History Main / BlackSwordsAreBetter

* In ''VideoGame/INinja'', the player regularly receives upgraded swords whose colors correspond to karate kyu and dan. In order of increasing superiority, the swords are colored white, yellow, green, blue, red, black.

* In ''LightNovel/BladedanceOfElementalers'', Kamito Kazehaya's previous contracted spirit, Restia transforms into a jet-black demon sword known as Vorpal Sword in her elemental waffe form.

* In ''LightNovel/{{Campione}}'', Ena Seishuin's legendary sword Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi is black.

** In ''Literature/MistbornTheOriginalTrilogy'', Mistborn, [[CapeBusters hazekillers]] and [[TheDreaded Steel Inquisitors]] don't use metal knives because of their enemies' MagnetismManipulation powers. Instead, they favour knives of obsidian. Steel Inquisitors in particular favour obsidian [[AnAxeToGrind axes]].

** Nightblood of ''Literature/{{Warbreaker}}'' is a black sentient [[TalkingWeapon telepathic]] sword that is just the deadliest thing around. The only thing that keeps people safe around it is its [[AntiMagic aluminum sheath]]. When it is fully drawn, it bleeds black smoke, ''screams'' inside the head of its wielder to "DESTROY!", sucks in any magic in the surrounding area (then when that has run out, the wielders ''lifeforce''). Due its magical nature, Nightblood exists in all realms (Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual), making it a SoulCuttingBlade; anything it so much as [[DeadlyScratch scratches]] puffs into smoke. Its soulcutting ability extents to the souls of objects; when Vasher, it's current wielder [[spoiler: and co-creator]] needs to move through a building in a hurry, he simply stabs walls and floors to make large holes. Also, anyone who picks it up who might think of using it for 'evil' purposes (as defined by Nightblood) is driven to kill their companions and then themselves; its most common use is being thrown into groups of enemies who end up killing each other off. The only exemptions to this are people who the sword thinks are 'pure of heart' - those people just feel nauseous. The second most common use is to club people with it while it is still safely sheathed. Despite its status as TheCorrupter, it was Awakened with the Command 'Destroy evil'. Only thing is, being a sentient length of metal, it doesn't ''actually know'' what evil is. [[WordOfGod Word of Brandon]] is Nightblood might define evil as stabbing people, or selling it to the highest bidder.

** Nightblood of ''Literature/{{Warbreaker}}'' is a black sentient [[TalkingWeapon telepathic]] sword that is just the deadliest thing around. The only thing that keeps people safe around it is its [[AntiMagic aluminum sheath]]. When it is fully drawn, it bleeds black smoke, ''screams'' inside the head of its wielder to "DESTROY!", sucks in any magic in the surrounding area (then when that has run out, the wielders ''lifeforce''). Due its magical nature, Nightblood exists in all realms (Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual), making it a SoulCuttingBlade; anything it so much as [[DeadlyScratch scratches]] puffs into smoke. Its soulcutting ability extents to the souls of objects; one character who needs to move through a building in a hurry simply stabs walls and floors to make large holes. Also, anyone who picks it up who might think of using it for 'evil' purposes (as defined by Nightblood) is driven to kill their companions and then themselves; its most common use is being thrown into groups of enemies who end up killing each other off. The only exemptions to this are people who the sword thinks are 'pure of heart' - those people just feel nauseous. The second most common use is to club people with it while it is still safely sheathed. Despite its status as The Corrupter, it was Awakened with the Command 'Destroy evil'. Only thing is, being a sentient length of metal, it doesn't ''actually know'' what evil is. [[WordOfGod Word of Brandon]] is Nightblood might define evil as stabbing people, or selling it to the highest bidder.
*** [[spoiler:Eventually, in as-yet-unknown circumstances it and its wielder [[Literature/WordsOfRadiance find their way]] to [[Literature/TheStormlightArchive Roshar]] where they become separated. Nightblood is later given to Szeth-[[ProfessionalKiller son]]-[[PsychoForHire son]]-Vallano, Truthless of Shinovar.]]

** Nightblood of ''Literature/{{Warbreaker}}'' is a black sentient [[TalkingWeapon telepathic]] sword that is just the deadliest thing around. The only thing that keeps people safe around it is its [[AntiMagic aluminum sheath]]. When it is fully drawn, it bleeds black smoke, ''screams'' inside the head of its wielder to "DESTROY!", sucks in any magic in the surrounding area (then when that has run out, the wielders ''lifeforce''). Due its magical nature, Nightblood exists in all realms (Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual), making it a SoulCuttingBlade; anything it so much as [[DeadlyScratch scratches]] puffs into smoke. Its soulcutting ability extents to the souls of objects; one character who needs to move through a building in a hurry simply stabs walls and floors to make large holes. Also, anyone who picks it up who might think of using it for 'evil' purposes (as defined by Nightblood) is driven to kill their companions and then themselves; its most common use is being thrown into groups of enemies who end up killing each other off. The only exemptions to this are people who the sword thinks are 'pure of heart' - those people just feel nauseous. The second most common use is to club people with it while it is still safely sheathed. Despite its status as [[The Corrupter]], it was Awakened with the Command 'Destroy evil'. Only thing is, being a sentient length of metal, it doesn't ''actually know'' what evil is. [[WordOfGod Word of Brandon]] is Nightblood might define evil as stabbing people, or selling it to the highest bidder.

