''VideoGame/{{Chantelise}}'': Elise, the girl you play as, wields a sword.
* ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'' does this twofold. [[HeroicMime Crono]], the player character, uses Katanas, which fits this trope and KatanasAreJustBetter. However, Frog, the hero of Guardia in 600 A.D., and the only one able to equip the Hero Badge, which is tied to a prophecy of a hero wearing it coming and saving Guardia in a time of strife, uses Broadswords.
** ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' averts this, however, as the main character, Serge, uses Swallows, which look like a shorter, double-bladed polearm.
* ''VideoGame/CrisTales'': Crisbell's journey starts properly when she retrieves the Sword of Time, an ancient weapon that enhances her TimeMaster powers (and apparently gives her AdrenalineMakeover). It becomes her main weapon in battles, but, unusually, her combat role is closer to a WhiteMage.
* ''VideoGame/CrystalStory'': Across multiple games:
** The first game has the protagonist Tristam use a sword.
** ''VideoGame/CrystalStoryII'': The first playable character, D, is shown in the menus wielding a sword.
* Dante of ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' uses his father's sword Force Edge in the [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry1 first game]] and gets a sword of his own named Rebellion in the other games. Nero, his nephew and successor as series protagonist in the [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry4 fourth game]] also makes use of a fiery blade named Red Queen as well as Yamato which belonged to his father Vergil.
* ''VideoGame/DeptHeaven'' loves this trope, as all of [[VideoGame/RivieraThePromisedLand Ein]], [[VideoGame/YggdraUnion Yggdra]] and [[VideoGame/{{Gungnir}} Guilio]] have swords as their primary weapon type. This even extends to ''VideoGame/GloriaUnion'', as its main character Ishut wields a sword too. The only aversions to this are Garlot in ''VideoGame/BlazeUnion'' and Meria/Maria in ''VideoGame/KnightsInTheNightmare''- the former wields a spear [[spoiler:and in the A route, later a [[SinisterScythe scythe]] as Gulcasa]], and the latter two are capable of wielding every weapon type equally well.
* In ''VideoGame/DiceyDungeons'', the Warrior's artwork always shows him with a sword, even when he doesn't necessary start with it, showing how heroic he is when fighting his way through the dungeons.
* The main characters of ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}'' games always start out with either a sword or [[HeroesFightBarehanded fists]], although most of them have equal weapon proficiency with other weapons.
* ''Franchise/DragonQuest'':
** ''VideoGame/DragonQuestII'': The Prince of Midenhall is the hero and leader of the group, and swords are his primary weapon.
** Heroes always wield swords, which is given a twist in ''VideoGame/DragonQuestV''. There, the protagonist is always depicted as wielding a staff. Yet the Zenithian hero's equipment you spend much of the game looking for includes a sword, and it's said that the legendary hero will wield one. This is your first clue that the protagonist ''is not the Hero in question'', [[spoiler:that's his son.]]
* Taiga in ''VideoGame/DuelSaviorDestiny'' gets a shortsword (though it can change shape) while his allies get a staff, tonfa, a book, nothing, a magic glove and a bow respectively. [[spoiler:Of course, it turns out the girl who had nothing also has a sword, but then she seems to have been the leader of ''her'' group originally as well]].
* ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors'' has pretty much every important leader using a sword/swords. Sun Ce is the only leader of the three kingdoms who doesn't (Tonfas) and Meng Huo is the only important leader outside of it to have not used a sword at some point in the series (Zhang Jiao used a sword in his first appearance,Dong Zhuo used a sword up to 5, and if Sima Yi is counted, he used a sword in his first appearance).
* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'':
** Depictions of Talos, the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Aedric Divine]] [[WarGod God of War]] and [[TheGoodKing Good Governance]] (and the [[DeityOfHumanOrigin ascended god form]] of [[FounderOfTheKingdom Emperor Tiber Septim]], possibly [[MergerOfSouls along with some others]]), depict him wielding a sword. His [[HornyVikings Nordic]] depictions make it a {{BFS}} to boot. Additionally, his shrines are in the shape of a sword hilt. Talos is considered a "[[HumansAreSpecial god-hero to mankind]]" and a GreaterScopeParagon within Mundus, the mortal realm.
*** Tiber Septim, even before becoming Talos, was associated with swords. According to the [[HistoricalHeroUpgrade heretical tales]] of his life, he studied with "the sword masters of Alcaire", the supposed place of his birth in High Rock.
** Trinimac was a prominent deity among the early [[OurElvesAreDifferent Aldmer]] and served as the champion of [[TopGod Auri-El]], the Aldmeri aspect of Akatosh. Trinimac was a [[WarGod warrior spirit]], said to be the strongest of the et'Ada ("original spirits"), and in some places was even more popular than Auri-El. According to Aldmeri religious tradition, it was Trinimac who led the Aldmeri armies against Lorkhan's supporters, the races of Men. Trinimac [[GodIsDead slew Lorkhan]] and removed [[CosmicKeystone Lorkhan's heart]] from his body. At least the races of Mer, this was a very heroic act. Trinimac is associated with "the blade". The end of the Almderi veneration to Trinimac reads:
---> ''"By the blade of Trinimac I swear, and call for his aid."''
** The [[AncientOrderOfProtectors Blades]] have long served the emperors of Tamriel as [[PraetorianGuard bodyguards]] and [[SecretPolice spies]], and are almost always found using swords, particularly their namesake {{katanas|AreJustBetter}}. In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'', ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'', and ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'', the Blades contribute directly to the defeat of the game's BigBad, confirming their heroism. (Though ''Skyrim'' introduces some significant GrayAndGreyMorality between them and the [[OldMaster Greybeards]]...)
* ''VideoGame/EpicBattleFantasy'' series: One of the two primary protagonists, Matt, is a sword user who owns many of them ([[KleptomaniacHero most, if not all, stolen]]).
* ''VideoGame/EternalSenia'': Senia, the protagonist, uses only swords as her actual weapon, performing GrievousHarmWithABody only occasionally:
** ''VideoGame/EternalSenia1'': Her first sword gets {{wrecked|weapon}}, then she picks up another one from a dead adventurer.
** ''VideoGame/EternalSeniaHydrangeaAfterTheRain'': Goes from non-elemental, to {{elemental|Weapon}} swords.
* ''VideoGame/EternalSonata'': Allegretto, the on-screen avatar StandardizedLeader and Jazz, the leader of Andantino, wields a massive broadsword.
* ''VideoGame/{{Fairune}}'': In the first, Flash, game, the protagonist is shown with a sword when she starts her adventure to find the four fairies.
* ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' could very well be called a story about swords. Saber wields a sword, and [[spoiler: Shirou]] has his entire existence revolving around swords. And of course, we could never forget--
--> [[MagicalIncantation "I am the bone of my sword..."]]
