Weapon of Choice: Difference between revisions
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{{trope}}
[[File:
{{quote|''Don't be shocked by the tone of my voice
''Check out my new weapon -- Weapon of Choice''
|'''[[Fatboy Slim]]''', "Weapon of Choice"}}
This is similar to [[Personality Powers]], but with weapons. Basically, in various works of fiction, characters tend to possess weapons that are either a direct reflection of their personality or the traits commonly deemed to their character type.
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** '''[[Katanas Are Just Better|Katanas]]''': If both katanas and broadswords are present, the katana will invariably be in the hands of the [[Badass]], because [[Katanas Are Just Better]]
* '''[[Machete Mayhem|Machetes]]''': The machete and related blades are used by characters who live wild, or have wild, untamed natures, calling back to its use in the wilderness. Usually used by an [[Anti-Hero]]. However, they can be used by anyone in a jungle setting, when used as a tool.
* '''[[An Axe to Grind|Axes]]''': [[Proud Warrior Race Guy
* '''[[Carry a Big Stick|Clubs]]/[[Drop the Hammer|Hammers]]''': [[Boisterous Bruiser|Big and brash]] characters, like a giant [[Smash Mook]] or [[The Big Guy]], just need the bluntest weapon they can muster: A giant club, mallet, or mace. [[Our Dwarves Are All the Same|Dwarves]] tend to like hammers, too; probably because they like forging so much. Size for size, hammers are heavier, slower, and harder hitting than axes. Smaller, more manageable versions are sometimes favored by paladins and priests or monks who [[Technical Pacifist|frown upon shedding blood, but have less compunction about causing concussions and breaking bones]]. This originated with a medieval papal mandate to discourage bloodshed between Christian nations (although blunt weapons still do shed plenty of blood). ''Dungeons and Dragons'' revived this idea in the modern world as a form of game balance, but it became popularized to the point where all fantasy clergy are depicted with blunt weapons. Very large, possibly comically oversized warhammers are also favored by a number of [[Cute Bruiser]] types in roleplaying video games. If a hammer is a mundane utility hammer, then the wielder is almost always [[Ax Crazy]].
* '''[[Simple Staff|Staves]]''': Wizards and other wise characters that rely on talents other than brute force to deal with conflict still sensibly bring at least a staff for protection. This covers the [[White Magician Girl]] and the [[Black Magician Girl]], both of whom typically use them. In the former's case, they'll typically be called Staves, while in the latter's case, they'll be Rods/Wands. It's a less lethal but still effective weapon often used by the [[Technical Pacifist]], who needs to fight but doesn't want to use deadly force. Those trying for historical accuracy may have them appear in the hands of [[Robin Hood]] and his merry men, or other persons legally or practically barred from possession of edged weapons for their close-range fighting needs.
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** '''[[Power Fist|Gauntlets and Such]]''' ...compromise with practicality. Though some have [[Red Right Hand|little choice in the matter]].
** '''[[Armed Legs|Greaves]]''': These are fighters from a martial tradition (almost exclusively Asian) who are nonetheless using "greaves," the metal shin guards worn by European knights. Such fighters use their feet as their primary attack options: what would be the point of wearing metal boots if you intended to punch someone? Technically, gauntlets and greaves are armor, not weapons... But [[Combat Pragmatist|since when has that stopped anyone]]?
** '''[[Natural Weapon
* '''[[Epic Flail|Flails and other chain weapons]]''': Halfway between a whip and a bludgeon, a big spiked ball on a chain can make for an intimidating weapon. As such, they tend to be wielded by equally intimidating [[The Brute|brutes]] and other scary characters. Many more varieties of chain weapons exist in the east; [[Fighting
* '''[[Improbable Weapon User|Strange weapons]]''': If a character is just [[Improvised Weapon|improvising]] and ordinarily goes unarmed, he's probably the [[Unlucky Everydude]] who just got caught in a fight (like most of the characters Jackie Chan plays). If someone regularly goes around with a weapon like this, they're not totally connected to
* '''[[The Archer|Bows]]''': Characters with composed personalities are archers. This again has roots in Tolkien, where the elves typically were depicted as being able to stay composed even in extreme duress. The Sniper Rifle is the modern day equivalent although Bows can still be seen.
* '''[[The Gunslinger|Guns]]''': In a setting where guns are rare, they will be mostly the province of [[The Smart Guy]]. In settings where they are more common, they take the place of swords, with the largest going to the hero and [[Rare Guns|the most distinctive]] going to the [[Badass]]. In any case, the protagonists are invariably [[Improbable Aiming Skills|impossibly good shots]], while the [[Mooks]] [[Imperial Stormtrooper Marksmanship Academy|suck]]. When guns aren't so rare, the type of gun often is a shorthand for the type of user, leading to [[Good Guns, Bad Guns]] in the West. The big list of [[Guns and Gunplay Tropes]] details more ways how the heat a character packs tells the audience who they are.
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** '''[[More Dakka|Automatics]]''': If it's not a war movie, then any sort of automatic weapon will be carried by the [[Mooks]], due to their ubiquitousness and lack of [[Rule of Cool|style]]. (Semi-automatics will be the standard if technology is up to it, and will usually have [[Bottomless Magazines|impossibly large magazines]].) The exceptions are Uzis and other sub-machine guns, which may be given to the [[Badass]] (especially if they're [[Guns Akimbo|dual-wielded]]), and the...
** '''[[Gatling Good|Gatling Gun]]''': A huge minigun is the favorite weapon of [[The Big Guy]], as well as some particularly intimidating [[The Dragon|Dragons]].
** '''[[BFG|Explosives and other Big Weapons]]''': Any sort of oversized gun, including rocket and [[Grenade Launcher
** '''[[Fire-Breathing Weapon|Flamethrowers]]''': Are a favourite of the [[Pyromaniac]].
* '''[[Blow Gun|Blowguns]]''': Usually a weapon of choice of tribesmen.
* '''[[Sinister Scythe|Scythes]]''': Especially for villains and goths despite being very [[Awesome but Impractical|impractical to actually fight with]]. Associated with [[The Grim Reaper|death]], or [[Necromancer|those who command it]]. It should be noted that a [[wikipedia:War scythe|scythes can be made into an effective weapon]] by reattaching the blade so it extends upright from the pole. Alternatively the Chinese had a [[wikipedia:Dagger-axe|workable version]] even before that. These more effective designs are rarely seen in fiction. Oddly enough, rarely if ever used by farmers, who prefer...
* '''[[Torches and Pitchforks|Pitchforks]]''': The official weapon of the unruly mob, this is normally used by a farmer or small-town folk defending his home. Shotguns and hunting rifles can also fill this niche in a modern setting. You may also see some traditionalist [[Our Demons Are Different|infernals]] wielding pitchforks to prod the damned with.
* '''[[Blade
** '''[[Prongs of Poseidon|Trident]]''': The weapon of sea gods like Poseidon, Proteus and Nereus and merpeople is now the weapon of anyone associated with the sea or water. Not entirely contrived, as the trident was originally a fishing spear, hence its pairing with a fishing net in the hands of a ''retiarius'' (a type of Roman gladiator).
* '''[[Anchors Away|Anchors]]''': A favored weapon for sailors and pirates. These come in two flavors: either swung from a chain, or used as a heavy bludgeoning weapon with a cool shape.
* '''[[Whip It Good|Whips]]''': Whips tend to be found in the hands of cowboys, swashbuckling characters, certain [[Castlevania|vampire slayers]], [[Indiana Jones|archaeologists]], female villains with a thing for [[Stripperiffic|tight leather]] and a dominatrix streak, brutal slave drivers, [[Torture Technician|torturers]]... and [[Ace Attorney|prosecutors]].
* '''[[Hooks and Crooks|Curved Weapons]]''': Hooks, sickles and other such things tend to belong to [[Psycho for Hire|psychos for hire]] and similar characters. The same is true for weapons that are notably serrated.
