History Main / SinisterScimitar

* Averted by Drizzt Do'Urden, a ''Literature/ForgottenRealms'' character: he is a good guy, [[DualWielding fighting with two scimitars]]; many bad guys tend to use "straight" blades.

* In the fantasy novel ''Literature/ShadowKeep'' TheDragon (a 10-foot-tall humanoid demon) pulls a large scimitar from his throne in order to take on the main characters.

* ''VideoGame/SaltAndSanctuary'': curved swords are among the weapons to be found, with a particular example being the poisoned Virulent Scimitar, a curved blade which can ooze poison in the wounds. Other nasty examples include the backswords used by the marauders and the Seawolf Cutlass, a curved, jagged greatsword in possession of the Disemboweled Husk, the zombified, tortured remains of Captain Hager.

* Skeleton Mooks in ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}} III'' are automatically armed with scimitars, no matter what. Also, the AntiHero Illidan Stormrage [[DualWielding dual-wields]] a contorted case of [[DoubleWeapon double scimitar]].

* In ''Manga/HoushinEngi'' we have Mokutaku, whose Paope [[DualWielding Gokoken]] takes the form of a couple of scimitars.

* In ''Literature/FengshenYanyi'', at one point tyrannical King Zhou fights against [[DefectorFromDecadence Huang Feihu]] and his generals wielding a large ''dao'', fitting his status as a cruel monarch.[[note]] Though in some art he's seen using a dadao polearm instead.)[[/note]] Another notable user is Yu Hua, who makes his second appearence wielding the "Blood-Curdling Divine Sword", a curved blade which can suddenly change size and whose blade is coated in a deadly poison which forcibly clots the blood of whoever it cuts. Near the end, Daji and her sisters attack the heroes in an ambush and Daji, TheCorrupter of the three, uses two curved swords, while her sister the Jade Pipa Spirit wields a long dao adorned with bird engravings.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Peter Pan}}'': The Turk, one of Captain Hook’s pirates, is armed with a huge scimitar. This doesn’t prevent him from [[CutlassBetweenTheTeeth carrying it in his teeth]], though.

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* Mallorean soldiers in the ''Literature/{{Belgariad}}'' are described as using large and clumsy curved broadswords.
* The Calormenes in The ''Literature/ChroniclesOfNarnia'' are based on Middle-eastern countries and, as such, are armed with curved swords. Their sinister nature is so emphasized that Eustace isn't even allowed to carry a scimitar even though he knows how to fight with it, but has to relearn how to fight with a Narnian longsword from scratch.
* Many evil guys in ''Literature/ConanTheBarbarian'' are equipped with curved blades, especially [[TheEmpire King Yezdigerd]]. Of course, [[CombatPragmatist Conan used them too, as well as anything else he could lay his hands on]].
* ''Literature/DragonLance'': Nerakian warriors use scimitars. In one of the books a [[KnightInShiningArmor Solamnian Knight]] even calls them "Nerakian Rippers"[[note]]Note that even if some scimitars had a double edge they were usually used as sabers for slashing[[/note]].
* In ''Literature/FengshenYanyi'', at one point tyrannical King Zhou fights against [[DefectorFromDecadence Huang Feihu]] and his generals wielding a large ''dao'',fitting his status as a cruel monarch [[note]] (though in some art he's seen using a dadao polearm instead) [[/note]]. Another notable user is Yu Hua, who makes his second appearence wielding the "Blood-Curdling Divine Sword", a curved blade which can suddenly change size and whose blade is coated in a deadly poison which forcibly clots the blood of whoever it cuts. Near the end, Daji and her sisters attack the heroes in an ambush and Daji, TheCorrupter of the three, uses two curved swords, while her sister the Jade Pipa Spirit wields a long dao adorned with bird engravings.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

* Skeleton Mooks in ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII'' are automatically armed with scimitars, no matter what. Also the AntiHero Illidan Stormrage [[DualWielding dual wields]] a contorted case of [[DoubleWeapon double scimitar]].