** {{Exploited|Trope}} in-universe. Class of Sabers (swordsmen) is considered the strongest class of the seven, so some of participants specifically aim for getting a hero precisely of this class. Since Servants are summoned from [[AllMythsAreTrue different mythologies]], and sword-wielding individuals often happen to be [[TheHero Heroes]] and [[{{TheAce}} Aces]] of their respective stories, this is completely {{Justified|Trope}}.
** The two Archer class Servants to feature in the story (one known as "[[RedBaron the King of Heroes]]" and the other [[spoiler:[[FutureBadass Shirou's future self]]]]) both use swords as their primary weapons, [[StormOfBlades just in unconventional ways]].
* The ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' series uses this trope a lot:
** In the [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyI first game]] the strongest weapons, Excalibur and Masamune, are both swords. Unlike most swords, Masamune can be wielded by all twelve classes. The representative of ''[=FF1=]'' who appears in ''Dissidia'', the "Warrior of Light", is also a swordsman.
** While any party member can use any weapon type, Firion of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyII'' starts with a sword, is typically depicted wielding one, and his exclusive InfinityPlusOneSword in the PSP remake is the Ragnarok sword. [[spoiler:The other sword-wielding party member, conversely, ends up becoming TheDragon.]]
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'': Cecil, as captain of the Red Wings, uses swords, which don't exactly seem suited for aerial combat. Interestingly, after his job switches to Paladin, he can equip a larger array of weapons such as staffs and bows, but his best weapons are still swords, including the SwordOfPlotAdvancement.
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'': Despite how technologically advanced and futuristic the setting is, the heroic characters always prefer a sword. A specific sword, in fact.
*** In the original game, Cloud can only equip swords, while his initial weapon, the Buster Sword, is a TragicKeepsake from his deceased friend, Zack.
*** ''VideoGame/CrisisCore'' has Zack starting the game with a sword, which seems the preferred weapon of 1st class SOLDIER members. His dream is to become a hero. At some point, he inherits the Buster Sword from his mentor, Angeal. In this context, the Buster Sword seems to symbolize dreams and honor passed down from one man to the next.
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'': Squall's gunblade is a VibroWeapon looking like the combination of a gun and a sword, a weapon only usable by the elite SEED members. Along with his perpetual lion motif, it symbolizes his status as a heroic and proud figure. Squall's gunblade is actually an in-universe example of this: Gunblades are DifficultButAwesome[[note]]Pulling the trigger on the gun sends a shockwave through the blade, adding a lot more punch to the user's attacks. However, and like real life guns it also produces recoil, making it ''extremely'' difficult to control[[/note]] and so not used very often; however, it's also said that one day a hero will save the world wielding one. Most gunblade users chose the weapon in hopes of being this hero, though with [[TheRival Seifer]], it's a bit more complicated.
** Even ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'', which stars a [[LovableRogue thief]] as the leading man and thus has Zidane initially specialize in daggers, manages to squeeze in this trope by giving Zidane thief swords, which are two daggers merged together into a double-bladed staff. Said swords eventually overpower the daggers, making them the weapon of choice.
** Lightning of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'' wields gunblades, though unlike ''FFVIII'' they're weapons that transform between blade and gun modes. Serah follows her sister in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII2'' with her bowswords (as does her partner Noel with two swords that combine into a javelin), and the majority of Lightning's weapons in ''VideoGame/LightningReturnsFinalFantasyXIII'' are traditional swords.
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' plays with this trope, to some extent. The main promotional character has been depicted using an axe, lance, and fists. In practice, tanks are typically at the front of the group, giving the appearance of a leader, and three of the four tanks use swords (Paladin uses one-handed swords; Dark Knight uses two-handed greatswords, and Gunbreakers use Gunblades). However, several leading antagonists do use swords, including Gaius van Baelsar and [[spoiler:the surprise antagonist of Heavensward, King Thordan.]] Raubahn Aldynn, leader of the Immortal Flames and probably the most capable NPC fighter in the Eorzean alliance, uses two swords. Meanwhile, the members of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn tend to forgo swords; Minfilia and Alphinaude are non-combatants, Thancred uses daggers (before Shadowbringers, in which he switches for a Gunblade), Yda uses fists, Urianger uses a grimoire, and Y'shtola and Papalymo use magic wands and rods.
** Noctis of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV'' doesn't carry a sword around, but instead has the ability to summon and dismiss swords instantly from his hand.
** Ramza in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'' gains the ability to wield Knight Swords in his unique Squire class in Chapter Four. All of the noble knights who join Ramza's squad, as well as the Knight Job itself, wield standard swords and Knight Swords (and typically can't use their GameBreaker abilities without them).
*** Both protagonists from the Advance games are depicted with massive swords in their artwork, but what they'll actually use is up to the player.
** Benjamin of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyMysticQuest'' starts off with a sword, and his strongest weapon is the Excalibur.
** Yuri in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyCrystalChroniclesRingOfFates'' is the protagonist of the game, leading even his older mentors. Although his first weapon is a hatchet, the weapon he adopts after the TimeSkip is his father's sword and all weapons scrolls thereafter give him swords.
** Although it's a job class game, the protagonist of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyThe4HeroesOfLight'', Brandt, is depicted with a sword. He also has high natural growths in Strength and HP, giving him a natural inclination to swordwielding jobs.
** Jack of ''VideoGame/StrangerOfParadiseFinalFantasyOrigin'' can wield a variety of weapons, but he starts out with a greatsword. [[spoiler:Greatswords are also the specialty weapons of his final job Cyclic Warrior, alongside axes.]]
* In the ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' series:
** While there are a few exceptions, the series as a whole tends to feature main characters who use swords. Their respective [[InfinityPlusOneSword Infinity+1 Weapons]] will also invariably be swords.
*** [[VideoGame/FireEmblemShadowDragonAndTheBladeOfLight Marth]], [[VideoGame/FireEmblemThracia776 Leif]][[note]]Only as the Lord of ''Thracia 776''; after he promotes in ''Genealogy of the Holy War'', he gets access to every non-legendary weapon in the game except Nosferatu, Aura, and dark magic[[/note]], [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBindingBlade Roy]], [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheSacredStones Eirika]], ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance Path of Radiance]]'' Ike, [[VideoGame/FireEmblemHeroes Alfonse]], and [[VideoGame/FireEmblemWarriorsThreeHopes Shez]] all exclusively wield swords.
*** [[VideoGame/FireEmblemGenealogyOfTheHolyWar Sigurd, Seliph]], [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade Eliwood]], [[VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening Chrom, and Lucina]] prefer swords but can use lances as a backup; Sigurd can uniquely do so right out of the gate since he's a pre-promoted unit, while everyone else needs to promote to do so.
*** ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn Radiant Dawn]]'' Ike prefers swords but can use axes as a backup.
*** [[VideoGame/FireEmblemGaiden Alm]] and [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade Lyndis]] prefer swords but can use bows as a backup.
*** [[VideoGame/FireEmblemFates Corrin]] prefers swords but can use dragonstones just as well, and can also pick up either magic or staves as a backup.
*** [[VideoGame/FireEmblemWarriors Rowan and Lianna]] prefer swords but can use staves as well.
*** [[VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses Byleth]] prefers swords, but also has proficiency in brawling and a budding talent in faith magic. Their unique class also increases skill experience for these three weapon types, and has a sword-boosting class skill. Note, however, that ''Three Houses's'' mechanics allow any unit to use any weapon type, aside from magic.
*** [[VideoGame/FireEmblemEngage Alear]] uses swords, and later picks up body arts (a renamed brawling) as a secondary weapon type. Engaging with as Emblem may change it, although it's true for anyone. [[spoiler:It's also true for their Emblem form, in which they give their Engage partner two swords and a Body Art, and grant proficiency in these two weapons.]]
*** [[VideoGame/TokyoMirageSessionsFE Itsuki]] wields swords, but the mechanics of his game [[MagicKnight allow him to use magic just as well]]; which part of his kit he specializes in is determined by which way he promotes.
*** [[VideoGame/FireEmblemGaiden Celica]] and [[VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening Robin]] wield magic and swords, but are more associated with magic. However, mechanically they can use both equally well (Celica's games lack weapon levels, while Robin has equal weapon levels for tomes and swords), and became more directly associated with magic in later entries.
*** [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade Hector]] (axes), [[VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses Edelgard]] (axes), [[VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses Dimitri]] (lances), and [[VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses Claude]] (bows) all specialize in various other weapons, but gain swords upon promotion. Also note that the last three entries are from ''[[VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses Three Houses]]'', where, with the exception of magic, any class can use any weapon.
*** The only total aversions in the series are [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTheSacredStones Ephraim]] (lances), [[VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn Micaiah]] (light magic and later staves), [[VideoGame/FireEmblemHeroes Sharena]] (lances), and [[VideoGame/FireEmblemHeroes Anna]] (axes).
** In a series-wide example, the class ''named'' "Hero", promoted from Mercenary, primarily uses swords.
** In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade'', the game discusses and attempts to defy it briefly: [[ChivalrousPervert Sain]] insists early on that "the lance is more heroic. A knight should look heroic, don't you think?" and so refuses to [[TacticalRockPaperScissors use a sword against the axe-wielding]] bandits they're fighting. It doesn't last.
* In ''VideoGame/ForHonor'', sword-wielding heroes are disproportionately represented opposed to heroes who use other weapons. The Knights have [[JackOfAllStats their Vanguard class the Warden]] who wields a heavy longsword, [[FragileSpeedster their Assassin class, the Peacekeeper]], a [[NinjaPirateRobotZombie knight-ninja-nun]] who [[DualWield dual-wields a pairing sword and dagger]], and their first DLC hero [[BoisterousBruiser the Centurion]], a Roman-inspired hero who wields [[SwordAndFist a gladius and his fists]]. The Vikings have their Heavy, the Warlord, who like the Centurion uses a short-sword and shield for superior defense, as well as their first DLC hero [[BraveScot the Highlander]] who wields a [[StanceSystem Scottish claymore to switch between offensive and defensive stances respectively]]. [[{{Samurai}} The Samurai]] sword-users are the Vanguard [[DifficultButAwesome the Kensei]] wielding a [[{{BFS}} nodachi]], and their Assassin [[KatanasAreJustBetter the Orochi and their katana]]. The Warden and the Orochi are also the heroes of the Knight and Samurai chapter as well, fitting this trope even more.
* ''VideoGame/FortuneSummoners'': Arche, the girl that you start the game as, and whose story you follow, wields a sword.
* The ''VideoGame/GloryOfHeracles'' series typically goes with this. In [[VideoGame/GloryOfHeraclesIII the third game]], while anyone can learn to use swords, it's the Protagonist who begins as a sword-user. [[spoiler:An inversion of this trope is a major clue to the Protagonist's identity.]]
* In the original ''VideoGame/GoldenAxe'', the two playable human heroes use swords, while [[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame Gilius Thunderhead]] uses an axe. Also, those two characters are the only characters in the game to use the typical straight-bladed, one-handed European longswords, other than the giant Knights: the skeletons wield [[SinisterScimitar scimitars]] while every other enemy wields either a mace, a club, an axe or a hammer.
* Gran and Djeeta from ''VideoGame/GranblueFantasy'': Their canonical appearances, and promotional artworks are depicted using a sword and they have exclusively been using swords in the anime adaptation.
* ''VideoGame/{{Grandia}}'' series in general has sword-wielding protagonists, and even gives them a specific weapon, the Spirit Sword, as their best weapon.
** Justin from the original ''VideoGame/Grandia1'' can also use maces and axes, but he starts with a sword, and his Specials mostly require higher skill in swords.
** Yuki from ''VideoGame/GrandiaIII'' uses swords, and his battle model always shows him with a sword, even though his starting weapon is a wrench.
* Subverted in ''[[Franchise/DotHack .hack]]'': the usual indicator of the main hero is dual shortswords (or long knives) held in a ReverseGrip, not a single larger blade (that's usually carried by TheLancer, oddly enough). Primary protagonists in the series have also wielded spears, staffs, and scythes.
* In ''VideoGame/HaikuTheRobot'', Haiku fights using a sword, unusually for a robot -- although technically, while it's called a sword in the game, it's actually a large metal chip with sharp edges.
* Inverted in ''VideoGame/{{Infernax}}'', [[spoiler:where Alcedor wields a mace and shield combo normally and only swaps to a longsword if he [[KarmaMeter becomes evil]]. Played straight however if you input "Swordcedor" as your name, which gives you the longsword right away and allows you to use it on a good playthrough.]]
* ''VideoGame/JitsuSquad'': The character who is literally named [[MeaningfulName Hero]] Yamagiwa fights using a katana. This also extends to his secondary weapons, which are all katanas with an elemental effect applied to it.
* While none of the three player characters of ''VideoGame/{{Kamiko}}'' really count as its de facto main character, the sword-wielding Yamato can be considered the game's "face," being the one who normally appears on the title screen and appearing at the forefront of the physical release's boxart.
