Guild Wars 2

In one-on-one fight,based on feats or skill of the swordsman,in the lore who do you thinks is the most skillfull swordsman?

The best swordsman in all history of tyria to my knowledge was Shiro Tagachi of cantha some 300 years ago, he killed the dragon emperor back then and became evil.

Except that’s Canthan history, not Tyrian. Unless Tyrians claim that as their own, which I’m not sure any do.

Tyria the world i think,thats what he meant,is Shiro undisputed in this claim?

There is some debate about whether Shiro uses swords or daggers, which I don’t think was ever resolved. But if we assume both qualify as swordsmanship then I think he would definately win.

Even outside of lore it takes a minimum of 2 people to bring him down (although you can solo him you need a monk henchman or hero) and generally the lore doesn’t allow for some of the more usual builds GW1 allowed (except in an indirect and somewhat tongue in cheek style, like the references to too many deaths in the Underworld) so I suspect Shiro was intended to be seen as considerably stronger than he is in practice.

If we limit it to the continent of Tyria then I’m not sure. Lornar managed to single-handedly hold off an invasion of hill giants, but we don’t know what weapon he used to do it. Adelbern was supposed to be a very impressive warrior in his day, but I think that was more to do with his tactical skill than his swordsmanship.

I think I’d actually nominate Jora (who uses a sword before she joins you party, after that it’s your choice). Of course in modern day (GW2) Tyria she’s better known for her ability to resist Jormag and the sacrifice she made in killing her brother, but she was a key player in some pretty impressive battles too (definately lore-wise, and she’s used quite a lot as a hero too), taking down the Great Destroyer for one.

This guy for those who havn’t seen it

Drakenvold.9761:

Tyria the world i think,thats what he meant,is Shiro undisputed in this claim?

Considering he’s dead it’s pretty hard for anyone to actually challenge his claim. Trouble with these proverbial pissing contests of “skill” :p

Danikat.8537:

Even outside of lore it takes a minimum of 2 people to bring him down

Even in lore it did. And the Luxons and Kurzicks were fighting over it hundreds of years later

Technically 3, since Vizu had to disarm him or w/e
I was gonna say Talon was a great swordsman, but he’s Canthan also :/
I feel like most characters are more of great leaders than great fighters, and as the player character we have the distinction of being the best fighters in the land

Lukas is definitely the best swordsman ever.

Regarding Shiro using swords or daggers – lorewise, I think they were swords. Mechanically it was treated as daggers when PC assassins decided to pick up both of them, but that’s because GW1 mechanics didn’t have the concept of dual-wielding and daggers were the closest match to two swords (mechanically, I think daggers were treated by the game mechanics as a single two-handed weapon with low damage and a high attack rate).

Out of all the characters we’ve seen in-game, I think Shiro would beat them all in a swordfight – mechanically speaking he’s in the group of the most powerful single beings in GW1, and I don’t think anything else at his level uses a sword. However, if I had to pick the best swordsman to walk Tyria, it’d probably be Balthazar. :P

Danikat.8537:

There is some debate about whether Shiro uses swords or daggers,

Mechanically, he uses daggers.

Lore wise, which is what we care about, he dual-wielded swords.

Danikat.8537:

Even outside of lore it takes a minimum of 2 people to bring him down (although you can solo him you need a monk henchman or hero)

My assassin disagrees with you and says it takes a minimum of 1 person. But keep in mind that our PCs are special.

Also that’s mechanics not lore.

Anyways, as to the OP, I don’t think there really is any definitive answer. Same goes with reality. Because we cannot – accurately – compare the abilities of Shiro to Koss, Jora, or Lord Victo (all renowned warriors), let alone to the most famous swordmaster of Kryta, Bongo the One-Eyed! (he trained Lord Faren and Minister Duran)

It would be rather neat if we could have a GW version of Deadliest Warrior, but that’s unlikely to happen.

Ryuujin.8236:

Even in lore it did. And the Luxons and Kurzicks were fighting over it hundreds of years later

If you want to get technical, there were dozens of warriors who fought Shiro alongside Viktor, Vizu, and Archemorus. Those three simply survived (until the Jade Wind) where the others didn’t.

i agree that comparing skill levels might be hard,but even tho there must be a general direction,when someones talks about it,lets broaden the scope then,from swordsman to warriors in general,now days and from ancint times then..not counting the plaeable character ^^

I have to go with balthazar, god of fire and butt kicking.

Dhuum had his moments.

As for humans, Stefan, undeniably. I’ve considered Alesia, briefly, but Stefan’s the better swordfighter.

I suppose if the mechanics of Guild Wars had allowed for it better, Rurik would’ve been quite good a swordsman. Sadly, he was reduced to a very simplistic man due to the way the NPCs were programmed at the time. Him luring forty or so Charr when we could’ve slipped past most of them: unforgettable. Such battles. The chaos.

In lore, I’d say he must’ve been rather decent a swordsman. Think of him growing up in war, much time he spent in those lands, and then his journey after the Searing. The fact he was brought back from the dead briefly, solely to be a nuisance once more also hints that he was likely to be stronger than the game made him out to be.