** Nightblood of ''Literature/{{Warbreaker}}'' is a black sentient [[TalkingWeapon telepathic]] sword that is just the deadliest thing around. The only thing that keeps people safe around it is its [[AntiMagic aluminum sheath]]. When it is fully drawn, it bleeds black smoke, ''screams'' inside the head of its wielder to "DESTROY!", sucks in any magic in the surrounding area (then when that has run out, the wielders ''lifeforce''). Due its magical nature, Nightblood exists in all realms (Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual), making it a SoulCuttingBlade; anything it so much as [[DeadlyScratch scratches]] puffs into smoke. Its soulcutting ability extents to the souls of objects; one character who needs to move through a building in a hurry simply stabs walls and floors to make large holes. Also, anyone who picks it up who might think of using it for 'evil' purposes (as defined by Nightblood) is driven to kill their companions and then themselves; its most common use is being thrown into groups of enemies who end up killing each other off. The only exemptions to this are people who the sword thinks are 'pure of heart' - those people just feel nauseous. The second most common use is to club people with it while it is still safely sheathed.

-->Despite its status as [[The Corrupter]], it was Awakened with the Command 'Destroy evil'. Only thing is, being a sentient length of metal, it doesn't ''actually know'' what evil is. [[WordOfGod Word of Brandon]] is Nightblood might define evil as stabbing people, or selling it to the highest bidder.

Despite its status as [[The Corrupter]], it was Awakened with the Command 'Destroy evil'. Only thing is, being a sentient length of metal, it doesn't ''actually know'' what evil is. [[WordOfGod Word of Brandon]] is Nightblood might define evil as stabbing people, or selling it to the highest bidder.

** Nightblood of ''Literature/{{Warbreaker}}'' is a black sentient [[TalkingWeapon telepathic]] sword that suggests killing just about everybody. The only thing that keeps people safe around it is its [[AntiMagic aluminum sheath]]. When it is fully drawn, it bleeds black smoke, ''screams'' inside the head of its wielder to "DESTROY!", sucks in any magic in the surrounding area (then when that has run out, the wielders ''lifeforce''). Due it's magical nature, Nightblood exists in all realms (Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual), making it a SoulCuttingBlade; anything it so much as [[DeadlyScratch scratches]] puffs into smoke. Its soulcutting ability extents to the souls of objects; one character who needs to move through a building in a hurry simply stabs walls and floors to make large holes. Also, anyone who picks it up who might think of using it for 'evil' purposes just about anybody to kill their companions and themselves; its most common use is being thrown into groups of enemies who end up killing each other off. Despite its status as [[The Corrupter]], it was Awakened with the Command 'Destroy evil'. Only thing is, being a sentient length of metal, it doesn't ''actually know'' what evil is. [[WordOfGod Word of Brandon]] This behavior was intended to both find and remove evil in the absence of proper knowledge about evil -- anyone who picks up the sword and thinks of using it for "evil" purposes (ranging from using it to stab people to selling it to the highest bidder) will quickly fall prey to the homicidal effects.
*** [[spoiler:Eventually, in as-yet-unknown circumstances it and it's wielder [[Literature/WordsOfRadiance removed]] to [[Literature/TheStormlightArchive Roshar]] and is given to Szeth-[[ProfessionalKiller son]]-[[PsychoForHire son]]-Vallano.]]

* Several examples exist in Brandon Sanderson's ''Literature/{{The Cosmere}}''
** In ''Literature/MistbornTheOriginalTrilogy'', Mistborn, [[CapeBusters hazekillers]] and [[TheDreaded Steel Inquisitors]] don't use metal knives because of their enemies' MagnetismManipulation powers. Instead, they favour knives of obsidian. Steel Inquisitors in particular favour obsidian ''[[AnAxeToGrind axes]]''.
** Nightblood of ''Literature/{{Warbreaker}}'' is a black sentient [[TalkingWeapon telepathic]] sword that suggests killing just about everybody. When it is fully drawn from its [[AntiMagic aluminum sheath]], it bleeds black smoke, ''screams'' inside the head of its wielder to "DESTROY!", feeds on any magic they have (then when that has run out, their ''lifeforce''). Due it's magical nature, Nightblood exists in all realms (Physical, Cognitive, and Spiritual), making it a SoulCuttingBlade; anything it so much as [[DeadlyScratch scratches]] puffs into smoke. Its soulcutting ability extents to the souls of objects; one character who needs to move through a building in a hurry simply stabs walls and floors to make large holes. Also it can compel just about anybody to kill their companions and themselves; its most common use is being thrown into groups of enemies who end up killing each other off. Ironically it was actually created to destroy evil. [[spoiler:Eventually, it is [[Literature/WordsOfRadiance removed]] to [[Literature/TheStormlightArchive Roshar]] and is given to the hands of [[NeverMyFault Szeth]]-[[ProfessionalKiller son]]-[[PsychoForHire son]] -- Vallano.]] This behavior was intended to both find and remove evil in the absence of proper knowledge about evil -- anyone who picks up the sword and thinks of using it for "evil" purposes (ranging from using it to stab people to selling it to the highest bidder) will quickly fall prey to the homicidal effects; anyone else just gets nauseous. Nightblood's creators commanded it to 'destroy evil', but forgot that a sword, even a living one, has no conception of what evil ''is''.

