History Main / ArchaicWeaponForAnAdvancedAge

* ''Franchise/StarWars'' has always had the lightsaber as the primary weapon of the Jedi and Sith in an era where FrickinLaserBeams normally rule the day, and they get away with it because the wielder has limited precognition and the blade reflects blaster fire and [[AbsurdlySharpBlade goes through nearly anything without slowing down]]. However, almost nobody else uses them, and for good reason, as it really does require superhuman reflexes to even just avoid cutting oneself into pieces, never mind blocking blaster fire (a trick that requires Jedi to start blocking before the shot is actually fired). Melee weapons are more commonly {{vibroweapon}}s and may even be alloyed with [[{{Unobtainium}} cortosis]] to fight lightsaber-wielding Force users. And while it ''is'' possible for normal people to use lightsabers (in the old ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'' continuity, [[http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Darca_Nyl one person]] even managed to deflect a blaster bolt), it's still more advantageous to be force-sensitive.

*** The Jem'Hadar are perfectly happy to use the FrickinLaserBeams equivalent of an assault rifle most of the time, but at melee range, they switch to a short, bladed polearm called a ''[[http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Kar%27takin kar'takin.]]''

** Despite the general dominance of FrickinLaserBeams of various stripes in the setting, the Rangers (a paramilitary group of Minbari origin, originally for monitoring the Shadows, but whom Sheridan turns into international peacekeepers) favor collapsible quarterstaffs ("Minbari fighting pikes") and martial arts. On the other hand, the Rangers' SpaceNavy is famously equipped with the PintSizedPowerhouse White Stars.
** Played with in the episode "[[Recap/BabylonFiveS03E19GreySeventeenIsMissing Grey 17 Is Missing]]". An early scene has Garibaldi playing with one of his ancestors' police revolvers, and he explains that Earthforce favors [[FrickinLaserBeams PPGs]] over firearms mainly because they're less likely to cause a hull breach when fired aboard a starship or space station ([[InformedAttribute firearms are supposedly much more common planetside]]). [[spoiler:Garibaldi later uses the ''bullets'' to kill a man-eating alien.]]

** {{Justified}} in "[[Recap/FarscapeS03E05DifferentDestinations ...Different Destinations]]". The RepeatingCrossbow-armed Veneks reduce the pulse weapon-armed Peacekeeper soldiers to fighting with clubs and knives with {{technobabble}} that renders the FrickinLaserBeams inoperable. This includes D'Argo's qualta blade, [[spoiler:but not Aeryn and Crichton's pulse pistols from 500 years in the future]].

** The Imperium is prone to using [[SchizoTech mixed technology levels]] since the common technology is an odd blending of industrial and space age technology, and holding access to some highly advanced technology that isn't widely dispersed. Some of this is because it's a [[LostTechnology surviving artifact]] from [[LookOnMyWorksYeMightyAndDespair humanity's first, mind-bendingly advanced space empire]] and nobody knows how it works or how to replicate the piece; or how to make the technology in question is a jealously guarded secret. A typical squad of Imperial soldiers will be armed with weapons that are cheap and weak, but easy to make and maintain, such as [[FrickinLaserBeams laser rifles]] or sometimes even assault rifles, but the sergeant will be also be armed with a sword that isn't just for ceremonial purposes. It's not uncommon to see [[TankGoodness conventional tanks on the ground]] with dueling starships in orbit. Of course, the old-school weapons are almost invariably updated with current technology, such as {{chains|awGood}}words or [[LaserBlade power swords]]. These are indeed much better at killing, and sometimes necessary for killing things that won't flinch at conventional weapons.

* ''Anime/YuGiOhVRAINS'': In an era where battle traps are rendered useless due to how often cards come with effects that either negate said traps or outright destroy them preemptively, it comes as a shock to everyone that his ace in the hole is the one and only [[spoiler:Mirror Force[[note]]Since Link Monsters cannot exist in defense position[[/note]]]]. He later adds [[spoiler:Magic Cylinder]] to his arsenal. Revolver just really loves these types of traps now adding in [[spoiler:Imperial Order and Mind Crush to deal with Link Spells or at the very least, oppressive spells in general]].

* ''Franchise/StarWars'' has always had the lightsaber as the primary weapon of the Jedi and Sith in an era where FrickinLaserBeams normally rule the day, and they get away with it because the wielder has limited precognition and the blade reflects blaster fire and goes through nearly anything without slowing down. However, almost nobody else uses them, and for good reason, as it really does require superhuman reflexes to even just avoid cutting oneself into pieces, never mind blocking blaster fire (a trick that requires Jedi to start blocking before the shot is actually fired). Melee weapons are more commonly {{vibroweapon}}s and may even be alloyed with [[{{Unobtainium}} cortosis]] to fight lightsaber-wielding Force users. And while it ''is'' possible for normal people to use lightsabers (in the old ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'' continuity, [[http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Darca_Nyl one person]] even managed to deflect a blaster bolt), it's still more advantageous to be force-sensitive.

