Weapons and Wielding Tropes

All about weapons and what people do with them.

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Non-specific Weapon Tropes:

Adaptational Weapon Swap: When a character's signature weapon changes in between adaptations.
Ammo-Using Melee Weapon: Melee weapons that need things like fuel for maximum effect.
Ancestral Weapon: An old weapon passed down through generations.
Anchored Attack Stance: Preparation for using a weapon with significant recoil.
Arbitrary Weapon Range: Projectiles become less effective either the farther from the source or at a closer range, or disappear altogether.
Archaic Weapon for an Advanced Age: Yesterday's weapons are just as useful in the future.
Arms Dealer: Their business is selling weapons.
As Lethal as It Needs to Be: A weapon's effect changes based on the scenario.
Axes at School: Someone brought a weapon to school!
Barbaric Battleaxe: Barbarians usually wield battleaxes as their weapon of choice.
Bifurcated Weapon: A weapon that can split into multiple weapons, or multiple weapons that can merge into one.
Bigger Stick: The best weapon wins.
Brandishment Bluff: Using fake weapons to make real threats.
Breakable Weapons: Your weapon won't last forever.
Brutish Character, Brutish Weapon: Strong or brutal characters are associated with powerful, direct or crude weaponry.
Can't Bathe Without a Weapon: Taking a weapon to bathtime, just in case.
Converted into a Weapon: A weapon that was once a person or contain the brain, soul or essence of one.
Crystal Weapon: Weapons made of crystals are cool.
Dangerous Backswing: Accidentally hitting something behind you when attacking something in front.
Destroy the Villain's Weapon
Distract and Disarm: Distracting an enemy while at disadvantage to get their weapons away.
Double Weapon: Two blades in one.
Draw Sword, Draw Blood: Pulled out a weapon? Better not waste it.
Elegant Weapon for a More Civilized Age: A once-common weapon can still kick ass under those skilled with it.
Elemental Crafting: A weapon's effectiveness is determined by its material.
Elemental Weapon
Emergency Weapon: It's not very effective, but at least it won't break.
Empathic Weapon: A weapon with personality.
The Enemy Weapons Are Better: Your foes always have the better weapons.
Equipment-Based Progression: Your power is just as good as your weapon.
Equippable Ally: Using your friend as a weapon.
Evil Weapon: The weapon's alive and it is NOT friendly.
Evolving Weapon: A weapon becomes stronger over time, without direct upgrades.
Exotic Weapon Supremacy: Powerful characters have unique and fancy weapons.
Extended Disarming: Someone forced to give up their weapons ends up having many more than expected.
Fantastic Race Weapon Affinity: When a fictional species or culture strongly favors the use of one type of weapon.
Family-Friendly Firearms: Characters on kids' shows get laser guns, not bullet guns.
Flying Weapon: The best weapons don't need users.
Forged by the Gods: A weapon made by a higher being.
Full-Potential Upgrade: You've outgrown that old weapon, time for a new one!
Giant's Knife; Human's Greatsword: Different sized beings, different sized weapons.
Girl with Psycho Weapon: Big boy weapons used by an innocent-looking girl.
Give Me a Sword: Requesting a weapon.
Glass Weapon
Good Weapon, Evil Weapon: Weapon type = alignment.
Guns in Church: Bringing a weapon where you really shouldn't.
Guns vs. Swords: Gun or sword, what do you choose?
Happy Fun Ball: A weapon is more dangerous than its appearance suggests.
Healing Shiv: Most weapons are for hurting, but not this weapon.