* Several examples exist in Brandon Sanderson's ''Literature/{{The Cosmere}}''

** Nightblood of ''Literature/{{Warbreaker}}'' is a black sentient [[TalkingWeapon telepathic]] sword that suggests killing just about everybody. Also it can compel just about anybody to kill their companions and themselves; its most common use is being thrown into groups of enemies who end up killing each other off. Ironically it was actually created to destroy evil. [[spoiler:Eventually, it is [[Literature/WordsOfRadiance removed]] to [[Literature/TheStormlightArchive Roshar]] and is given to the hands of [[NeverMyFault Szeth]]-[[ProfessionalKiller son]]-[[PsychoForHire son]] -- Vallano.]] This behavior was intended to both find and remove evil in the absence of proper knowledge about evil -- anyone who picks up the sword and thinks of using it for "evil" purposes (ranging from using it to stab people to selling it to the highest bidder) will quickly fall prey to the homicidal effects; anyone else just gets nauseous. Nightblood's creators commanded it to 'destroy evil', but forgot that a sword, even a living one, has no conception of what evil ''is''.
*** ''Literature/{{Rhythm of War}}'' reveals that [[spoiler: Nightblood is ''the single deadliest thing in the Cosmere'', when it is shown to be capable of killing a ''[[PiecesOfGod Shardvessel]]'']].

* Several examples exist in Brandon Sanderson's ''Literature{{The Cosmere}}''

* Several examples exist in Brandon Sanderson's Literature{{''The Cosmere''}}
** In ''Literature/MistbornTheOriginalTrilogy'', Mistborn, [[CapeBusters hazekillers]] and [[The dreaded Steel Inquisitors]] don't use metal knives because of their enemies' MagnetismManipulation powers. Instead, they favour knives of obsidian. Steel Inquisitors in particular favour obsidian ''[[AnAxeToGrind axes]]''.

*** Literature/{{''Rhythm of War''}} reveals that [[spoiler: Nightblood is ''the single deadliest thing in the Cosmere'', when it is shown to be capable of killing a ''[[PiecesOfGod Shardvessel]]''.

* In ''Literature/MistbornTheOriginalTrilogy'', Mistborn don't use metal knives because of their enemies' MagnetismManipulation powers. Instead, they favor knives of obsidian.

* Nightblood of ''Literature/{{Warbreaker}}'' is a black sentient [[TalkingWeapon telepathic]] sword that suggests killing just about everybody. Also it can compel just about anybody to kill their companions and themselves; its most common use is being thrown into groups of enemies who end up killing each other off. Ironically it was actually created to destroy evil. [[spoiler:Eventually, it is [[Literature/WordsOfRadiance removed]] to [[Literature/TheStormlightArchive Roshar]] and is given to the hands of [[NeverMyFault Szeth]]-[[ProfessionalKiller son]]-[[PsychoForHire son]] -- Vallano.]] This behavior was intended to both find and remove evil in the absence of proper knowledge about evil -- anyone who picks up the sword and thinks of using it for "evil" purposes (ranging from using it to stab people to selling it to the highest bidder) will quickly fall prey to the homicidal effects; anyone else just gets nauseous. Nightblood's creators commanded it to 'destroy evil', but forgot that a sword, even a living one, has no conception of what evil ''is''.
* ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'': As [[MookLieutenant powerful agents]] of the [[TheAntiGod Dark One]], the [[HumanoidAbomination Myrddraal]] wield black swords that spread a deadly corruption with the [[DeadlyScratch slightest scratch]]. They're forged in {{Mordor}} at the foot of the Dark One's prison and are [[HumanResources tempered with human sacrifice]].

* The Darksaber makes its live-action debut in ''Series/TheMandalorian'' despite its unique look, is stated by Moff Gideon to be more or less a typical lightsaber in terms of its abilities. However, the myth and legends associated with the Darksaber, and its association with the Visla/Vizla lineage, make it a symbol of Mandalorian rulership. [[spoiler:Din Djarin (the titular Mandalorian) becomes the new owner of the Darksaber after defeating Gideon in a one-on-one battle, making him technically the new ruler of Mandalore, a position he neither wants nor can abdicate as Mandalorian tradition holds that the Darksaber can only be claimed through violence.]]
* Din Djarin continues to use the Darksaber when he appears in ''Series/TheBookOfBobaFett'', although it shows that it has quite a few differences from a standard lightsaber. Namely that its hilt is made from beskar (so trying to destroy it with a lightsaber strike is off the books) and its EmpathicWeapon nature makes it actively resist Din wielding it, somehow becoming heavier and heavier the more he swings it. The Armor explains that it can't be wielded with physical strength alone, he will only get better if he learns to work with the blade. [[spoiler:The burly Paz Visla/Vizla even has trouble lifting the damn thing properly in his duel against Din, showing that he arguably has the same problem but in a worse degree]].

