Dark sword ( weapon type ) Dark swords , also known as fell swords , is a group of weapons from the " Final Fantasy " series . Dark swords are often used by Dark Knight s and other powerful classes of wicked and dark disposition , and are a weapon variety of Dark equipment . Their often recurring types are its weapon of the same name , the Deathbringer and Chaosbringer , with its most powerful kinds being the Valhalla and Apocalypse . Profile . Dark Swords are darkness - aligned swords in contrast to the Paladin ' s holy swords . They were once called katana originating from " Final Fantasy III " , but they have grown into the series as their own weapon , often featured with sinister and morbid themes , such as death motifs , haphazard blade features , and visceral details . Made in mind for the Dark Knight , they often bear the ability to deal Dark - elemental damage , inflict adverse status effects , and powerful blades of the arsenal often have the ability to inflict Instant Death . Appearances . " Final Fantasy III " . Even if Dark Knights appear , there are no dark swords . Instead , they equip weapons named after katana and go under the guise of dark blades effective against monsters that divide and multiply . " Final Fantasy IV " . Dark swords are usable by Cecil while a Dark Knight , and are the only Dark - elemental weapons . The Dark Sword is his initial equip , and the Shadowblade is found in the Underground Waterway . The strongest dark sword , the Deathbringer , is given by the King of Fabul to Cecil , and is mentioned to have been left in Fabul by another Dark Knight years before . In the 3D versions , it can be equipped by Golbez , if hacked into the party . The Dark Sword , Shadowblade and Deathbringer are in the coding , but have been dummied out . If hacked into the player ' s party , only Dark Kain can equip them . " Final Fantasy Tactics " . Fell swords were introduced in the remake , " Final Fantasy Tactics : The War of the Lions " along with the Dark Knight job . These swords can only be equipped by the Dark Knights , and the weapons of this kind easily inflict status ailments to the foe . Fell swords gain extra damage for having low Faith . They are two - handed weapons , and thus cannot be used with Dual Wield , Doublehand , nor can the wielder also equip a shield . Fell swords have a vertical range of 2 tiles up and 3 tiles down and can only be acquired via the Multiplayer mode . " Final Fantasy Dimensions " . Dark swords are Dark - elemental . " Dissidia Final Fantasy " . Cecil wields a dark sword of unknown type as his normal weapon , and exchanges it for another in his EX Mode . The Dark Sword also appears as a Level 1 equipment piece exclusive to Cecil , along with three other pieces of dark equipment , and the four form the " Power of Darkness " combination , increasing Cecil ' s Wall Rush damage . The Cimmerean Edge may also be a dark sword , as it has a secondary stat bonus that only activate when Cecil is a Dark Knight , and serves as an alternative weapon to the Lightbringer , which only activates its secondary stat bonus while he is a Paladin . " Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy " . Cecil continues to wield dark swords both in - battle and as equipment , the Dark Sword and Cimmerean Edge both returning as weapons exclusive to him .