Editing Master Sword (section)

== Characteristics ==
The Master Sword is a divine, magic sword and the signature weapon of [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]], the hero of ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' series. It has become a defining aspect of Link's identity alongside the Hylian Shield and a prominent icon used to market the franchise.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Fontes |first=Renan |date=2020-08-04 |title=Breath Of The Wild: 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Master Sword's Past |url=https://gamerant.com/breath-of-the-wild-master-sword-past-history/ |access-date=2021-09-23 |website=Game Rant |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Plant |first=Logan |date=2023-04-13 |title=20 Details from the Best The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Trailer Yet |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/20-details-from-the-best-legend-of-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-trailer-yet |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> The majority of ''The Legend of Zelda'' video games follow a similar story arc that involves Link embarking on a journey that eventually leads him to recovering the Master Sword. The blade is traditionally found in its stone pedestal and must be pulled from the pedestal by Link to retrieve it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gratton |first=Kyle |date=2021-04-14 |title=Zelda: Who Put The Master Sword In The Stone? |url=https://screenrant.com/legend-zelda-master-sword-pedestal-lore-link-demise/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref> Although it is not always the strongest sword in ''Zelda'' games, the Master Sword is superior to other in-game weapons as it is the only weapon in most games that has the capability of defeating [[Ganon]].<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Drake |first=Audrey |date=2011-03-22 |title=The Legend of Zelda's Best Weapons |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/03/22/the-legend-of-zeldas-best-weapons |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>

The Master Sword has been referred to by various names. In several games, it is named as the "blade of evil's bane".<ref name=":10" /> In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom|Tears of the Kingdom]]'', the Master Sword is referred to as "the sword that seals the darkness".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Reynolds|first=Matthew|date=2018-03-02|title=Zelda: Breath of the Wild Master Sword - location of the legendary weapon and how to complete The Hero's Sword|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-03-02-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-master-sword-location-the-heroes-sword-4857|access-date=2021-09-21|website=Eurogamer|language=en}}</ref> In the mythology of the series, the Master Sword is a divine object—in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|Skyward Sword]]'', it originates in the Goddess Sword, created by the goddess [[Hylia (The Legend of Zelda)|Hylia]], and is inhabited by a humanoid spirit named [[Fi (The Legend of Zelda)|Fi]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=2011-10-07 |title=Skyward Sword characters detailed |language=en |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/skyward-sword-characters-detailed |access-date=2023-08-05}}</ref> Over the course of the game, the Goddess Sword is transformed into the Master Sword, a powerful blade that has the magical ability to repel evil.<ref name=":3" />

The design of the sword has evolved over the course of each ''Zelda'' title, but it has become identifiable by its purple and silver design. It is a one-handed longsword blade featuring a blue or purple hilt with green grip, purple spread-winged handguards and a yellow gem inlaid in the centre.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=Creswell|first=Jacob|date=2021-07-26|title=Zelda: The Master Sword's Most Important Variations|url=https://www.cbr.com/zelda-master-sword-variations-ranked/|access-date=2021-09-21|website=CBR|language=en-US}}</ref> A defining feature of the sword is that it displays the [[Triforce]], which is engraved on the blade just above the [[ricasso]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Serrano|first=Ryan|date=2020-08-31|title=Nintendo Arsenal: The Legend of Zelda's Master Sword, Explained|url=https://www.cbr.com/nintendo-arsenal-zelda-master-sword-explained/|access-date=2021-09-23|website=CBR|language=en-US}}</ref>

The sword possesses various magical abilities, such as generating fire attacks and lightning attacks in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]''. In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]'', it acts as a seal that protects the [[Sacred Realm]] and the [[Triforce]]. It can also alter time by placing it in its pedestal to send Link back to his childhood or by removing it again to travel to the future.<ref name=":3" /> In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]'', the sword blocks the powers of Ganondorf and freezes time around Hyrule Castle, so that removing the blade from its pedestal restores Ganondorf's minions. In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]'', Link uses it to open a path in time. In ''Skyward Sword'', it can be pointed towards the sky to gather energy from the heavens and launch a light beam known as a Skyward Strike.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book|last=Nintendo|url=http://archive.org/details/TheLegendOfZeldaEncyclopedia|title=The Legend Of Zelda Encyclopedia|date=2018-06-19|pages=82–83}}</ref> In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds|A Link Between Worlds]]'', the Master Sword is the only weapon that can break the magical barrier that is placed on Hyrule Castle.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Gratton|first=Kyle|date=2021-08-29|title=The Legend of Zelda: The Master Sword's Magic Powers, Explained|url=https://screenrant.com/legend-zelda-master-sword-magic-powers-time-travel/|access-date=2021-09-22|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US}}</ref> In ''[[Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity]]'', it emits light beams that deal high damage to surrounding enemies.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Peterson|first=Cody|date=2020-11-26|title=The Best Weapons For Link in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity|url=https://screenrant.com/best-weapons-link-hyrule-warriors-calamity/|access-date=2021-09-22|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US}}</ref> In ''Breath of the Wild'' its superior qualities are indicated by its high durability, as it is the only weapon that is unbreakable and must be recharged before being wielded again.<ref>{{Cite web|last=May 2017|first=Shabana Arif 07|date=2017-05-07|title=The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild unbreakable / high durability weapons and shield locations|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-unbreakable-weapons-and-shield-locations/|access-date=2021-09-22|website=gamesradar|language=en}}</ref> When in close proximity to enemies associated with [[Calamity Ganon]], it glows blue and doubles its attack strength.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Barder|first=Ollie|title=The Trial Of The Sword In 'Zelda: Breath Of The Wild' Is Actually Pretty Great|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2017/07/02/the-trial-of-the-sword-in-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-is-actually-pretty-great/|access-date=2021-09-23|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref> In ''Tears of the Kingdom'', it possesses similar characteristics and emits higher powered attacks in proximity to enemies associated with Ganondorf.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hague |first=Alana |date=2023-05-22 |title=How To Get The Master Sword In Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/how-to-get-the-master-sword-in-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom |access-date=2023-06-16 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref>