Sword

A normal sword as seen in A Link to the Past.
Sword
Type	Sword
Owner	Link
Debut	The Legend of Zelda

The sword is the fundamental weapon of the Zelda series which is wielded by Link in every game alongside the shield. It is the default weapon in every game save for the early handheld games, where it is an equippable inventory item like the other weapons.

Information

The sword is usually the first item which Link will obtain at the beginning of the game and is necessary for the entirety of the game. In most games, Link's first sword is some type of basic one, and he can upgrade to better swords as the game continues. There are two or three sword levels per game. The first level is either a Wooden Sword or some other type of normal sword. In games with three sword levels, the next stage is usually a stronger sword as the Noble Sword or White Sword. The highest level sword in each game is usually some type of legendary sword, although in some cases the legendary sword is the second stage sword and can be upgraded into a third stage sword. The most commonly appearing legendary sword is the Master Sword, the "blade of evil's bane". It can be tempered into a more advanced sword into A Link to the Past, while in Ocarina of Time the more powerful Biggoron's Sword could be optionally used as the third level sword. While some upgrades are optional, others are necessary for progressing with the game. There are two exceptions where Link has the same sword for the duration of the game: Zelda II, where the game's level-up system still allows the sword to become stronger, and the Four Swords games, where the Four Sword splits Link into four Links each holding a sword that remains at the same strength, although these swords are made stronger by Force Gems. Link has his sword for all points of the game after obtaining it, although there are points in the early stretches of The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess where the player must temporarily work without a sword until the old one is found or a new one is gained.

Of course, swords are also used by a wide variety of other characters and enemies. They are the standard weapons of most soldiers seen within the games, and the various enemies to wield swords include the Stalfos, the Darknut, the Iron Knuckle and most of the creatures related to the Moblins. Two of Link's greatest foes, Ganondorf and Vaati, are also experienced swordsmen. Princess Zelda was also implied to have been capable of wielding a sword in combat in Twilight Princess, and most games have included various swordmasters who tutor Link in the swordfighting arts.

Different Swords

• The Legend of Zelda
  • Wooden Sword - This is the first sword Link obtains. It is given by an old man in a cave where Link starts the game, as he is concerned for Link's wellbeing as a solitary traveler.
  • White Sword - The advanced sword is given to Link by an old man in a cave by the mouth of the waterfall located in the map's upper-right area. It will only be given to Link if he has at least five hearts in his heart meter.
  • Magical Sword - This is the game's strongest sword and is kept by an old man living in a hidden room under the graveyard. Link will only be entrusted with this sword if he has at least ten hearts in his heart meter.

• A Link to the Past
  • Sword - Link receives his sword and shield from his dying uncle at the beginning of the game.
  • Master Sword - The Master Sword is obtained in the Lost Woods once Link has all the Pendants of Power.
  • Tempered Sword - Link can optionally upgrade the Master Sword by presenting it to the two smithies once they are reunited following Link's initial travails in the Dark World. They will then temper the sword into this form, which had a reddish blade and is twice as powerful as the original Master Sword.
  • Golden Sword - This is the final and most powerful version of the sword in the game. It is capable of breaking jars as well as the Dark World's equivalent skulls, in addition to being twice as powerful as the previous upgrade. Dropping the Master/Tempered Sword into Venus's fountain will cause her to magically modify it into this form, known as the Golden Sword. Like the Tempered Sword, this is an optional upgrade.

• Link's Awakening
  • Level 1 Sword (Original/DX) / Sword (Switch) - Link has lost his sword in the shipwreck at the beginning of the game and must retrieve it from the beach using just a shield. It apparently has Link's name engraved on it.
  • Level 2 Sword (Original/DX) / Koholint Sword (Switch) - Link receives a new, stronger sword from the spirit of the Shell Mansion after all of the seashells are found and brought there. It is described as "the ultimate sword" and is capable of shooting sword beams. The narration jokingly suggests that Link label this sword with his name as well.

• Ocarina of Time
  • Kokiri Sword - Link can find his within the cave at Kokiri Forest. This sword can only be used in child form and is the only sword available to his child form.
  • Master Sword - The Master Sword is found at the Temple of Time, and Link can only be used when he aged, which is an important plot point. The Master Sword is also used to send Link back in time once he returns it to the pedestal, and drawing it back it out will send him to the future.
  • Giant's Knife - Medigoron forges Giant's Knives which only act as temporary weapons. The Giant's Knife is more powerful than the Master Sword, but it is long and unwieldly, and it will shatter if not used properly.
  • Biggoron's Sword - This is the most powerful sword in the game and is unlocked at the end of the trading contest once Biggoron reforges it from a Broken Sword.