* '''[[Knife Nut|Knives]]''': Ninjas and assassins go for the lightest and smallest tools. Even most [[Ax Crazy]] characters prefer using
* '''[[Chainsaw Good|Chainsaws]]''': Chainsaws are a very intimidating weapon usually only wielded by those who are ''truly'' [[Ax Crazy]]. But certain heroes have also made use of them, particularly those who fight zombies, demons and other nasties - if you're fighting something frightful, sometimes you need a weapon that roars and bites back.
* '''[[This Is a Drill|Drills]]''': Similar to the above, though with some different connotations. A drill's ability to bore through obstacles may reflect [[Determinator|its wielder's determination]], [[Freud Was Right|or may be something altogether more Freudian]]. Also makes an effective terror weapon for the same reasons, or due to invoking memories of the dentist's chair. There are two types of them. Triangular drill is often used by strong brutes while utility drills are used by [[Ax Crazy]] people. Robots sometimes have a drill as an appendage, or convert an appendage into a drill.
* '''[[Magic Wand
* '''[[Batter Up|Baseball Bats]]'''/'''Lead Pipes''' -- The preferred weapons of street fighters and urban brawlers from [[Gangsterland|bad neighborhoods]], especially in the US. (Cricket bats may also be used, but this is more likely to be played for laughs or be [[Nerf Arm|ineffectual]], unless of course the setting is the UK or Australia). Is often something of a throwback to the image of a big angry guy with a club coming towards you. Also tends to be the weapon of choice when someone is caught in a surprise emergency (such as an armed burglary or a [[Zombie Apocalypse]]) and has to grab the closest thing to them they can use as a weapon. Thus it can suggest either brutal, simple, unsophisticated violence or the desperation of someone clutching one in a time of crises.
* '''[[Brats
* '''[[Impossibly Cool Weapon|Fundamentally Absurd Weapons]]''': Often a game will have a weapon that makes the aforementioned scythes look simple and logical. These objects almost always appeal to the [[Rule of Cool]], and are ridiculously overpowered. [[Infinity+1 Sword|Napalm Chainsaw-Nunchuck-Missile-shooting Double Gunswords]], anyone?
* '''[[Luckily, My Shield Will Protect Me|Shields]]''': Surprisingly rare for major fictional characters. Usually meant to be used alongside another one-handed weapon (such as the good ol' sword and board), but many characters will use ''only'' a shield, usually as a [[Technical Pacifist]] or [[Personality Powers|matching their personality]] as either defensive and fragile, or protective of others. Or simply as an [[Improbable Weapon User|Improbable Weapon]]. Shields are almost always near-indestructible, magical or made of [[Unobtainium]]. Some characters (like [[Captain America (comics)]]) can actually [[Throwing Your Shield Always Works|throw them]].
* '''[[Suffer the Slings|Slings]]''': They're usually associated with peasants, children, [[
* '''[[Throw Down the Bomblet|Thrown Explosives and Incendiaries]]''': Grenades and the like are usually associated with those with poor impulse control (in plain English, people ''who really like explosions''). They may or may not also be [[Mad Bomber
Of course, any ''true'' Troper's Weapon of Choice would have to be a [[BFG|Big Freakin']] [[Gatling Good|Gatling]] [[Sawed-Off Shotgun|Shotgun]] that can be [[Dual-Wielding|Dual Wielded]] with a [[Bifurcated Weapon|Detachable]] [[Chainsaw Good|Chain-Bladed]] [[Laser Blade|Laser]] [[Katanas Are Just Better]]. Anything else just pales in comparison, save for the [[Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann|Giga Drill Breaker]]. If there is a [[Five-Man Band]], the weapons will probably be [[Heroes Prefer Swords]], [[Blade
{{examples}}▼
▲{{examples}}
== General ==
* [[Robin Hood]] was quite possibly the greatest [[The Archer|archer]] in English legend, though he was no slouch with a sword either. He is also definitive proof that [[Improbable Aiming Skills]] as a trope [[Older Than They Think|predates guns by far.]]
== Anime
* In ''[[Black Butler]]'', the shinigami have a fondness for peculiar weapons that would fit in better in a garden instead of on the battlefield. There are 5 named shinigami whose weapons have been show; there's William T. Spears who wields a Pruning Sheer, {{spoiler|Grell Sutcliff wields a chainsaw}}, Ronald Knox has a lawnmower, Eric Slingby has a normal saw, and Alan Humphries who has a Japanese Style Garden Slasher.
* ''[[Lyrical Nanoha|Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha]]'' has this with each of the main characters having a specific "device".
** Nanoha has her magic staff, Raising Heart. (Still called ''[[Spell My Name
*** As the power of Nanoha's weapon improves, it increasingly comes to resemble a
** Fate and her scythe/bardiche/bfs, named Bardiche.
** The Wolkenritter align to this trope perfectly. Leader Signum wields a longsword, the wizardly Shamal thinks with portals using magic rings (wand-equivalents), and [[Cute Bruiser]] Vita has a hammer. That also turns into a rocket. And has a giant hammer/drill mode.
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* ''[[Urusei Yatsura]]'': Shinobu the super-strong lesser [[Yandere]] is known for her use of heavy school desks as bludgeons and projectile weapons. Even in environments where there are no school desks such as Mendou's yard.
* ''[[Tsukihime]]'''s protagonist Tohno Shiki only ever uses his knife, which has the symbols for '7 Nights' carved into it ({{spoiler|the actual meaning of the characters is 'Nanaya,' it is an heirloom from his true family of demon-slaying assassins that was passed down to him.}}).
* In the ''[[
* Many late 1980s Anime involving female juvenile delinquents equipped them with toys as weapons. Notable examples include:
** ''[[Sukeban Deka]]''
** ''[[Kimagure Orange Road]]'' -- [[Tall, Dark and Bishoujo]] Madoka used guitar picks as shuriken. A rival used a cup-and-ball game as a flail.
** ''[[Princess Nine]]''
* The characters in ''[[Soul Eater]]'' fight in partners, one as a weapon and one as a wielder. Maka uses a [[Sinister Scythe|scythe]], Kid uses two pistols, and Black* Star usually uses either a [[Katanas Are Just Better]] or a [[wikipedia:Kusarigama|kusarigama]].
* Roronoa Zoro from ''[[One Piece]]'' always uses 3 katanas; Usopp has his slingshot and Nami her Clima Tact.
* Yui Lan of ''[[Full Metal Panic!]]'' is nearly always seen dual-wielding what look like mecha-sized carbines with bayonets. And her little sister was introduced in a scene where she used two kukris and excessive amount of [[Gorn]].
* From ''[[Berserk]]'', both the original Band of the Hawk and Guts' post-Eclipse party have weapons of choice. In the Band of the Hawk, we had Guts with a greatsword, Griffith with a rapier, Casca with a short sword, Judeau with knives, Pippin with a hammer, Corkus with an ordinary sword and Rickert with a crossbow. In the post-eclipse team, we have Guts with the [[BFS|Dragon Slayer]], Serpico with a rapier and then a fan/sword, Isidro with two knives, Schierke with a magic staff and Farnese with a small silver knife.
* ''[[Golgo 13]]'' generally uses an M-16. They're easy to find (so he can acquire one on site), easy to have modified, and cheap enough to dispose of if necessary (whereas specialized sniper rifles tend to be expensive and hard to get on short notice). In addition, this gives him a close-combat weapon if circumstances go sour. He has, however, used other guns as needed. Notably, Golgo tends to upgrade to the latest model of M-16 five to ten years after their release. Fans speculate he waits for their reliability to be proven before switching preferences.
* Shu from ''[[Now and Then, Here
* Many characters from ''[[Blood
==
* Subverted in [[Greg Rucka]]'s ''[[
* ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'':
** Leonardo, [[Heroes Prefer Swords|the heroic leader, uses swords]] ([[Every Japanese Sword Is a Katana|a ninja-to style katana]])
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** And Michaelangelo, being the cool party guy, uses the coolest ninja weapon of the '80s: nunchaku. A flashback has him practicing with a ''manriki-gusari'' and complaining that he'd prefer using his "'chucks".