* In ''LightNovel/IsItWrongToTryToPickUpGirlsInADungeon'', Hestia gets down on her hands and knees to beg Hephaestus for a weapon to give Bell to keep up with his inflated growth rate. The result is the Hestia Knife, a black knife that responds to Bell's Falna and is thus only valuable when wielded by him. Its strength will constantly grow along with his, making it even sharper and more powerful the higher his stats go. Once he reaches the pinnacle of adventurers, the Hestia Knife will reach the pinnacle of weapons. As a weapon personally designed and forged by Hephaestus herself and infused with the blood and hair of Hestia, it's a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

* The Darksaber makes its live-action debut in ''Series/TheMandalorian'' despite its unique look, is stated by Moff Gideon to be more or less a typical lightsaber in terms of its abilities. However, the myth and legends associated with the Darksaber, and its association with the Visla/Vizla lineage, make it a symbol of Mandalorian rulership. [[spoiler:Din Djarin (the titular Mandalorian) becomes the new owner of the Darksaber after defeating Gideon in a one-on-one battle, making him technically the new ruler of Mandalore, a position he neither wants nor can abdicate.]]

* The Darksaber makes its live-action debut in ''Series/TheMandalorian'' despite its unique look, is stated by Moff Gideon to be more or less a typical lightsaber in terms of its abilities. However, the myth and legends associated with the Darksaber, and its association with the Visla/Vizla lineage, make it a symbol of Mandalorian rulership. [[spoiler:Din Djarin (the titular Mandalorian) becomes the new owner of the Darksaber after defeating Gideon in a one-on-one battle.]]
* Din Djarin continues to use the Darksaber when he appears in ''Series/TheBookOfBobaFett'', although it shows that it has quite a few differences from a standard lightsaber. Namely that its hilt is made from beskar (so trying to destroy it with a lightsaber strike is off the books) and actually has some weight to its blade. With Din having trouble wielding it effectively (even hurting himself with it), the Armor explains that it can't be wielded with physical strength alone, he will only get better if he learns to work with the blade. [[spoiler:The burly Paz Visla/Vizla even has trouble lifting the damn thing properly in his duel against Din, showing that he arguably has the same problem but in a worse degree]].

* In ''LightNovel/ChivalryOfAFailedKnight'', Ikki Kurogane's Device takes the form of a black katana called Intetsu.

* C'threk Goru, the sword of the Dark God Torak in ''Literature/TheBelgariad'', is explicitly black, of unnamed material, and is the counterpart to Garion's Sword of the Rivan King, which is made of ThunderboltIron. In the sequel series the Malloreon, the sword is wielded again by a demon lord in the final confrontation.

* ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'': The two swords, Anguirel and Anglachel were made by Eöl the Dark Elf. These swords were made of meteoric iron, which is not naturally black in real life. While Anguirel was wielded by Eöl, and later his son Maeglin, Anglachel was gifted to Thingol as payment for his home in Nan Elmoth, who in turn gave it to Bereg. Melian, wife of Thingol, could sense malice in Anglachel, and it was known for its blood-thirsty habit of drinking the blood of its victims. Whenever Bereg unsheathed it, it sang with gladness and possessed some level of sentience. Anglachel was later renamed Gurthang, and its blackness was reaffirmed in ''Literature/TheBookOfLostTales''.

* In ''Literature/AestheticaOfARogueHero'', Akatsuki Ousawa wields the giant sword Laevateinn which is colored black. It requires seven AD's to generate, unlike just one for everyone else. [[spoiler:By putting on eight AD's, the sword becomes bigger, sharper, and gains a massive axe-like blade head on top of it.]]
* Ayato Amagiri from ''LightNovel/TheAsteriskWar'' wields the purple-black blade, Ser Veresta which was previously owned by his elder half-sister [[spoiler:Haruka Amagiri.]] He has an astounding 97% compatibility rate with it.

* In ''LightNovel/BladedanceOfElementalers'', Kamito Kazehaya's previous contracted spirit, Restia transforms into a jet-black demon sword known as Vorpal Sword in her elemental waffe form.

* In ''LightNovel/{{Campione}}'', Ena Seishuin's legendary sword Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi is black.
* In ''LightNovel/ChivalryOfAFailedKnight'', Ikki Kurogane's Device takes the form of a black katana called Intetsu.