Heavy Equipment Class: A character or class that stands out due to proficiency with heavier weaponry.
He's Got a Weapon!: What you say when he's got a weapon.
Hidden Supplies: Hiding a weapon in a secret place.
Hidden Weapons: Hiding a weapon on your own person.
Hungry Weapon: This weapon needs to kill.
Hyperspace Mallet: Where did that weapon come from?
IKEA Weaponry: A weapon that you need to put together before using.
Improbable Use of a Weapon: That's not how you use that.
Impromptu Fortress: A non-military place is transformed into a makeshift citadel.
Improvised Scattershot: A projectile splits in two on something it struck mid-flight.
Infinity -1 Sword: A powerful weapon that's not the best but is easier to get or use.
Infinity +1 Sword: A powerful weapon that's the best, but is very hard to get or use.
Intimidation Demonstration: Using a weapon to demonstrate your might.
The Lethal Connotation of Guns and Others: Bullets cause lethal wounds, other weapons don't.
Left Your Lifesaver Behind: You have the right tool for the job. Just not with you.
Legendary Weapon: An ancient and powerful weapon known of by all.
Like Cannot Cut Like: Omnipotent weapons can't break things made of the same material as itself.
Living Weapon
Lost Superweapon: Yesterday's weapons were far superior, but they're gone now.
Ludicrous Mêlée Accuracy: A character who owns a melee weapon and really, really knows how to use it.
Magical Weapon
Magnet Hands: Never dropping your weapon, no matter how improbable.
Magnetic Weapons: Weapons that use magnetic force rather than controlled explosions to launch projectiles.
The Man Makes the Weapon: Using an unlikely weapon to great effect.
Map Stabbing: A sharp weapon is used to impale a map, as opposed to a person.
A Master Makes Their Own Tools
Mix-and-Match Weapon: A weapon made of multiple weapons and retains their functionalities.
Morph Weapon: A weapon that changes form.
National Weapon: Different groups have unique weapons.
Natural Weapon: A character has dangerous body parts that negate the need for weapons.
Nemesis Weapon: Arch-enemies have contrasting weapons.
Nerf Arm: Fake weapon, real danger.
No-Gear Level: Your weapons can't be used here.
Non-Lethal Deadly Weapon: A non-dangerous weapon is treated as dangerous.
Nothing Up My Sleeve: Except there is.
Not-So-Fake Prop Weapon: You thought that weapon was fake. You were wrong.
One-Handed Zweihänder: A powerful character can use a two-handed weapon with one hand.
Only the Chosen May Wield: Not just anyone can use this weapon.
Parrying Bullets: Blocking projectiles with a melee weapon.
Pathetic Drooping Weapon: When a weapon starts drooping to signify literal or figurative uselessness in a situation.
Penultimate Weapon: The most powerful weapon isn't.
Person of Holding: Storing weapons inside your body.
Phallic Weapon: A weapon is regarded as a penis metaphor.
Phlebotinum-Handling Requirements: Terms and conditions for a supernatural weapon.
Point Defenseless: Flying heroes can't be hit by projectiles.
Point That Somewhere Else: Someone holding a weapon to you? Just push it away.
Poisoned Weapons
Power Equals Rarity: Powerful weapons are few and far-between.
Powers via Weapon: A character's powers come from their weapon.
Quick Melee: Melee weapons can be used immediately when switching to them, however improbable.
Rejected by the Empathic Weapon: A sentient weapon refuses or resists a wielder.
Retractable Weapon
Reverse Grip: Holding a bladed weapon pointy end down.
Rock Beats Laser: Beating an advanced weapon with a primitive weapon.
Scaramanga Special: IKEA Weaponry whose individual parts are unassuming.
Scarred Equipment: Battle-worn weapons show their experience.