• Majora's Mask
  • Kokiri Sword - Link starts the game with his same childhood sword, although he cannot use it until he is cured of his Deku Scrub form.
  • Razor Sword - Zubora and Gabora can upgrade Link's sword into a Razor sword for a price once their machinery has defrosted. It is more powerful than the first sword, but it is temporary and will be lost once Link goes back in time.
  • Gilded Sword - This is the second upgrade which Zubora and Gabora can perform. They can only upgrade a Razor Sword once Link presents the Golden Dust which is won from the Goron Racetrack. Unlike the Razor Sword, this upgrade is permanent.
  • Great Fairy's Sword - This sword is available as a separate inventory weapon. It is the most powerful sword in the game and is similar to Biggoron's Sword. It is big enough that it must be wielded with both hands.

• Oracle of Seasons/Ages
  • Wooden Sword - In Ages, it is given by Impa, while in Seasons it is found within the Hero's Cave.
  • Noble Sword - Link can receive this through one of two methods: at the end of a trading sidequest (being reforged from a broken sword by King Zora in Ages or found in the Lost Woods in Ages) or through a secret in a linked game (being upgraded from the previous form by King Zora in Ages or the old man beneath the Clock Shop in Seasons).
  • Master Sword - The Master Sword can be reached one of four ways, the same methods used to get the Noble Sword. When the Noble Sword is achieved through either the trading sidequest or the linked game password, the Master Sword is achieved through the other method.
  • Note: Link begins a linked game with whichever sword Link had at the end of the previous game (either the Wooden or Noble Sword).
  • Biggoron's Sword - This sword is unlocked only through a linked game and is available as a separate inventory item.

• The Wind Waker
  • Hero's Sword - This is a sword held by Orca and is said to have been used to fight evil since "the olden day", implying that it is possibly the same sword that the Hero of Time once wielded (likely his childhood sword due to the similar size). Orca lets Link use it in a training session and allows him to keep it afterwards. It is temporarily lost when Link first arrives at Forsaken Fortress, but he regains it soon enough.
  • Master Sword - The Master Sword is found in the basement of Hyrule Castle. It gains two upgrades itself when Link awakens the two sages, which restores the sword's power to repel evil.

• The Minish Cap
  • Smith's Blade - This sword was forged by Link's grandfather, Smith. Link is entrusted with it when he sets off in search of the Minish.
  • White Sword - This is forged from the Broken Picori Blade by Melari. Link upgrades it twice by infusing it with the three elements. This makes the White Sword more powerful and makes Link capable of splitting into multiple copies, one for each element.
  • Four Sword- This is the final form of the renewed Picori Blade; the White Sword becomes the Four Sword once it is infused with the fourth and final element. The Four Sword allows Link to temporarily split into four copies.

• Twilight Princess
  • Wooden Sword - Link receives a basic wooden sword from Rusl at the beginning of the game. and it is used for some early challenges at the Faron Forest during the portion of the game acting as the prologue. Link later lends it to Talo, but it is broken during the Bulblin's attack on the village.
  • Ordon Sword - This is a special sword which is engrained with the horns of Ordon goats. Rusl crafted it to present to Hyrule Castle as a gift. Link later has to steal the sword from Rusl's house while in wolf form and is used once he returns to normal.
  • Master Sword - Link finds the Master Sword in the Sacred Grove, within the ruins of the Temple of Time.

• Phantom Hourglass
  • Oshus's Sword - This is a sword which Oshus keeps in storage near his home. Link has to obtain it near the beginning of the game, and Oshus allows him to keep it when he finds out.
  • Phantom Sword - This is a special sword which can only be forged by Zauz after the three pure elements are gathered from the latter three temples. Zauz only crafts the blade, and Oshus makes the handle using the Phantom Hourglass.

• Spirit Tracks
  • Recruit's Sword - This is given to Link near the beginning of the game when he completes the Hyrulian soldiers' training program. It acts as the primary sword for most of the game. The sword can stun Phantoms when hitting them from behind, but they can only be destroyed when the sword is temporarily empowered with the
  • Lokomo Sword - Anjean entrusts Link with the Lokomo Sword near the end of the game. Aside from being more powerful, the main advantage of the Lokomo Sword is that it can destroy Phantoms by attacking them from behind.

• Skyward Sword
  • Practice Sword - This is a basic sword that Eagrun lent to Link to search for his Loftwing after training him on how to use it.
  • Goddess Sword - This is the sacred sword left behind by the goddess which becomes the Master Sword. Initially, it is just a powerful sword containing the spirit of Fi with the ability to dowse and collect sacred energy for Skyward Strikes. It is strengthened by three sacred flames, the first one making the sword longer and more powerful while the second flame unlocks a wider variety of dowsing options.
  • Master Sword - Link's sword becomes the Master Sword after getting the final flame, Din's Flame, and its power is fully unlocked by Zelda. It has the power to repel evil and is the strongest sword in the game.

