Best sword Pokémon of all time

Cool Sword Day is here once again, a Polygon-born tradition where we celebrate all the coolest swords across video games, movies, TV shows — you name it. While swords aren't typically used in the world of Pokémon, there are plenty of Pokémon that either wield swords, look like swords, or are otherwise be-sworded.

We'll try not to stretch the definition of "sword" too far, so there'll be no claws in this list, nor anything that is more spear or hammer-like. Without further ado, here are the coolest sword Pokémon of all time, ranked in ascending order.

6 Honorable mentions

Before getting into the meat of this list, it's time for a few honorable mentions that just missed out, starting with the only first-generation Pokémon on this list: Kabutops. (Sorry, Scyther; Scizor is ultimately cooler than you, but doesn't have swords.) This bipedal beast has two enormous blades for hands, and it evolves from the adorably meek Kabuto. Talk about a glow-up.

Kartana is next, and the only Pokémon which has the exact same name as an actual type of sword, with one additional letter. The only problem is it looks absolutely ridiculous. It's only 11.8 inches tall and looks like it's made out of paper. Since it's an Ultra Beast, it's also impossible to catch outside of Pokémon Sun and Moon (and Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, of course).

Finally, Kingambit rounds off our honorable mentions, and was the closest to finding its way to the final list, but realistically, Doublade couldn't not be on here. Kingambit's sword looks like a massive mohawk, and he is high up on the list of "Pokémon you'd never want to encounter down a dark alley."

5 Doublade

What's better than one sword? Two swords! Doublade is the evolution of Honedge, which is already a pretty badass sword, but putting both on this list would be cheating. It looks even cooler when the swords are unsheathed… It's just a shame Aegislash, the final evolution, goes back to being one sword again instead of the logical next step of becoming three. Also, ghost-type Pokémon rock, and a shiny Doublade has red swords.

The reason Doublade is so low down on this list is because, ultimately, the only thing cooler than a sentient sword (or pair of swords, in this instance) is when the Pokémon wielding the sword is one mean lookin' fella.

4 Zacian

Who's a good boy? Zacian is! Of course the face of Pokémon Sword needed to be on this list, and let's face it: Zacian is awesome. Not just because, alongside Zamazenta and the eventual two kings of Galar, they thwarted Eternatus. Nor because it has an incredibly aesthetically pleasing color palette: That combo of red, blue, and gold goes hard.

No, Zacian is awesome because, in its Crowned Sword form, it holds the sword in its mouth. Like I said: Who's a good boy with a ferocious sword? Zacian is! It only comes in at fourth on our list, though, because ultimately, it only has a sword in one of its two forms, and the Hero of Many Battles form doesn't look anywhere near as cool.

3 Iron Valiant

Paradox Pokémon are, sorry to say, one of Pokémon's silliest gimmicks. Most of them look rubbish and the naming convention is completely opposed to what makes regular Pokémon cool. That said, visually, Iron Valiant is one of the exceptions.

Evidently a futuristic version of Gallade, Iron Valiant is mech-like in its appearance, and it has a fantastic pink blade. It's like Darth Maul got fused with Metal Sonic and ran through a Miami Vice color palette. According to lore, it's allegedly the result of a mad scientist trying to create the strongest psychic-type Pokémon. So just Mewtwo in disguise then.

2 Sirfetch'd

What a charming chap. You'd trust Sirfetch'd with your life, let's be honest; just look at that no-nonsense bird, complete with a leek bigger than you've ever seen that’s been sharpened into a sword, and it’s got a shield? If Pokémon were real, I'd have a Sirfetch'd by my side at all times.

While its evolution method from Galarian Farfetch'd is frustrating to execute, it's also one of the most interesting and unique, as you need to land three critical hits in a single battle. Sirfetch'd is also the only Pokémon that can learn the fighting-type attack Meteor Assault, one of the best move names in the whole franchise. (The move itself isn't too shabby either, with 150 damage and 100% accuracy.)

1 Ceruledge

As for the best sword Pokémon of all? That title goes to Ceruledge. What a stunning Pokémon. That dark-blue shade combined with the lighter blue swords with pink tips, alongside the blue flames, make it one of the coolest Pokémon designs of all time.

Fire/ghost is also one of the best type combinations in Pokémon. Compared to Armarouge, the alternative evolution from Charcadet, Ceruledge is miles clear. Its Legends Z-A Pokédex entry also shows how loyal it is to its trainer, saying that if anyone shows hostility, "Ceruledge will cut the offender down without a second thought."