Zelda Dungeon Talks: Do Other Swords Have a Place Alongside the Master Sword?

One would think that the Master Sword as a weapon is the end-all-be-all of power, but this isn’t the case. In certain Zelda games there are additional swords that Link can acquire which deal more damage, without all of the sacred significance. In other games the Master Sword needs to be powered up throughout, meaning Link still has to scour Hyrule for the materials needed to forge a stronger blade. This begs the question, does the option to use other swords in Zelda take away from the significance of the Master Sword? Or does having multiple swords make Link’s arsenal more diverse and actually improve gameplay?

In this week’s Zelda Dungeon Talks various staff members share their opinions on the inclusion of swords other than the Master Sword in the series, and whether or not these swords are positive additions to their games.

Question: Do Other Swords Have a Place Alongside the Master Sword? Why, or why not?

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Kassye Butler – View Profile

First thing I do in Ocarina of Time after the Forest Temple? That long trading quest that ends with the Biggoron’s Sword. That thing does twice the amount of damage AND has a longer reach. And yet I still feel that the Master Sword is superior. While the Biggoron’s Sword is physically more powerful, it is just a hunk of metal. It doesn’t have the evil banishing powers that the Master Sword holds. And ever since Skyward Sword, I cannot look at the Master Sword without feeling affection for a certain companion. So I believe that as long as no other swords are magical like the Master Sword, then there is plenty of room for every one to play.

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James Djinn – View Profile

I am a huge fan of variety in my games. So naturally I love the idea of having other swords be the primary weapon of certain titles. If it was just the Master Sword each and every time then I believe it would become way too stale very quickly. That said, one thing I appreciate is the Four Sword. Not only is it a different sword with a different look from the traditional Master Sword but it has a completely separate power. It is so much more than just a plain item, or even a copy of the Master Sword. The Four Sword is unique and lets the player be a bit more creative when using it. With that in mind, I definitely think other swords have a place in Zelda, and I hope to see more creative ideas like the Four Sword in the future.

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Andrew Kiser – View Profile

Instead of simply being a power upgrade, I would like to see a variety of unique swords in a single game. Many games allow Link to change up his shields for various situations. The wooden shields are handy for retrieving arrows and are immune to electric attacks, metal shields withstand fire, the mirror shield reflects lights/attacks, and the sacred shield is immune to fire, electric, and curse attacks. I would like to see Link carry multiple swords for unique situations in a future title. Whether it change up his fighting style, provide magical abilities, or even simply have elemental attributes that affect enemies differently. It would just be nice to add another level of strategy to Link’s offensive abilities in future titles.

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Alexis Anderson – View Profile

In all truth, I’ve never attempted to obtain a sword other than the Master Sword. I can deal with using a Kokiri Sword or whatever else up until the point when I receive the Master Sword, but then I figure I’m wielding the Blade of Evil’s Bane and that is end-game. I find it almost offensive that the game should harbor a sword more powerful than the Master Sword when so much importance is placed on the legendary weapon; having other swords seems to take away from the divinity of the Master Sword and actually acquiring those other swords always seems like a chore. In a game like Majora’s Mask where the Master Sword is absent, I’m all for having a couple unique swords to chose from, but in games where it is present the only diversification I’m comfortable with are upgrades and alterations to the Master Sword itself.

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Kira Koneko – View Profile

This could quite possibly be one of the harder questions for me to answer as some of my most memorable moments through each and every Zelda game happens as I find myself holding my breath while my hands first grab the hilt of the Master Sword and we are reunited once again. There is a huge benefit to having an arsenal of weapons at your disposal as each situation you come across might warrant the need for options some of my favorites being the Great Fairy Sword and the Goddess Sword, however no matter what other options I have been provided, I find myself going back to the legendary Master Sword each and every time. Give me Navi, Epona, and my Master Sword and I will save Hyrule over and over until the end of time!

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What are your thoughts concerning alternative swords in the Zelda series? Feel free to share those thoughts in the comments below!