* ''LightNovel/FateZero'' has [[spoiler:Arondight]], Berserker's personal weapon. It's black, spiky, with crisscrossing chains on the hilt, and generally looks pretty evil. In fact, it's said to be as powerful a demonic sword as Excalibur is a holy one. Not only that, but using it gives Berserker a rank up in all his stats, raising him from 'fearsome' to 'borderline broken'. Black swords aren't just better, they make you better too!
* In ''LightNovel/IsItWrongToTryToPickUpGirlsInADungeon'', Hestia gets down on her hands and knees to beg Hephaestus for a weapon to give Bell to keep up with his inflated growth rate. The result is the Hestia Knife, a black knife that responds to Bell's Falna and is thus only valuable when wielded by him. Its strength will constantly grow along with his, making it even sharper and more powerful the higher his stats go. Once he reaches the pinnacle of adventurers, the Hestia Knife will reach the pinnacle of weapons. As a weapon personally designed and forged by Hephaestus herself and infused with the blood and hair of Hestia, it's a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

* In ''Literature/SwordArtOnline'', Elucidator, one of Kirito's two swords, is pitch black. In ALO, his sword is also black. In GGO, his sword is '''still''' black (though his LaserBlade is [[PurpleIsPowerful purple]]). And go on, guess what color his sword in Underworld is going to be. There's a reason he's called the Black Swordsman in that series, and it's not just that he favors wearing a black coat.
** Worth mentioning that, as mentioned in the DualWielding example, in SAO his second sword is white...though only in the original light novel. In the anime adaptation, his second sword is instead blue.
** And in Mother's Rosario [[RedBaron Zekken]],[[note]]A moniker earned from a 67 duel win streak[[/note]] the only person to defeat him, has a black sword. Kirito also says that Zekken would have gotten the DualWielding[[note]]Given to the player with the highest reaction speed[[/note]] sword skill were she in SAO.
* Lux Arcadia from ''Literature/UndefeatedBahamutChronicle'' has the Black Divine Drag-Ride Bahamut which is color black when in sword form. It was originally owned by his elder half-brother [[spoiler:Fugil, who can still access Bahamut's power due to the special armament of his true Drag-Ride, Ouroboros.]]

** [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Pre Vizsla]] wields it as his melee WeaponOfChoice. Notable as uniquely implausible, even for lightsabers, for being a black ''laser beam'' that still has a white outline. However, the Darksaber's coolness factor doesn't help him win duels. He loses every fight he's in with it, the last one fatally. Of course, all of those fights were against Force-users.

* In ''LightNovel/AestheticaOfARogueHero'', Akatsuki Ousawa wields the giant sword Laevateinn which is colored black. It requires seven AD's to generate, unlike just one for everyone else. [[spoiler:By putting on eight AD's, the sword becomes bigger, sharper, and gains a massive axe-like blade head on top of it.]]

* In ''Manga/{{Fairy Tail}}'', Erza uses a black sword in her Purgatory Armor, the one which supposedly has the biggest attack strength.

* Kanata Age in ''LightNovel/SkyWizardsAcademy'' was formerly known as the Black Master Swordsman. He wields the black magic cannon sword Gladius as his main weapon of choice. It can shoot powerful laser beams by consuming his magic power.

* In ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline'', Elucidator, one of Kirito's two swords, is pitch black. In ALO, his sword is also black. In GGO, his sword is '''still''' black (though his LaserBlade is [[PurpleIsPowerful purple]]). And go on, guess what color his sword in Underworld is going to be. There's a reason he's called the Black Swordsman in that series, and it's not just that he favors wearing a black coat.

* Lux Arcadia from ''LightNovel/UndefeatedBahamutChronicle'' has the Black Divine Drag-Ride Bahamut which is color black when in sword form. It was originally owned by his elder half-brother [[spoiler:Fugil, who can still access Bahamut's power due to the special armament of his true Drag-Ride, Ouroboros.]]

* All-Black the Necroblade, wielded by ''Comicbook/TheMightyThor'' villain Gorr the God Butcher. Finding the sword is what allowed a poor starving mortal to butcher gods. The sword grants power over darkness and turns its wielder into a PhysicalGod.

* In ''Videogame/OdinSphere'', Oswald the Shadowknight's Belderiver is a jet-black sword that is considered the most fearsome Psypher ever forged. Oswald's own foster father Melvin sold Oswald's soul to Queen Odette of the Netherworld to empower it, though this is offset by the sword being powerful enough to fight off Odette's agents the Halja, meaning they can't actually collect on the deal [[spoiler:until Oswald drops the Belderiver in a bout of despair.]] In gameplay, the sword's power grants Oswald his [[SuperMode Shadow form]].
* In ''Videogame/PhantomBrave'', Sprout once wielded the Sacred Sword. After his family was killed by Sulphur, he went mad with grief and lived only for revenge. He decided to fight darkness with darkness and absorbed dark energy from the various monsters he encountered. Eventually, his once beautiful Sacred Sword became a pitch-black blade of darkness, Shiva.

* Naotora Ii wields one in ''Videogame/SengokuBasara'' 4.
* When you finally assemble the Nobitsura Kage in ''[[VideoGame/ShadowWarrior2013 Shadow Warrior]]'', the weapon looks like the blade was forged from obsidian with lava-cracks running through it. It's the most powerful weapon you get ([[EleventhHourSuperpower though you only get to play around with it at the very end of the game]]) and fires off {{Sword Beam}}s that cut through the crowds of enemies running at you, and has a high rate of fire. It's also the only thing that will kill an Ancient since the Ancients are otherwise immortal.