** The supporting cast gives another example: Casey Jones, the [[Badass]] street-fighting vigilante armed with a variety of sports equipment: baseball bats, golf clubs, hockey sticks... he even produced a cricket bat in the movie, prompting Raphael to mock him.
{{quote|
'''Casey:''' I'll teach you! ''(wham)'' See? Six runs. }}
* ''When [[Captain America (comics)|Captain America]] throws his [[Luckily, My Shield Will Protect Me|mighty shield]], all those who chose to oppose the shield must yield!''
** Meanwhile [[The Mighty Thor|Thor]], his [[The Avengers (Comic Book)|fellow Avenger]], sticks true to his mythological roots and wields Mjolnir, his [[Drop the Hammer|hammer of thunder]].
* The [[Green Lantern Ring]].
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* Hawkeye, who may or may not be [[Marvel Comics|Marvel's]] expy of [[DC Comics|DC's]] [[Green Arrow]], is likewise a hotshot archer whose real weapon isn't the bow so much as the bag of tricks he fires from it. He's shown to have the same accuracy hand-throwing his arsenal of arrowheads or firing them from improvised launchers.
** In the Ultimate Universe, he's even shown using his ''fingernails'', but then that version of the character is borderline [[Ax Crazy]] and a former black ops. As of Volume Three, he started showing a preference for guns.
* The Saint Of Killers, in ''[[Preacher (Comic Book)|Preacher]]'', [[Guns Akimbo|dual-wields]] a pair of Walker Colt [[Revolvers Are Just Better]]. Never mind the fact that he's an unkillable [[One-Man Army]] in a [[Badass Longcoat|duster coat]], these things were forged ''by Satan himself'' from the sword of the world-weary Angel Of Death; their hammers will never fall on empty chambers, they never miss, and no wound they give will ever be less than fatal. Oh, and he's a supernatural quick-draw artist, too; "I saw a blur, and then shooting. I didn't see no draw." After {{spoiler|surviving a ''nuke'' - in the midst of the inferno, he calmly spits and growls "Not enough Gun"}}, he wraps up the series by {{spoiler|''killing God''}}. I will call your [[Badass]] and raise you to infinity.
* Whiplash/Blacklash, an [[Iron Man]] foe best known as the partial basis for [[The Movie]]'s Whiplash, engineered his own electric whips and used them to wreck things up... until he was accidentally killed by his old enemy. He could also turn his whips into nunchucks. Anyway, since his death, a BDSM-loving couple adopted both the Whiplash and Blacklash identities, then his daughter stepped into the role, a version inspired by the movie character debuted, and the original's been seen in action again, too.
** Somewhat related are the Constrictor and Omega Red, who both have tendrils that come out of their arms. Constrictor's Serpent Society teammate Coachwhip explicitly themed herself around her signature weapon, as well.
* In ''[[X
== Fan Works ==
* Taken to extreme lengths in the ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' fic, ''[
** Buffy gets a short sword named "Companion" that enhances her secondary Slayer powers (prophetic dreams, sensing vampires, etc.), and provides a mental link to Faith.
** The free-spirited Faith gets a pair of tomahawks -- "Tommy" and "Tammy" -- that come back to her when thrown, and provide a mental link to Buffy. {{spoiler|Under the right conditions they merge to form an immense battleaxe of light called "Unity".}}
** Cordelia gets a greatsword named "Subtlety" that grants her minor healing powers, doubles as a lie detector, and is actually very light when in her hands.
** The straitlaced Kendra gets a katana named "Honor's Grace" that allows her to stop time for a few seconds every time she draws it.
** Angel gets a short sword, "Solitude", similar to Buffy's that can burst into flame, and will burn him up if he loses his soul.
** Giles receives a rapier, "Wisdom" that enhances his casting abilities.
** The ''[[Dungeons
** Jenny gets a pair of daggers -- "Twilight" and "Dusk" -- that enable her to turn invisible.
** Oz's weapon was originally a bastard sword named "Cool Sword" with frost powers. However, it spontaneously transformed into a pair of [[Wolverine]]-esque claws that gave him some measure of control over his werewolf.
** Xander made himself a battleaxe called "Cleaver II" (named after, and made partially from, his first and favorite axe, Cleaver). {{spoiler|However, in the fight with The Judge, it permanently turned into a shield which could stop the Judge's attacks and gave him reasonably fast regeneration. He later renamed it "Protector".}}
* In the virtual series spin-off to ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'', ''[[
** Sophia: The Scythe from season 7 of ''Buffy'' and [[Fray]]
** Skye: Sharpened Sai Daggers
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** Erika: Staff
** Reiko: Bladed Fans
* In the ''[[Kim Possible]]'' fanfic
== Films -- Live Action ==
* ''[[A Nightmare
* In ''[[Halloween (
* In the ''[[Friday the 13th]]'' franchise, Jason Voorheese's favored weapon is a machete.
* [[James Bond (
** Also, he used a Walther P5 in ''[[
*** [[Product Placement]]. Walther were trying to market the P5 to civilian agencies and asked for it to be used rather than the classic PPK, but the script wasn't changed to reflect the different gun.
** Of course, in ''[[
** And, in ''[[Live and Let Die (
** Some of Bond's villains have their own weapons. Oddjob used a bowler-hat with a steel brim that behaved like a chakram. Rosa Klebb had knives concealed in the toes of her shoes. Tee Hee Johnson (from ''Live and Let Die'') had a metal pincer for a right hand. And of course, Francisco Scaramanga is [[The Man
* [[Dirty Harry
* ''[[
* ''[[
* [[Indiana Jones]]' most distinctive weapon/tool is his [[Whip It Good|whip]]; however, he most frequently [[Good Old Fisticuffs|uses his fists]] or revolver (against armed foes).
* [[Star Wars|A Jedi's]] (or Sith's) [[Laser Sword|lightsaber]].
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*** Yellow are for the Sentinel Jedi, who are halfway between the two and rely on intellect and physical skills.
*** Green are for Consular Jedi, who prefer to teach, heal, or make peace.
*** [[Red Right Hand|Red are for Sith]], [[
*** And purple for [[Samuel L. Jackson|bad motherfuckers]].
** Han tends to go for his pistol as first choice.
* ''[[Equilibrium]]'': Grammaton Clerics use a modified Beretta 92F in the course of their duties, the barrels producing a cross-shaped muzzle flash when fired.
** The shotgun-like weapon used by some guards is likewise a modified Walther WA2000, which is odd since the weapon's a sniper rifle.
*** The scopeless WA2000 was only used in the [[Kick the Dog|dog killing scene]]. Most of the time the [[Mooks]] use either the Beretta AR-70 or the Heckler & Koch G36.
* The ''[[Iron Man (
** For the record, Whiplash and Blacklash are the same guy - he changed his supervillain name and got a new costume at one point.
* Ash from ''[[Evil Dead]]'' has his boomstick and chainsaw combo, although he kind of abandons the chainsaw for a metal hand in the middle of ''Army of Darkness''.
* The Baseball Furies use bats (Thank you [[Captain Obvious]]!), but [[The Warriors (
== Literature ==
* [[
** Peter, leader by virtue of being [[Promotion to Parent|the first-born]] and therefore [[The Hero]], is given a sword.
** Susan, the mature, no-nonsense type, is given a bow and arrows.
** Lucy, the youngest and not yet old enough to fight, is entrusted with the universal [[Magic Antidote]] and given a small
** Edmund wasn't there at the time, so he didn't get a present from
*** The films show Edmumd as very much a [[Combat Pragmatist]] when he steals a Telmarine crossbow and proceeds to kick all kinds of ass.
* ''[[The Dark Tower]]'': Badass [[The Gunslinger|Roland]] uses a pair of finely-wrought six-shooters, passed down from father to son for generations and said to have been made from the melted-down metal of [[King Arthur|Excalibur]].
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** [[The Big Guy|Former blacksmith Perrin]] uses a somewhat symbolic axe and hammer, {{spoiler|eventually abandoning the former so as to use a tool from his more innocent past to kill people in more disfiguring ways}}. He also, like almost all Two Rivers males, is a good shot with a longbow. His skill impresses almost everyone except other Two Rivers bowmen.
