Master Sword and Hylian Shield

Master Sword and Hylian Shield
The Master Sword and Hylian Shield
General Information
Wielder	Link
Weapon Type	Sword and Shield
Obtainment
Price	Free
Statistics
Special Effects	None

The Master Sword and Hylian Shield (マスターソード＆ハイリアの盾, Master Sword and Hylian Shield^?) are the default weapons used by Link in Soulcalibur II.

Soulcalibur II

"Link's most familiar and well-balanced weapon."

— Description

There are two variants in the game: Master Sword & Hylian Shield (1P) and Master Sword & Hylian Shield (2P). There are no differences between the two.

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A magic sword and shield that have accompanied Link on many adventures and helped him repeatedly save the land of Hyrule. This journey is no less dire, and Link once again goes into battle equipped with these items, this time in another world. These are well-balanced arms for Link.

The Legend of Zelda series

The iconic Master Sword made its debut in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Being almost always his signature weapon of choice, the sword appears in most installments of the longtime series as the most powerful weapon that Link can obtain, story-wise. However, gameplay-wise, IF the Master Sword plays a part in the story, stronger weapons are expected. Originally, as seen in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, it was the Goddess Sword, a powerful weapon forged by the goddess known as Hylia, made to be used by her chosen hero one day. Guiding the hero was a spirit living inside of the blade known as Fi. By tempering the blade in the sacred flames of the three goddesses Din, Farore and Nayru, it receives its more familiar form through gradual empowerment. It is often aptly referred as "The Blade of Evil's Bane" due to its affiliation with Link slaying evil monsters with its magical blade; It is for this reason that Link must specifically seek out for this sword in order to banish evil effectively - specifically his archnemesis, Ganon. The Master Sword can serve different purposes alongside combat such as Link traveling seven years in time as seen in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, or, in the case of The Wind Waker, shatter magical barriers.

The Hylian Shield made its first appearance in Ocarina of Time, where Link's younger self can obtain it before he becomes an adult. Due to its size and weight, Link can't use it in conjunction with the sword, serving as a 'turtle shell' as he ducks with his shield facing up to cover him. Upon obtaining the Master Sword and becoming older, he is able to wield it with the other hand like normal. Similar shields have since then appeared in other installments before it makes its second official appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. The very first Hylian Shield (in Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword) was forged by the thunder dragon Lanaryu, where it was presented to Link as a reward for overcoming eight of his trials. Forged by divine hands, the Hylian Shield was the ultimate shield Link could obtain as it could block all attacks and was impossible to shatter; However, this statement is false in some Zelda media, as for example, in Ocarina of Time, the Like Like enemies can still eat and destroy this shield and it is surpassed by the Mirror Shield (which was truly unbreakable).

Trivia

• The Master Sword is the only sword in Link's arsenal to have a scabbard. The alternative weapons in Link's arsenal have the scabbard seemingly vanished if the player uses them. Additionally, if Link uses the Mirror Shield, he will also no longer have the scabbard for the Master Sword itself.
• The appearance of both the Master Sword and Hylian Shield is the one from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
• Unlike all other characters' default weapons, there is no distinction between Player 1 and Player 2 versions of the Master Sword and Hylian Shield. This trait is shared by Spawn's Agony.
• The Biggoron's Sword, Great Fairy Sword, Silver Arrows, and Light Arrows are known examples to be more powerful weapons than the Master Sword in the Zelda series.
• Interestingly, in A Link to the Past and A Link Between Worlds, the Master Sword itself can actually be upgraded by forging or magical means, to become the Tempered Sword and Golden Sword, respectively.
• The Master Sword is comparable to Soul Calibur in that it is a holy sword destined to vanquish great evil in the Zelda series.

See Also

• Master Sword on the Zelda Wiki.
• Hylian Shield on the Zelda Wiki.