Considering Adelbern’s fine new position too, he was probably not uncanny with a blade either. Like father, like son. Pains in the behinds in-game, but in the proper lore, who knows…

While I do believe Shiro was using “daggers” (and my Sin had a pair!), I believe you could also use one as a sword. What’s funny is, I don’t think the sword version was as big as Shiro’s own daggers on his model.

it could aswell be an axe,im looking for the best warriors ever to walk tyria ^^,its not restricted to swordplay

That’s fair. I just didn’t find the thread till after the sword phase had passed.

If we’re talking “best person who wields martial weapons in combat,” it’s still got to go to Shiro, even before he died. The problem is, in Tyria, an elementalist is just as much a warrior as a, well… warrior. So, do we factor in the Lich? What about Mursaat who destroy you with a sideways glance?

sideways glance dont count much as a martil skill ^^
i mean we can open the discussion to everyone but have to ground it on martill skill,regardless of the weapon,so magic users per se are out,thief,assassins,warriors,henchman and heroes,central lore characters and are in

It would be rather neat if we could have a GW version of Deadliest Warrior, but that’s unlikely to happen.

Perhaps we could hold something like the Fantasy Cage Match with narrative pieces speculating on who would win in a fight? Sadly the ‘outcome by popular vote’ that match uses is often a little flawed in terms of realism (i.e. Wheel of Time inevitably wins).

Talon silverwing, Prince Rurick, King adelbern..

All of them could be the best swords men in tyrian history for so far we know..

I stand by what i said, Shiro Tagachi was the single most powerful warrior in all tyrian (the world) history. As he single handedly took on the kurzick,luxon and royal army. Vizu got in her lucky blows and the two saints got in the finishing blows while he was distracted.

Best swordsman in tyrian history? That would be Little Thom, hands down. He owned everything with his hamstorm build.

…there are only a few noted sword-wielding characters in the history of Tyria (the world). Of them, these are the most memorable:

1) Talon Silverwing — an Angchu tengu from The Aerie. During The Tengu Wars, he was defeated by General Zhan and has since sworn to protect and serve him. He is the initial trainer for Canthan warriors (either as a primary or secondary profession) at the Shing Jea Monastery.

2) Galrath is a warrior seeking to learn arcane magic at the Wizard’s Tower in Kryta; stopping him is the objective of the Villainy of Galrath.

3) Jaizhanju — Jaizhanju was an exceptionally tall and very strong young Warrior who lived over three hundred years ago. Orphaned at birth and self-trained, Jaizhanju traveled Cantha and single-handedly defeated bands of monsters that threatened villages all over the countryside. When the emperor invited her to visit him in the Forbidden City so he could reward her, she arrived days late, having stopped to defend an orphanage from a skale invasion. Standing before the emperor’s throne, she refused his proffered reward, and instead offered her sword and her life in exchange for the insult of tardiness. The bemused emperor refused her offer, and Jaizhanju continued to defend the weak until her death five years later, by which time legends numbered her kills in the tens of thousands. The emperor himself petitioned the Oracle to give her a place in the Tahnnakai Temple, and so it was.

4) Turai Ossa — my personal nomination for greatest swordsman for numerous oh-so-obvious-and-obviously-correct reasons. http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Turai_Ossa

Almost all of these characters are likely still relevant in Guild Wars 2, as well. Regarding Shiro Tagachi — he was talented with one-handed blades of all sorts, but isn’t memorable as a “swordsman” in my mind… and I dread very really possibility of another encounter with him in the mists…

and in the broader aspect of the warrior,not only swprdsman but best overall warrior to have walked the land?

Aneirin Cadwall awesome post there.love those little bits of lore,les see more of it ^^

Bander.5194:

Except that’s Canthan history, not Tyrian. Unless Tyrians claim that as their own, which I’m not sure any do.

Drakenvold.9761:

Tyria the world i think,thats what he meant,is Shiro undisputed in this claim?

Tyria is both the name of the continent that GW2 (as well as the first GW1 campaign, Prophecies) takes place on, AND it’s the name of the whole world.

As I’m not well-versed in the lore outside of the actual games, I won’t try to partake in the debate; just wanted to answer that question.

Little Thom, no doubts about it.

Any old-timers remember the incredible blend of swordplay and spell-slinging that was…
HAMSTORM?

He won the Norn fighting tournament in my book, screw the fact that he was an axe warrior as a henchman.

And you know what, I’ll one up that by electing a Wammo of any sort.

enlil.3849:

Little Thom, no doubts about it.

Any old-timers remember the incredible blend of swordplay and spell-slinging that was…
HAMSTORM?

He won the Norn fighting tournament in my book, screw the fact that he was an axe warrior as a henchman.

And you know what, I’ll one up that by electing a Wammo of any sort.

Little thom and his beer belly hell yeah

I am, obviously.

Well I vote for my Warrior in GW1 seeing as he beat Shiro, count em twice!

Considering that Koss and his companions took down a God, Id put my vote in for Koss.

Martin The Brave.8731:

Considering that Koss and his companions took down a God, Id put my vote in for Koss.

This.

I don’t think any characters before or since can top the power of the Nightfall characters (including mine).