• A Link Between Worlds
  • Forgotten Sword - This sword originally belonged to the captain of Hyrule's guard. At the beginning of the game, he accidentally leaves this sword at the blacksmith's, and Link is charged with returning it to him. It is only after Dampé urges him to use it to defend himself that it becomes Link's sword.
  • Master Sword - As in A Link to the Past, it is claimed in the Lost Woods with the three Pendents of Virtue.
  • Tempered Sword - It is modified into this sword by the Blacksmith after Link obtains two Master Ores.
  • Golden Sword - It is modified into this form by Lorule's Blacksmith after Link obtains two more Master Ores.

• Tri Force Heroes
  • In this game, Link and the other player characters all have a sword automatically. No other swords are obtained in the game, but the sword can change into different forms when certain outfits are worn.

• Breath of the Wild
  • This game is unlike all other Zelda games in that there are any number of swords that can be acquired by Link through various means throughout the game, as all of them are breakable save for the Master Sword. What weapons Link acquires depends on the players' choices. See Items in Breath of the Wild for a list of the swords and other weapons available to Link.

Skills

There are a variety of special skills which Link can perform using the sword. The exact skills vary from game to game. Another thing that varies is whether or not Link knows them from the beginning. In The Minish Cap, and Twilight Princessin particular, as well as The Wind Waker and Spirit Tracks to a lesser extent. Link can slowly learn new sword skills throughout the game. This expands the swordfigthing gameplay beyond simple sword motions that are used in most of the games. The Wind Waker in particular has a strong emphasis on the sword combat. In The Minish Cap, there are ten Blade Brothers who together teach Link eight skills that are collected in Tiger Scrolls as well as several other skills which are actually advanced versions of other skills. There are seven hidden skills in Twilight Princess (although one is actually a shield move). In Spirit Tracks, there are only two Swordsman's Scrolls which Link can learn advanced moves from, while Phantom Hourglass had included only one.