Scrappy Weapon: A video game weapon that players hate using.
Secret Weapon: They're hiding something powerful, if only we knew what it is!
Self-Defenseless: Pepper spray? Stun guns? Useless.
Self-Destruct Mechanism
Set Swords to "Stun": Dangerous weapons that don't kill.
Shapeshifter Weapon: A shape-shifter creates a weapon by turning themselves or part of their body into one.
Situational Sword: A weapon that's only effective in the right conditions.
Socketed Equipment: Upgrade it by putting things onto it.
Sorting Algorithm of Weapon Effectiveness: Weapons you find later will always be more powerful.
Spectral Weapon Copy: A duplicate weapon made of Applied Phlebotinum.
Spell Blade: An enchanted weapon.
Spontaneous Weapon Creation: Producing a weapon right then and there, no Hammerspace required.
Stat Sticks: A weapon you only carry for the stat buffs.
Sticks to the Back: You can put your weapon on your back, even if there's nothing to hold it there.
Stock Ninja Weaponry: Stereotypical ninja tools.
Stock Wushu Weapons: Stereotypical Chinese weapons.
Super Weapon, Average Joe: Powerful weapons can be wielded effectively by literally anyone.
Summon to Hand
Swiss-Army Weapon: Out of one, many.
Sword and Fist: Fighting with and without your weapon.
Sword Limbo: Leaning backward to dodge a blade.
Sword of Damocles: A weapon so huge and powerful, just the threat of using it enough to subdue others.
Sword over Head: You've bested your foe and can kill them now... but should you?
Swords to Plowshares: Weapons are repurposed for more utilitarian functions.
Take Up My Sword: Take the place of a defeated hero.
Talking Weapon: The weapon can and will tell you what it wants.
They Call Him "Sword": A character uses a weapon's name as an alias.
This Banana is Armed: A pretend weapon that works just like a real one.
*Twang* Hello: A character fires an arrow to reveal their presence.
Ultimate Blacksmith: A supernatural or otherwise powerful smith.
Ultimate Forge: The most powerful weapon can only be made here.
Unbreakable Weapons: A weapon that's far more durable than in Real Life.
Unholy Holy Sword: An Evil Weapon that pretends to be good.
Use Their Own Weapon Against Them: A character has their own weapon used against them in battle by their opponent. This often (but not always) results in the weapon's original owner's defeat or death.
Utility Weapon: A weapon that has a use outside of combat.
Weapon-Based Characterization: A character's weapon of choice tells you something about their personality.
Weapon Grip Failure: Unintentionally dropping your weapon.
Weapon Jr.: A toy version of a Legendary Weapon.
Weapon Specialization: A specific weapon that a character tends to use.
Weapon of Peace: Weapons of war that allegedly are meant for fostering world peace.
Weapon of X-Slaying: A weapon that's more effective against a certain thing.
Weapon Running Time: A projectile's time to hit its target is long enough for things to happen.
Weapon Title: A work named after its central weapon.
Weapon Wields You: A weapon that can control its user.
Weaponized Animal: Animals that can carry weapons and use them effectively.
Weapons Breaking Weapons: A weapon breaks another weapon (e.g. a sword slicing through another sword).
Weapons Kitchen Sink: All the weapons are here, even if some of them don't make sense.
Weapons That Suck: A weapon that pulls you in.
What the Fu Are You Doing?: Martial arts: You're doing it wrong.
"With Our Swords" Scene: One person using everyone's weapons.
The Workhorse: This weapon's not new or fancy, but it gets the job done.
Wrecked Weapon: The villain breaks the hero's weapon.

