Sword

The sword is Link's primary weapon in the Legend of Zelda series. The sword is one of the first weapons Link obtains, the other being the Shield. The Sword is also the most crucial weapon Link obtains, as it is adequate in defeating most foes he encounters. The sword is also used to break open pots, trigger switches, and slash grass. In certain The Legend of Zelda games, the sword can be used to detect whether a wall can be destroyed with a Bomb through the hollow clang sound it makes when hitting a suspicious wall. Link holds the sword in his left hand in most titles, but he uses his right hand in the Wii version of Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword. Swords such as the Giant's Knife, Biggoron Sword, and the Great Fairy Sword require both hands to hold. Link acquires many different swords along his quests, and he can also learn various sword techniques and skills.

Types of Swords

Basic Swords

Usually the first sword Link obtains. Examples of basic Swords are the Recruit's Sword, Oshus's Sword, Ordon Sword, Wooden Sword, Smith's Sword, Hero's Sword, Kokiri Sword, Practice Sword, and Fighter's Sword.

Legendary Swords

Link often needs a sword stronger than a Basic Sword to defeat tougher bosses or the final boss. Some examples of Legendary Swords are the Lokomo Sword, Phantom Sword, Master Sword, and Four Sword.

Optional Swords

Optional swords include the Giants Knife, the Biggoron Sword, and the Great Fairy Sword.

Appearances in games

The Legend of Zelda (Game)

At the start screen you can find an old man in a cave who will give you the Wooden Sword. Later on, after Link has six Hearts Link can get the White Sword instead. White Sword does twice as much damage as the Wooden Sword. You can eventually find the Magical Sword, which does 3x as much as the wooden sword, requires 12 hearts. Can fire Sword Beams with the wooden sword.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

You only get one sword in this game, it's the one you start with. However though, you can level it up if you accrue enough XP. Can fire Sword Beams at any point.

A Link to the Past

You get the Fighters Sword fairly early on in the game. Later on, you earn the right to wield the Master Sword. You can upgrade it into the Tempered Sword, and eventually the Golden Sword. Starting with the Master Sword, you can fire Sword Beams

Link's Awakening

You quickly acquire the Sword upon waking. Once you obtain 20 Secret Seashells you can go to the Seashell Mansion and get the Level 2 Sword, this sword does more damage and can shoot Sword Beams

Ocarina of Time

There are technically 4 swords you can acquire in Ocarina of Time; however, one of them is very fragile, so it breaks.

Kokiri Sword

Main article: Kokiri Sword

You get the Kokiri Sword very early on in the game and keep it throughout Link's entire childhood. It is very weak, and only does minimal damage to enemies. It is the only sword usable as Young Link, and cannot be used by Adult Link.

Master Sword

Main article: Master Sword

After acquiring the 3 Spiritual Stones, Zelda will throw the Ocarina of Time while fleeing from Ganondorf. This instrument can be used to open the Door of Time located in the Temple of Time where the Master Sword rests. When Link pulls it out of the pedestal, he goes through a seven year sleep, thus becoming an adult since he was too young to be the Hero of Time. The Master Sword does twice the damage of the Kokiri Sword, and is only wieldable by Adult Link. Should Link choose to insert the sword back into the Pedestal, he will return to 7 years in the past.
The Master Sword is the only weapon that can finish Ganondorf

Giant's Knife

The Giant's Knife is an extremely powerful blade that is so long, it requires two hands to wield. It is only acquirable as Adult Link. If you blow up the walls on the third? tier of Goron City, you will eventually find Medigoron who will sell you this knife for 200 Rupees. If you swing it at a wall enough, it will eventually break, at which time you can buy another one for the same price, which will also break.

Biggoron's Sword

Main article: Biggoron's Sword

The Biggoron's Sword is the last sword Link can receive during his journey to save the princess. It is tied with the Giant's Knife (See above) for power, but will not break. It is the best sword in the game. The catch is, like the Giant's Knife, it requires two hands to carry. This means you can not defend while wielding this sword. It is given to you by Biggoron after finishing a Trading Sequence. It is a rather lengthy sidequest, but it is well worth it as it does double the damage of the Master Sword!

Majora's Mask

You start out with your old Kokiri Sword but once you have access to the Snow region, you can take it to a smithy for sharpening, which will transform it into the Razor Sword for 100 rupees. This sword does double damage, but it will break and return to the original after 100 swings. If you beat the Snow region, you can reset Time, beat the region boss again, and once Spring comes win in the Goron races to get a Bottle with some Gold Dust inside of it. If you already possess the Razor Sword, you can take it and the Gold Dust back to the smithy and they will upgrade the Razor Sword into the Gilded Sword, which does even more damage.

