Swords reign supreme as the weapon of choice in numerous video games. The exhilaration and peril of engaging in close combat with enemies, ultimately overpowering them, never fails to provide satisfaction. Whether in fantastical realms, futuristic settings, or something in between, swords consistently prove to be the optimal choice for both heroes and villains when faced with adversaries.
Yet, amidst this abundance of sword options, discerning the finest blades for vanquishing foes becomes imperative. Ranging from sleek and stealthy steel weapons to colossal claymores forged from extraordinary metals, the following list showcases the most outstanding swords in video games. These are the blades that players have expertly wielded or valiantly clashed against throughout their captivating gameplay experiences.
10 Mortal Blade: Sekiro - Shadows Die Twice
In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, players assume the role of Sekiro, a skilled ninja with only one arm. Equipped with the Shinobi Prosthetic, Sekiro's mission is to protect Kuro, the Divine Heir, from the Ashina Clan. Throughout his journey, Sekiro stumbles upon the powerful Mortal Blade, a formidable odachi that holds the key to defeating the relentless enemies who cannot be slain with his katana.
The Mortal Blade becomes crucial for delivering the killing blow to these invincible foes. Additionally, Sekiro can utilize the Mortal Draw technique, sacrificing three spirit emblems to unleash devastating damage. This weapon proves crucial in his confrontation with later bosses, allowing him to strip them of their immortality in an epic fashion.
9 Energy Sword: Halo
The Energy Sword is a standout in the Halo universe, known for its tactical gun fights. Originally created by the Sangheili, a part of the Covenant, this melee weapon features a superheated twin plasma blade. While it was first introduced to players in Halo 2, it has since become a staple weapon. With the Energy Sword, players have the ability to swiftly eliminate enemies with a single strike. The lunge attack is particularly lethal, but mastering the art of getting within killing range requires practice.
8 Frostmourne: Warcraft
The Warcraft series is abundant with mythic weapons and artifacts that possess unimaginable power. Among these iconic and potent swords, the Lich King's Frostmourne stands out. Its ability to absorb souls transformed Prince Arthas into a Death Knight and ultimately the Lich King's avatar.
Frostmourne has claimed numerous warriors in Azeroth: its wielder can either shatter the souls it has collected or utilize them to create obedient Death Knights who carry out the Lich King's commands. However, a drawback of wielding Frostmourne is that the wielder becomes corrupted by the Lich King and their soul is gradually drained by the cursed runeblade until they, too, become Undead.
7 Soul Edge: Soul Calibur
Swords that draw nourishment from souls are a commonly seen theme in video games. There is a mystical quality to vanquishing an opponent with such a blade, as it absorbs the essence of the fallen fighter. In the case of Soul Edge, this malevolent and sentient entity manifests itself in various weapons, influenced by the corrupted desires of its wielder.
Throughout the majority of the Soul Calibur games, Soul Edge takes the form of a monstrous greatsword, wielded by Nightmare, the corrupted incarnation of Siegfried who later becomes an independent entity. The wielder of Soul Edge is granted immense power, enabling them to bypass defensive measures with their strikes. However, this power comes at a cost, as the cursed blade gradually drains the life force of its user.
6 Keyblade: Kingdom Hearts
Sora, a character from the Kingdom Hearts games, wields a distinctive sword known as the Keyblade. Resembling a giant key, this two-handed sword lacks cutting edges but proves to be a formidable weapon in combating different types of Heartless.
However, its true strength lies in its capacity to manipulate the barriers that separate various worlds. By opening or closing a world's Keyhole, the Keyblade can either permit or prevent Heartless from attacking its corresponding realm's Heart. Within the Kingdom Hearts storyline, Keyblades hold a vital role in the ongoing battle between Light and Darkness.
5 Moonlight Sword: FromSoftware
FromSoftware has gained recognition for consistently incorporating the Moonlight Sword or variations of it into their Soulsborne games. This particular weapon, a powerful two-handed sword, enables players to inflict magical damage when swinging it or utilizing its special ability against foes.
The origin of the Moonlight Greatsword can be traced back to King's Field, and it has since made appearances in their subsequent titles. Notably, even in the Armored Core games, this lunar blade stands out as the most formidable laser-powered blade obtainable. However, acquiring this legendary weapon requires players to overcome challenging objectives, yet the reward of obtaining it outweighs the difficulties faced.
4 Masamune: Various Games
The Masamune, named after the renowned Japanese swordsmith Goro Nyudo Masamune from Medieval Japan, is a beloved and widely recognized Japanese sword. Its popularity has led to its depiction in various games as either a katana or a tanto, a shorter sword.
Elegantly lethal, the Masamune holds significance in the gaming world through its association with iconic characters. One such character is Sephiroth, the primary antagonist in Final Fantasy 7, who wields the Masamune with skill and power. In the game Chrono Trigger, the protagonist Frog proudly wields the Manamune, showcasing its effectiveness.
3 Excalibur: Various Games
Excalibur, King Arthur's legendary sword, has made numerous appearances and played a significant role in various video games. Remaining true to its mythological origins, the Excalibur is consistently portrayed as one of the most formidable blades within these games.
In several installments of the Final Fantasy series, the Excalibur typically serves as a coveted weapon for one of the main characters, necessitating extensive side quests to obtain. Empowering the wielder with a multitude of enhancements, each swing of Excalibur unleashes unparalleled strength and power.
2 Buster Sword: Final Fantasy 7
Cloud's Buster Sword is an iconic video game weapon. Though it may not be the most powerful in Final Fantasy 7, it holds great significance as his signature weapon. This massive two-handed great sword has been prominently featured in games like Super Smash Bros and Dissidia. When Cloud wields the Buster Sword, he can unleash devastating Limit Break attacks like Braver, Climhazzard, and the ultimate move, Omnislash, to vanquish his enemies.
1 Master Sword: The Legend Of Zelda
The Master Sword in The Legend of Zelda games is widely regarded as the ultimate video game sword. Throughout various Zelda games, it is known by different names, including The Sword of Legend, the Sword that Seals the Darkness, and the Blade of Evil’s Bane.
As the Sword of Legend, the Master Sword selects its wielder among those who possess a pure heart and strong physique. Fortunately, Link, being the hero, fulfills these qualities and once he possesses the Master Sword, he gains the power of the Goddess Hylia, enabling him to defeat all forms of malicious and dark entities.