* The heroes of ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' all end up wielding a specific kind of sword called a Keyblade, which allows the wielder to combat the forces of evil, seal away the hearts of worlds for their protection, and open any kind of lock. One of the main requirements to wield one is a strong heart, although at least two ''villains'' have also wound up with them (Master Xehanort and Vanitas).
* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfDragoon'' only [[TheHero Dart]] and [[TheLancer Rose]] use swords. Of the eighteen dragoons in the game, the only one to use a sword who isn't either the hero or lancer is the DiscOneFinalBoss Doel.
* Rean Schwarzer from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsOfColdSteel'' is the first protagonist of the ''VideoGame/TrailsSeries'' to use a sword, specifically a [[KatanasAreJustBetter tachi]].
* In both ''VideoGame/LegendOfLegaia'' and its InNameOnly sequel, ''Duel Saga'', the hero and main character of the story uses a sword as his weapon of choice.
* The protagonist of every game in ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' series has a sword. He's usually given one at the start of his quest, coinciding with learning he's the [[ChosenOne Chosen Hero]]. It's replaced with the Master Sword, his fated weapon, in time to fight the BigBad. In some games, he gives up the sword at the end, signifying that a hero is no longer needed.
* The [[RedIsHeroic red-haired heroes]] of the ''VideoGame/{{Lufia}}'' series, with the Dual Blade as the games' SwordOfPlotAdvancement. Aside from the Hero of [[VideoGame/LufiaAndTheFortressOfDoom the first game]] being able to equip axes and spears, all of the main characters have been sword-wielders.
* ''VideoGame/{{Lunar}}'' series:
** ''VideoGame/LunarTheSilverStar'' is pretty blatant about it. The game begins with our hero, Alex, trying to pull a sword from the [[WeaponTombstone tombstone]] of Dragonmaster Dyne, a hero whom he idolizes. Late in the game it's revealed that [[spoiler:said sword is actually the legendary Althena's Sword, and Alex gets to finally pull and use it. Naturally, it becomes his strongest weapon]].
** ''VideoGame/LunarEternalBlue'': Hiro ([[MeaningfulName not very subtle, huh?]]) uses swords, and later [[spoiler:gets his hands on the very same Althena's Sword that Alex once used]].
* While swords are a common party member weapon in ''VideoGame/{{Lunarosse}}'', main character Channing uses knuckle weapons. He was originally to play this straight, but the game's creator felt he was more of a [[TalkToTheFist face-punch]] kind of guy.
* In ''VideoGame/LuxarenAllure'', the ChosenOne, Karuna, uses a sword, while her companions use axes and knives.
* In the ''VideoGame/{{Mary Skelter|Nightmares}}'' franchise, Alice and Otsuu, both of which are protagonists and primary {{Action Girl}}s for their respective games, wield swords in their basic classes (heck, the [[ExaggeratedTrope only]] class in which Alice doesn't use one is [[HeroesFightBarehanded Marshal]]). In ''Mary Skelter 2'' specifically, Hameln, who tries to play up her whole hero shtick as much as possible, has the same class set ''and'' starting class as Alice in order to [[InvokedTrope invoke this trope]].
* Inverted in ''Franchise/MassEffect'', where Villains Prefer Swords. Though melee combat has not gone away, the PlayerCharacter and his or her TrueCompanions avoid using swords. No swords appear in the first two games. The characters will use pistol whips and smash with the stock of their guns, punch, headbutt, and in the third game, use bayonets and a technological HardLight blade that is formed for a slashing sweep of the arm, then disappears. Only Cerberus, a villainous group, makes heavy use of swords, and only in the third game. The only named character using a sword is the villain [[spoiler: Kai Leng]], and it would take a few ''Mass Effect 3'' multiplayer DLCS before any of the "good guys" would be seen carrying a sword.
** TheDragon of ''VideoGame/MassEffect1'' was intended to carry a sword in his early concept art.
** As of ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda'', Ryder & Friends can equip a variety of melee weapons, including an Asari sword.
* ''VideoGame/MasterDetectiveArchivesRainCode'': Yuma is the only one capable of wielding the Solution Blade within the Mystery Labyrinth to fight against the Mystery Phantoms.
* In ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork'', if there's a chip that only works at melee range, a good 95% of the time it's some variant of a sword. The Life Sword Program Advance is also probably the first one you will be able to actually use, which is itself made of three other swords.
* ''VideoGame/{{Neptunia}}'': Neptune is ''[[NoFourthWall aware]]'' that she's the protagonist, and uses two-handed swords, such as [[KatanasAreJustBetter katanas]] or broadswords, in all incarnations. Noire, who was the first character to get an ADayInTheLimelight spinoff, also uses swords, specifically one-handed short-swords and [[RoyalRapier rapiers]]. Nepgear and Plutia, the protagonists of ''[[VideoGame/HyperdimensionNeptuniaMk2 mk2]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/HyperdimensionNeptuniaVictory Victory]]'', respectively, also use swords, though Nepgear uses a LaserBlade (that becomes a sci-fi {{Bayonet|Ya}} in [[SuperMode HDD]]) and [[YouWouldntLikeMeWhenImAngry Plutia]] only uses a sword when in [[SuperMode HDD]], specifically a WhipSword (to go with her being a {{Dominatrix}}, [[CanonImmigrant although this feature of her sword was not explicitly shown in her first game, and was added in later games after appearing in the anime adaptation]]). Fittingly, Vert uses a RoyalRapier in her ADayInTheLimelight spinoff, ''VideoGame/CyberdimensionNeptunia4GoddessesOnline'', when she usually fights using a spear or lance.
* In ''VideoGame/OdinSphere'', though three of the five main characters, including the one you start with, use a spear, crossbow, and chain, the two ''male'' heroes do in fact both use swords.
* ''VideoGame/{{Parameters}}'': Implied. The symbol for ATK increases is a sword.
* Defied in ''VideoGame/PlanescapeTorment'' in its quest to subvert, invert or avert as many classic RPG tropes as possible. The game contains only two swords. One is the signature [[EmpathicWeapon weapon]] of a companion and can't be taken off him because that would cause it to cease to exist. The second is [[spoiler:Celestial Fire, the sword of a deva. You can only wield it if you're LawfulGood and he's not about to hand it to you, but if you kill him, you've very likely just ceased to be Good. If you can wield it, it changes shape and ceases to be a sword!]]
* Played with in ''VideoGame/RakenzarnTales''. Swords are a common weapon, but they're more the JackOfAllStats. Since Kyros can equip many weapon types, he can play it straight or avert it, depending on your needs.
* ''VideoGame/RemiLoreLostGirlInTheLandsOfLore'': Remi, the protagonist, starts the game off with a One-Handed Sword, "Remi's Broom". It's a broom.