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* The other example in ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'' is the Catalyst Scimitar, used by [[spoiler: Nia once she reveals herself as a Blade.]] Nothing says [[GoodWeaponEvilWeapon "Good Weapon"]] like a flowering tree branch with a blade made of [[HealItWithWater pure water,]] and as the name implies, it [[HealingShiv acts as a catalyst for its wielder's incredible healing powers.]] As for said wielder, [[spoiler: she's very much one of the good guys and a nice person deep down (if [[KnightInSourArmor a bit rude and cynical]] at first), and healing is [[WhiteMage her specialty,]] to the point where she can [[NoSell completely reverse]] the damage caused by Malos' destructive powers, even with the aforementioned Monado.]]

* ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'' has two examples, both spoiler-laden.
** The first is [[spoiler: Malos' Aegis Sword[=/=][[VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1 Monado]], which is notably curvier and [[SpikesOfVillainy spikier]] than the straight LaserBlade Shulk used in the first game.]]
** The second is the Catalyst Scimitar, used by [[spoiler: Nia once she reveals herself as a Blade. However, the "sinister" part is {{Defied| Trope}}, as nothing says [[GoodWeaponsEvilWeapons "good weapon"]] like a flowering tree branch with a blade made of [[HealItWithWater pure water,]] and as the name implies, it [[HealingShiv acts as a catalyst for Nia's incredible healing powers]] (capable of {{No Sell}}ing even Malos' destructive powers with the aforementioned Monado).]]

''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'' Averted by the weapon for [[spoiler:Nia's]] Blade form, the Catalyst Scimitar.
She's thoroughly nice (if a bit rude) and her specialty is healing.

* Played straight in ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'' with Malos' Aegis Sword.

In Chinese {{Wuxia}} novels and movies, straight double edged swords ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jian jian,]] usually the taiji type which is thinner) are also preferred over large single edged swords ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dao_%28Chinese_sword%29 daidao]]), probably because it looks way [[RuleOfCool cooler]] to beat someone who has a bigger sword. Also, adding to the realism, they don't use designer weapons they make up, but RealLife weapons that are roughly the correct size. Some older novels prefer heroes wielding a staff or a BladeOnAStick.

* ''LightNovel/VampireHunterD'': While D himself is an aversion, being an AntiHero at most and wielding an overly long two-handed saber, Rei from the first movie qualifes, being a villainous monster who wields a small curved sword he can unfold into a boomerang.

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'' features the boss Koloktos, a MultiArmedAndDangerous ancient automaton that begins the battle fighting barehanded (at most, throwing ranged chakrams), but in the second half wields a giant scimitar in each hand. Link has to use the [[WhipItGood Whip]] to tear apart its limbs, and once it drops one of its scimitars, it turns out Link can just barely carry it and swing it around, [[UseTheirOwnWeaponAgainstThem and doesn't Koloktos itself look like a nice target?]]

** The Orcs and human Southrons or Haradrim wield these. Averted with the [[EliteMook Uruk-hai]] Orcs employed by Saruman, who arms them with straight swords.
** Played with in the [[Film/TheLordOfTheRings movies]], where Elves use a mix of straight cruciform swords and curved ones reminiscent of Japanese types. Might have precedent in ''Literature/TheHistoryOfMiddleEarth'', where one Elf atypically used a curved sword for RuleOfCool.
** Additionally, the film had most Uruk-hai use their signature straight-bladed [[https://i.stack.imgur.com/Q1jOi.jpg cleavers]], but these are known as "scimitars" despite not being scimitars in any sense. That being said, they ''are'' still viable as [[MacheteMayhem over-sized machetes]].

And averted with [[spoiler:Nia's Blade form's Catalyst Scimitar.]]

* The fearsome [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Devil]] [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking King]] [[Creator/NorioWakamoto of The]] [[LargeHam Sixth Heaven]] UsefulNotes/OdaNobunaga in ''VideoGame/SengokuBasara'' combines this one with SwordAndGun, thought is more like a Falchion. In later installment, Matsunaga Hisahide has a black powder-enhaced scimitar as one of his weapons.

