[Top 10] Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Best Swords To Use (Early to Late Game)

Updated:

22 Feb 2024

Weapons play a huge role in every fantasy game, but nothing is more classic than the sword. Every great hero you’ve ever known has very likely wielded a great sword, and Link, the Hero of Hyrule, is no different.

Although there is one sword that stands above the rest, Link has a catalog of powerful blades. He has many swords shiny and new, but also old ones that made a reappearance in Zelda’s newest story: Tears of the Kingdom.

The new Fuse ability completely changes what weapons mean for the game, as now the player can create any weapon they could possibly imagine. Even so, there are numerous amazing swords in Tears of the Kingdom that you can use on its own, or together with a fused material.

Follow along as we share our top ten favorite swords in Tears of the Kingdom from early to late game and how to use them as a base to make an even more powerful weapon.

10. Soldier’s Broadsword

Link fighting with the decayed Soldier's Broadsword

The Soldier’s Broadsword is a plain, one-handed blade that was once used by soldiers to protect Hyrule Castle. This is likely going to be the very first weapon you get beyond a stick and a rock, but that doesn’t make it a bad one.

After you’ve only been fighting using weak, blunt objects, this blade will feel like a dream and give you the edge you need to build your skills and materials. As with the stick and tree branch, you can use the Soldier’s Broadsword as a base weapon to make it more powerful by fusing it with monster parts and other materials.

What We Like About the Soldier’s Broadsword

Because of its lightweight nature, the Soldier’s Broadsword boasts the Fast Charge effect, meaning Link can use charged attacks much faster than usual.
They are super easy to find so you will never run out.
A great base weapon to start with early on in the game when there are not many attainable materials.

Soldier’s Broadsword Stats:

Base Attack: 12
Durability: 23
Special Effect: Fast Charge

How to get the Soldier’s Broadsword:

You can find the decayed version of this sword all across the surface, but to get the pristine version you will have destroy it then travel to the depths and obtain it from a Shadow Soldier.

9. Zora Longsword

Zora Longsword

The Zora Longsword is a two-handed weapon crafted from a special kind of metal that is both rust-resistant and durable. It is ornamented with traditional Zora designs and takes to water like a true Zora.

This is another sword that may seem simple but is actually quite useful early on. Thanks to the water warrior effect that gives this sword an attack boost when it is wet, it’s best to use it when attacking enemies in the water.

What We Like About the Zora Longsword:

The attack power is doubled when wet which makes it much stronger than at first glance.
Durability increases by 25 when fused.
They are easy to get and will be a massive improvement from sticks and stones early on.
Other Zora Weapons come with similar effects so if you prefer one handed weapons or spears, you can find them.
Although Mipha’s Lightscale Trident is more powerful, the Zora Longsword is easier to find with similar effects.

Zora Longsword Stats:

Base Attack: 17
Durability: 30
Special Effects: Water Warrior

How to get the Zora Longsword:

The Zora Longsword can be found across the Lanayru Wetlands. Some enemies in this area carry it, one being the Blue Lizalfos found southeast of Zodobon Highlands. You will be able to find the decayed version of this sword on the surface, but to get the pristine sword you will have to break it, and then find it in the depths from a Shadow Soldier.

8. Sword of the Hero

Sword of the Hero

The Sword of the Hero is one of the Legacy Weapons found in Tears of the Kingdom and fortunately it’s not difficult to obtain. It is a simple one-handed blade based off the sword from the very first game in the Legend of Zelda series. You ought to find this sword early on, after all, it is dangerous to go alone.

What we like About the Sword of the Hero:

A legacy weapon that calls back to one of the most iconic moments of the entire series.
Quite easy to obtain early on.
High base attack and durability for an early weapon.

Sword of the Hero Stats:

Base Attack: 17
Durability: 27
Special Effect: None

How to get the Sword of the Hero:

Enter the Birida Lookout Chasm in the Gerudo Highlands and go down to the Depths. Make your way to Dalite Grove in the Hyrule Ridge depths, underneath the Dalits Forest on the surface. It will be in a hollowed out tree stump.

7. Royal Guard’s Claymore

Royal Guards Claymore

The Royal Guard’s Claymore is a two-handed weapon that the guards who directly protected the royal family used all the way back in Hyrule’s heyday. It is made using ancient Sheika technology to yield massive destructive power, especially when close to breaking.