Drakenvold.9761:

sideways glance dont count much as a martil skill ^^
i mean we can open the discussion to everyone but have to ground it on martill skill,regardless of the weapon,so magic users per se are out,thief,assassins,warriors,henchman and heroes,central lore characters and are in

I would have to say the top for me would be:

1) Vizu: since you did open it up to assassins as well, i might as well throw Vizu in there as she was the one who crippled or disarmed Shiro. Even if it was luck or a cheap shot, a skilled warrior like Shiro who fought off hundreds of Luxons, Kurzick, and Royal Gurads for her to find an opening and exploit it would that not make her one of the best? is that not what you do in a fight?

2) Archemorus and Viktor (they’re tied): To live through Shiro’s killing spree, you would have to be a strong and tough fighters. granted they both gave the killing blow to a crippled Shiro, but sometimes it’s about evading and blocking.

3) Turai Ossa: Although larger then life he was great general and leader, as well as a remarkable fighter, defeating Palawa Joko in one-on-one battle.

4) Shiro Tagachi: He defeated many Luxons, Kurzick, and Royal Guard signal-handedly. only to fall to signal assassin. He was noticed and picked to be the Emperor’s body guard. only reason he’s not higher on the list is do to lack of tactical ability, he’s seems to relay on instinct over tactics, which can be used to determine a great fighter as well.

5)Balthazar: He’s the god of war, has mastered everyone weapon that has been forged. and is looked to for guidance by almost anyone who wishes to become better in any give weapon. but he’s a god so who can really say that’s fair and could count as magic, as well as his anger seems to get the better of him and although the god of war can still lose in a game of tactics and strategy, Nui.

6) almost any character in lore who has a skill named after them: you must be a a talented and great warrior to get this activement.

The Great Zehtuka, surely!?

Well it doesn’t ask which profession so I’m going with alesia.

Yeah, any character who is talented enough to claim all of my character’s achievements deserves to be on this page :P

Lord Victo, Champion of Orr

Fist of the Titans hands down. Their level 42 rating doesn’t lie.

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Fist_of_the_Titans

Neilos Tyrhanos.5427:

The Great Zehtuka, surely!?

This. I mean, this thread should be closed know, since the question is answered, and nobody could ever doubt it.

Devona i know she wilds her fathers hammer but in the intro she is wilding a sword. Shiro kinda does not count since he’s evil imo.

Tyria is the world but is named after the continent of tyria so most just call it tyria

Well, I can’t decide on a single best swordsman, but I’ve got the following in mind as some of the best from experience and lore accomplishments:
King Adelbern.
Prince Rurik.
Shiro Tagachi (Note, I haven’t played Factions, so this is only from the trailer and what little I’ve read).
And Turai Ossa, the guy who beat the kitten out of a powerful undead lord with just a sword and a shield.

BobbyStein.2315:

Konig Des Todes.2086:

…the most famous swordmaster of Kryta, Bongo the One-Eyed! (he trained Lord Faren and Minister Duran)

Never mess with Bongo!

He is One-Eyed evil evil spirit after all and terrorizing us from Legend of Zelda to GuildWars

http://zelda.wikia.com/wiki/Bongo_Bongo

Kilroy Stonekin. I’m sure he used a sword at one point…he was the best of all us..may he R.I.P. (hopefully causing chaos in the afterlife!)

Gonna have to go with Turai Ossa on this one. I mean, he’s the original Ghostly Hero. When you go to the HoH, you fight for the privilege of escorting him to his place in paradise.

Turai Ossa is, in fact, so awesome that an entire section of the afterlife is devoted specifically to proving oneself worthy of walking with the guy.

Rurik is a close second though.
Invented hundred blades
And not the post patch sword=AoE version, or the GW2 flashy-but-kinda-meh attack version, but the version that filled more adrenaline builds with pure ultimate power than any single sword skill in the game.

PopeUrban.2578:

Turai Ossa is, in fact, so awesome that an entire section of the afterlife is devoted specifically to proving oneself worthy of walking with the guy.

This.

Does anyone still remember playing him in the Bonus Mission Pack? The guy is so giant and awesome and just slaughters entire armies of undead single handed. He is in fact so giant that he even has “giant stomp” equipped.

Turai Ossa was the best in the world of Tyria, I’d think.

Best one on the continent of Tyria? Prince Rurik, perhaps, as he was very skilled and just too hot-headed to survive.

Or, secondly, Jora. She killed a dragon champion before Destiny’s Edge was ever considered.

Technically the PC’s defeated a dragon champion long before her (though I understand that PC’s can’t be in this contest based entirely on the idea that there are too many PC’s).

Three Pounds.2359:

PopeUrban.2578:

Turai Ossa is, in fact, so awesome that an entire section of the afterlife is devoted specifically to proving oneself worthy of walking with the guy.

This.

Does anyone still remember playing him in the Bonus Mission Pack? The guy is so giant and awesome and just slaughters entire armies of undead single handed. He is in fact so giant that he even has “giant stomp” equipped.

That was an awesome mission with an awesome bar of skills for sure. I think I’ll go play it again right now XD