When it comes to RPGs, there is no shortage of weapons to be found. For most titles in this genre, weapons vary in strength as you progress through the story. As such, developers need to make them interesting to take away from the monotony of constantly replacing your arsenal. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are more realistic while others, either in their design or their abilities, are far more extraordinary.

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While there are numerous types of weapons in RPGs, developers seem to have more love for bladed weapons. Out of all the different types of weapons that line the extensive armory of this genre, it always seems like swords get the most ornate designs and extensive lore. Out of the numerous swords and blades that stem from RPGs, here are a few that represent the games they come from.

6 Gunblade (Final Fantasy)

Squall wielding his Gunblade in Final Fantasy 8

While not a specific named weapon, gunblades are the holy union between two incredibly deadly armaments. A gun and a sword. Mechanically impractical yet visually spectacular, the gunblade took the world by storm. Fully certifying the world of Final Fantasy as a mixture of Sci-Fi and fantasy by combining the two core weapons of both genres.

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The concept behind the gunblade is simple yet incredibly effective. Suddenly, range is no longer the bane of a melee fighter. While, mechanically, it was just another weapon to choose from, the weight this weapon's conception had was far deeper. Suddenly, bladed firearms appeared in numerous forms of media. There even exists a Yu-Gi-Oh deck that centers around monsters wielding these types of weapons. The gunblade might not be the most interesting weapon out there, but its impact was huge.

5 Erdrick's Sword (Dragon Quest)

Dragon Quest XI: Erdrick's Sword Drawn For Another Battle

In a series that hands out more weapons than players know what to do with, it's hard to find one that stands out in Dragon Quest. However, fans of the franchise can agree that, while maybe not the strongest weapon in the multitude of games, there's something about Edrick's sword that draws people to it.

As its name suggests, the sword belonged to Erdrick, the hero of Dragon Quest III and the ancestor of the hero of the first Dragon Quest. This legendary sword appears in several Dragon Quest titles and is notorious for being difficult to obtain by either residing at the bottom of a difficult dungeon or requiring numerous items to craft it. While its name differs from game to game, the power of this sword is undisputed.

4 Monado (Xenoblade)

Super Smash Bros Xenoblade Shulk Monado Blade Attack

The mystique and mystery behind this strange blade is the core behind Xenoblade Chronicles' story. Unlike most powerful weapons, the protagonist, Shulk, starts with this blade rather than finding it some forgotten tomb or ancient ruins. Rather, the blade grows in power as Shulk proceeds through the game.

Aside from an aesthetic that would make a Jedi green with envy, the Monado possesses numerous abilities to aid its wielder both in and out of combat. It can increase its own damage output, increase the damage that the party can deal, strip away any buffs that an enemy has, and it can even allow Shulk to glimpse into the future, With all of these abilities, it's no wonder that this blade is also known as the weapon of destruction.

3 The Master Sword (The Legend Of Zelda)

Link with master sword

This sword has had many names within the Legend of Zelda franchise. The Legendary Sword, the Sword of Resurrection, The Blade of Evil's Bane, and several others. While the Hero of Hyrule doesn't start with this mythic blade, it is still considered his signature weapon against Ganon and the forces of evil.

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Throughout the series, the Master Sword is shown to possess numerous magical powers such as manipulating the flow of time, emitting beams of light to damage enemies, and even striking with elemental-based attacks. Finding this weapon in any Legend of Zelda game is the equivalent of King Arthur finding Excalibur. With it in your grasp, nothing is impossible.

2 Buster Sword (Final Fantasy)

cloud buster sword
via Square Enix

When the name Cloud Strife is spoken, the first thing that many fans think of is the massive broadsword that he wields. This near six-foot, single-edged blade has made appearances in several Final Fantasy games, as well as others. At first glance, this weapon seems impractical due to its gigantic size and weight, but Cloud time and time again proves himself to be a competent wielder.

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The sword's history is one soaked with tragedy and death. It represents the passing of one's dreams to another as it changes hand. Cloud, the Buster Sword's final wielder, received the blade from his friend Zack Fair and used it through numerous battles to the point where it was seen as synonymous with Cloud's character. It was so instrumental to his aesthetic that when Cloud finally lays the blade to rest, his new sword looks like a near replica.

1 Keyblade (Kingdom Hearts)

Super Smash Bros: Mario Throws The Keyblade

While we may never know the secrets behind Kingdom Hearts, there is one thing fans know. Keyblades are the key. The appearance of these weapons was surprising, to say the least. Never before had any weapon been so outlandish in its design. Simple yet so drastically different from any conventional weapon. It was, as the name suggested, a giant key, yet they are so much more.

Aside from functionally being an oversized skeleton key, Keyblades are the weapon of choice against enemies like Heartless and Nobodies. These weapons have numerous forms, each one unique in both its design and abilities, and each form adds another level of planning and strategy for players as they proceed through the games. While strange in design, no one can imagine Kingdom Hearts without the Keyblade.

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