Why heroes were often portrayed with swords rather than other weapons?

[Ikagura Ikagura]

It's a common trope now but in RPGs and tales we often see them carrying a blade over an axe or a spear. How come?

 

[skramz]

because big ass fucking guns don't exist in shitass rpgs, apparently.

 

[Boofytan]

Probably the popularity of King Arthur, lotr & ivanhoe.
Swords became iconic.

 

[JoueurCitoyen]

That's a very good question! In mythologies, there is a wide variety of weapons (Gugunir, Mjöllnir, Poseidon's trident, Xiuhcoatl…) but maybe the most famous one is Excalibur or something. Seriously, what do you think about it?

 

[Bonkers225]

It's the easiest default.

 

[Janunba88]

Hammers/axes/knuckle dusters/clubs are seen as weapons of barbarians
Daggers/knives are seen as weapons of assassins/burglar
Most weapons are associated with a stereotype that has been built up over the years, even firearms fall into this category; after all, you associate revolvers with the Wild West and snipers with professional assassins.

 

[Lod 10]

SeráCould it be because the theme is medieval that modern weapons like pistols and other things didn't exist back then?

 

[NotReallyHere]

'Cuz it's their d0ng

(only partially kidding - there's quite a bit of legitimate symbolism in this...)

 

[John Adams]

For me, swords represents elegance and greatness. Also, I think is for the popularity of theses weapons in the culture.

 

[Graves Ruinwalker]

Hammers/axes/knuckle dusters/clubs are seen as weapons of barbarians
Daggers/knives are seen as weapons of assassins/burglar
Most weapons are associated with a stereotype that has been built up over the years, even firearms fall into this category; after all, you associate revolvers with the Wild West and snipers with professional assassins.

But then we have Halberds , tridents and spears which stand for the guards , soldiers and policing members of society which has heroic tendencies too .

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 1:57 PM

I think the sword overall is the most beloved ones in videogames because most Generals and Commanders not only using these weapons as weapons but also as some sort of pointer which has a great aesthetic on its own . Its more the weapon of authority and the depiction of action .

But i think the sword is a bit too glorified nowadays that even its close relatives like the rapier , falchion , colchimarde and other sword-like weapons are getting ignored or sidelined and seen as inefficient weapons nowadays , which really makes those other weapons a disservice .

I noticed that many TTRPGs and Videogames made most of the legendary weapons Swords and even made them the most powerful of the whole weapons roster . (Except the Golden Axe from the Golden Axe series . Based weapon-choice from Sega .) Thats why i put my magical weapons into my TTRPGs that aint just swords with different flavours of elemental damage .

Some games took the alternatives and became awesome and recognisable for it . ( Dantes Inferno , Castlevania , Rygar )

 

[beefbowl]

That's an issue with anglo-centric western canon. Basically it's because of Arthurian Romances but swords evolved to represent masculine power in literary tradition. There are other weapons in other literary canons, Greek heroes use spears, Turks use maces, Thor uses a hammer, samurai use bows and naginatas, etc.

Most of the medieval popular culture stuff is inspired by Tolkien, who is British and inspired by Arthurian romance. Medieval rpg's we play are there thanks to Tolkien, and that's why they mostly use swords.

Also swords often symbolise penis, you can see it in 18-19th century literature clearly.

 

[SeventhSon]

the sword is a weapon of nobility

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

Because swords are huge cultural symbols in most parts of the world and, unmistakenly, weapons (as opposed to hammers/axes/most other handheld objects that started life as tools).

I particularly find them very serviceable.

 

[Jeff]

Medieval Times, Arabian Times, Feudal Japan times would have something to do about it. Swords have been main weapon for warriors, thieves and Samurais/Ninjas for eons and have been noble from royal families. The same thing with guns in the West, swords are popular in the East.

 

[Frickinfrik]

Cause sword fights last longer than gun fights.

 

[Questless Knight]

Because they are not Americans so they got no need for guns ans fake freedom.

But yeah it´s mostly because they symbolize nobility, honor, and skill, rooted in history where only the wealthy could afford them, and later became shorthand for chivalry and romanticized heroism, making them visually iconic for heroes in fiction

"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chivalry"

 

[NotReallyHere]

Also swords often symbolise penis, you can see it in 18-19th century literature clearly.

We're totally on the same page