* ''Kull the Conqueror'': Proud barbarian warrior Kull uses a battle axe as his main weapon. After he becomes king, his advisors make several attempts to civilize him, including training him in swordsmanship. He never quite takes to it, and goes back to his axe, showing he's truly a barbarian at heart.
* [[L. Ron Hubbard]]'s ''Mission: Earth'' series had the protagonist Jettero Heller (distinct from the antagonist narrator, Soltan Gris). Mr. Heller was a champion "bullet-ball" player back home, and discovered that he could throw Earth "base-balls" with up to lethal speed. He also discovered that baseball cleats make for a deadly surprise against opponents, since no one in these parts expects a cleat-wearer to kick with them.
** ... proving that L. Ron either never played baseball as a kid, or managed to grow up around the damndest well-behaved kids in the country.
* In ''[[The Dresden Files]]'', Thomas the White Court vampire regularly uses both a saber and a [[Sawed-Off Shotgun]] (though not at the same time), and has begun to use kukris (curved knives used by gurkhas) [[Dual-Wielding|alongside his saber.]]
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* Kel in Tamora Pierce's [[Tortall Universe|Protector of the Small]] Quartet is an exception to this Trope: while she is the Hero, she uses a glaive (polearm)instead of the hero's traditional sword.
** She actually uses the naginata, and only calls it a glaive since that's how it translates into.
* [[Complete Monster|Alex]] from ''[[A Clockwork Orange (
* In ''[[The Phantom of the Opera]]'', the title character's
* In [[John C. Wright]]'s ''[[
** Galen: [[Blade
** [[Drop the Hammer|Peter]]: an [[Empathic Weapon]] that responds to voice commands and can do a variety of nifty tricks, like fly down a hall and out a window to hit attackers sneaking up from behind.
** [[The Chick|Wendy]]: gets a [[Magic Wand]].
** [[Mysterious Protector|Pendrake]]: [[The Gunslinger|A brace of .45s]], in keeping with his classic-noir persona.
* The closest thing [[Jakub Wedrowycz]] has to a
* In the ''[[Battle Circle]]'' trilogy by [[Piers Anthony]], the main culture is based on [[Proud Warrior Race Guy
** The main characters the trilogy are Sol of All Weapons, who is unique in his mastery of combat, and Sos the Rope (actually a long steel cable), who choses an unusual signature weapon after being forbidden to use the common ones.
** Nearly all warriors are also proficient with bow-and-arrow; but these are used exclusively for hunting. They are not considered acceptable for the Circle, which is exclusively hand-to-hand ritual combat.
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** Gimli: [[An Axe to Grind|Axe]].
** Boromir: Sword.
*** In [[
***Tolkien alternately describes Dwarves as wielding mattocks which is a double-bitted tool with an ax blade, and an adze or a pick. Kind of like an ice ax, a pulaski (wildland fireman's ax), a fire ax, or a dolabra (Italian miner's ax). In other words like tools mountain and cave dwellers would use, especially those that mined a lot. Something that could be used for climbing, digging or doorbreaking, as well as headbreaking.
* In ''[[Star Trek: Klingon Empire]]'', of the various Klingon weapons established in canon, Davok uses the qutluch, the signature dagger of an assassin. He throws it with fantastic accuracy even in close-quarters combat. He claims that he took it off an assassin who tried to use it on him. His leader Wol finds this claim to be dubious, but has no trouble believing that Davok would piss someone off enough to have them put a hit on him.
* ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'', most obviously with Arya's Needle, Jon's Longclaw, Dothraki arakhs, and Ned's Ice. Ser Barristan Selmy even discards his sword in favour of an epic staff, befitting his transition from general [[Badass]] to [[Badass Grandpa]].
** Tyrion subverts this by fighting with maces and swords, extremely at odds with his character and his physical stature.
* In the ''[[
** Aversion: Sven loves all weapons.
** Anne has a pair of delightful little [[wikipedia:Webley Revolver|Royal Irish Constabulary Webleys.]]
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** Jack the Ripper prefers an [[wikipedia:Jambiya|Arabian jambiya]] for the ceremonial taking of heads.
** Kynan Rhys Gower prefers his longbow or a war maul. But when their superiority is demonstrated in the face of an angry Cape buffalo, he asks, "You show gun?"
* Obviously in ''[[Harry Potter]]'', wands are the weapon of choice for the wizarding world, but there are two that stand out: The Elder Wand, which is the weapon of choice for Antioch Peverell, {{spoiler|Gregorovitch, Gellert Grindeelwald, Albus Dumbledore, and Lord Voldemort}}; and Harry's holly and phoenix feather wand, which {{spoiler|he actually mourns when it is broken}}.
* In ''[[
== Live Action TV ==
* [[Xena: Warrior Princess]] of course has her [https://web.archive.org/web/20130605074625/http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s1/callisto/callisto_dArc_PDVD_391.jpg Chakram] (a weapon originally associated with the Sikhs). In Season 5, she swapped her older chakram for a [http://images.wikia.com/hercxena/images/b/b4/Legacy_chakram.jpg new model] that resembled a [[
** Gabrielle also had her Sais starting in season 5 and lasting until the end of the series, and her (less exclusive) staff in seasons 1-3.
* Buffy of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' has her [http://www.corvusonline.net/buffy/scythe.jpg Slayer Scythe]{{Dead link}} during the last few episodes of season seven, right up to the end of season eight.
** Her and every other Slayer within spitting distance.
* ''[[Angel]]'' follows this trope more closely, particularly with [[The Smart Guy|smart guy]] Wesley in the [[Took a Level
** Gunn also carries his Hubcap-Axe until season 4.
* ''[[
** Rohan, [[The Hero]], uses a sword.
** Deirdre, [[The Chick]], uses a crossbow.
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* ''[[Mighty Morphin Power Rangers]]'': In the original lineup, Jason the Red Ranger ([[The Hero]]) used a sword, Zack the Black Ranger ([[The Lancer]]) used an axe, Trini the Yellow Ranger ([[Action Girl]]) used twin daggers, Billy the Blue Ranger ([[The Smart Guy]]) used a trident, and Kimberly the Pink Ranger ([[The Chick]]) used a bow. When Tommy the Green Ranger first appeared, he also used a sword, but he changed to a dagger that could summon his [[Humongous Mecha|Dragonzord]] after his [[Heel Face Turn]]. All of them except Tommy had blasters as backup.
** Didn't matter much, considering the Dragon Dagger could fire off energy blasts, as well as lightning.
* ''[[Firefly]]'' follows the trope with Western-inspired (of course) weapons. Mal has a gun based on a six-shooter; Zoe carries a custom 1892 Winchester rifle (and, unusually, a bulletproof vest). Jayne, the other badass, has an assortment but favours an assault rifle and a BIG knife. Inara, the mysterious woman, uses a futuristic bow (she also holds a stolen laser pistol, but it doesn't work). Shepherd Book, with his mysterious past, seems content with
* Richard [[Sharpe]] uses his Baker rifle to devastating effects. He also carries a 1798 pattern cavalry sword, which is essentially a sharpened club with a knuckleduster attached.
* The P90 personal defense weapon is basically the signature weapon of ''[[Stargate Atlantis]]'' and ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'', carried by most [[Humans
** In the early seasons of SG-1, Teal'c usually used the Goa'uld staff weapon, as did Bra'tac who's absolutely badass with it. After many seasons of [[Character Development]], Teal'c finally switched over to [[Dual-Wielding]] P90s.
** [[Stargate Atlantis|Ronon Dex]] instead carries a [[Hand Cannon|Traveler energy pistol]] (plus gunplay), a [[BFS|Satedan ceremonial sword]] and a [[Crazy Prepared|shitload of]] [[Knife Nut|knives]].
