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Scabbards are recurring Objects in The Legend of Zelda series.[name reference needed][1] Scabbards are a type of sheath used to hold Swords. In The Legend of Zelda series and other media, specifically the 3D games (as they are not visible in 2D titles), Link normally has a scabbard for his swords. The most ornate scabbards tend to be for the most advanced sword, which is usually, but not always, the Master Sword.
Link himself, in spite of being a master swordsman, infamously wears his scabbards clipped onto a shoulder belt instead of at the hip. This, along with his choice of keeping his Shields on his back, although unrealistic, creates his signature image that is instantly recognized, according to Nintendo. For most swords, the scabbards are automatically changed with them. Though a select few share the same scabbard. Some scabbards have mouths, the name for the opening of the scabbard, that matches the sword’s guard. These parts of the sword form what is known as a chape, which when fitted at the mouth makes a seal when the sword is in the scabbard. The swords and scabbards that have these attributes tend to be the most ornate.
Location and Uses[]
Ocarina of Time[]
Ocarina of Time introduced scabbards to the core series. The scabbard changes depending on Link's age, so the Kokiri Sword had one scabbard and the Master Sword, Giant's Knife and Biggoron's Sword shared a different one. In Ocarina of Time 3D, the latter two blades were given a unique scabbard to match their much longer appearance, and a strap was added to Link's model as shown in official artwork (the original Nintendo 64 version lacks it due to graphical limitations).
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Young Link's scabbard -
Adult Link's scabbard
Majora's Mask[]
Majora's Mask had a scabbard for all the normal B-button swords. The powerful Great Fairy's Sword and Fierce Deity Sword lacked scabbards. Unlike Ocarina of Time, these scabbards are notable for having very accurate sizes in regards to the sword they hold. The Gilded Sword's scabbard is absolutely massive and sometimes clips the ground as Link moves. It is also the first in-game appearance of Link's shoulder-strap.
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Kokiri Sword's scabbard -
Razor Sword's scabbard -
The Gilded Sword's lengthy scabbard
The Wind Waker[]
The Wind Waker had two scabbards, one for each of the swords. All the stages of the Master Sword used the same scabbard. These scabbards followed the style of The Wind Waker of being cel shaded smaller in size.
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Hero's Sword's scabbard
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Master Sword's scabbard
Twilight Princess[]
Twilight Princess had scabbards for two of the three swords. The Wooden Sword was only held by straps instead of a full scabbard. These scabbards have more detail in them than any other game before or since. Sometimes other characters carry scabbards for their own swords. One notable scabbard here is the one for the smaller sword of a Darknut in the game. When the Darknut pulls out this sword, its scabbard gets thrown to the side. There is also the scabbard that Ganondorf uses to carry the Sword of the Sages during the final battle, which appears to be made out of tape put together in the center.
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The Ordon Sword's Scabbard from Twilight Princess
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The Master Sword's Scabbard from Twilight Princess
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A Darknut's Scabbard from Twilight Princess
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Ganondorf's Scabbard from Twilight Princess
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Ashei's Scabbard from Twilight Princess
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The Master Sword's Scabbard from Twilight Princess HD
Phantom Hourglass[]
Phantom Hourglass is the first handheld game to have scabbards. Both of the swords have small scabbards, though Link's hat consistently obscures most of them. Link's initial scabbard given to him by Oshus is identical to the scabbard seen in The Wind Waker.
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Oshus's Sword's scabbard
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Phantom Sword's scabbard
Spirit Tracks[]
Spirit Tracks has scabbards for both swords. Though again Link's hat consistently obscures most of each scabbard.
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Recruit's Sword's scabbard
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Lokomo Sword's scabbard
Skyward Sword[]
In Skyward Sword, the Goddess Sword's scabbard inexplicably changes as the Goddess Sword is upgraded. Impa's outfit also resembles the scabbard of the True Master Sword.
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The Goddess Sword's scabbard
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The Master Sword's scabbard
A Link Between Worlds[]
A Link Between Worlds has scabbards for the Forgotten Sword and the Master Sword . Though it is difficult to see because the top view angle of the game.
Tri Force Heroes[]
In Tri Force Heroes only the Bear Minimun, Hero's Tunic and the Timeless Tunic outfits have scabbards. Similar to A Link Between Worlds it is difficult to see because of the angle.
Breath of the Wild[]
Out-of-Game Scabbards[]
Scabbards have technically existed as early as A Link to the Past. This game, alongside Link's Awakening, Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures, and The Minish Cap do not depict Link with a scabbard in-game, usually because his sword is always drawn and those installments are in 2D graphics. However, Link is depicted with a scabbard in artwork for the games. His scabbard in A Link to the Past and Link's Awakening appears as a dark brown with a red jewel at the bottom. The scabbards seen in Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures and The Minish Cap appear identical to the Hero's Sword's scabbard seen in The Wind Waker.
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The scabbard from A Link to the Past
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Four Sword's scabbard
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Smith's Sword's scabbard
Trivia[]
The hidden scabbard on the Hero's Spirit as seen in Twilight Princess
- Although often missed by players, in Twilight Princess, the Hero's Spirit, who is the restless soul of the legendary Hero of Time (the Link of the N64 games), actually wears a scabbard and is briefly seen when he teaches Link, the Hero of Twilight, the seven Hidden Skills. In this case, he properly carries it on his hip rather than on his back. The scabbard itself is a worn-out version of the Master Sword's, despite the blade he uses is completely different.
- In SoulCalibur II, whenever Link uses any of his unlockable weapons, the scabbard he wears for his Master Sword seemingly vanishes, even with the Mirror Shield where he wields the Blade of Evil's Bane. It is unknown why it occurs, though it is presumably by graphical limitations.
An early scabbard seen in the beta version of Ocarina of Time
- During early development of Ocarina of Time, the Kokiri Sword and Master Sword's scabbards both appear to be entirely made of wood.
See Also[]
References
- ↑ Creating a Champion, Dark Horse Books, pg. 168