In Chinese {{Wuxia}} novels and movies, straight double edged swords ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jian jian,]] usually the taiji type which is thinner) are also preferred over large single edged swords ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dao_%28sword%29 daidao]]), probably because it looks way [[RuleOfCool cooler]] to beat someone who has a bigger sword. Also, adding to the realism, they don't use designer weapons they make up, but RealLife weapons that are roughly the correct size. Some older novels prefer heroes wielding a staff or a BladeOnAStick.

* In a ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'' [[Manga/TheLegendOfZelda manga]], bandit Ghanti wields a wicked-looking scimitar in contrast with the hero Link, who prefers double-edged broadswords.

Of course, this trope has one primary exception: if the hero comes from a place where scimitars and sabers are used as a "default," though in these cases it's more likely because everyone uses them. See also WeaponOfChoice and GoodWeaponEvilWeapon. Expect to see it often in {{Qurac}} and in ArabianNightsDays settings.

* The Apostle Nosferatu Zodd from ''{{Manga/Berserk}}'' never holds on a specific WeaponOfChoice, but everytime he shows up with a new sword, chances are he'll be using a curved, cleaver-like sword (and at least once, a Ram-dhao). And in an even better example, [[BigBad Griffith]] wielded a curved saber, contrasting Guts' [[BigFuckingSword humongous straight sword]].

* [[KidHero Hugh]] from ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'' is a heroic example -- one of his [[WeaponOfChoice Weapon Of Choices]], the [[BowAndSwordInAccord Simon's Bowblade]], is a curved sword when in blade [[MixAndMatchWeapon form]].

* Many of the 108 stars of ''Literature/WaterMargin'' wield ''dao''. Though they're technically outlaws, and many [[AntiHero have questionable morals]], they are ultimately the good guys. The most famous dao-swordsmen of the bunch are Wu Song who [[DualWielding carries two]] along with his MartialArtsStaff, and Yang Zhi, who has his [[AncestralWeapon family heirloom saber]].

In Chinese {{Wuxia}} novels and movies, straight double edged swords ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jian jian,]] usually the taiji type which is thinner) are also preferred over large single edged swords ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dao_%28sword%29 daidao]]), probably because it looks way [[RuleOfCool cooler]] to beat someone who has a bigger sword. Also, adding to the realism, they don't use designer weapons they make up, but RealLife weapons that are roughly the correct size. Some older novels prefer heroes wielding a MartialArtsStaff or a BladeOnAStick.

In Chinese {{Wuxia}} novels and movies, straight double edged swords ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jian jian,]] usually the taiji type which is thinner) are also preferred over large single edged swords ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dao_%28sword%29 daidao]]), probably because it looks way [[RuleOfCool cooler]] to beat someone who has a bigger sword. Also, adding to the realism, they don't use designer weapons they make up, but RealLife weapons that are roughly the correct size. Some older novels prefer heroes wielding a SimpleStaff or a BladeOnAStick.

* Many of the 108 stars of ''Literature/WaterMargin'' wield ''dao''. Though they're technically outlaws, and many [[AntiHero have questionable morals]], they are ultimately the good guys. The most famous dao-swordsmen of the bunch are Wu Song who [[DualWielding carries two]] along with his SimpleStaff, and Yang Zhi, who has his [[AncestralWeapon family heirloom saber]].

* In ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry2DiddysKongQuest'', there's an enemy croc named Kutlass. Three guesses for what he wields.
** The game's second boss, Kleever, doesn't just wield one of these, [[LivingWeapon he IS one of these]]. One with [[RedEyesTakeWarning glowing red eyes, to boot!]]

* ''Franchise/ConanTheBarbarian'' has also used several curved swords himself, including scimitars, sabers, and tulwars ([[KnifeNut which are wrongly described as long knives]]). He however often stated that he was at his best with a western longsword.