Zantetsuken ( weapon ) Zantetsuken , also known as Scimitar , is a recurring weapon in the " Final Fantasy " series . It usually appears as a curved scimitar , either with a blue blade or a blue aura . It is the trademark weapon of Odin , wielded by him in all his appearances , and shares its name with his trademark attack , Zantetsuken . However , it can also be used by other characters , and can sometimes be equipped by the party . Appearances . " Final Fantasy VI " . Zantetsuken ( Scimitar in the translations prior to the GBA release ) is obtained after defeating the Blue Dragon in the Ancient Castle , or by betting the Lightbringer in the Coliseum . It has an attack power of 208 , enables the Bushido and Runic commands , and is affected by the Capture glitch . The Zantetsuken has a 25 % chance of inflicting Instant Death on the target when attacking , and uses a unique animation that depicts the enemy sprite being sliced apart . The Zantetsuken ' s Instant Death effect even works on undead enemies , while most other weapons that inflict the status do not . It can be equipped by Terra , Edgar , Cyan , and Celes , and is the only non - katana weapon that Cyan can equip . " Final Fantasy VIII " . Gilgamesh obtains Zantetsuken from Odin in the battle against Seifer , and will from then on randomly appear during battles and use one of his four swords , one of them being Zantetsuken . It instantly defeats most enemies , but misses against most bosses and some few non - boss monsters like Tonberries and Cactuars . " Final Fantasy XII " . Gilgamesh wields a replica of the Zantetsuken , with a skull marking above the hilt to signify that , like all his weapons , it is nothing more than a fake . " Final Fantasy XIII " . Odin , Lightning ' s Eidolon , wields the Zantetsuken during the Eidolon battle with him , and when he is summoned . Once he enters Gestalt mode , Lightning fights using these blades . The blade is composed of two parts of equal size , which can be attached and detached at will . While Odin fights with these blades combined , Lightning separates them during Gestalt mode . " Final Fantasy XIII - 2 " . Gilgamesh wields a different Zantetsuken from Lightning and Odin ' s in the downloadable battle against him . It inflicts Wound damage . " Final Fantasy XIII - 2 Ultimania Omega " reveals that Gilgamesh ' s Zantetsuken is from the " Dissidia " universe and is implied to have belonged to a manikin of Chaos , as it is said to be discarded by Chaos as his nails grew , but appears to be made of crystal and is " just a husk " . " Final Fantasy XIV " . Zantetsuken is wielded by the Primal Odin . Players can also obtain the weapon , usable by Gladiators and Paladins , by successfully defeating Odin during the FATE " Steel Reign " and exchanging x5 " Odin ' s Mantle " items won from that FATE to an NPC in Mor Dhona . It is an item level 50 weapon with 39 Physical Damage , 29 . 60 Auto - Attack , and 2 . 40 Delay , with stats of Strength + 10 , Vitality + 10 , Determination + 8 , and Skill Speed + 17 . In the questline " Fear and Odin in the Shroud " , it later comes to light that it is most likely that Zantetsuken is the true form of the Elder Primal , and that the " Odin " that holds it is merely a " sundered " mortal bound to the weapon , explaining how the Dark Divinity rises again with a new appearance each time . The Zantetsu is as a weapon for Clavat s with 80 power . The Zantetsu is a Sword that can be used by all races . It provides 50 attack at level 1 and 130 attack at level 30 , gives + 5 to Stun , and has one empty slot and one slot occupied by the Samurai Lore ability . It can be obtained by finding the scroll at Ruins 2 on Normal difficulty , and then creating it for 270 gil by using Steel x3 , a Black Silver , and an Adaman Tusk . When turned into a jewel , a level 3 - 9 Zantetsu makes a Bushidore , level 10 - 19 makes a Holy Stone 3 , and level 20 - 30 makes a Will Stone 6 . " Final Fantasy Legends II " . The weapon can only be obtained in the " Sword Emperor Odin " Raid event that takes place in February 2017 . It provides 2 , 000 HP , 270 Attack and 80 Speed to anyone who equips it , along with a 12 % chance to instant kill enemies . " Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy " . Lightning ' s weapon transforms into the " Final Fantasy XIII " version of the Zantetsuken when she executes an HP attack , and she wields the swords while using her EX Burst . Her level 100 exclusive weapon is also named Zantetsuken . It provides + 68 attack , + 10 % defense , and a Riposte effect , and can be traded for in the shop for an Omega Weapon , Survival Knife , Flash ' s Hope x5 , and 182 , 800 gil . Gilgamesh uses a different version of the Zantetsuken as one of his eight random weapons when attacking . It bears the Iai Strike ability when attacking , and thus has a chance of inflicting Bravery Break on the opponent if his attack connects . " Final Fantasy All the Bravest " . Lightning dual - wields the " Final Fantasy XIII " version of the Zantetsuken when attacking in battle . " Final Fantasy Explorers " . Odin wields the Zantetsuken . Non - " Final Fantasy " guest appearances . The " Final Fantasy XIV " incarnation of Zantetsuken appears as a weapon in the game as part of collaboration agreement between Square Enix and . Etymology . It has also been known as Scimitar .