History Main / SwordFight

* A number in ''Fanfic/WithStringsAttached''--not involving the protagonists, though--the most notable being when As'taris fights Aurion; the latter wins when she zaps As with her pink sword, which seemingly turns him into her adoring slave. [[spoiler: Since he helped ''make'' that sword, unbeknownst to her, he's immune to it and [[ForTheLulz just screwing with her]].]]
** Also, when As fights the brought-to-life statue of "Biggus Dickus," who is fighting back with his [[GagPenis leg-long penis]].

* Many in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11298331/1/A-different-weasel-makes-a-difference A different weasel makes a difference]]'', given the time period. Special mention however goes to the duel between Stannis and Euron, which is a BattleHaltingDuel and remembered by those who saw it as "one of the most epic sword fights they ever watched."
** Defied earlier, in the "fight" between Euron and Aegon is explicitly described as ''not'' being an epic duel. Euron is an experienced raider and fighter and Aegon had never fought a true life and death battle before. It was over in less than a minute.

** In the ''[[Film/IndianaJonesAndTheTempleOfDoom Temple of Doom]]'' however, Indy does fight some of Mola Ram's henchmen with swords.

* Probably the most technically flawless sword fight in cinema would have to be the climactic duel between Creator/TyronePower and Creator/BasilRathbone in the 1940 version of ''Film/{{The Mark of Zorro|1940}}''. Honestly, almost any film with either of those two in it has excellent fencing, since both of them were excellent swordsmen (Rathbone was twice British Army fencing champion) in RealLife. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB8tiSMCwRE Here]] is a clip of the match.
** Sometimes their skill was used to make their opponent look good, as when either went up against Creator/ErrolFlynn.

* ''Film/ConanTheBarbarian1982'' features a number of examples (including one where Conan somehow parries a ''[[DropTheHammer warhammer]]'' with his Atlantean sword), but the most memorable one is probably his fight with Rexor, who's wielding Conan's father's sword, where he breaks said sword, after which the "fight" quickly degenerates into Conan hacking into Rexor.

** The climactic dual between Rhaegar Targaryen and Robert Baratheon at the climax of Robert's Rebellion (though Robert is wielding [[DropTheHammer an exceptionally large warhammer]]) wherein Robert wins the throne by smashing Rhaegar's chest in.

* In ''Manga/{{Bakugan}}'' New Vestroia the Bakugan system is down and then Spectra draws an ability cards which activates a beam sword in the gauntlets and Dan and Spectra duel, the duel ends in a draw.
** In a later episode Spectra and Mylene have a duel as well, as before it ends in a draw but unlike the first time only one party escapes, Mylene and Shadow are sent to the ends of the dimension.
** In Mechtanium Surge Dan and Mag Mel (Barodius) have an energy sword fight but it ends in a draw.

** In [[Recap/DoctorWhoS34E3RobotOfSherwood "Robot of Sherwood"]], although this time [[SubvertedTrope he decides]] ''[[SubvertedTrope not]]'' [[SubvertedTrope to use a sword]]. Who needs one when you can win a duel against RobinHood with a FunnySpoon?

* Averted in ''Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit''. Judge Doom has a SwordCane. Eddie Valiant opens an AcmeProducts box marked "Singing Sword" and draws out the sword...which [[VisualGag starts singing]] "Wicked Witchcraft" by Music/FrankSinatra. Eddie quickly picks another box.

* ''Franchise/{{Dune}}'': Personal shields stop any object traveling above a certain speed so projectile weapons are obsolete, and lasers trigger a fusion reaction when they hit a shield. So most fighting is done with sword and dagger.

** Whatever happened to dinner and a movie?
* In the ''Series/{{Firefly}}'' episode "Shindig", Mal engages in a "duel of honor" with Atherton Wing. He tries for either fist fighting or a gun duel first. Mal, despite generally being proficient in more modern methods of fighting, has ''no'' clue how to fight with a sword. (Gentleman: "If you require it, any gentleman here can give you use of his sword." Mal: "Use of his s-what?") He has to learn from ''[[HookerWithAHeartOfGold Inara]]'' (who is, as part of her back story, classically trained in pretty much everything).
** Played with in [[TheMovie the Big Damn Movie]], where Mal has to fight the Operative hand-to-hand after losing his gun. When the Operative draws his sword, Mal's counter is with a ''screwdriver''.

* In ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'', despite being friends with Riff, and therefore having access to most forms of weaponry known to man, Torg tends to prefer using his [[EmpathicWeapon talking sword]] Chaz in battle. This is usually justified, however, since Chaz can kill just about anything in a single strike, even near-omnipotent immortals. Plus, most of the times Torg's used Chaz have been when he's stuck in [[FantasyGunControl another world]] or time where there aren't any firearms around.

* ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline'': The players use swordplay in their fighting. No {{Flynning}} here in the original story arc as players [[spoiler: are trapped in this virtual MMORPG]] and must literally fight their way through many enemies. In a later story arc in the light novels in another virtual game where guns are the primary weapon, the hero still prefers a sword. As TheAce, [[ImplausibleFencingPowers he makes it work.]]