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== Tabletop Games ==
* ''[[Warhammer
** The standard weapon of the [[Super Soldier|Space Marines]] is a fully-automatic-armour-piercing-rocket-
** Orks don't usually have a preferred weapon of choice; rather, they prefer to ensure whatever they're carrying has either [[BFS|"more choppy"]] or [[More Dakka|"more dakka."]] Or both.▼
** The Tau are in love with their plasma guns, as well as railguns and guided missiles.▼
** The humble Imperial Guardsman typically carries a simple, durable, and low-powered (for the setting)
** With [[Political Officer|Commissars]] it varies, but the stereotypical set is bolt pistol and chainsword.
*** Priests also like fire. Though some fanatics favour "Eviscerator" - two-handed chainsaw boosted with weak disruptor field, originally designed as a demolition tool. And the missionaries often prefer shotgun.
** Daemonhunters (the "Ordo Malleus") like [[Drop the Hammer|really big force hammers]].▼
** The Divine Light of Sollex sect of Mechanicus ([[Ninja Pirate Zombie Robot|secretive fanatical weapon-mystic cyborgs]]) use, produce and develop a lot of weapons, but they really like high-powered lasers. And sometimes [[Laser Blade|Sollex-Aegis Energy Blade]] (using schematics fished out of an ancient databank, discovery of which led to formation of Sollex cult in the first place).
** Eldar favour advanced laser weaponry and blade-firing "shuriken catapults", along with long swords.
*** Eldar Aspect Warriors all specialize in a single type of weaponry, from the above shuriken catapults, to chainswords or powerswords, to powerful laser weapons, to microwave "melta" guns, to guns that fire streams of "razor floss"
*** Harlequins are close-combat specialists whose signature weapon is a narrow sharpened tube, similar to an oversized hypodermic needle, that punches through armour and shoots a jet of the aforementioned monomolecule wire inside their targets, effectively liquifying them inside their battlesuits/exoskeletons.
** Dark Eldar utilize similar weaponry to the Eldar, though firing antimatter instead of lasers and needle-like shards instead of discs.
▲** The standard weapon of the [[Super Soldier|Space Marines]] is a fully-automatic-armour-piercing-rocket-propelled-grenade-launcher. Their ''heavy'' weapons are quite varied. For close combat, theres the good old fashioned [[Chainsaw Good|chainsword]].
▲** Daemonhunters (the "Ordo Malleus") like [[Drop the Hammer|really big force hammers]].
▲** Orks don't usually have a preferred weapon of choice; rather, they prefer to ensure whatever they're carrying has either [[BFS|"more choppy"]] or [[More Dakka|"more dakka."]] Or both.
▲** The Tau are in love with their plasma guns, as well as railguns and guided missiles.
▲** The humble Imperial Guardsman typically carries a simple, durable, and (for the setting) low-powered lasgun. However, the sheer variety of weapons available to the Imperial guard also means that any given squad can have everything from grenade launchers to bipod-mounted autocannons to handheld anti-tank fusion cannons.
** The Necrons have a distinct preference for weapons which strip apart their target layer by layer, but a few enjoy skinning you with their claws, then wearing your skin.
▲** The Witch Hunters [[Kill It With Fire]].
** The Tyranids prefer to jump on your face and eat you, though they're not above using [[Living Weapon|biological firearms]] grown using their particular brand of [[Organic Technology]].
** ''[[Only War]]'' strongly encourages this. Each regiment has its own Standard Kit <ref>gear carried by each Guardsman, plus items given per squad</ref> adjusted by Doctrines <ref>as in, drop troops get carbine and grav-chute, scouts get a light vehicle per squad and magnoculars</ref> and possibly customized further via options to push some upgrades or extras to Standard Kit. Specialists also have "specialist equipment" (if one hauls a heavy machinegun, lascarbine stays in the foot locker, but it's there). The regiment also has its choice of Favoured Weapons: one Basic <ref>such as sniper rifle, meltagun for tank-cooking, or grenade launcher - the latter seems to be popular due to versatility and its high availability plus "Favoured" Logistics bonus making resupply fairly reliable</ref> and one<ref>technically, one extra of either can be added to "Favoured", but at the same point cost you could give a scanner or advanced medkit to each squad</ref> Heavy <ref>like [[Beam Spam|multilaser]] or a "humble" mortar</ref> - Weapon Specialist may carry the former (instead of lasgun, flamer or shotgun) and Heavy Gunner the latter (instead of missile launcher or heavy machinegun), and for others, while these weapons and ammunition will be not in such ready supply as Standard Kit, they are easier to find than random gear. For individual soldiers there are Weapon Customisation rules that give advantages to the intended user (for others most of these adjustments are either minor inconvenience or meaningless), such as using materials from the homeworld (minor bonus vs. Fear), adjusting the trigger assembly, etc. ''Hammer of the Emperor'' expansion also adds "[[Iconic Item|Trademark Item]]" talent, which gives some advantages to the commander in possession of a recognizable (and as such probably non-regulation) signature item - not necessarily weapon, but often it is.
* ''[[Dungeons and Dragons]]'' 3rd edition's feats allow players to specialise in particular weapons to a greater or lesser degree. This is usually done by Fighters, since their bonus feats are more or less designed for it.▼
* ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]''
** AD&D1 gives limited number of weapon proficiencies (4 for fighter, even less for other classes) that slowly increases with levels, and anything else is used at a penalty. AD&D2 also allow further specialization in a specific weapon for warriors and (in expanded rules) broader groups in which one can be proficient but not specialized.
▲**
** There is also the Weapon Master [[Prestige Class]], which requires the character to choose one type of weapon to focus on before they can take the class.
** And 4th Edition's Fighters has a different spin, first one chooses feats that work for a specific weapon, then powers that lend themselves to different weapons.
* The Weapon Master advantage in ''[[GURPS]]'' lets the character use a particular weapon or class of weapons well beyond what a normal human can even attempt.
* Althought the Fighting Style merits in the core ''[[
== Video Games ==
* The [[Ax Crazy|Tall Man]] of [[Chzo Mythos]] uses a giant metal spike with four extremely wide scythe-like blades installed on one of the ends. His preferred method of killing is ramming the bottom of the spike through the very top of the victim's skull. [[Squick]] indeed.
* ''[[
** Solid Snake himself has had three such guns. In ''[[Metal Gear
** Vulcan Raven had the M61 Vulcan he ripped from a downed F-16 to show he's an effin' giant.
** Sniper Wolf, anybody know what she uses?
** Raiden would later take up a [[Katanas Are Just Better|High-Frequency Blade]] - probably better to highlight his more [[Bishounen]] qualities, and a way to symbolically distance him from Snake (who admits that he's "no fan of blades"). He still keeps a SOCOM in a holster just in case.
** The bosses of ''Sons of Liberty'' had their own weapons of choice - Fatman had his bombs, Fortune had her gigantic railgun, and Vamp was a [[Knife Nut]]. Solidus himself had a P90 and a pair of high-frequency blades.
''[[Metal Gear Solid 3
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors]]''. Simple one-handed swords are generally popular with the leaders of major factions and calm individuals while large polearms are fairly common with the tougher but not necessarily nuts enforcers. Women tend to get weapons that most men wouldn't dare carry. Lu Bu, the game's most feared character, tended to wield a halberd as if it were a one-handed sword. ''Dynasty Warriors 6'' however changed things up a bit, as before that everyone had more or less always used the same weapon.
* The ''[[Soul Series|Soul Calibur]]'' series. Some are rather strange (see Necrid's fragment of an alternate universe).
* ''[[
** They can also all use Slingshots, but that's generally not a good idea. Poo in particular is weakened by equipping them.
** In general, the series gives baseball bats (or regular staves, in Lucas's case) to [[Heroes Prefer Swords|the character that would get a sword]] in most other games of its type, and frying pans to [[Simple Staff|the character that would get a staff]].
* ''[[
** The Masamune is only called that in the western releases of the game. Its original name (and the one used in the [http://www.chronocompendium.com/Term/Retranslation.html retranslation]) is Grandleon, which makes sense for a European-style broadsword. It was probably translated on the assumption that it had been given a European name for exotic flavour rather than simply because it's that kind of sword, and so the translators chose a name that would [[Woolseyism|preserve this intention]] for the English version.
