Highlights
- In Tears of the Kingdom, players must utilize Fusing to bring out the full power of their swords, which is a departure from previous Zelda games.
- Legendary swords like Biggoron's Sword, White Sword of the Sky, and Dusk Claymore can be obtained through various side quests and challenges.
- The Master Sword, the most powerful weapon in the game, can only be obtained by discovering all 12 geoglyphs and climbing on the back of the Light Dragon.
It's hard to think about The Legend of Zelda and not think about swords. The weapon has been a mainstay of the franchise since its very first entry on the NES in 1986. In subsequent games, Link's possession of the Master Sword has been a consistent plot point throughout the series linking together various titles, even when they take place in different eras.
In Tears of the Kingdom, swords work quite differently than they have in other games. While in Breath of the Wild, players had to find weaponry scattered across Hyrule, Tears of the Kingdom requires players to utilize Fusing to bring out their full power. Nevertheless, these swords in the Nintendo Switch exclusive are the best swords to use on their own.
8 Biggoron's Sword
This sword actually originated long before The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, first appearing in the Nintendo 64 title Ocarina of Time. In that game, Link can acquire the two-handed sword by completing a trading quest with Biggoron, the sword's namesake. However, in Tears of the Kingdom, Biggoron's Sword is much more difficult to obtain.
Biggoron's Sword can be found in The Depths below Skull Lake, granting Link a weapon with 36 base damage, and that's before Fusing is involved. However, to regain another Biggoron's Sword after the one players find eventually breaks, they'll have to sell Poes to the Bargainer Statue or use The Legend of Zelda amiibo with the hope of making it appear.
7 White Sword Of The Sky
If fans noticed that the White Sword of the Sky bears a great resemblance to the Goddess White Sword from Skyward Sword, they'd be correct. Attainable in Tears of the Kingdom, the White Sword of the Sky is a relic of the Hero of the Sky, boasting 24 base damage as well as a passive ability in powering up Link's ability to sneakstrike unsuspecting enemies.
To obtain the White Sword of the Sky, players will first have to accomplish the side quest titled "The Mother Goddess Statue," which is unlocked after players discover three massive goddess statues scattered throughout Hyrule and complete their respective side quests. For Skyward Sword fans, these side quests are a must to obtain the legendary weapon.
6 Dusk Claymore
In terms of familiar weapons to fans of The Legend of Zelda, the Dusk Claymore, with 32 base power, resembles the sword that the Six Sages attempted to use against Ganondorf in Twilight Princess, one of the more beloved entries in the franchise. It also notably appears in one of Ganondorf's taunts in the Super Smash Bros. fighting game series.
In Tears of the Kingdom, however, the Dusk Claymore is obtainable via either the Ganondorf amiibo figure or by completing the side quest "Investigate the Thyphlo Ruins." Unfortunately for eager fans, this quest will require the four abilities obtained from the new group of Sages, requiring them to complete the "Regional Phenomena" quest as part of the main story first.
5 Royal Guard's Claymore
This weapon doesn't hold any significance for The Legend of Zelda fans but remains one of the more powerful swords in the game. Even better, it can be found by crafty players early on in the game by exploring Hyrule Castle. There are plenty of Royal Guard's Claymores scattered throughout the castle, particularly in the Sanctum.
With 32 base power, the Royal Guard's Claymore makes for a great weapon, especially when fused with an item that will greatly increase its attack power, such as a rare monster horn. The Royal Guard's Claymore also comes with the passive ability "Breaking Point," which increases attack power even more when the weapon is close to breaking.
4 Gloom Sword
The Gloom Sword is one of the most powerful swords in Tears of the Kingdom, but it comes with a price. With 41 base damage, it's one of the strongest swords pre-fusing, and it makes quite the reward for defeating Phantom Ganon during the main story. However, unlike other weapons' passive abilities, the Gloom Sword negatively affects players.
With every swing of the Gloom Sword, Link's health is drained only a little. However, Link can never die as a result of the Gloom Sword, as it will refrain from draining Link of his final heart. This makes fighting with the Gloom Sword tricky, especially against difficult-to-avoid enemies like Lynel, but for some hardcore players, it may provide an even greater challenge.
3 Fierce Deity Sword
By far the best two-handed weapon Link can wield in Tears of the Kingdom is the Fierce Deity Sword. The sword has a long history with the franchise, originally appearing in the Nintendo 64 title Majora's Mask as a benefit of the Fierce Deity Mask in the final battle against Majora, though it made a triumphant return in Breath of the Wild via amiibo.
In Tears of the Kingdom, players don't need an amiibo to summon this weapon. They instead need to gather all three pieces of the Fierce Deity armor set from the "Misko's Treasure" side quest. With 38 base power, this sword will make a great addition to any player's weapon arsenal, especially for those who are nostalgic about the Nintendo 64 days.
2 Scimitar Of The Seven
The Scimitar of the Seven originally belonged to the Champion Urbosa, who was unfortunately killed in the backstory of Breath of the Wild. The sword is later given to Link upon freeing the Divine Beast Vah Naboris, though in Tears of the Kingdom, players will have to put in a little more elbow grease to reclaim this weapon.
Particularly, completing the side quest "The Missing Owner" in Gerudo Town rewards players with the Scimitar of the Seven. First, players will have to defeat a Molduga during the quest, but the reward of the weapon is worth it. Along with 32 base power, it also comes with the useful passive ability "Strong Fusion," giving it even more power when fused to another item.
1 Master Sword
Obviously, the Master Sword stands far above any other sword that players can acquire in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Sadly, it can't be obtained until players discover all 12 geoglyphs revealing the secrets behind Zelda's imprisonment in the past and the reawakening of Ganon, resulting in Zelda transforming into the Light Dragon.
Once players discover that Zelda has been roaming Hyrule as the Light Dragon, they'll be able to obtain the Master Sword by climbing on the dragon's back. Players will also need two full wheels of Stamina to successfully pull the sword, but doing so grants them a powerful weapon able to be fused to any item that will also recharge after it's been broken.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is currently available on Switch.