Amazing Swords in Fantasy Literature

Fantasy is the most read genre in the world, and for good reason too. Fantasy books hold worlds inside them, filled with magical beings and enviable powers. You become the character’s companion in his quests, friend to his friends, and enemy to his enemies. However, there is another confidant with you and the character during those quests. The swords of our favorite characters are a subject of infinite discussions. Over the years, swords of the fictional world have developed fan bases of their own. 

The Sword of Gryffindor (Harry Potter)

The sword of Gryffindor was made in the 10th century by the Goblin King, Ragnuk the First. He was the finest of Goblin silversmiths at the time, and the sword was made to Gryffindor’s specifications. The sword is fashioned from pure silver with rubies set into it. The name of Godric Gryffindor is engraved just below the hilt. 

The sword first enters the Harry Potter series, when it appears inside the sorting hat in the chamber of secrets. Harry Potter used the sword to kill the Basilisk. The sword makes an appearance again when it is left to Harry by Dumbledore in his will. The sword was found by Harry in a lake in the forest of Dean where he used it to destroy a Horcrux. Throughout the last book, Harry wields the sword on numerous occasions, but it was Neville that last used it. He cut off the head of Voldemort’s snake Nagini with it and destroyed the last Horcrux. If we talk about the topmost sword of fantasy literature, it would be the Sword of Gryffindor.

Elucidator Sword of Kirito (Sword Art Online)

The Elucidator Sword from Sword Art Online is Kirito’s primary weapon. It is a long sword wielded in one hand. It has a signature black color with a little grey in it. The sword has a black hilt followed by a handguard that drops down the right side. The blade is pitch black with slight shades of grey along the edges. In the original illustrations, we can see a cross engraved right at the end of the sword. 

The sword was a boss drop on the 50th floor and Kirito carried it throughout the series with his other sword, the Dark Repulser. The sword starts with +39 stats and was upgraded by the blacksmith Lisbeth to +40 in August 2024. When Kirito started playing Alfheim Online, he found the Elucidator in his saved items from Sword Art Online. However, due to the data being corrupted, he had to delete all his saved items. 

Below are the stats for the sword.

  • Range: Short
  • Type: Slash
  • Attack: 700-710
  • Durability: 1350
  • Weight: 170
  • Requires: 61
  • Equip +50
  • Agility +28
  • Strength +48

You can learn more about the Elucidator Sword here – Introduction to the Elucidator Sword of Kirito from Sword Art Online

Blackfyre (The Game of Thrones)

This blade was made of Valyrian steel and was created by the Valyrian Freehold. It belonged to King Aegon I Targaryen, who carried it during the Targaryen conquest of the seven kingdoms. It became an heirloom of House Targaryen and was inherited by all future Targaryen Kings. The sword finally disappeared after Aegon IV gave it to his bastard son, Daemon Blackfyre, who went on to rebel against Targaryen rule. 

After his death, Daemon’s children wielded the sword throughout the long stretched rebellion.  The revolt was named the Blackfyre Rebellion, after the iconic sword. Blackfyre was lost in the war. Blackfyre is still known to be one of the revolutionary and fantasizing swords in literature.

Ice (The Game of Thrones)

Ice was the Valyrian long-sword of the House of Stark. It was made in ancient Valyria and was passed down through generations of the Stark bloodline. It was kept safe in a scabbard made of wolf pelts.  Ice was wielded by Eddard Stark, The Lord of Winterfell, during his lifetime. In an ironic twist, it was also the sword he was killed by. The sword was then kept as a trophy in King’s landing and was later melted to form 2 new swords, Widow’s Wail and Oath Keeper. Widow’s Wail was later given to Jeoffrey as a wedding gift.

Dawn (The Game of Thrones)

Dawn is the name of the ancestral sword of the house of Dayne. It was made from the heart of a fallen star. Dawn was considered as pale as milk and strong enough to rival valyrian steel. Only a knight of the house of Dayne was allowed to wield it, and he was called “The Sword of The Morning”. When the Mad king ruled the land, Sir Arthur Dayne, of the King’s guard used the sword for the last time. He was killed using his own sword and Eddard Stark took Dawn with him. The sword was returned to the House of Dayne at Starfall but it was not used again. It is truly one of the best swords in fantasy literature.

Narsil (The Lord of the Rings)

Narsil was the name of the sword used by the human king Elendil, in his fight with Sauron. The sword was crafted in the First Age, by the dwarf Telchar in Nogrod. It was broken when Elendil fell on it during the battle, and Elendil’s son, Isildur used the shard from the sword to cut the Ring of Sauron from his finger. The sword was named “The Sword that was Broken”, and its shards were passed down by Isildur’s heirs for generations. The sword was finally inherited by Aragon, where it was reforged for him and renamed Anduril.

Sting (The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings)

The Sting was a large Elvish dagger that Frodo Baggins used as a sword. The dagger was named by Bilbo Baggins when he used it to defeat spiders in Mirkwood Forest. The most characteristic part of the dagger was its ability to glow in the dark whenever goblins were near. The dagger was passed on to Frodo at the beginning of the Lords of the Rings.

The Glamdring (The Hobbit)

The Glamdring, or as nicknamed by the goblins “The beater” was forged in the First Age by the high elves in the city of Gondolin. It was first wielded by Turgon, The king of Gondolin. In the hobbit book, the sword is found by Gandalf, and he goes on to fight the Goblins of the Misty Mountains using it. 

Brisingr (The Inheritance Cycle)

In Cristopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle, the word Brisingr translates to “Fire” in the old language. The sword was made for the dragon rider, Eragon, by the elf Rhunon. The glyph for “fire” was emblazoned on the hilt and scabbard. The sword is blue with its blade, hilt, and guard all being different shades. Whenever Eragon called its name, the blade blazed in blue flames. For this special feature, fans have considered it one of the most amazing swords in fantasy literature.

Zar’roc (The inheritance Cycle)

The sword Zar’roc belonged to the dragon rider Morzan. At the beginning of the series, it is carried by the dragon rider Brom, whose dragon was killed by it. The blade of the sword is crimson, due to the blood of Brom’s dragon Saphira. The scabbard is red and ruby is fixed in its pommel. After Brom’s death, the sword comes to Eragon, who wields it in multiple battles. Finally, the sword is stolen by Morzan’s son Murtagh, who claims the sword is his as it once belonged to his father. 

Anaklusmos (Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson)

The sword so-referred through the books as “Riptide”, which is the English translation of the word “Anaklusmos”. It was used by Percy Jackson throughout the books, as his primary weapon. The blade was made of celestial bronze and was originally given to Hercules by Zoe. 

According to Chiron’s legend, the sword was made in Mount Etna and cooled in the River Lethe in the underworld. The sword draws its power from the sea, and so only works for the children of Poseidon. The blade is first given to Percy, in the form of a ballpoint pen, by Chiron to defeat the fury Alecto. This was truly an amazing sword from all the fantasy literature.

Seraph Blades (The Shadowhunter Chronicles)

The Seraph blades are used by the shadow hunters to kill demons and return them to hell. They are forged by the iron sisters and have angelic powers. 

Suggested Reading – Ultimate Guide to Swords

Conclusion

Swords from fantasy literature all have their own stories. Their beginnings, powers, and ends all have as much of a role in any good story as any character does. Some swords are even more well-known than the person who wielded them. With fascinating powers, a blazing fire, and wicked names, it is hard to resist the urge of wanting your very own magical blade. While we may never get one, we can certainly admire our favorite characters with their blade.