Although it is known as the Sword of Evil’s Bane, the Master Sword is also suggested to have a dark side in The Legend of Zelda. Of course, the Master Sword is without question one of the most famous fictional weapons ever created, and certainly the most iconic object within Zelda itself. But while Link typically wields it with little difficulty, it seems that others may not be so lucky.

While a similar blade can be found in the Magical Sword of the original The Legend of Zelda, the Master Sword itself did not debut until the strongest Zelda weapon in of gameplay. Nevertheless, despite being presented as a weapon wielded for all that is good in Hyrule, there is a darker side to the Master Sword’s lore that deserves exploration.

The Master Sword May Kill Unworthy Wielders

BOTW Suggests The Sword May Be Lethal To Those It Disapproves Of

In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, in order for Link to draw the Master Sword. he must do more than simply find it; he must gamble with his very life. Perhaps as a response to his disastrous defeat a century prior, the Master Sword presents a harsh trial of Link’s strength and conviction by draining his lifeforce as he attempts to pull it from its pedestal. If Link has enough hearts to draw the sword, he can wield it without issue. However, if he does not, then his own weapon will kill him unless he relents.

The Great Deku Tree will intervene if Link’s first attempt at drawing the Master Sword would otherwise kill him, but not on any subsequent attempts.

However, this is more than simply a mechanic to lock the Master Sword behind a certain level of progress. The Great Deku Tree describes this state of affairs as “a test to anyone who would dare attempt to possess it,” implying that others may have sought out the sword before Link. Moreover, given that they have evidently not succeeded, I find it very likely that the more stubborn of these would-be wielders would have been killed for their persistence, although as with some other mysteries regarding the Master Sword, it is unclear if this will ever be clarified.

Although this life-draining ability is introduced in BOTW, there is no reason why the Master Sword (or Fi, as its spirit) would not also have access to it earlier in the timeline. The same ability could also be intended as a defense mechanism to prevent most from taking up the Master Sword, especially if they would do evil with it. This would help explain why nobody other than Link ever uses the blade beyond it simply being difficult to reach, a dark but understandable consequence for the unworthy.

Handling The Master Sword Is Not An Automatic Death Sentence

It Is Possible For Other People Than Link To Hold The Sword Safely

On the other hand, other people have been shown to be at least capable of handling the Master Sword to a degree. For example, Zelda is shown to have transported it to Korok Forest and its pedestal in BOTW, visibly holds it in Tears of the Kingdom, and a number of blacksmiths have also upgraded the sword in various games. As such, it is clear that the Master Sword clearly takes an individual’s actual intent into before launching any defensive measures.

Considering how many legends and stories have evidently sprung up around the Master Sword in BOTW alone, it would be far from surprising if many unseen people have sought it out over the years aside from Link. Although its unusual life-draining trial is not the most deadly BOTW feature for Link, there is a strong possibility that many others may have fallen to it instead. As such, the Master Sword seems to have a strong dark side in The Legend of Zelda, albeit not a truly indiscriminate one.