Hey Ever Notice...

[Tenkage]

Hey Ever Notice that most RPG's have the main character using a Sword, I mean the lead main character (Cloud, Sora, Squall, ect) I mean I understand the whole idea, but why always a sword, or a varation of the sword (Gunblade, keyblade, double blade ect)

 

[AugustFall]

Cause swords are the coolest to the majority of people, the less cool weapons are reserved for side characters.

 

[The Procrastinated End]

Sword's seem to be the most efficient melee weapon considering that over 75% of it is sharp pointy death (most of the time).

 

[Omikron009]

The only RPG I've ever played in which the main character uses a sword (and they don't even have to) is Dragon Age. Unless lightsabers count as swords.

EDIT: Also Oblivion.

 

[Tenkage]

Cause swords are the coolest to the majority of people, the less cool weapons are reserved for side characters.

Sword's seem to be the most efficient melee weapon considering that over 75% of it is sharp pointy death (most of the time).

Yeah but what about if the hero used a Spear, that would be cool, or perhaps a sweat Axe. What I wonder is why swords, I mean I admit they are cool but what about some variety

 

[Thedayrecker]

You seem to have listed JRPG's, and the answer seems obvious. I'll give you a hint: It's the "J" part.

 

[Tenkage]

You seem to have listed JRPG's, and the answer seems obvious. I'll give you a hint: It's the "J" part.

Hmmm...ok I'm begining to see a point but I also notice in like Oblivion, the best Weapons arei n fact swords, not axes or maces, Swords

 

[Avayu]

Because swords are associated with knights, samurai or other awesome warriors throughout history. Also, in most societies and times, a sword was very expensive, making it the weapon of the rich and the mighty. This means a person carrying a sword has either enough money, power or skill, which makes them quite good leaders.

 

[Thedayrecker]

You seem to have listed JRPG's, and the answer seems obvious. I'll give you a hint: It's the "J" part.

Hmmm...ok I'm begining to see a point but I also notice in like Oblivion, the best Weapons arei n fact swords, not axes or maces, Swords

But you don't have to equip swords. And in Oblivion, if you're fighting skeletons, maces are better.

 

[Avayu]

Swords are symbolic of nobility, command and martial ability. The image of the sword-wielding hero is as old as swords themselves are. A sword bearing hero adopts the mantle of a noble knight on a quest.

Exactly. Oh, and not to forget, a sword is essentially a phallic symbol, isn't it?

 

[More Fun To Compute]

Swords are status symbols. In legends they were often named and described in detail. Having a hero in a fantasy game using something other than a sword is like having having James Bond drive around in a Ford Focus. In other words, it's a cliché.

 

[AugustFall]

Yeah but what about if the hero used a Spear, that would be cool, or perhaps a sweat Axe. What I wonder is why swords, I mean I admit they are cool but what about some variety

Why take the risk? It might seem like a nice change but no one is going to not buy a game because the protagonist uses a sword and they are sick of it.
Plus with a sword you get all that sweet imagery of pointing it to the sky, pointing at the enemy etc.
And last of all the drawing of the weapon, there are very few weapons which can be as effectively sheathed as a sword. Most other weapons are cumbersome and unwieldy to have on your person all the time as most characters do. This detracts from the grandeur of the main character.

I'm not saying these are absolutes and there is no way a main character could have any other weapon, just some reasons why he/she won't. There is no incentive to change it.

 

[Tenkage]

Swords are symbolic of nobility, command and martial ability. The image of the sword-wielding hero is as old as swords themselves are. A sword bearing hero adopts the mantle of a noble knight on a quest.

Exactly. Oh, and not to forget, a sword is essentially a phallic symbol, isn't it?

I suppose that would explain why Cloud carries a big one (LOL)

 

[dragontiers]

Swords are iconic, so if you don't have a choice in what your main character uses, it will likely be a sword. If you notice, in most games where you have a choice, things like axes, hammers, and halberds do more damage, but are compensated for by having higher "speed" or amount of time between swings. This does have a small basis in realism, but tends to make these weapons look less favorable in comparison to the more lightweight sword, which still does decent damage.

 

[neoontime]

Hey, a sword is a sword but gunblades are just to awsome, I have no problem if the main charachter has a gunblade.

 

[Loop Stricken]

Guess what?
Swords are just better [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/KatanasAreJustBetter].

 

[Lexodus]

I know, it kind of bothers me too. I'd kill for a spear or glaive kind of thing, which is part of the reason I love Dynasty Warriors so much, since there are so many weapons to choose from. Or something else, just not a sword. I guess, however, they're kind of easy to fight with, and well balanced (cause, you know, lop off the head of a spear and it's a stick, and a full-sized one would be ridiculously impractical).

 

[default]

Swords are effective, adaptable and balanced. They can cut, thrust and slash, and they just look incredibly awesome.

 

[Tenkage]

I know, it kind of bothers me too. I'd kill for a spear or glaive kind of thing, which is part of the reason I love Dynasty Warriors so much, since there are so many weapons to choose from. Or something else, just not a sword. I guess, however, they're kind of easy to fight with, and well balanced (cause, you know, lop off the head of a spear and it's a stick, and a full-sized one would be ridiculously impractical).

A Main Character with a glaive...that would be badass, or a Katar

 

[Dreey]

Mount and Blade have all those weapons! I would say that every weapon have its strengths in that game....