* Despite having four (or five to six depending on the game) types of melee weapons, ''[[Fire Emblem]]'' manages to do this; most axe fighters are obsessed with fighting in one way or another (and Keiran in ''Path of Radiance''/''Radiant Dawn'', who takes "Proud Warrior" to an extreme is an Axe Knight), all but four (all but one of whom play second fiddle) of the lead characters use swords, and ALL thieves and assassins in the series use knives (at least in battle sprites). On the flip side only two archers in the series qualify for the listed personality and spear wielding units are just as competent as the other ones. It also subverts this slightly with weapons effective on certain types of foes (such as a large mallet being good on armored units) though.
** Also of note that there are two different classes that wield swords. First is Mercenary/Hero (the sprites in ''The Binding Blade''/''The Sacred Stones'' were broadswords regardless of sword used), the other being Myrmidon/Swordmaster (the sprites here used Eastern-style katanas). Swordmasters also generally get a specialized sword late game called the Wo Dao (which in the later games just is a Katana). Heroes are generally more manly and romantic-male-lead-ish when it comes to looks. While the majority of Swordmasters are females, or males that are [[Bishonen|very pretty]], the animations for the Swordmaster attacks seem very graceful compared to the straight power of the Hero (graceful is badass). The rapier weapon (appears in ''Shadow Dragons and the Blade of Light'' (as well as its remake, ''Shadow Dragon'')/''Mystery of the Emblem''/''The Binding Blade''/''Fire Emblem''/''The Sacred Stones'') is usable only by the games leading character (who is always royal, giving them a proper societal weapon). The exceptions are Lyndis (''Fire Emblem'') and Ike (''Path of Radiance'' and ''Radiant Dawn''). Lyndis has her own legendary katana, and Ike isn't actual royalty (and all his animations would fit way more with a Broadsword than a rapier).
* ''[[Wild
* The characters in ''[[Persona 3]]'' openly state the reasons for their specific weapons, whenever it isn't obvious. [[The Hero]] can use anything, though he unsurprisingly defaults to a one-handed sword. [[Leeroy Jenkins|Junpei]] uses a two-handed sword that he holds like a baseball bat (which is to say, improperly). [[Guys Smash, Girls Shoot|Yukari]], a member of the Archery Club, uses a bow. Mitsuru, the rich girl, uses an "elegant" one-handed sword. Akihiko, star boxer of the school and a bit of a [[Blood Knight]], uses his fists. Aigis, a [[Robot Girl]], uses attached guns of various types. Koromaru, the team pet, uses a small knife held in his teeth, presumably to avoid actually biting the monsters. Ken, a [[Wise Beyond His Years]] ten-year-old, uses a spear to even the playing field between him and larger enemies. Shinjiro, the tough dude with issues, uses an axe or mace. In FES, Metis, [[Mr. Exposition|Miss Exposition]], also uses an axe, due to its power.
** In the [[
* Although they don't state it outright like in 3, the heroes of ''[[Persona 4]]'' use weapons that reflect their personality. [[The Hero]] uses broadswords, Kung-Fu loving [[Action Girl]] Chie has leg greaves, [[Yamato Nadeshiko]] Yukiko uses [[Paper Fan of Doom|fans]], delinquent Kanji just hits monsters with a heavy blunt object, be it a shield or a school desk, Teddie the 'bear' has claws, and Naoto has a gun since he {{spoiler|or rather, she,}} is a detective. Yosuke's dual knives are the only odd man out, but then again knowing him he might be [[Dual-Wielding]] just for [[Rule of Cool]].
** Actually, one gets the feeling that the characters just sort of grabbed whatever they thought they could use. It's implied that no one in the party (possibly save for Naoto and the protagonist) has had any weapon/fighting training and are either self taught, or learning as they go along.
* ''[[Dragon Quest]]'' characters typically have different usable weapons that depend on their fighting style (staves are pretty much universal among magic-using characters and swords among knights and typically the protagonist as well). An unusual example from the fourth game is Torneko Taloon's use of abacuses (though he can use other weapons, such as swords).
** An abacus [[Blade
* ''[[
* ''[[
** [[Husky Russkie|The Heavy]] has [[I Call It Vera|Sasha]], a [[BFG|huge]] [[Gatling Good|minigun]] as his iconic weapon, with a shotgun and [[Good Old Fisticuffs|his bare fists]] for backup. His alternate weapons are Natascha, a minigun that slows enemies, the Sandvich and Dalokohs brand chocolate bar which [[Hyperactive Metabolism|heal damage]], and the [[Fun
** [[Fragile Speedster|The Scout]] uses a [[Sawn Off Shotgun|scattergun]], a pistol and a [[Batter Up|metal baseball bat]]. His alternate weapons include a double-barrelled shotgun with massive kickback, 'Bonk' energy drink for brief invincibility, another soft drink that turns all damage taken and given up by 35% and a bat used to hit stunning baseballs. In another update he got a Fish, a bottle of milk, and another pepperbox pistol.
** [[Drill Sergeant Nasty|The Soldier]]'s main weapon is a rocket launcher, which can be used to [[Rocket Jump]], a shotgun and an entrenching tool ([[Shovel Strike|a shovel]]). His alternative weapons are a more accurate but less explosive rocket launcher, a bugle, flag and banner that makes everyone else on the team stronger or boots that prevent rocket jump damage instead of the shotgun, and a pickaxe that makes you stronger and faster the less health you have or a makeshift club made out of an axe handle and a large railway nail. He also gets a large, black boxy rocket launcher and a backpack radio that works like the buff banner.
** [[Pyromaniac|The Pyro]] obviously has a [[Kill It
** [[Gadgeteer Genius|The Engineer]] uses one of two shotguns, a pistol or laser pointer for his sentry and one of three [[Wrench Whack|wrenches]] or mechanical fist.
** [[Mad Bomber|The Demoman]] uses a grenade launcher, a remotely detonated sticky bomb launcher, and a bottle of rum that breaks on a critical hit. Alternative weapons include a sticky launcher which can lay more bombs at once, a shield that grants less explosive damage, and a massive sword or axe used for cleaving skulls as well as sharing the Soldier's axe-handle-railway-spike.
** [[The Medic]] has a nailgun-like Syringe Gun, the [[Healing Shiv|Healing Gun]] and a bone saw. The alternate weapons are basically the same with special abilities.
** [[Land Down Under|The Sniper]] has, obviously, a [[Sniper Rifle]], a Mauser-style machine gun and a [[Knife Nut|kukri]]. The alternates are a bow and arrow for the rifle, and either a jar full of piss or a shield that protects against a backstab in place of the machine gun, as well as another kukri made of wood that cuts up his enemies so they bleed. Other items include a tranquilizing rifle, an even bigger knife, and a shield worn on the back that resembles a croc.
** [[Magnificent Bastard|The Spy]] has a [[Revolvers Are Just Better]], a [[Butterfly Knife
* The protagonist of ''[[Avalon Code]]'' uses the Book of Prophecy as the core device; all weapons come from within it, from swords and hammers to bombs and guns. There's always the option to fight unarmed if the player so chooses {{spoiler|or during Chapter 6, after you LOSE the book.}}
* In general, the protagonists of any given ''[[Resident Evil]]'' game will start with a knife and pistol and end the game by shooting the boss with a rocket launcher.
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** There is also the minor villain Ferham, whose whip fits very well with her [[The Baroness|kinky overtones]].
* All members of ''[[Castlevania]]'''s Belmont family use a whip.
* The Smith Syndicate, also known as the ''[[
** Harman, the [[Disability Superpower|wheelchair-bound]] old man has a [[Sniper Rifle|high-powered rifle]].
** Garcian, the second-in-command (or so it seems) and "cleaner" has a silenced pistol.
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** Dr. Peace, going with his Western theme, has a [[Revolvers Are Just Better|golden revolver]].
** Shinobu sticks with an ordinary [[Katanas Are Just Better|Katana]]. But she's good with it. [[That One Boss|Really good.]]
** Destroyman has [[Power Fist
** Holly has grenades, [[Macross Missile Massacre|missiles launched from her artificial leg]], and a shovel, for both digging traps and whacking Travis.