* In ''VisualNovel/UminekoWhenTheyCry'', both [[GreatDetective Willard H. Wright]] and [[RealityWarper Bernkastel]] have black blades. Given in VisualNovel/UminekoWhenTheyCry, colour is ''incredibly'' important, the colour of these weapons is far more than just cosmetic, giving them powers to attack ideas and metaphysical concepts directly. Oh, and fitting Bernkastel's [[GoodPowersBadPeople personality]], her black blade takes the form of a SinisterScythe that can reap miracles.

* ''TabletopGame/TheDarkEye''
** The magical metal Endurium and it's alloys have a natural black colour and weapons made from either are more durable and deal more damage than their steel counterparts as well as counting as magical weapons and therefore ignoring any resistances to mundane weapons that some creatures like demons have.

A {{Fantasy}} trope, but can show up in other genres as well. Want to show that some kind of sword is {{cool|Sword}}, powerful, [[ArtifactOfDeath deadly]], etc? Make this sword black. It can be simply [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluing_(steel) blued,]] but sometimes it is made of some fantasy metal which is naturally black. [[ThunderboltIron Meteoric iron]] is often misrepresented as a naturally black metal. (It actually doesn't look all that different from terrestrial iron, once forged and worked.)

This trope often overlaps with EvilWeapon and ArtifactOfDeath, because the color black has connotations for being "{{dark|IsEvil}}" as well as "cool." Many examples of black swords are not only superior to boring gray swords, but also more dangerous for the user.

* Ayato Amagiri from ''LightNovel/TheAsteriskWar'' wields the purple-black blade, Ser Veresta which was previously owned by his elder half-sister [[spoiler:Haruka Amagiri.]] He has an astounding 97% compatability rate with it.

* ''Manga/BlackClover'': Asta's swords are black and through them he can use AntiMagic to cut through spells and dispel magic. It's later revealed that, when wielded by their original owner Licht, the swords were an almost white color, but turn black and rusted-looking when covered in Anti-Magic. [[spoiler:The same thing happens when he infuses Yami's katana with anti-magic.]]

** Zanka no Tachi, the Bankai form of Yamamoto-Genryūsai's Zanpakutou is a worn out and scorched black sword. All its fire is concentrated in this blade, making it the most dangerous Bankai.

* Subverted InUniverse in ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba''. Demon Slayers' swords take their color depending on the slayer who owns them. Tanjiro's black blade seems to be an oddity, and an ill omen of sorts -- no slayer with a black blade ever became a Hashira. However, it's later revealed that Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who was an incredibly powerful Demon Slayer who created the Sun Breathing, the first and strongest Breathing Style, had a black blade like Tanjiro does. But unlike all normal demon slayers who permanently enhance the color of their blades due their Breathing affinity when they touch it for the first time, Yoriichi could make his black blade turn red at will when he engaged in battle, showcasing his proficiency in Sun Breathing.

* In ''Manga/MagiLabyrinthOfMagic'', Sharrkan's sword is pictured as this, and so is his brother's scimitar. Alibaba's dagger turns into one when he transform it into the [[FlamingSword Sword of Amon]], which can cut through anything. Finally, the Black Binding Mist Sword used by Cassim is the most powerful of the Mist Swords appeared [[spoiler:and allows him to go OneWingedAngel]].

* In Mashima's previous work ''Manga/RaveMaster'', the EvilCounterpart sword Decalogue is mostly black in all his forms. Then there's the Ten Commandments's ninth form, Sacrifar, a pitch black jagged scimitar that bestows a great power to the user, but also merge with his arm and turn him into a psychotic, restless berserker. Last but not least, [[DarkIsEvil Doryuu's]] swords are both darkness-related and mostly black.

** Masamune ''is'' [[EquippableAlly one]] and after Tsubaki defeats him she gains this ability as well. Slightly subverted when Tsubaki, during hers and Black★Star's battle against Masamune, claims that the blade is now black and it has lost some of its original beauty.

* ''Literature/WayOfTheTiger'' has [[LivingWeapon Sorcerak]], a large black sword which can cut through anything, move on its own to attack from afar and, most notably, [[AntiMagic nullify all spells and magic around it]], making even TheArchmage defenseless against it. [[spoiler:It's also a demon in the form of a sword, and so much better, as a matter of fact, that its wielder must be worthy of its power, or will suffer for his arrogance.]]

* Kring from the first Literature/{{Discworld}} novel ''Literature/TheColourOfMagic'' is probably a parody of Stormbringer. In concept, a jet black, magically sentient blade that can talk and grant the wielder combat prowess (even when they're not looking) is very cool. In practice, Kring's habit of droning on in a tinny metallic monotone that sounds like metal grinding over stone, not to mention constantly critiquing its owner, means that most warriors tire of it quickly.