What we like About the Royal Guard’s Claymore:

When it’s close to breaking point, the attack damage doubles.
Though its durability is unfortunately low, it can actually serve as an advantage thanks to the breaking point special effect.
It has a higher base damage then the unawakened Master Sword.

Royal Guard’s Claymore Stats:

Base Attack: 32
Durability: 11
Special Effect: Breaking Point

How to get the Royal Guard’s Claymore:

Find this sword inside the floating Hyrule Castle. It may seem like a daunting task at first, but if you move sneakily, you can make your way around the castle without encountering many enemies. There is a Royal Guard’s Claymore inside the Sanctum at Hyrule Castle.

6. Fierce Deity Sword

Link as the Fierce Deity

This is the second legacy weapon found on our list that it is best to obtain mid-game. The Fierce Deity Sword is a two-handed double helix claymore that originates from Majora’s Mask. When Link wears this in Majora’s Mask, he is granted an adult form that gives him nearly god-like abilities because it yields a piece of every single mask.

Luckily, the sword doesn’t stray far from that idea.

What we like About the Fierce Deity Sword:

Incredibly high base attack power at 38 which makes it one of the strongest, pre-fusion swords in the game.
It can be worn with the Fierce Deity Set to enable an attack bonus.
It’s as cool and menacing as the first time Link put on the mask.
It also has a high base durability making this a powerful and balanced sword.

Fierce Deity Sword Stats:

Base Attack: 38
Durability: 35
Special Effect: None

How to get the Fierce Deity Sword:

To get this amazing sword, you will have to complete "Misko's Treasure: The Fierce Deity" side quest. First, you must obtain each piece of the Fierce Deity armor, then head back to Cephla Lake Cave. Enter the cave wearing all three parts of the armor, and a hidden door will open to reveal another room with a chest. Open the chest and reap your reward!

5. White Sword of the Sky

Link as the Hero of the Sky

Another legacy sword, this one modeled after the legendary weapon from Skyward Sword. The story of Tears of the Kingdom parallels that of Skyward Sword in many ways, so it is nice to have a callback to the very first hero.

The White Sword of the Sky is a simple one-handed sword with an elegant white blade reminiscent of the Goddess. When it's wielded, a strange yet heavenly breeze kicks up around you.

What we like About the White Sword of the Sky:

It has a very high base durability so it will last you a long while.
Time to be sneaky with this sword with its special ability to sneak strike. Use this sword when sneaking around enemy camps and you may just kill a powerful enemy with one strike.
While the attack power is lower than some other swords, you could easily make up for it by adding a powerful monster horn.
Its elegance breathes nostalgia for past lives.

White Sword of the Sky Stats:

Base Attack: 24
Durability: 45
Special Effect: Sneak Strike

How to get the White Sword of the Sky:

This sword is the gift for completing the “Mother Goddess Statue” side quest where you will need to unlock each of the three goddess statues using dragon parts. After that you will go back to the mother goddess statue in the Forgotten Temple in the Tanagar Canyon near the Mayausiy Shrine, pray to her and she will gift this sword as a reward.

4. Dusk Claymore

Link and a very large sword

The Dusk Claymore is the legendary sword that first appears in Twilight Princess. It’s actually the exact sword that the Six Sages used to try to defeat Ganon, but after they failed, he stole it from them. It’s an elegant two-handed sword, which, is much too lovely to be wielded by such a malicious fellow as Ganon.

What we like About the Dusk Claymore:

It has a high base attack.
High base durability, one of the highest in the game.
Adding a monster part could make this one of the most powerful swords in the game.
It would be quite poetic to use this sword while fighting Ganon to avenge the Six Sages.

Dusk Claymore Stats:

Base Attack: 32
Durability: 50
Special Effect: None

How to get the Dusk Claymore:

It does take a fair amount of story to play through before you are able to unlock this weapon, so you will have to find it later in the game. First, you will need to finish the Regional Phenomena part of the main quest by completing all four temples. Then go to the Typhlo Ruins Skyview Tower and talk to Kazul who will give you four quests. You must complete the four Typhlo Ruins Side Adventures and unlock the Investigate Typhlo Ruins Side Adventure. The claymore is sealed away in a chest in Typhlo ruins which is found only after completing each of these quests.