** Letz Shake has an earthquake maker powered by a [[Brain In
** Harvey Volodarskii has a variety of magic tricks and wields [[Dual-Wielding|a pair of]] weapons that look like those long, thin lollipops.
** Speed Buster has a shopping cart that turns into a [[Wave Motion Gun]].
** Bad Girl has a [[Batter Up|baseball bat]] and [[Grievous Harm
** Dark Star has a [[Buffy-Speak|dragon beam katana thing]].
** {{spoiler|Jeane}} uses her [[Bare-Fisted Monk|bare fists]].
** {{spoiler|Henry}} also wields a [[Laser Blade|Beam Katana]], which seems to be more of a claymore than a katana in general design.
* In ''[[No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle]]'', Travis now has four types of Beam Katana to choose from: his basic weapon, a lighter but faster one, a longer but slower one, and [[Dual-Wielding]]. His enemies, meanwhile...
** Skelter Helter uses a revolver with multiple cylinders put together.
** Nathan Copeland uses a boombox that turns into [[Power Armor]]. His arena is also covered in machine guns.
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*** Lobelia, the [[Loveable Rogue]], controls flame but her mecha has bladed gauntlets.
*** Hanabi, the widowed [[Yamato Nadeshiko]] is [[The Archer|an archer]].
*** Glycine is a noble who, oddly enough, has a [[Blade
*** Coqulicot uses a magic wand (as in stage magic)
** And finally the New York Team:
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*** Rika has two pistols.
* Mobius One from ''[[Ace Combat]]'' is identified mainly with the F-22A Raptor, which is odd as said plane only is available in the penultimate mission of ''Shattered Skies'', not enough time to establish it as his signature plane (though the arcade mode of the fifth game makes up for it - initially the F-22A is its ''only'' available plane). There are other pilots who use exclusively one plane type, like Pixy's F-15C or PJ's F-16C.
** Many of the player characters and their allies are identified with the plane shown on the box-art of their respective game - Su-35 for Scarface One (''[[Ace Combat 2]]''), F-14 for Blaze and his team (''[[Ace Combat 5 The Unsung War]]''), F-15C for Cipher and Pixy (''[[Ace Combat Zero]]''), and so on.
* ''[[
* The ''[[
** Though ''[[
*** Firion uses swords.
**** However, as of ''Dissidia'', he has been established as a weapon master, using all eight possible weapons (swords, axes, daggers, spears, shields, maces, bows and his bare hands), sometimes ''all at the same time''. He also knows magic, though it's less powerful than most everyone else who does.
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*** Josef uses bare fists.
*** Gordon uses spears.
** ''[[
*** [[The Hero|Cloud]] uses broadswords.
*** [[White Magician Girl|Aerith]] uses staves.
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*** [[Scary Black Man|Barret]] uses a gatling gun grafted into his arm.
*** [[Intellectual Animal|Red XIII]] uses his claws, but his weapons are listed as headdresses.
*** [[Jerk
*** [[Improbable Weapon User|Caith Sith]] uses megaphones.
*** [[Genki Girl|Yuffie]] uses giant shurikens.
*** [[Badass Longcoat|Vincent]] uses guns.
** ''[[
*** [[The Hero|Squall]] and [[Rival Turned Evil|Seifer]] both use [[Vibroweapon|gunblades]].
*** [[The Chick|Rinoa]] uses "blaster edges", wrist-mounted projectile launchers.
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*** [[Deadpan Snarker|Kiros]] uses katars.
*** [[The Big Guy|Ward]] uses a giant harpoon.
** ''[[
*** [[The Hero|Zidane]] uses twin daggers.
*** [[White Magician Girl|Garnet]] uses staves.
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*** [[Bounty Hunter|Amarant]] uses claws.
*** [[Tagalong Kid|Eiko]] uses flutes.
** ''[[
*** [[The Hero|Tidus]] uses short swords
*** [[White Magician Girl|Yuna]] uses staves
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*** [[The Stoic|Kimahri]] uses polearms.
*** [[Fragile Speedster|Rikku]] uses bladed gauntlets
** ''[[
*** Vaan uses short swords
*** [[The Hero|Ashe]] uses long swords
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*** Ba'Gamnan (a [[Guest Star Party Member]]) uses a [[Chainsaw Good|Chainsaw]].
*** Ashe now uses hand grenades for some reason.
** ''[[
*** [[Action Girl|Lightning]] uses a gunblade
*** [[Uncle Tomfoolery|Sazh]] wields dual-pistols
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*** Hope uses a hi-tech boomerang
*** [[The Stoic|Fang]] uses a double-ended spear that can segment into [[Sword Chucks]].
** ''[[
*** Serah uses a bow-blade.
*** Noel uses a pair of swords that can combine into a spear.
** ''[[
*** Ace wields Tarot Cards
*** Deuce uses a Flute
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* [[Half Life|Gordon Freeman]] and his trusty [[Crowbar Combatant|crowbar]]. Same applies to Adrian Shephard and his [[Wrench Whack|pipe wrench]].
** From the second game, Gordon's Gravity Gun and [[Badass Preacher|Father Grigori]] with his trusty double-barreled shotgun, Annabelle.
* Actually ''subverted'' in ''[[
** The [[Wide
** Loyal and level-headed [[Squishy Wizard]] [[The Medic|healer]]? [[Improbable Weapon User|Magic gems]] that act like [[Wolverine Claws]].
** [[Hot-Blooded]], grouchy [[Sergeant Rock]] (and [[Mighty Glacier]])? A [[Blade
** [[The Quiet One|Quiet]], [[Laser-Guided Amnesia|amnesiac]], [[Stoic]] [[The Woobie|badly in need of a hug]]? A ''[[An Axe to Grind|battleaxe]]''. (This may be an outright inversion)
** And, last but not least, your average [[Knife Nut]] is a slightly scary [[Badass]] and probably a [[Fragile Speedster]]; this one is a kindly, [[Cool Old Guy|elderly]], and occasionally [[Deadpan Snarker|snarky]] geologist and the party's [[Stone Wall]].
* Aya from the ''[[Parasite Eve]]'' series can use any kind of gun, but in official media and cut scenes, she's always holding a pistol.
* Lara Croft from the ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' series uses shotguns, uzis, grenade launchers, rifles, and revolvers, but she's always rendered as using dual pistols, including in the movies.
* An in-universe example from ''[[Mass Effect]]''. Zaeed Massani has a rather unhealthy relationship with his M8 Avenger assault rifle, Jessie.
* In ''[[Resident Evil]]'', Barry Burton's signature weapon is the Colt Python. Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine and Albert Wesker prefer Beretta handguns. Wesker still carries his Beretta from his S.T.A.R.S. days, as seen in ''Resident Evil 5''. Jill, while [[Brainwashed and Crazy|under Wesker's control]], switches to the Czech-made Vz.21 Skorpion sub-machine guns.
* In the ''[[Devil May Cry]]'' series, rival-turned-sidekick Lady is best known for her rocket launcher, Kalina Ann, named after her late mother.
== Visual Novels ==
* The Servants of ''[[Fate/stay
** It might be argued that they are symbolic of his deep inner conflict over (and bitter acceptance of) the gap between ideal and reality, though...
** Archer says flat out that he isn't one. He just happens to be good at it.
* When push comes to shove, the ''[[Higurashi no Naku Koro
* Given that ''[[Maji
** Momoyo, the most overwhelmingly powerful character in the game, uses [[Bare-Fisted Monk|her fists]];
** Wanko, a speed-type fighter, uses [[Blade
** Miyako, well-known for her [[Nerves of Steel|nigh-unbreakable concentration]], is [[The Archer]];
** Mayucchi, daughter of the current [[wikipedia:Kensei|''Kensei'' or Sword Saint]], wields [[Katanas Are Just Better|a katana]];
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== Web Comics ==
* ''[[Exterminatus Now]]'' has each characters'
** Eastwood: "A Vladston & Norvstock .44 Magnum [[Revolvers Are Just Better]], with cylinder customised to feature seven chambers rather than the standard six." Yeah, he thinks he's Dirty Harry.