* The Sword of Leah from Creator/TerryBrooks' ''Literature/{{Shannara}}'' series. Once an ordinary sword, it was dipped in the waters of the Hadeshorn by the Druid Allanon, and then infused with a measure of the Druid's own magic. The result is an ink black blade with a liquid sheen, and pools of green swirling through it that devours any magic directed at the user.

** Valyrian steel is described as having a dark, swirling, smokey appearance. Weapons made from it are sharper, stronger and lighter than traditionally-made steel. Since it's of such high quality and nobody knows how to make it anymore, weapons made from it are extraordinarily valuable and typically owned only by wealthy nobles.
** Inverted, however, with Dawn, the ancestral sword of house Dayne forged from ThunderboltIron. It's described as ''milky white'' in color, and yet is at least as good as a Valyrian steel sword.
* ''Literature/SonOfTheBlackSword'' : Ashok wields Angruvadal, a black sword with magical powers.

* The Darksaber makes its live-action debut in ''Series/TheMandalorian'' despite it's unique look, is stated by Moff Gideon to be more or less a typical lightsaber in terms of its abilities. However, the myth and legends associated with the Darksaber, and it's association with the Visla/Vizla lineage, makes it a symbol of Mandalorian rulership. [[spoiler:Din Djarin (the titular Mandaorian) becomes the new owner of the Darksaber after defeating Gideon in a one-on-one battle.]]
* Din Djarin continues to use the Darksaber when he appears in ''Series/TheBookOfBobaFett'', although it shows that it has quite a few differences from a standard lightsaber. Namely that it's hilt is made from beskar (so trying to destroy it with a lightsaber strike is off the books) and actually has some weight to its blade. With Din having trouble wielding it effectively (even hurting himself with it), the Armor explains that it can't be wielded with physical strength alone, he will only get better if he learns to work with the blade. [[spoiler:The burly Paz Visla/Vizla even has trouble lifting the damn thing properly in his duel against Din, showing that he arguably has the same problem but in a worse degree]].

* Music/SoundHorizon: In "Moira", Elefseus uses two triangular black swords. Other characters, such as Sword Boy, also use a black sword. In almost all the cases the sword(s) seems to carry some sort of significance, linking the characters.

** The Horseman of War, one of the leaders of the [[NeutralEvil daemons]], bear a signature greatsword called [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Lamentation of the Faithless]]. Not only is it a +5 Speed and Unholy artifact, it heals the horseman with each hit and can drive its enemies into despair just by presenting it to them.
* ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'' has [[PoweredByAForsakenChild soulsteel]] -- a pitch black metal made from the tortured, still-aware, souls of humans that can drain a persons essence and willpower away when used as a weapon. While not necessarily better than the other magic materials, it's still better than normal metals. Characters could also acquire weapons made from 'Black Jade', which gave good bonuses to defensive stats. One such weapon was a dagger called ''Black Depths Foretold'', which was fated to kill a powerful God...despite various attempts to [[YouCantFightFate throw it away]].

** Three of the Dark Angels' most prized relics are the Sword of Secrets, the Sword of Silence and the Raven Sword, collectively known as the Heavenfall Blades. These master-crafted power swords are said to have been forged from a single block of jet-black obsidian, originating from a meteorite that had struck the Rock, the Dark Angels' Fortress-Monestary.

** Umbra is a [[LegendaryWeapon legendary]] EmpathicWeapon, forged by a witch and commissioned by Clavicus Vile, the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric Prince]] of [[DealWithTheDevil Bargains]] and [[LiteralGenie Wishes]]. In most appearances, it takes the form of an Ebony claymore or longsword, and is typically one of the most powerful bladed weapons in the game in which it appears. It also [[YourSoulIsMine steals the souls of its victims]], and its personality eventually takes over the mind of its wielder, turning them into a BloodKnight who refers to themself as "Umbra". ([[GameplayAndStorySegregation Thankfully, this never happens]] to the PlayerCharacter.) It has so far appeared in ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]''.

* In ''VideoGame/Fallout1'' and ''VideoGame/Fallout2'', various Envclave R&D projects had created stronger [[PoweredArmor Power Armor]] for their troops such as the Advanced Power Armor Mk. I & II [[note]]The mk I version returns as the Remnant Armor in New Vegas [[/note]], and Frank Horrigan's Power Armor. ''VideoGame/Fallout3'' has the the Tesla Armor and later the Elite Hellfire Armor in ''Broken Steel''.
* ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' has an unusual example in that it's black ARMOR that's better. The Veteran Ranger Combat Armor, 200 year old riot gear that serves as the main armor for the NCR Veteran Rangers and also called [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin the black armor]], is the game's iconic armor, appearing in nearly all promotional materials. The fact that it has the highest defense of nearly every armor short of PoweredArmor reinforces this. In Lonesome Road, there's the [[AceCustom Advanced and Elite Riot Gears]] that provide special effects alongside the high defense.
** In the same theme, the strongest PoweredArmor is the black colored Enclave Armor.

** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'', the summon Yojimbo has, among other weapons, the black sword Zanmato, which, if he uses it, will instantly kill whatever it hits with ''no exceptions''. Not even bosses are immune to this, though in the case of bosses with multiple phases, it will just move them to the next phase. However, you have to pay him a ''ton'' of Gil to make him use it against anything more powerful than a basic enemy unless his affection level for you is ''insanely'' high.