* Albert from ''VideoGame/RevenantSaga'' plays this straight for the most part, but is one of the few heroes who uses a two-handed sword instead of one-handed.
* In ''VideoGame/RustyHearts'', Frantz and Angela both use swords, though they get axes and [[SinisterScythe scythes]] respectively as secondary weapons.
* The hero in each ''VideoGame/SakuraWars'' game uses [[DualWielding dual]] [[KatanasAreJustBetter katanas]]. And in all but one of the games, the primary female hero uses a katana as well, including the titular Sakura.
* ''VideoGame/SandsOfDestruction'' normally averts it, as its main character, Kyrie, {{dual wield|ing}}s knives. However, [[spoiler:after he comes back from the dead and awakens his Destruct powers, he also gains a sword and a new set of skills to go with it. This is also the point where he [[ScrewDestiny defies his purpose]] to destroy the world, and aims to recreate it with better conditions]].
* ''VideoGame/ScarletNexus'': One of the protagonists, Yuito, uses a sword that he can [[FlyingWeapon propel with his psychokinesis]]. When he's asked why he chose the sword as his weapon, he replies that he thinks that swords are cool.
* Seemingly enforced in ''VideoGame/ShadeWrathOfAngels''. You play as a mercenary and has a gun, but after meeting the Angel of Faith the first time, when she transports you to the Netherworld she gives you a magic sword capable of harming the undead. You try turning her down...
--> '''Angel of Faith''': Take this weapon. I'm sure you can handle it.\\
'''You''': What for? I have a gun, I'm sure that's enough...\\
'''Angel of Faith''': ''Just''. ''take''. ''the''. ''sword''.
* ''VideoGame/ShadowOfTheColossus'' subverts it: while Wander does carry a sword, and while the sword is the only thing that can kill Colossi, one look at how he wields it demonstrates that he has no idea what he's doing. [[spoiler:It is heavily implied that he stole the sword, so it makes sense he has no training with it.]] His actual weapon of choice is his bow, which he shoots like a master.
* In ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'', this trope is almost universal, though in most games the characters have the option of a [[EveryoneHasPistols gun]] as a side arm.
** Downplayed in ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiStrangeJourney''. Unlike most protagonists, his gun is his primary weapon and his sword is his backup.
** Played with in ''VideoGame/Persona2 Eternal Punishment''. The protagonist Maya uses [[GunsAkimbo dual pistols]] but the ''actual'' [[TheHero hero]] of the story -- namely Tatsuya -- uses a [[KatanasAreJustBetter katana]]. The same goes for the ''VideoGame/Persona1'' veterans Kei Nanjo and Eriko Kirishima, who use a broadsword and a rapier respectively, just like they did back then.
** Also played with in ''VideoGame/DigitalDevilSaga''. Everyone uses a gun of some sort when in human form, but Serph's demon form has a BladeBelowTheShoulder in each arm, and he primarily uses those for combat.
** Averted in ''VideoGame/Persona3 Portable'' with the female protagonist. She uses a [[NaginatasAreFeminine naginata]].
** In ''VideoGame/Persona3'', other characters who use swords are HeroicWannabe Junpei and the former leader of [=SEES=] Mitsuru.
** Also averted in ''VideoGame/Persona5''. GentlemanThief Joker uses a {{Devious Dagger|s}}, and various swords are distributed to the other party members; Morgana uses scimitars, Yusuke favors katanas, Akechi wields {{Laser Blade}}s, and Kasumi has rapiers.
** Also averted in ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne'', where the Demi-Fiend is bare-fisted the entire game, instead gaining his powers from various Magatama.
* In ''VideoGame/RivieraThePromisedLand'' all [[OurAngelsAreDifferent Grim Angels]] have a special powerful weapon, known as "Diviner". Three of these weapons show up in the game, and of these three the one that is used as a sword belongs to our hero Ein, while others two (a spear and an axe) belong to [[spoiler:KnightTemplar Ledah, and Malice, who is [[BlindObedience slavishly devoted]] to an ObviouslyEvil villain]].
* In ''VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia'', Vyse is a SkyPirate who favors a pair of cutlasses. His companions' weapons include a giant boomerang, a mechanical arm, a RoyalRapier, a pistol, and a shapeshifting pet.
* The ''VideoGame/StarOcean'' series alludes to this in every game:
** ''VideoGame/StarOcean1'' has our medieval hero Roddick use swords, even though he comes from an isolated small village. The remake elaborates on this by explaining that he learned from his [[DisappearedDad late father]].
** ''VideoGame/StarOceanTheSecondStory'' plays with this. Rena believes in the prophecy of a hero holding a sword of light. When Claude uses his Phase Gun to vanquish a monster that attacks her, she takes it to be the prophesied sword. After his gun is broken, Claude is forced to equip swords, as he's stuck on an underdeveloped planet. The rest of the journey has him overcoming his father's shadow and becoming a real hero.
** ''VideoGame/StarOceanTillTheEndOfTime'' has Fayt using a sword because he is stuck in a medieval planet, and that in the battle simulator video game he always prefers a swordsman avatar.
** ''VideoGame/StarOceanTheLastHope'' has two examples discussed in the story. Edge chooses a sword-type weapon because it was the only thing he could reach for to defend himself against a group of alien bugs. He noticed beforehand that blasters and laser guns were useless against them. Later on in the story, Edge is asked about it and says he's gotten used to using swords at that point. [[spoiler: There's also the fact that, as a Seed of Hope, his reflexes are so good that he does very poorly with ranged weapons because he'll instinctively aim for where his target is going to be, rather than where they are. However, his reflexes work perfectly with a melee weapon.]]
** ''VideoGame/StarOceanTheDivineForce'' uses this for both possible protagonists. Raymond is stuck on an underdeveloped planet without equipment, and is forced to use local weaponry, while Laeticia is a princess of a kingdom on said planet, and was trained in swordsmanship to defend herself. They, however, equip different types of swords - Raymond uses {{BFS}}es, while Laeticia uses dual swords.
* ''VideoGame/{{Suikoden}}'':
** ''VideoGame/SuikodenIII'' has all ''three'' main characters wielding swords. Hugo's is closer to a dagger/main gauche, since he's younger than the others and requires a smaller weapon, but a sword it still is. To top it off, Thomas, star of an optional secondary scenario (and who as the Tenkai Star is actually the counterpart of the main heroes of each other the other games in the series), wields a sword too.
** ''VideoGame/SuikodenIV'' hero Lazlo [[DualWielding wields two swords]].
** The heroes of the first two games, however, avert the trope. Tir [=McDohl=] wields a staff, while Riou wields tonfas.
* [[PlayingWithATrope Played with]] in ''VideoGame/SummonNight Swordcraft Story 2''. The hero can use any weapon with equal proficiency, including [[ThisIsADrill drills]]. However, when they need to make a special weapon to exorcize an evil spirit, the [[ReligionIsMagic Holy Man Toumei]] says he will only cast the spell on a sword. When the heroes question if there is a reason for this, he states "[[LampshadeHanging Because I only like swords."]]