3. Scimitar of the Seven

Scimitar of the Seven

This is a one-handed weapon that was once the chosen weapon wielded by Urbosa. It is decorated with the classic Gerudo red and gold colors as well as some decorative designs along the side.

You might be confused to see this so high up on the list when other swords have a higher base attack than its 28+, but the Scimitar of the Seven has a special ability to put this sword above the others. You will gain the ability of Strong Fusion meaning that all fused material attack power is doubled.

What we like About the Scimitar of the Seven:

It has very high durability matched with Strong Fusion that might even create weapons as powerful as Urbosa’s Fury.
Powerful fuse bonus which will easily bring up the attack power if fused with a strong monster part or weapon.
Use it alongside the Day Breaker shield to get the real feeling of Gerudo power.
Beautifully decorated and made with rare materials

Scimitar of the Seven Stats:

Base Attack: 28
Durability: 60
Special Effect: Strong Fusion

How to get the Scimitar of the Seven:

Like the previous weapons, you will have to play through parts of the main story to obtain it, so it’s not possible until you’ve put in a few hours. You must complete the “Riju of Gerudo Town” part of the main quest by defeating the Queen Gibdo. Then you can complete the “Missing Owner” side quest and save Isha from a molduga. After she returns to Gerudo town, you can initiate the “Pride of the Gerudo” side quest where you must bring her the rare materials to craft the sword.

2. Gloom Sword

Gloom Sword

The Gloom Sword is a single-handed weapon that is slender and ominous and said to end the life of all those who touch it.

This is from a series of weapons infected by the gloom that leaked out from underneath Hyrule Castle. Each of these gloom weapons has a passive ability called the Gloom Toll which will partially drain your hearts every time you use it. It is recommended to get this later on in the game after you’ve acquired the many hearts needed to wield it, lest you face deadly consequences.

What we like About the Gloom Sword:

It has the highest base attack before fusion in the game. So, while you can’t use it for long, you won’t really need to because it will kill enemies quickly.
Its durability is low, but you can fuse it with something more sturdy to make it last longer.
If you use this sword outside of the depths, you will be able to regenerate your hearts. If you use it in the depths, you cannot restore them easily.

Gloom Sword Stats:

Base Attack: 41
Durability: 15
Special Effect: Gloom Toll

How to get the Gloom Sword:

You can obtain the weapon from a drop after defeating Phantom Ganon during the main story quest “Crisis at Hyrule Castle- The Floating Castle.” It is located northeast of the Lanayru Wetlands Region.

1. Master Sword

Link and the glowing Master Sword

Finally, we’ve reached the most coveted and iconic sword of the entire series, the sword that seals the darkness. The sword that you spend hours upon hours searching for in every game: the Master Sword.

The Master Sword is a sleek, one-handed weapon that glows blue when you are near a gloom-stricken enemy. It is said that you can sometimes hear a voice coming from it, a possible nod to our favorite friend, Fi.

It is the most powerful sword in the game that grants you many special abilities, but the most important thing to note is how it is super effective against gloom creatures.

What we like About the Master Sword:

It does not break. While it does go into periods of rest, you will never have to find it again.
When you are at full health, it can shoot a powerful beam. Be careful when using this, though, as it will drain the sword’s energy quickly.
If you wear the Champion’s Leathers you don’t need to be at full health to shoot the beam.
When equipped with the Ancient Hero’s aspect, the beam power increases.
You can even fuse other materials with it.
Obtaining this sword will automatically increase your weapon inventory.

Master Sword Stats:

Base Attack: 30
Awakened: 60
Durability: 40
Special Effect: Master Sword Beam

How to get the Master Sword:

After spending so much time getting the Master Sword in Breath of the Wild, players may wonder what happened? You will quickly learn that the sword has done a fair share of traveling on its own.

First, you must find all the Geoglyphs that contain the memories of Zelda as she travels through time. After that, find the Light Dragon and pull the sword from its head which requires two full wheels of stamina. However, the Light Dragon moves around the entire map of Hyrule, so she can be difficult to locate.