*** Elnor carries a tan qalanq, a Romulan sword, instead of any kind of energy weapon, thanks to his training by the warrior nuns of the Qowat Milat. "[[Recap/StarTrekPicardS1E04AbsoluteCandor Absolute Candor]]" proves that he's lethal with it, and although another Romulan claims that a tan qalanq is no match for a disruptor, Elnor effortlessly [[NeverBringAGunToAKnifeFight slays several disruptor-carrying Romulan guards]] in "[[Recap/StarTrekPicardS1E06TheImpossibleBox The Impossible Box]]" and "[[Recap/StarTrekPicardS1E07Nepenthe Nepenthe]]" with just his sword. He's not above using {{Ray Gun}}s, however, as "[[Recap/StarTrekPicardS1E05StardustCityRag Stardust City Rag]]" shows him relieving Bjayzl's personal bodyguards of their phaser pistols and then turning the same firearms on them GunsAkimbo.

*** Elnor carries a tan qalanq, a Romulan sword, instead of any kind of energy weapon, thanks to his training by the warrior nuns of the Qowat Milat. "[[Recap/StarTrekPicardS1E04AbsoluteCandor Absolute Candor]]" proves that he's lethal with it, and although another Romulan claims that a tan qalanq is no match for a disruptor, Elnor effortlessly [[NeverBringAGunToAKnifeFight slays several disruptor-carrying Romulan guards]] in "[[Recap/StarTrekPicardS1E06TheImpossibleBox The Impossible Box]]" and "[[Recap/StarTrekPicardS1E07Nepenthe Nepenthe]]" with just his sword. He's not above using {{Ray Gun}}s, however, as "[[Recap/StarTrekPicardS1E05StardustCityRag Stardust City Rag]]" shows him relieving Bjayzl's personal bodyguards of their firearms and then turning the same guns on them GunsAkimbo.

*** Elnor carries a tan qalanq, a Romulan sword, instead of any kind of energy weapon, thanks to his training by the warrior nuns of the Qowat Milat. "Absolute Candor" proves that he's lethal with it, and although another Romulan claims that a tan qalanq is no match for a disruptor, Elnor effortlessly [[NeverBringAGunToAKnifeFight slays several disruptor-carrying Romulan guards]] in "The Impossible Box" and "Nepenthe" with just his sword. He's not above using energy projectile weapons, however, as "Stardust City Rag" shows him relieving Bjayzl's personal bodyguards of their weapons and then turning the same guns on them GunsAkimbo.

* The ''VideoGame/{{Persona}}'' series frequently displays this trope, having gun-wielding characters fighting alongside those with swords, spears, boxing gloves, fans, and folding chairs.

* ''Anime/YugiohVRAINS'': In an era where battle traps are rendered useless due to how often cards come with effects that either negate said traps or outright destroy them preemptively, it comes as a shock to everyone that his ace in the hole is the one and only [[spoiler:Mirror Force[[note]]Since Link Monsters cannot exist in defense position[[/note]]]]. He later adds [[spoiler:Magic Cylinder]] to his arsenal. Revolver just really loves these types of traps now adding in [[spoiler:Imperial Order and Mind Crush to deal with Link Spells or at the very least, oppressive spells in general]].

* In ''Literature/DocSidhe'', Noriko carries a katana as he primary weapon while her teammates are armed with modern firearms and explosives. Soemwhat justified as it has a pure steel blade with is very effective against anyone with fae blood, but she still recieves a lot of ribbing for it from the rest of team; especially her boyfriend Jean-Pierre.

** ''Series/StarTrekPicard'': Elnor carries a tan qalanq, a Romulan sword, instead of any kind of energy weapon, thanks to his training by the warrior nuns of the Qowat Milat. "Absolute Candor" proves that he's lethal with it, and although another Romulan tells him that a tan qalanq is no match for a disruptor, Elnor effortlessly [[NeverBringAGunToAKnifeFight slays several disruptor-carrying Romulan guards]] in "The Impossible Box" and "Nepenthe" with just his sword. He's not above using energy projectile weapons, however, as "Stardust City Rag" shows him relieving Bjayzl's personal bodyguards of their weapons and then turning the same guns on them GunsAkimbo when Seven of Nine goes for Bjayzl's throat.

* Modern armies still train in the use of hand-to-hand combat, including [[BayonetYa bayonet usage]]. Being able to fight effectively in situations where your primary weapon is inoperable or impractical is a useful ability, though the training is usually considered more for building confidence, aggression, and physical conditioning. That said, they have proven decisive in a few battles as recently as the WarOnTerror: [[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8016685.stm in 2004]] elements of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders launched a bayonet charge against Mahdi Army insurgents in Amarah, Iraq, killing 28, and [[https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bayonet-charge-foils-enemy-ambushin in 2011]] the Prince of Wales Royal Regiment's LCPL. Sean Jones earned the Military Cross for leading his bayonet-wielding squad into Taliban machine-gun fire in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

* [[https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=90038&page=1 Tomahawks have been used intermittently by American troops since the Revolutionary War.]] This makes a lot of sense, as a good hatchet has plenty of uses as a utility tool as well as a weapon. They took on particular significance in the urban counterinsurgency operations of TheWarOnTerror, with close-quarters fighting that also involves a lot of breaking of windows and breaching of doors.

* In the Series/{{Buffy|TheVampireSlayer}}verse, vampires and demons prefer to use either their teeth and claws or edged weapons rather than firearms, as do Vampire Slayers and other demon fighters. There are notable exceptions, more so in the ''Series/{{Angel}}'' spin-off which is set in Los Angeles with vampires etc acting as part of (and therefore influenced by) the criminal subculture. The trope is lampshaded in "Bad Girls" when the modern-thinking vampire Mr. Trick remonstrates an opponent who comes at him with a sword.

* Both justified and subverted in the ''Literature/VorkosiganSaga''. The Barrayarans began the Cetagandian war with primitive weapons. However they switched to modern weapons as soon as they could get them and learn how to use them.
** Miles' [[AncestralWeapon seal dagger]] is also treated this way, being a pre-industrial relic that has to be wiped down after each use, but is very sharp. It comes in handy during an exercise when Miles needs to cut a rubber hose and can't use his plasma arc because the cabin is filled with an imflammable gas.

* Many American states have separate hunting seasons for "primitive weapons" such as black-powder firearms, keeping rifled muskets popular with hunters who wish to extend their season. Gun manufacturers have even produced [[SchizoTech modern high-performance hunting rifles that are loaded from the front]] in order to allow them to be used in "primitive" weapon hunting seasons.

** ''Series/StarTrekPicard'': Elnor carries a tan qalanq, a Romulan sword, instead of any kind of energy weapon, thanks to his training by the warrior nuns of the Qowat Milat. "Absolute Candor" proves that he's lethal with it, and although another Romulan tells him that a tan qalanq is no match for a disruptor, Elnor effortlessly [[NeverBringAGunToAKnifeFight slays several disruptor-carrying Romulan guards]] in "The Impossible Box" and "Nepenthe" with just his sword. He's not above using energy projectile weapons, however, as "Stardust City Rag" shows him relieving Bjayzl's personal bodyguards of their weapons and then turning the same guns on them GunsAkimbo when Seven goes for Bjayzl's throat.

** ''Series/StarTrekPicard'': Elnor carries a tan qalanq, a Romulan sword, instead of any kind of energy weapon, thanks to his training by the warrior nuns of the Qowat Milat. "Absolute Candor" proves that he's lethal with it, and although another Romulan tells him that a tan qalanq is no match for a disruptor, Elnor effortlessly [[NeverBringAGunToAKnifeFight slays three disruptor-carrying Romulan guards]] in "The Impossible Box" with just his sword. He's not above using energy projectile weapons, however, as "Stardust City Rag" shows him relieving Bjayzl's personal bodyguards of their weapons and then turning the same guns on them GunsAkimbo when Seven goes for Bjayzl's throat.

** ''Series/StarTrekPicard'': Elnor carries a tan qalanq, a Romulan sword, instead of any kind of energy weapon, thanks to his training by the warrior nuns of the Qowat Milat. "Absolute Candor" proves that he's lethal with it, but another Romulan character points out that he'll still lose to a disruptor if he's not careful.

** In ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' Worf favors a smaller weapon called a [[http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Mek%27leth mek'leth]] that proves more practical in close quarters, and at one point he snaps Jadzia's bat'leth clean in half with it.
** Also in ''[=DS9=]'', the Jem'Hadar are perfectly happy to use the FrickinLaserBeams equivalent of an assault rifle most of the time, but at melee range they switch to a short, bladed polearm called a ''[[http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Kar%27takin kar'takin.]]''
** The ''[=DS9=]'' episode "Field of Fire" spoke of Starfleet experiments with chemical-propelled firearms for use in environments that render phasers useless. However they eventually just put out a new, more resilient model of phaser.
** In ''Series/StarTrekPicard'', Elnor carries a tan qalanq, a Romulan sword, instead of any kind of energy weapon, thanks to his training by the warrior nuns of the Qowat Milat. "Absolute Candor" proves that he's lethal with it, but another Romulan character points out that he'll still lose to a disruptor if he's not careful.