* This trope has an effect on the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series: With ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'', the game's roster consists of heroes from fantasy series like ''The Legend of Zelda'', ''Final Fantasy'', ''Fire Emblem'', and even ''Dragon Quest'', among others. This has led to a number of fans ''complaining'' about the sheer number of sword-wielders in the game, especially from ''Fire Emblem'', which has eight fighters, all of whom use swords (although one of them is primarily a spell-caster who uses a short sword as a ''secondary'' weapon, another's moveset revolves mostly around shapeshifting into a dragon, and the last one uses various weapons along their sword). In [[VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses Byleth]]'s reveal trailer, this complaint is given a knowing nudge as Byleth gets ganged up on by sword-wielding fighters and sent back to Sothis, before returning with other weapons.
-->'''Sothis:''' So you return, and sooner than expected. I see. Too many swordsmen, are there?
* In ''VideoGame/SwordAndFairy'' series main characters always use some kind of sword (or [[DualWielding two swords]]), with the only exception so far occurring in a GaidenGame. Some other party member also use swords, often with some kind of twist, like using a [[FlyingWeapon flying sword]] (Yue Qi from ''[[VideoGame/SwordAndFairy6 6]]'') or a {{BFS}} (Xiu Wu from ''[[VideoGame/SwordAndFairy7 7]]'') instead of classic ''jian''.
* The main character of each game in the ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'' always uses swords, with two notable exceptions: Senel from ''VideoGame/TalesOfLegendia'', and Jude from ''VideoGame/TalesOfXillia'', both of whom fight with [[GoodOldFisticuffs their fists]]. In Jude's case, you can choose to pick Milla as the main character instead of him, which would play this trope straight since Milla uses swords.
** Several main characters ([[VideoGame/TalesOfPhantasia Cress]], [[VideoGame/TalesOfDestiny Stahn]], [[VideoGame/TalesOfEternia Reid]], and [[VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia Yuri]]) in fact can use weapons other than swords in their home games[[note]]Axes for all of them; spears and halberds for Cress, Reid and Stahn; maces for Stahn; daggers and broadswords for Reid[[/note]]. However, in various crossovers they fight exclusively with swords, to keep in line with this trope.
** [[VideoGame/TalesOfXillia2 Ludger]] fights with dual blades, and later picks up hammers and [[GunsAkimbo dual guns]], as well as a [[DoubleWeapon double-ended spear]] in his SuperMode. However, even though he can [[RealTimeWeaponChange switches between them]] right in the battle, he's still always depicted with his dual swords.
** ''VideoGame/TalesOfBerseria'' inverts this: none in the AntiHero filled playable cast uses traditional swords; the closest example is Velvet, but she uses a BladeBelowTheShoulder the size of a large knife. The KnightTemplar [[LightIsNotGood Exorcists]] meanwhile are more liberal in their usage of swords, and [[BigBad Artorius]]' blade wouldn't look out of place in the hands of protagonists of previous games.
** ''VideoGame/TalesOfArise'' double down on this. Its hero, Alphen, usually fights with a normal sword. However, early into the game Shionne gives him the Blazing Sword, a condensed mass of Astral Energy of Fire, that Alphen can briefly use as a weapon thanks to his [[FeelsNoPain pain immunity]]. Using its power, Alphen liberates the realm of Calaglia, becoming a hero to its inhabitants. Fittingly, when [[spoiler:he's defeated by Vholran and Shionne is kidnapped, the Sword vanishes from his hand, signifying his loss]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Thief}}'': Subverted. In the first two games, Garrett carries a sword, but the combat system is unreasonably complex and difficult, and it's likely that the player will never be as good with the sword as the basic enemy {{Mooks}}. This fits with the theme of the game: you're supposed to ''avoid'' combat at every opportunity; the sword is generally a weapon of last resort. Nevertheless, the most important weapon story-wise that Garrett gets to wield is the ''Sword'' of Constantine.
* The ''VideoGame/TreasureHunterMan'' series: A sword is the first weapon available in each game.
** ''VideoGame/TreasureHunterMan1'': A sword is one of the first treasures you find.
--->It's your sword! Every adventurer needs one. Only wimpy ones use whips instead.
** ''VideoGame/TreasureHunterMan2'': The starting weapon.
* ''VideoGame/WildArms'' series in general averts this, as heroes wield titular [=ARMs=], and swords are more often used by TheLancer. Still, there are a couple of examples that are used as EmergencyWeapon.
** Rudy from the original ''VideoGame/WildArms1'' uses a sword for his normal attacks, because his ammo is severely limited, especially at first. ''VideoGame/WildArmsAlterCodeF'' remake, however, averts it completely.
** Jude from ''VideoGame/WildArms4'' uses a gun, but when he runs out of ammo, it {{Morph|Weapon}}s into a sword. He also uses this form for his strongest attack, [[SpeedBlitz Assault Buster]].
* Geralt in ''Videogame/TheWitcher'' is [[JustifiedTrope trained from his youth to use a sword]] to fight man and beast. Sure, he can use other weapons, but it's the sword that he utilizes most of the time, with devastating (and flashy) efficiency.
* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'':
** Meta-example. In ''Legion'', most of the artifact weapons are swords, at least for classes that can use them. When a fan asked why this was at a Q&A, [[WordOfGod Blizzard]] responded that swords were far and away the most popular weapon type used for transmog (at least for melee -casters tended to gravitate towards [[MagicStaff staves]]).
** Humorously referenced in ''Shadowlands''. In the expansion's preliminary quests in the Maw, Thrall states that he agrees that swords are good weapons, but he doesn't understand why the Alliance is so fascinated with them. "[[AwesomeButImpractical Too much blade, not enough haft.]]"
* Averted in ''VideoGame/{{Wynncraft}}''; none of the five [[CharacterClassSystem classes]] wield swords as their weapon of choice.
* ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles'' series:
** ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1'':
*** The game is built around the Monado, a bright-red LaserBlade that's the only weapon capable of reliably destroy the [[KillerRobot Mechon]]. It was wielded by Dunban, the "Hero of [[HumansByAnyOtherName Homs]]", and later falls into the hands of Shulk, the protagonist of the game. Later it's revealed that [[spoiler:the Monado is actually an UnholyHolySword, and its real owner specifically chooses Shulk to become his vessel, inverting the trope in a sense]].
*** Even after losing the Monado, Dunban fights with various swords (with his [[HandicappedBadass left arm]], no less), and has a closet full of katanas at home.
** ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'' takes it to an almost absurd degree. TheHero Rex wields the Aegis sword, the Blade weapon of… well, the Aegis. Two of the other party members' Blades provide their Drivers [[spoiler:Morag and Zeke]] with a pair of {{Whip Sword}}s and a {{BFS}} respectively. The former also gets a Blade who has a katana. The wannabe-Driver ScienceHero of the party can modify his artificial Blade in a sidequest to wield a LaserBlade, clearly based on the Aegis sword. Finally, [[spoiler:when Nia reveals her Blade nature, she gives Rex her Blade weapon - a SinisterScimitar]]. In other words, the entire party can use some form of a sword.
*** ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2TornaTheGoldenCountry'' expansion gives us Addam, who fights with a sword, and Hugo, who has a shortsword and shield combo. Jin and his [[{{BFS}} nodachi]] from the main game also return, showing him before his StartOfDarkness.
** ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles3'' once again has its main protagonist, Noah, wielding a red blade, called "Veiled Sword". This time around, it's not really plot-relevant, and the entire party can use it through the game's JobSystem. However, Noah's version of the weapon also serves as a sheath for his secret weapon: an expertly-made [[KatanasAreJustBetter katana]], that can slice through almost everything. He eventually gains an art that allow him to draw it for a single strong attack, [[spoiler:and later draw it for a minute and a half as a SuperMode]]. This katana is important, because it's the only thing that can destroy the Flame Clocks. [[spoiler:As such, at least several previous incarnations of Noah got their hands on similar swords.]]
* Meanwhile ''Xenoblade'''s predecessors ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Xenosaga}}'' seemingly go out of their way to avert this trope, with a single playable character at most (plus the HumongousMecha they pilot) getting to wield a sword.
** ''Xenogears''' Fei Fong Wong is a martial artists who fights exclusively with his [[BareFistedMonk bare hands]], while the {{Deuteragonist}} Elly fights with a pair of batons. This ends up being played straight towards the end by Citan, another BareFistedMonk who originally swore against weapons before taking one up in the climax as a sign of his dedication to the heroes' cause.
** Given that ''Xenosaga'' is a SpaceOpera set in the far future, most of your party sticks to guns or other futuristic weaponry. The main protagonist Shion makes use of an [[ArmCannon arm-mounted cannon]], while ''Episode II'''s protagonist Jr. fights with [[GunsAkimbo a pair of revolvers]]. The only member of the main party who wields a sword is latecomer Jin Uzuki, who is noted to be particularly old-fashioned.
* {{Exaggerated}} by [[TheHero Adol]] from the ''VideoGame/{{Ys}}'' series. As far as the games show, ''every single weapon'' he's used in his more that ''30-years long'' adventuring career was some type of a sword.
** In ''VideoGame/YsVITheArkOfNapishtim'' he uses three magical swords that can be upgraded over the course of the game. They actually serve as keys to the titular Ark.
** In ''VideoGame/YsSEVEN'' Adol is the only character able to change his weapon attribute. Other party members use weapons like knifes for Slasing, bows for Piercing and hammers for Striking attacks. Adol, meanwhile, equips normal swords to Slash, rapiers to Pierce and {{BFS}}es to Strike.
** ''VideoGame/YsVIIILacrimosaOfDana'' puts a twist on it. Adol, naturally, returns as the sword-wielding protagonist, but titular Dana, the {{deuteragonist}} of the game [[spoiler:and the sole playable character in the flashbacks]], is the only other user of Slash attribute. She fights with {{dual|Wielding}} crescent-shaped blades.
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* ''Franchise/HowToTrainYourDragon'': Hiccup, the protagonist of the franchise, uses a [[{{ElementalWeapon}} flaming sword]] as his main weapon in both the second and third movie as well as the third to eigth season of animated series ''WesternAnimation/DragonsRidersOfBerk''. [[IncendiaryExponent It lights itself on fire]] and just like his shield it has a host of utility tools befitting a GadgeteerGenius.
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* ''Franchise/HowToTrainYourDragon'': ''Franchise/HowToTrainYourDragon'':
** Hiccup, the protagonist of the franchise, uses a [[{{ElementalWeapon}} flaming sword]] as his main weapon in both the second and third movie as well as the third to eigth season of animated series ''WesternAnimation/DragonsRidersOfBerk''. [[IncendiaryExponent It lights itself on fire]] and just like his shield it has a host of utility tools befitting a GadgeteerGenius.
** Hiccup, the protagonist of the franchise, uses a [[{{ElementalWeapon}} flaming sword]] as his main weapon in both the second and third movie as well as the third to eigth season of animated series ''WesternAnimation/DragonsRidersOfBerk''. [[IncendiaryExponent It lights itself on fire]] and just like his shield it has a host of utility tools befitting a GadgeteerGenius.
* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': "Sworn to the Sword" is about Pearl teaching Connie swordfighting, the second opening has her carrying Rose's sword, and after her debut, whenever we see Connie in battle against a supernatural opponent, it's with a sword.
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-->'''Jesse Cox:''' He's the leader, he has swords. You know he's the leader because he has ''two'' swords.
** Invoked in ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012'': when Splinter makes the turtles switch weapons around as a training exercise, Michelangelo gets Leonardo's swords and starts claiming that means he's the leader now.
* ''WesternAnimation/ThunderCats'': Lion-O receives the Sword of Omens from wise Jaga when he becomes leader of the Thundercats and ruler of the Thunderians. His companions use a whip, staff, nunchucks, slingshots and capsules, a hammer, and hand-to-hand. His allies the Warrior Women use archery and short knives.
** Invoked in ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012'': when Splinter makes the turtles switch weapons around as a training exercise, Michelangelo gets Leonardo's swords and starts claiming that means he's the leader now.
* ''WesternAnimation/ThunderCats'': Lion-O receives the Sword of Omens from wise Jaga when he becomes leader of the Thundercats and ruler of the Thunderians. His companions use a whip, staff, nunchucks, slingshots and capsules, a hammer, and hand-to-hand. His allies the Warrior Women use archery and short knives.
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-->'''Jesse Cox:''' He's the leader, he has swords. You know he's the leader because he has ''two'' swords.
**swords. Invoked in ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012'': ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012'' when Splinter makes the turtles switch weapons around as a training exercise, Michelangelo gets Leonardo's swords and starts claiming that means he's the leader now.
*''WesternAnimation/ThunderCats'': ''WesternAnimation/ThunderCats1985'': Lion-O receives the Sword of Omens from wise Jaga when he becomes leader of the Thundercats and ruler of the Thunderians. His companions use a whip, staff, nunchucks, slingshots and capsules, a hammer, and hand-to-hand. His allies the Warrior Women use archery and short knives.
