History Main / SwordAndFist

* In ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline'', the Martial Arts skill seems to be more of a supplement to weapon-based skills rather than something people specialise in. There are even combos like Meteor Break and Meteor Fall which alternate between unarmed blows and sword slashes, and require both Martial Arts and a weapon-based skill to use.

Subtrope of ChoiceOfTwoWeapons. Often a sign of a CombatPragmatist. For characters who ''switch'' between armed and unarmed combat (but don't use both in combination), see MultiMeleeMaster. Compare also the JustForFun/GunCounterpart--GunFu (sort of).

* Travis Touchdown from ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes'' uses this type of fighting style along with [[WrestlerInAllOfUS wrestling]] moves. in the first game, Travis's non-sword attacks were used to stun or break a guard of an enemy or boss, so you could pull off a grapple that either do large damage or kill a mook. The damage output for his punch attacks were minimal, but you could charge it to stun targets faster. The sequel revamped his punch and kick attacks to do decent damage on top of stunning mooks and bosses.
* Much like its spiritual predecessor, Mondo Zappa, from ''VideoGame/KillerIsDead'' has too. Albeit, his left arm, Musselback, is used break guards or stun. You could upgrade for a full charge attack that could stun a wire instantly.

* It is entirely possible to roll a Fighter in TabletopGame/{{Dungeons and Dragons}} 4E that operates on this trope, with specific powers that have secondary effects if using a bladed weapon in one hand while having a free off hand. Descriptions range from a quick sucker punch following a successful sword strike, to cuffing someone by the collar for more efficient stabbing and slashing. There are even supporting Feats that will help accentuate this specific type of character build.

* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'':
** In ''Brawl'', while Ike is simply a swordsman in his [[Franchise/FireEmblem home series]], and mostly uses [[{{BFS}} Ragnell]] in his attacks, his neutral A combos has him punch and kick before swinging his sword down. He also punches and kicks his opponents in his [[LimitBreak final smash]], Great Aether, in between [[BladeSpam slashing at them]].
** In ''Wii U/3DS'', Ike returns and fights very similarly to his ''Brawl'' performance. Also added is [[VideoGame/{{Xenoblade}} Shulk]], who also uses punches and kicks to set up some of his Monado strikes.
** Actually, since every fighter has a grab, pummel, and throw move, any given playable swordfighter in the game that uses nothing but his/her sword (i.e. [[Franchise/FireEmblem Marth, Roy, Lucina]], [[VideoGame/{{Kirby}} Meta Knight]], [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Cloud]], and the aforementioned Ike and Shulk) could be considered to utilize this.

** Actually, since every fighter has a grab, pummel, and throw move, any given playable swordfighter in the game that uses nothing but his/her sword (i.e. [[Franchise/FireEmblem Marth, Roy, Lucina]], [[VideoGame/{{Kirby}} Meta Knight]], and the aforementioned Ike and Shulk) could be considered to utilize this.

** In ''Brawl'', while Ike is simply a swordsman in his [[VideoGame/FireEmblem home series]], and mostly uses [[{{BFS}} Ragnell]] in his attacks, his neutral A combos has him punch and kick before swinging his sword down. He also punches and kicks his opponents in his [[LimitBreak final smash]], Great Aether, in between [[BladeSpam slashing at them]].

** Actually, since every fighter has a grab, pummel, and throw move, any given playable swordfighter in the game that uses nothing but his/her sword (i.e. [[VideoGame/FireEmblem Marth, Roy, Lucina]], [[VideoGame/{{Kirby}} Meta Knight]], and the aforementioned Ike and Shulk) could be considered to utilize this.

** In ''Brawl'', while Ike is simply a swordsman in his [[VideoGame/FireEmblem home series]], and mostly uses [[{{BFS}} Ragnell]] in his attacks, his neutral A combos has him punch and kick before swinging his sword down.

** Actually, since every fighter has a grab, pummel, and throw, any given playable swordfighter in the game that uses nothing but his/her sword (i.e. [[VideoGame/FireEmblem Marth, Roy, Lucina]], [[VideoGame/{{Kirby}} Meta Knight]], and the aforementioned Ike and Shulk) could be considered this.

* It is entirely possible to roll a Fighter in TabletopGame/{{Dungeons and Dragons}} 4E that operates on this trope, with specific powers that have secondary effects if using a bladed weapon in one hand while having a free off hand. There are even supporting Feats that will help accentuate this specific type of character build.

* It is entirely possible to build a Fighter in TabletopGame/{{Dungeons and Dragons}} 4E that operates on this trope, with specific powers that have secondary effects if using a bladed weapon in one hand while having a free off hand. There are even supporting Feats that will help accentuate this specific type of character build.

** This is Professor Stein's entire fighting style. He generally uses his weapon to block and his fist to attack. [[spoiler: He abandons this in favour of just using the weapon when he [[LetsGetDangerous stops holding his insanity back]]]].
** Maka resorts to ''[[SinisterScythe scythe]]'' and fist in her second battle against Chrona (since cutting Chrona would just let them use their [[BloodyMurder blood]] to attack).

* Some of [[TalesOfVesperia Yuri Lowell's]] artes involve a combination of acrobatic martial arts and swordplay, some being derived from the arte lists of previous ''Tales'' protagonists.

* In ''Videogame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'', [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyX Jecht]] primarily uses kicks and punches in his combos, pulling out his sword for heavier attacks. While [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyX Tidus]] and [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII Squall]] also have a few of flying kicks and tackles to compliment their swordplay.

* In ''Videogame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'', [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyX Jecht]] primarily uses kicks and punches in his combos, pulling out his sword for heavier attacks.

* Yoshimitsu and Kunimitsu in ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'', as the only two who use weapons in the otherwise bare-fist fighter game, mix martial arts with swordplay. In earlier games, sword attacks designed as [[DespersationAttack kind of last-ditch super moves]] of a sort, and were (very) few in number, but the absurdity of watching a man armed with a katana punch his opponents with his armed hand led to the grand expansion of sword-based moves in later installments.

* Yoshimitsu and Kunimitsu in ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'', as the only two who use weapons in the otherwise bare-fist fighter game, mix martial arts with swordplay. In earlier games, sword attacks designed as [[SuperMove kind of last-ditch super moves]] of a sort, and were (very) few in number, but the absurdity of watching a man armed with a katana punch his opponents with his armed hand led to the grand expansion of sword-based moves in later installments.

* Yoshimitsu and Kunimitsu in ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'', as the only two who use weapons in the otherwise bare-fist fighter game, mix martial arts with swordplay.

* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros:

* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'': While Ike is simply a swordsman from his [[VideoGame/FireEmblem home series]] and mostly uses [[{{BFS}} Ragnell]] in his attacks, his neutral A combos has him punch and kick before swinging his sword down.
** Ike returns in ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U]]'', and fights very similarly to his Brawl performance. Shulk also fights in a similar manner, using punches and kicks to set up for his Monado strikes.
* In ''Videogame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'', [[Videogame/FinalFantasyX Jecht]] primarily uses kicks and punches in his combos, pulling out his sword for heavier attacks.