* In ''VideoGame/MarySkelterNightmares'' and it's sequel, both Alice and Otsuu have black and pink swords, on top of Alice's being [[{{BFS}} freaking gigantic]]. Then again, the weapons of the other Blood Maidens also have the same color scheme, so in this case, it's ''Any'' Black Weapons Are Better, not just swords.

* In ''Videogame/PhantomBrave'', Sprout once wielded the Sacred Sword. After his family was killed by Sulphur, he went mad with grief and lived only for revenge. He decided to fight darkness with darkness, and absorbed dark energy from the various monsters he encountered. Eventually, his once beautiful Sacred Sword became a pitch-black blade of darkness, Shiva.

* When you finally assemble the Nobitsura Kage in ''[[VideoGame/ShadowWarrior2013 Shadow Warrior]]'', the weapon looks like the blade was forged from obsidian with lava-cracks running through it. It's the most powerful weapon you get ([[EleventhHourSuperpower though you only get to play around with it at the very end of the game]]) and fires off {{Sword Beam}}s that cut through the crowds of enemies running at you, and has a high rate of fire. It's also the only thing that will kill an Ancient, since the Ancients are otherwise immortal.

* ''WebVideo/CriticalRole'': Craven Edge, the sword formerly wielded by Sylas Briarwood and given to Grog after his death, is an obsidian blade that absorbs the blood of those it wounds and grants their strength to its wielder. [[spoiler:Unfortunately, it is also capable of influencing its wielder's mind, and once it's fully-powered, it is capable of absorbing their soul.]]

* ''Franchise/StarWars'': The Darksaber, a unique black-bladed lightsaber introduced in ''[[WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars The Clone Wars]]'' and also makes an appearance in ''[[WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels Rebels]]'', is actually a subversion, despite providing the page image. It was made by Tarre Vizsla, the first Mandalorian Jedi, and while it looks very cool and has a lot of cultural significance, it ultimately works no differently than any other lightsaber.[[note]]The only notable differences are that it's hilt is made of beskar and it appears to be an EmpathicWeapon as while it has some weight compared to the usual lightsaber it's weight can differ greatly depending on the mental state of the user.[[/note]]

** In ''Rebels'', it comes into the possession of fellow Mandalorian Sabine Wren, who unlike Vizsla, is a good guy. She gets some training from a Jedi in how to use it , and then actively avoids actually using it in combat as anything but a symbol. In fact, in the situation shown in the page image, Kanan is deliberately letting her win a training bout to make a point about committing to learning how to use the weapon. It later returns to the hands of Bo-Katan, who wields it as the true leader of Mandalore... [[spoiler:until ''Series/TheMandalorian'', when Moff Gideon destroys the planet, wipes out its populace, and steals the weapon from her]].

* At one point, civilizations capable of creating the much darker steel (from which the term ''black''smith came from) ''is'' this trope, especially if their neighbors were using the comparatively inferior bronze weapons.

* In Mashima's previous work ''Manga/RaveMaster'', the EvilCounterpart sword Decalogus is mostly black in all his forms. Then there's the TMC's ninth form, Sacrifar, a pitch black jagged scimitar that bestows a great power to the user, but also merge with his arm and turn him into a psychotic, restless berserker. Last but not least, [[DarkIsEvil Doryuu's]] swords are both darkness-related and mostly black.

* ''Manga/SoulEater''
** Masamune ''is'' [[EquippableAlly one]] and after Tsubaki defeats him she gains this ability as well. Slightly subverted when Tsubaki, during hers and Black★Star's battle against Masamune, claims that now that's black the blade has lost some of its original beauty.

** From the old ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' S-series tournament modules (which includes the infamous ''TabletopGame/TombOfHorrors''), White Plume Mountain had Blackrazor, described as a piece of the night sky, filled with stars.

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* In most of the ''Literature/FightingFantasy'' gamebooks, black swords are usually evil weapons employed by the villains, such as [[Literature/TempleOfTerror Malbordus (which may paralyze you in three hits, like a ghoul's claw)]], [[Literature/SwordOfTheSamurai Ikiru (may one-hit kill you]], or [[Literature/NightOfTheNecromancer the Shadow King and his Dread Knights]], though sometimes the player gets to use one, such as in ''Literature/LegendOfZagor'' as the InfinityPlusOneSword for Braxus.

** There's also the ninth-level Arcane spell, [[http://dndtools.eu/spells/magic-of-faerun--20/black-blade-of-disaster--1605 Black Blade of Disaster.]] It bypasses magic barriers, attacks on its own, and disintegrates anything it crits. ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms'' only, sorry.
** And from the old Advanced Dungeons and Dragons S-series tournament modules (which includes the infamous TombOfHorrors), White Plume Mountain had Blackrazor, described as a piece of the night sky, filled with stars.

* ''Website/SCPFoundation'': SCP-076-2 can summon bladed weapons made of a mysterious non-reflective black material.