**
*
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* The sword of the main character of ''Webcomic/InvinceaAndTheWarriorsFromHell'' is a gift from her best friend, and even has her name on it.
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* In ''Film/BreakfastPass'', Maj. Claremont kills BigBad Gov. Fairchild with his sabre, after slashing his face.
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* In ''Film/BreakfastPass'', ''Film/BreakheartPass'', Maj. Claremont kills BigBad Gov. Fairchild with his sabre, after slashing his face.
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* In ''Film/BreakfastPass'', Maj. Claremont kills BigBad Gov. Fairchild with his sabre, after slashing his face.
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Adding wicks.
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* ''Lightning Sentai Blitzenger'': In contrast to most of his teammates' more eclectic weaponry (such as a revolver, a guitar and a KillerYoyo), Rai Akasaka wields a sword. He is the Blitzengers' on-field leader, [[RedIsHeroic associated with the color red]], [[spoiler:and is the one to strike the killing blow against the MonsterOfTheWeek]].
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* ''Lightning Sentai Blitzenger'': In contrast to most of his teammates' more eclectic weaponry (such as a revolver, [[RevolversAreJustBetter revolver]], a guitar [[InstrumentOfMurder guitar]] and a KillerYoyo), KillerYoYo), Rai Akasaka wields a sword. He is the Blitzengers' on-field leader, [[RedIsHeroic associated with the color red]], [[spoiler:and is the one to strike the killing blow against the MonsterOfTheWeek]].
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* A character receives a sword as a symbol of their status as hero, similar to a {{Knighting}} ceremony. Inversely, losing their sword signifies the loss of that status, similar to a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Degradation_alfred_dreyfus.jpg Sword-breaking ceremony]].
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* A character receives a sword as a symbol of their status as hero, similar to a {{Knighting}} ceremony. Inversely, losing their sword signifies the loss of that status, similar to a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Degradation_alfred_dreyfus.jpg Sword-breaking ceremony]].
ceremony.]]
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May or may not be fully justified in-universe with tropes like FirearmsAreCowardly and GunsAreWorthless and outside; see [[Analysis/HeroesPreferSwords The Analysis page]] for more on historical justifications in Real Life. (Short version: Historically, until the late 13th century if you were worth training or could afford it, the sword was your primary weapon. 14th century and later the evolution in armor started to make other weapons more effective and at that point, the sword began its transition into a secondary weapon. This was also the period of time most corresponding to the popular image of a 'knight in shining armor'. This lasted until repeating pistols showed up, but until then they were an effective, easily carried sidearm if your polearm was lost or broken.)
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May or may not be fully justified in-universe with tropes like FirearmsAreCowardly and GunsAreWorthless and outside; see [[Analysis/HeroesPreferSwords The Analysis page]] for more on historical justifications in Real Life. (Short version: Historically, until the late 13th century century, if you were worth training or could afford it, the sword was your primary weapon. Rank and file soldiers were generally taught to use some type of pole-arm, which are simpler to wield. In the 14th century and later later, the evolution in armor started to make other weapons more effective and at that point, the sword began its transition into a secondary weapon. This was also the period of time most corresponding to the popular image of a 'knight in shining armor'. This lasted until repeating pistols showed up, but until then they were an effective, easily carried sidearm if your polearm was lost or broken.)
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** The trope is also played straight when [[spoiler: Jason Todd]] is offered the Sword of Faith, becoming at least temporarily one of the Knights of the Cross in a culmination and confirmation of his HeelFaceTurn.
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** The trope is also played straight when [[spoiler: Jason [[spoiler:Jason Todd]] is offered the Sword of Faith, becoming at least temporarily one of the Knights of the Cross in a culmination and confirmation of his HeelFaceTurn.
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* ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'': [[TokenHuman Finn the Human]] always wields a sword. However, unlike most examples, he actually uses several different swords throughout the series. Probably his most iconic sword is the golden sword. [[spoiler: There’s even a sword that holds an alternate version of Finn inside.]]
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* ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'': [[TokenHuman Finn the Human]] always wields a sword. However, unlike most examples, he actually uses several different swords throughout the series. Probably his most iconic sword is the golden sword. [[spoiler: There’s [[spoiler:There’s even a sword that holds an alternate version of Finn inside.]]
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Adding an example.
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* ''Lightning Sentai Blitzenger'': In contrast to most of his teammates' more eclectic weaponry (such as a revolver, a guitar and a KillerYoyo), Rai Akasaka wields a sword. He is the Blitzengers' on-field leader, [[RedIsHeroic associated with the color red]], [[spoiler:and is the one to strike the killing blow against the MonsterOfTheWeek]].
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* ''Franchise/HowToTrainYourDragon'': Hiccup, the protagonist of the franchise, uses a [[{{ElementalWeapon}} flaming sword]] as his main weapon. [[IncendiaryExponent It lights itself on fire]] and just like his shield it has a host of utility tools befitting a GadgeteerGenius.
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* ''Franchise/HowToTrainYourDragon'': Hiccup, the protagonist of the franchise, uses a [[{{ElementalWeapon}} flaming sword]] as his main weapon.weapon in both the second and third movie as well as the third to eigth season of animated series ''WesternAnimation/DragonsRidersOfBerk''. [[IncendiaryExponent It lights itself on fire]] and just like his shield it has a host of utility tools befitting a GadgeteerGenius.
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* Hiccup, the protagonist of the franchise ''Franchise/HowToTrainYourDragon'', uses a [[{{ElementalWeapon}} flaming sword]] as his main weapon. [[IncendiaryExponent It lights itself on fire]] and just like his shield it has a host of utility tools befitting a GadgeteerGenius.
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* ''Franchise/HowToTrainYourDragon'': Hiccup, the protagonist of the franchise ''Franchise/HowToTrainYourDragon'', franchise, uses a [[{{ElementalWeapon}} flaming sword]] as his main weapon. [[IncendiaryExponent It lights itself on fire]] and just like his shield it has a host of utility tools befitting a GadgeteerGenius.
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** Fittingly, Tom, the protagonist of the ContestedSequel ''WesternAnimation/DragonsTheNineRealms'', also uses a sword. Though his is neither a flaming sword nor has any gadgetry. Rather, it's a simple, be it weirdly shaped, blade that can naturally channel and redirect lightning.
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** Fittingly, Tom, the protagonist of the ContestedSequel ''WesternAnimation/DragonsTheNineRealms'', also uses a sword. Though since he isn't a GadgeteerGenius like Hiccup, his is neither a flaming sword nor has any other sort of gadgetry. Rather, it's a simple, be it weirdly shaped, blade that can naturally channel and redirect lightning.
