Five of the Most Powerful Swords in Dungeons and Dragons
If you want to survive any number of perilous adventures while remaining a dependable source of strength for your often beleaguered party, you’ll need a considerable weapon of improbable (and magical) power.
You see, Dungeons and Dragons is a dangerous endeavor when relying on simple weapons that barely scratch an ox.
If you want to truly protect the realms from salivating orcs, trolls, and all manner of demon-bred darklings, you’ll need a legendary sword of impossible, magical might.
If you’re lucky, and your dice rolls aren’t cursed, you may live long enough to grasp, and actually wield, one of the following powerful swords from Dungeons and Dragons.
Dawnbringer
(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast)
Where is it from? The “Out of the Abyss” adventure module.
Its purpose? To bring light to a world of darkness, and therefore, smite the creatures of darkness.
This sentient sword with its very own stats will only attune with non-evil creatures (so, this is a perfect weapon for paladins and clerics). Featuring a feminine and supportive voice, this magical sword is incredibly compassionate to those in need, but will absolutely sword-stomp the agents of chaos.
What does it actually do?
It illuminates dark environments (it has all the properties of a Sun Blade).
It can heal with one daily casting of “Lesser Restoration.”
It adds a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls.
And it does 1d8 “Radiant Damage” to the undead.
The Luck Blade
(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast)
Where is it from? The Dungeon Master’s Guide.
Its purpose? Besides stabbing, the Luck Blade grants its wielder the most powerful spell in D&D – the Wish spell. Yep, the Luck Blade has three charges, and therefore, three chances to utilize Wish. Unfortunately, those charges never regenerate.
What does it actually do?
It allows you to gamebreak once per day in-game.
It saves you from critical failures.
Due to its luck properties, it allows a reroll of one roll per day.
It adds +1 to attack and damage rolls.
It also grants a +1 bonus to saving throws.
Finding a Luck Blade is a major accomplishment. In fact, these blades are so darn powerful, an entire campaign could focus on one’s perilous acquisition.
Blackrazor
(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast)
Where is it from? This is an oldie (but goodie) from the Dungeon Master’s Guide.
Its purpose? To hate/stab/kill anything and anyone. Honestly, it wants to return the universe to an infinite (and lifeless) black void. And you can probably guess Blackrazor isn't the ideal weapon for paladins (hardy-har).
And if the above isn’t evil enough for you, the self-aware, dangerously intelligent Blackrazor sword consumes human souls (and you better consume souls regularly, or Blackrazor will consume yours).
What does it actually do?
Soul consumption!
Keeps you buffed and healed.
Big surprise – it attunes with non-lawful creatures.
Adds a +3 attack and damage roll bonus.
Thanks to its soul-devouring properties, the wielder receives a temporary boost of hit points equal to the slain creature’s maximum hit points.
Thanks to its “Soul Hunter” properties, the blade is uncannily aware of creatures within a 60-foot radius.
The Vorpal Sword
(Image credit: Mirage Studios)
Where is it from? The Dungeon Master’s Guide. However, it takes its name from the famous Lewis Carroll poem, The Jabberwocky. And in this slightly nonsensical work, the Jabberwocky was killed handily with the Vorpal blade.
Its purpose? To swiftly decapitate your enemies (with a natural role of 20). And yeah, the regular damage isn’t great, but the ability to kill instantly kind of makes up for it.
What does it actually do?
Immediate decapitation (insta-killing!) with a roll of 20!
+3 bonus to attack and damage rolls.
It totally ignores slashing resistance!
The Holy Avenger
(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast)
Where is it from? The Dungeon Master’s Guide.
Its purpose? The ideal weapon for paladins, the Holy Avenger sword is made for dealing serious damage to fiends and the undead; beyond its +3 bonus to attack/damage, the sword inflicts an additional 2d10 “radiant damage” to these evil-born abominations.
And this sword is the perfect party protector – it emanates a 10-foot aura allowing allies within it to roll with advantage on saving throws against spells. If the paladin is 17th level (or higher), the aura extends 30 feet. So, the Holy Avenger essentially creates an effective (and shareable) anti-magic shield.
What does it actually do?
It attunes to paladins.
It offers a +3 bonus to attack/damage rolls.
It really slaps around fiends and the undead.
It creates anti-magic barriers around thankful adventurers.
Are these the most powerful swords in Dungeons and Dragons?
They’re certainly formidable, but they’re only a sample. There are more, equally devastating blades hidden throughout besieged kingdoms, ancient ruins, and villages teeming with ferocious undead. Your quest? To recover these lost, legendary blades, and list them triumphantly in the comments below.
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