• Sword Beam - Introduced in The Legend of Zelda. The sword fires magic beams when Link is at full health. The beams are fired by any sword in The Legend of Zelda, but the conditions change in later games. In A Link to the Past, only the Master Sword and higher shoot beams, and the sword beams instead take on a circular form which looks more like magical energy. Sword beams can also be used only by advanced swords in Link's Awakening and the Oracle games, while in Four Swords Adventures the beams could be used only when the swords were powered up with 2000 Force Gems. In The Minish Cap, it must be taught to Link by Grimblade, but only after Link can light up his room. In Phantom Hourglass, the sword beams can be performed when Link has Ciela equipped and ten Courage Gems, and in Spirit Tracks Link had to learn the Sword Beam from the Swordsmen's Scroll #1. Within the 3-D games, Link could initially only fire sword beams when in Fierce Deity form at the end of Majora's Mask. A sword beam was later part of the Skyward Strike ability in Skyward Sword.
• Down Thrust - This is an aerial move in which Link thrust down with his sword while in midair. It was introduced in Zelda II, where the move was taught to Link by a knight at Mido Town. In The Minish Cap, it is the last skill which Swiftblade teaches to Link after he gets Roc's Cape and can only be used with the cape. Link could also perform the move from the beginning in Four Swords and Four Swords Adventures while using Roc's Feather.
• Spin Attack - Also known as the Whirling Blade. This is a basic sword move that is introduced in A Link to the Past, where it was described as a secret skill that was passed down Hyrule's family of knights (and a similar description was used in Link's Awakening). With this, Link charges up the sword and then spins around in a circle. This allows him to hit multiple enemies and is usually twice as powerful than a normal sword strike. This move is usually available automatically, but in some later games Link has to learn it from someone else. Link does know the ability automatically in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, but in both games he can learn versions that consume magic power. In Ocarina of Time, the ability is given to Link by the Great Fairy of Power on Death Mountain, while in Majora's Mask the Great Fairy of Power gives it to him once he reunites her at Woodfall. In The Minish Cap, the spin attack is taught by Swiftblade and is the first skill Link learns. Scarblade can later teach him how to use the move faster. It consumes magic power while charging in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.
• Parry Attack - This is a special defensive move used in the fencing system of The Wind Waker. When the action button flashes on the screen, the player can press a button to initiate Link's parry attack. It usually happens when an enemy is attacking, and with the parry move Link will both avoid the attack and land a strike on the foe. A parry will usually hit the vulnerable point of an armored foe and could lead to part of the armor falling off. Some of the skills in The Minish Cap and Twilight Princess (particularly the back slide and the helm splitter) are based on Link's parrying actions.
• Hurricane Spin - The Hurricane Spin is a special technique that Orca teaches to Link in The Wind Waker after he has collected ten Knight's Crests. This is an improved version of the spin attack that is similar to the Great Spin in other games, although it is forceful enough to leave Link disoriented afterwards. The move consumes magic power. Link can also learn the technique in the Game Boy Advance port of A Link to the Past from Q. Bumpkin after solving all of his riddles. This sidequest is only available after collecting ten medals in Four Swords. In Four Swords Adventures, it can be used after powering up the sword with at least 2,000 Force Gems.
• Rock Breaker - In most games, advanced swords can break through pots. In The Minish Cap, this is only possible when Link has the White Sword and learns it from Swiftblade. It also works on rocks small enough to be thrown normally.
• Dash Attack - With this move, Link draws his sword while running with the Pegasus Boots so that he can attack enemies while charging forward. He performs this automatically in A Link to the Past and other games, but in The Minish Cap he must learn it from Swiftblade after getting the Boots.
• Roll Attack - Link is capable of rolling forward in the 3-D games and some of the later 2-D games; confusingly, this move is often referred to as a "rolling attack". In The Minish Cap, this move has Link coming out of the roll with a sword attack, and he learns this move from Grayblade.
• Peril Beam - This is a special variation of the sword beam. Unlike the traditional sword beam, this is fired when Link has only one heart left as a last-ditch move. It appears only in The Minish Cap, where it iis taught to Link by Waveblade when he has at least ten hearts.
• Great Spin - This is an improved version of the spin attack which is presented as the ultimate spin attack, although it is different depending on the game. In The Minish Cap, it is also the final skill and is taught by Swiftblade the First after Link has all seven other Tiger Scrolls. The move in this game allows Link to perform additional spins within a spin attack. After Link learns the move, Greatblade can teach him how to prolong the duration of the move. In Twilight Princess, it can only be used when Link is at full health and is the seventh and final hidden skill. In Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, Link can learn the move from the a Swordsmen's Scroll.
• Ending Blow - This is a move that can be used when an enemy falls over, and Link will jump on it to stab it with his sword. This finishes the enemy off, hence its name. It is the first skill Link is taught in Twilight Princess. In Skyward Sword, it is known as the Fatal Blow and can be used after claiming the Goddess Sword.
• Back Slide - This is a technique which is used against armored foes. This move can be executed while Z-targeting, at which point Link will jump and roll around his foe to attack the enemy's vulnerable rear. It is the third hidden skill in Twilight Princess.
• Helm Splitter - This skill is for armored foes who are too swift to attack from behind. Link must first use a shield attack to make an opening, and then he can leap into the air and attack from above. This is the fourth hidden skill from Twilight Princess.
• Mortal Draw - This is a skill that will be a one-hit kill if used successfully. At the beginning of the battle, the player must press A to draw the sword without Z-targettng while the enemy's attacking. Link will then wipe the enemy out in one strike. This is the fifth hidden skill in Twilight Princess.
• Jump Strike - The jump strike is an improved version of the jump attack in which Link charges up power in his sword before jumping. This allows multiple enemies to be hurt by the attack. This is the sixth hidden skill taught in Twilight Princess.
• Skyward Strike - This is a unique ability from Skyward Sword which the Goddess/Master Sword can perform. Link raises his sword skyward, pointing directly upwards, in order to channel sacred energy into the place. This charges his next sword strike, and the energy will be released in the form of a curved vertical beam of light similar to the sword beam. This can defeat weak enemies, wound other enemies from a distance and activate Goddess Cubes as well as other objects associated with the goddess.

Other Appearances

Video Games

• In the Super Smash Bros. series, the sword is the primarily weapon used by Link (as well as Young and Toon Link) in battle. His attacks also reflect skills from the games such as the spin attack and down thrust. Link uses the Master Sword in battle, while the Young and Toon versions wield the Kokiri Sword and Hero's Sword respectively.
• The sword is also Link's primary weapon in Soulcalibur II. The Master Sword is the default sword, but a variety of other swords could be unlocked such as the Razor Sword, Magic Sword, Biggoron's Sword and Great Fairy Sword. Some other items such as the Cane of Byrna and even the Bug-Catching Net are also available as substitutes for the sword. Like all characters in the game, Link could also potentially wield the Soul Edge.
• In Hyrule Warriors, different types of swords could be wielded by Link, Young Link, Toon Link, Zelda (specifically Rapiers and an 8-bit White Sword), Toon Zelda, Ganondorf, Impa, Zant, Fi and Ghirahim.
• In Cadence of Hyrule, swords appear as primary weapons that can be wielded by Link, Zelda and Cadence. While all three can wield some of the sword weapons, Zelda specializes in rapiers while Cadence specializes in daggers.

Trivia

• In The Wind Waker, Link can pick up and temporarily use weapons dropped by enemies, including swords. He can even lift a Phantom Ganon's sword, but there is not anyone in the area to use it on.