[[RoyalRapier Rapiers]], [[MacheteMayhem cutlasses]], [[KatanasAreJustBetter katanas]], [[{{BFS}} two-handers]], {{Laser Blade}}s, whatever. At times, a goodie and a baddie just have to have a one-on-one fight, with UsefulNotes/{{Swords}}. Sometimes even two heros might cross blades in a sporting, non-lethal match, to work out a kink in their {{Bromance}}.

Bonus points when it's a modern setting such as laye 20th centuryor early 21st century, and using a blade is AwesomeButImpractical because you NeverBringAKnifeToAGunFight and the hero is far less likely to possess the training needed to use a sword. Exactly why this is the case varies. In some settings, swords offer advantages [[GunsAreWorthless that guns do not]]. Perhaps the predominant point-defensive system is effective against ranged weaponry and not against blades, à la ''Franchise/{{Dune}}''. Sometimes the enemy and duelists are [[ImmuneToBullets invulnerable to ranged weapons]], such as through using the Force or ImplausibleFencingPowers to deflect bullets, which means that they must battle in close-range with formalized sword martial arts that counteract this invulnerability. Perhaps it is a [[DuelToTheDeath formalized duel]] where modern weapons are forbidden by an honor code. Maybe there's another consideration, like the risk of gunfire damaging, for example, the delicate electronics or hull of the CoolStarship. Perhaps due to a gas leak, or a high-value hostage nearby, no guns can be used. Or perhaps the people using swords or edged weapons are just ''that'' [[RuleOfCool cool]], à la [[Franchise/StarWars the Jedi]]. Sometimes, of course, it is left unexplained.

In any given story, [[HeroesPreferSwords the main character is fairly likely to be somewhat proficient with a sword]]. In stories, this is true frm settings ranging from antiquity to the middle ages to the Victorian era, to futuristic sci-fi planets (though in the sci-fi setting, the sword may be a laser blade). Sword fights are depicted in video games, anime, and certain sci-fi-fantasy stories, indeed, large segments of the population are shown to prefer swords as their primary weapons, over any firearms that may be available. This is true even in many cases where it would be far more intelligent to use a firearm. In warrior societies (e.g. Samurai), this may be due to a warrior's code.

[[RoyalRapier Rapiers]], [[MacheteMayhem cutlasses]], [[KatanasAreJustBetter katanas]], [[{{BFS}} two-handers]], {{Laser Blade}}s, whatever. At times, a goodie and a baddie just have to have a one-on-one fight, with UsefulNotes/{{Swords}}. Sometimes even two heros might cross blades in a sporting, non-lethal to work out a kink in their {{Bromance}}.

[[RoyalRapier Rapiers]], [[MacheteMayhem cutlasses]], [[KatanasAreJustBetter katanas]], [[{{BFS}} two-handers]], {{Laser Blade}}s, whatever. At times, a goodie and a baddie just have to have a one-on-one fight, with UsefulNotes/{{Swords}}.

In any given story, [[HeroesPreferSwords the main character is fairly likely to be somewhat proficient with a sword]]. In video games, anime, and certain sci-fi-fantasy stories, indeed, large segments of the population prefer swords as their primary weapons, over any firearms that may be available. This is true even in many cases where it would be far more intelligent to use a firearm.

Bonus points when it's a modern setting, and using a blade is AwesomeButImpractical because you NeverBringAKnifeToAGunFight and the hero is far less likely to possess the training needed to use a sword. Exactly why this is the case varies. In some settings, swords offer advantages [[GunsAreWorthless that guns do not]]. Perhaps the predominant point-defensive system is effective against ranged weaponry and not against blades, à la ''Franchise/{{Dune}}''. Sometimes the enemy and duelists are [[ImmuneToBullets invulnerable to ranged weapons]], such as through using the Force or ImplausibleFencingPowers to deflect bullets, which means that they must battle in close-range with formalized sword martial arts that counteract this invulnerability. Perhaps it is a [[DuelToTheDeath formalized duel]] where modern weapons are forbidden. Maybe there's another consideration, like the risk of gunfire damaging, for example, the delicate electronics or hull of the CoolStarship. Or perhaps the people using swords or edged weapons are just ''that'' [[RuleOfCool cool]], à la [[Franchise/StarWars the Jedi]]. Sometimes, of course, it is left unexplained.

A similar trope results when two characters choose to battle each other [[GoodOldFisticuffs with their bare hands]], for absolutely no reason at all. Even if one of them (usually the hero) has a gun, he will throw it away, preferring the visceral satisfaction (and added chance of failure) of beating his rival's face in. Again, this has no practical value in nearly all cases.

* ''Anime/GreatMazinger'' -the sequel to ''Anime/MazingerZ''- was the first HumongousMecha used swords like weapon (even before ''Anime/VoltesV'' or ''Anime/GoLion''). TheHero Tetsuya was quite profficient using them, and he even did DualWield. Naturally he had several sword duels throughout the series, the most famous and most fondly remembered against TheDragon Great General of Darkness.

* ''Film/DollFactory'': Kay's brother [[{{Nerd}} Melvin]] engages [[BigBad Yegor]] in a sword fight in the titular factory in the film's climax.

[[RoyalRapier Rapiers]], [[MacheteMayhem cutlasses]], [[KatanasAreJustBetter katanas]], [[{{BFS}} broadswords]], {{Laser Blade}}s, whatever. At times, a goodie and a baddie just have to have a one-on-one fight, with UsefulNotes/{{Swords}}.