** Virus: "Bouchard Industries 9mm semiautomatic pistol, hollow point rounds filled with silver nitrate solution." He's the least trigger-happy with it.
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*** In the comic itself, the "Explosive Runes" are his signature spell and a [[Running Gag]].
** Elan the [[Spoony Bard|Bard]] uses a rapier.
*** Rich Burlew, the author, may have a fondness for this trope. There's a self-created class on the site based entirely around empowering a specific
* In ''[[
** John Egbert, a computer geek and aspiring magician, uses the [[Drop the Hammer|hammerKind Abstractus]], which gives him access to such awesome implements as the [http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=002537 Pogo Hammer], [http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=002957 Telescopic Sassacrusher], the [http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=002968 WRINKLEFUCKER], [[Time Master|Fear No Anvil]], and [[Infinity+1 Sword|Warhammer of Zillyhoo]]. Much like his personality, his hammers start out clumsy and impractical but quickly become ridiculously powerful.
*** He also uses Bunnykind, but that was only to keep the bunny in a safer place than his Sylladex, too prone to ejecting its contents.
** Rose Lalonde, a [[Deadpan Snarker|sarcastic]] writer, uses needleKind. (The hollow, aluminum knitting kind.) After some [[Item Crafting]], they now function as [[Dual-Wielding|dual-wielded]] [[Magic Wand
** Dave Strider, a [[Badass]] rapper and sword collector, uses bladeKind, personally favouring [[Katanas Are Just Better|his collection of katanas.]]
*** However, when Dave's katana breaks thanks to his trouncing at the hands of Bro, his Specibus was automatically changed to 1/2bladeKind, which now only allows him to use ''broken'' swords. That is, until he decides to [[Screw Destiny]] and build a [[Morph Weapon]] that he keeps as a broken sword in storage.
*** Bro Strider is the only Guardian with a confirmed Specibus, also using bladeKind. While not officially one of his Specibi, he does seem to enjoy using [[Demonic Dummy|Lil Cal]] for combat.
** Jade Harley, the series' resident semi-prophetic, [[Strange Girl]] has the [[Girls
** {{spoiler|Jane Crocker utilizes spoonKind, but owns a device which allows her to switch her Specibus between spoonKind and forkKind at will.}}
** {{spoiler|Jake English boasts [[Guns Akimbo|2XpistolKind]].}}
** {{spoiler|Roxy Lalonde uses Rifles and [[Good Old Fisticuffs]] .}}
** {{spoiler|Dirk Strider uses bladeKind, [[Marionette Master|puppetKind]], and fancysantaKind (in an attempt to see if it actually can be used).}}
** The [[Troll
*** Karkat Vantas: [[Sinister Scythe|Sickles]]
*** Terezi Pyrope: Her [[Cane Fu|cane]], which also doubles as a [[Epic Flail|multi-sectioned stave]]
*** Tavros Nitram: [[Blade
*** Nepeta Leijon: [[Wolverine Claws]]
*** Kanaya Maryam: Makeup; she wields a lipstick which functions as a [[Girl
*** Vriska Serket: [[The Gambler|Dice]]
*** Gamzee Makara: [[Carry a Big Stick|Juggling clubs]], later [[Confusion Fu|whatever he wants with the Jokerkind specibus]]
*** Equius Zahhak: [[Good Old Fisticuffs]] and [[Wrecked Weapon|half-bows]] (which are completely useless).
*** Eridan Ampora: Rifles, later [[Magic Wand
*** Feferi Peixes: A [[Double Weapon|Dual-Headed]] [[Prongs of Poseidon|Trident]]
*** Sollux Captor doesn't feel the need to allocate his specibus because he's got [[Psychic Powers]].
*** Neither does Aradia Megido for the same reason, but she used to allocate [[Whip It Good|whipKind]] {{spoiler|before her death}}.
* ''[[
* The
* The title character in ''[[
** Surprisingly, [[By-The-Book Cop|old good Alexia Murtaugh]] on an exploratory mission turned out to have [http://www.schlockmercenary.com/2013-06-18 similar preferences], minus hauling excessive mass. [http://www.schlockmercenary.com/2013-07-09 Later] she proposes to shoot an atmospheric phenomenon at about 8 km range... for speeding up the mission, but in part also because it will look cool.
* In ''[[Harkovast]]'' a lot of the characters fit into this trope, such as the (usually) peaceful [http://www.drunkduck.com/Harkovast/index.php?p=579536 Chen-Chen]{{Dead link}} fighting unarmed and the giant [https://web.archive.org/web/20110402002748/http://www.drunkduck.com/Harkovast/index.php?p=473707 nameless] wielding two long chains.
== Web Original ==
* ''[[
* [[Atop the Fourth Wall
** [[You Can Play This|Yanki J]] wields a metal baseball
* ''[[
** Then theres the Meta with its bruteshot and Wash with his pistol.
* ''[[RWBY]]'' is ''all'' about this trope, with each character possessing a unique and personalized weapon that [[Swiss Army Weapon|possesses multiple forms and/or functions]].
Line 583 ⟶ 593:
* In ''[[Code Lyoko]]'', the heroes' weapons are generated from their subconscious during their first virtualization.
** Ulrich, [[The Hero]], starts with using one [[Katanas Are Just Better]] ([[Dual-Wielding|and later two]]).
** Yumi, the Japanese [[The Lancer|Lancer]], uses Tessen (sharp metal fans) that she can throw like [[Precision-Guided Boomerang
** Odd ([[The Big Guy|who thinks the more monsters, the better]]) uses "[[Arm Cannon|Lazer Arrows]]".
** And William, the [[Sixth Ranger]], uses a [[BFS|Big Fragging Sword]].
** The exception is Aelita, [[The Chick]], who started out with the ability just to change the landscape and create illusions, but got powerful [[Energy Ball|energy blasts]] in Season 3 (a boyfriend who programs your attacks really pays off).
* From ''[[
** Lion-O, [[The Hero]], wields the [[Empathic Weapon|Sword of Omens]], with the [[MacGuffin|Eye of Thundera]] in its hilt.
** Tygra, [[The Lancer]] of the crew, wields a mean bola whip.
** Panthro, [[The Big Guy]] ''and'' [[The Smart Guy]], uses a pair of nunchaku with claws on the ends.
** Cheetara, [[The Chick]], uses a staff that can extend according to her needs, much like Goku's staff from ''[[
** And Wilykit and Wilykat use pellet-like bombs that can do all kinds of crazy stuff.
* ''[[The Mighty Ducks (
** Wildwing, [[The Hero]], has an '[[I Know Madden Kombat|explosive puck]]' launcher (effectively a grenade launcher) build into one of his gauntlets (the other has an energy shield generator).
** Duke L'Orange, [[The Lancer]], uses a short [[Laser Blade|laser sword]].
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** [[The Big Guy|Grin]] and [[Action Girl|Mallory]] both prefer hand-to-hand combat.
** Nosedive... doesn't really have a special weapon, though he makes the most use of the pistols that all the characters have.
* All the knights and warlords have at least one ''[[King Arthur and
* ''[[Transformers Animated]]'' has this more-so than most of the ''[[Transformers]]'' incarnations with most of the titular robots having some sort of unique
** Notably, [[The Hero]] Optimus Prime wields a [[Rule of Cool|extendable, rocket-powered]] [[An Axe to Grind|battle axe]], though this has more to do with his alt-mode being a firetruck than saying anything about his personality.
* [[Kim Possible]] doesn't use weapons generally, but does get a lot of mileage out of her grappling gun. Ron at one point had his own signature weapon; the Lotus Blade, which could only be used by a master of the Mystic Monkey Power and had the ability to morph into other weapons (Ron used it as a sword, a staff and a shield during the episode). Ron-centric fanfics will generally have him reclaim the Lotus Blade at some point.
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Signature Tropes]]
[[Category:Characterization Tropes]]
[[Category:Weapons and Wielding Tropes]]
▲[[Category:Weapon Of Choice]]
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