The Aesthetics of Weapons

Elaborate Equals Effective: The stronger a weapon is, the fancier it looks.
Face-Design Shield: A shield bears a face as its design, or is a face.
Impossibly Cool Weapon: Physics need not apply.
Oddly Shaped Sword: A blade has a shape that looks cool but is impractical for damaging things.
Ornamental Weapon: A weapon you carry around visibly, but don't actually use.
Our Weapons Will Be Boxy in the Future: Big, bulky, cube-y guns.
Sucking-In Lines: Lines spiraling towards a weapon to denote charging.
Wall of Weapons: All the weapons, displayed on a wall.
Weapon for Intimidation: A weapon is made to frighten people rather than be effective in a fight.
Weapon Tombstone: A weapon is used to mark a grave.
Weapon Twirling

Aiming Projectiles

Exactly What I Aimed At: A projectile misses the obvious target, but the wielder was aiming for something else.
Fixed Forward-Facing Weapon: A huge weapon on a vehicle that can only be aimed by turning the whole vehicle.
Homing Lasers: Lasers that bend around obstacles to reach their target.
Homing Projectile: Projectiles, especially missiles, that chase down their target.
Improbable Aiming Skills: A projectile striking something that seems impossible to strike.
Improvised Scattershot: A projectile splits in two on something it struck mid-flight.
Pocket Rocket Launcher: A miniaturized rocket launcher, either with or without explosive/Trick Bomb ammo. Usually depicted as more potent than regular weapons at any distance, despite rockets having an Arbitrary Weapon Range.
Precision-Guided Boomerang: Boomerangs always come back to their thrower, no matter what.
Roboteching: Projectiles that change direction midair to reach their target.
William Telling: Shooting something off someone's head without hurting them.

Carrying and Wielding Multiple Weapons

Bow and Sword in Accord: Holding a bow and a sword at the same time.
Choice of Two Weapons: Learning how to use two different weapons is better than being the best at using one.
Dual Wielding: Holding two weapons at once.
Guns Akimbo: Both hands are using a gun.
Hammer and Sickle: A hammer and sickle are used at the same time, often symbolically.
Hyperspace Arsenal: Having more weapons than you can logically carry.
Knightly Sword and Shield: Knights and similar people are proficient in using a sword and shield.
Master of the Levitating Blades: Fighting with many Flying Weapons.
Multi-Melee Master: Effectively using distinctly different melee weapons.
Multi-Ranged Master: Effectively using distinctly different ranged weapons.
The Musketeer: Wielding both a melee and ranged weapon, but not at the same time.
Sword and Gun: Holding a sword and gun in each hand.
Sword/Shield Contrast: Metaphorically describing things as a sword or shield.
Trenchcoat Warfare: A Badass Longcoat with many weapons hidden inside.
Walking Armory: Having many, many weapons with you.

What's in a Weapon Name?

Cute as a Bouncing Betty: Big scary weapons with comically cute names.
I Call It "Vera": A character names their weapons.
Named Weapons: An individual weapon with a non-generic name.
Stock Weapon Names: Unique weapons have unique names to demonstrate their uniqueness.

Assorted Weapons

Aerosol Flamethrower: Igniting aerosol spray to great effect.
Armed with Pepper Spray: Pepper spray used as a defensive weapon, especially by women.
Attack Drone: An unmanned weaponized device.
Blow Gun: A tube that can be blown into to propel a dart.
Booze Flamethrower: Spitting alcohol through a flame produces a jet of fire.
Caltrops: A tetrahedral pointy thing left on the ground for tire damage or Agony of the Feet.
Chain Pain: Using a chain as a weapon.
Devil's Pitchfork: Tridents associated with and used as weapons by evil characters, particularly Satan and other demonic characters.
Epic Flail: A spikeball on a chain.
Extendo Boxing Glove: A boxing glove that pops out on an extendable arm.
Hooks and Crooks: Using a hook or hook-shaped item as a weapon.
Hot Blade
Inescapable Net: Throw a net over someone and they're down for the count.
Instant Chucks: Two weapons connected by a chain.
Knows the Ropes: Using a rope or string as a weapon.
Lightning Lash: A whip that uses or is made of electricity.
Nail 'Em: Using a nail gun as a weapon.
Pile Bunker: Using a pile driver as a weapon.
Powerful Pick: Using a pickaxe as a weapon.
Prongs of Poseidon: Tridents associated with and used as weapons by sea creatures or ocean deities.
Razor Floss: Strings sharp enough to cut.
Rings of Death: A large hoop used as a weapon.
Sonic Stunner: Weaponized sound.
Static Stun Gun: Weaponized electricity meant to stun.
Taser Tag Weakness: Using electricity to defeat a powerful foe.
Variable-Length Chain: The chain is as long as you need it to be.
Whip of Dominance: Using a whip as a symbol of dominance, control, authority, or sadism.

Bladed Weapons

Weapons and Wielding Tropes

Alternative Title(s): Weapon Tropes

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Weapons and Wielding Tropes

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Alternative Title(s): Weapon Tropes

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