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{{trope}}
[[File:
A [[Sub-Trope]] of the [[Cool Sword]],
If it appears in a videogame, it may be a [[Lethal Joke Item]], especially if it's originally listed as "[[Elemental Crafting|Rusty Iron]] Sword" or similar.
Compare to [[What a Piece of Junk!]]. If someone who doesn't recognize its true value throws it away, or sticks it in the basement with all the other worthless junk, it's the [[Grail in the Garbage]]. See also [[Wrecked Weapon]].
{{examples}}▼
▲{{examples}}
== Anime & Manga ==
* ''[[Tenchi Muyo!]]''. When Tenchi first sees the [[Laser Blade|Master Key]], a physical blade had been affixed to the hilt. This blade was in a state of extreme disrepair, prompting Tenchi to exclaim, "What a rusty old piece of junk!"
* In the hands of anyone except ''[[Inuyasha]]'', Tessaiga looks like a katana that has seen better days. It's also quite dull, though it's still almost indestructible. When InuYasha weilds it, the blade takes its [[BFS|true form]].
* Saito's sword, Derflinger, in ''[[
** This trope is also inverted near the beginning of the series when Guiche hands Saito a large, bejeweled sword. Saito can't activate his inner strength because the sword is purely ornamental and not actually meant to be used as a weapon.
* ''[[Bleach]]'': Most [[Empathic Weapon|zanpakutou]] look utterly ordinary when sealed only revealing a special look when they release their powers. The two zanpakutou that exist in permanent shikai form also fit this trope. Ichigo's zanpakutou looks half-finished, missing both a hilt and a cross-guard. It's generated comments from others who think completed swords look far better. {{spoiler|It gains a completed form much later in the manga.}} Kenpachi's sword looks chipped and damaged but it can cut anything.
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* Fyodor in ''[[Forgotten Realms|Starlight And Shadows]]'' trilogy has a [[BFS|two-handed sword, clearly too heavy]]... and ''blunt''. Far too many people didn't thought it's serious until they learned a few little details: first, it's enchanted and is sharp enough for any purpose except "friendly fire". Second, while most people can lift it with a visible effort, and that's all, the owner is built like a smith and always carries the damn thing with him, so ''he'' can use the ugly piece of metal. Third, this lad is [[The Berserker]], so when in rage he swings it with enough strength to crash a minor golem and enough speed to hit a superhumanly fast drow fencer.
* In ''Oathbreakers'', of the ''[[Heralds of Valdemar]]'' series, the long-lost Singing Sword of Rethwellan that is used to identify the country's rightful king is discovered to be none other than a rusty, dirty old sword that Kethry picked up along the wayside.
* In ''[[The Dresden Files]]'', the Knights of the Cross have three swords that can burn faeries, kill demons, and help dispatch all manner of supernatural nasties. These three swords are fairly plain, save for the nail from the Cross embedded in the hilt.
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== Tabletop Games ==
* ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' magazine #14 article "Interview with a Rust Monster": A [[PC]] party unknowingly carries the Sword of Toshio. "[It] looks like an ordinary sword, bent and worn from use. But in the hands of a samurai, it takes on its true appearance as a katana of great power."
* The Templars' swords in ''[[Deadlands]]: Hell on Earth'' are their iconic weapons and often relic or magically empowered. Physically, they are whatever kind of sword you can scavenge in a [[After the End|post-apocalyptic]] world, most often stolen from ruined museums.
== Video Games ==
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* Many of the [[Infinity+1 Sword|Celestial Weapons]] from ''[[Final Fantasy X]]'' start off looking this way and being rather useless, but with a little polish, some sharpening, and a number of mini-games, their true worth will be revealed.
* In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', the Sword of Altair (best weapon in the game) is actually the simplest and least-adorned weapon in the entire game, especially when compared with the exceptionally ornate blades and hilts of the other sabers, scimitars, and rapiers Ezio can buy. The only real adornment on the blade is a subtle eagle-head carving in the sword's pommel.
* In ''[[Lunar: The Silver Star]]'', Althena's Sword (so named for the goddess of Lunar) can only be wielded by her champion, the
** In the sequel, ''[[Lunar: Eternal Blue]]'', Althena's Sword {{spoiler|is being carried by once-[[Team Pet]] Nall, now grown up and in human form. Astute gamers will recognize it right off the bat, even though the distinctive carved golden handle is wrapped up in bandages. Nall later deems not-so-[[Silent Protagonist]] Hiro worthy of wielding it, despite him not technically passing the Dragonmaster trials.}}
* Dark Souls starts you out with a broken sword hilt. It deals pitiful damage and you get a better weapon nearly immediately, but if you hang on to it and forge it with a particular boss soul, it becomes one of the most powerful weapons in the game. Demon's Souls featured a similar weapon constructed from an equally useless sword hilt.
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{{reflist}}
[[Category:More Than Meets the Eye]]
[[Category:
[[Category:Excalibur in the Rust]]
[[Category:One Man's Trash Is Another's Treasure]]
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