If you rescue all the Stray Fairys in the Stone Tower then return the Great Fairy to her original form, she will grant you the Great Fairy Sword, which does even MORE damage than the Gilded Sword.

Oracle of Season's & Oracle of Age's

You start out with just a plain regular sword. However, you can get the Noble Sword from several different methods. You can acquire it through the in-game trading quest, or by using the password from a linked game.

The Wind Waker

You get the Hero's Sword fairly early on, after seeing Tetra fall into the woods on Outset Island. After completing the puzzle in Hyrule Castle you get the Master Sword. It's powered down though, and requires a restoration, which covers the next two temples. Restoring it doesn't actually increase it's power, but it does enable you to hurt Ganondorf.

Phantom Hourglass

You get Oshus's Sword from the old man Oshus. It is replaced by the Phantom Sword much later on in the game.

Spirit Tracks

You get the Recruit's Sword from the Knights after you pass the sword test. It is eventually replaced by Anjean who gives you the Lokomo Sword near the end of the game.

Four Swords

You get the Four Sword during the beginning cut-scene, and never acquire a different weapon.

Four Swords Adventures

You get the Four Sword (again) during the beginning cut-scene, and never acquire a different weapon.

The Minish Cap

You get the Smith's Sword fairly early, after Princess Zelda is frozen. You eventually get the White Sword which is the reforged Picori Blade and add elements to it throughout the game, increasing its damage, magic power and enabling you to make copies of yourself.

This weapon becomes the Four Sword.

Twilight Princess

The Wooden Sword makes a return here and you get it fairly early on, after Rusl repairs it for you. Its quickly replaced though, by the Ordon Sword once Midna takes you to back to Ordon Village. Eventually, Link acquires the Master Sword after completing the Lakebed Temple. You eventually place the power of two Sol Spheres inside it, enabling it to cut through darkness.

Skyward Sword

There are a variety of swords in Skyward Sword, mostly forged from the Goddess Sword, with one exception.

Practice Sword

Main article: Practice Sword

The Practice Sword is the first sword acquired in Skyward Sword. It is found in a treasure chest in the Sparring Hall. It is mostly used for practice on the logs for knights. It is the weakest sword in the game, and you don't have it for very long.

Goddess Sword

Main article: Goddess Sword

The Goddess Sword is the second sword acquired in Skyward Sword. After Zelda goes missing, Link will follow the spirit Fi to the Statue of the Goddess, inside which the Goddess Sword is held. This blade is twice as powerful as the Practice Sword, but is still fairly weak.
The Goddess Sword has the ability to create sword beams when raised skyward. This is called a Skyward Strike, and can be used to activate anything with the Goddess's symbol on it. Link keeps this sword for the duration of the first 4 dungeons.

Goddess Long Sword

Main article: Goddess Long Sword

The Goddess Long Sword is forged from the Goddess Sword. After beating Koloktos in the Ancient Cistern, Link will encounter Farore's Flame, the first of the three Sacred Flames. Using the power of this flame, the Goddess Sword is able to be forged into this blade, which has twice the power and is slightly longer.

Goddess White Sword

Main article: Goddess White Sword

The Goddess White Sword is an enhanced version of the Goddess Long Sword, forged from the Goddess Sword. After beating Tentalus in the Sandship, Link will encounter Nayru's Flame, second of the three Sacred Flames. Using the power of Nayru's Flame, the Goddess Long Sword will be forged into the Goddess White Sword, which has enhanced Dowsing abilities.

Master Sword

Main article: Master Sword

The Master Sword is an enhanced version of the Goddess White Sword, forged from the Goddess Long Sword. After beating Ghirahim in the Fire Sanctuary, Link will encounter Din's Flame, the last of the three Sacred Flames. Using the power of Din's Flame, the Goddess White Sword will be forged into the more powerful Master Sword, which has three times the power of the Goddess Sword.

True Master Sword

Main article: Master Sword

The True Master Sword is the final, and best sword in the game. The Master Sword is powerful, but does not have the power to repel evil. Because of this, Zelda herself will bless the Master Sword with the power of the Goddess Hylia, turning it into the True Master Sword. This sword is the only weapon that can finish Demise, and can load Skyward Strikes much faster.