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Gilgamesh's Zantetsuken in Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy.

A sword that cuts through anything. Passed down from abroad a long time ago.

Zantetsuken (斬鉄剣, Zantetsuken?, lit. Iron-severing sword), 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. Sometimes the blade also has a resemblance to an Egyptian khopesh.

Zantetsuken 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 (also called Scimitar) 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 death on the target when attacking, and uses a death animation that depicts the enemy sprite being sliced apart identical to the one used by Odin and Raiden. 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[]

Zantetsuken is Odin's sword, which he uses as a boss and as a pseudo-Guardian Force to slice his opponents in half, ending the battle. Odin never appears against bosses or certain regular enemies, like Tonberries and Cactuars.

Gilgamesh later obtains the Zantetsuken from Odin in the final encounter with 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 bosses and the regular enemies where Odin cannot be summoned (Tonberry, Cactuar, etc.). If the player did not recruit Odin before the battle against Seifer on the Lunatic Pandora, Gilgamesh is missed.

Final Fantasy XI[]

Players who defeat Odin Prime in the high-tier mission battlefield ★A Stygian Pact may be rewarded with Zantetsuken (a one-handed sword equippable by warriors, dark knights, and blue mages) or Zantetsuken X (a greatsword equippable by paladins, dark knights, and rune fencers). Zantetsuken may inflict instant death on a hit, while Zantetsuken X instead may randomly ignore the enemy's Defense. Both are Item Level 119; Zantetsuken also has a level 99 counterpart named Heimdall's Doom with the same instant death effect but lower other stats which is also won from Odin (in Einherjar II).

Final Fantasy XII[]

Gilgamesh wields a replica of the Zantetsuken, with a skull marking above the hilt to signify that it is nothing more than a fake.

Final Fantasy XIII[]

Odin, Lightning's Eidolon, wields the Zantetsuken during the battle against him, and when he is summoned. Once he enters Gestalt mode, Lightning fights using Zantetsuken.

The blade is composed of two parts of equal size, which can be attached and detached at will. Odin fights with these blades combined, while 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. In the quest Fear and Odin in the Shroud Fear and Odin in the Shroud, it comes to light that Zantetsuken is the true form of the 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. Later still, in the Forbidden Land, Eureka, it is implied that Zantetsuken may have been one of many such artifacts created by the primal Eureka.

Zantetsuken can be acquired as a Gladiator's Arm Gladiator's Arm for Paladin Paladins by defeating Odin during the FATE "Steel Reign" and exchanging Odin's Mantles won from that FATE to an NPC in Mor Dhona.

Zantetsuken

Zantetsuken

Gladiator's Arm
GLA PLD Lv. 50
Item Level 50
Physical Damage: 37 Auto-attack: 29.6 Delay: 2.4
Strength +10
Vitality +10
Skill Speed +17
Determination +8
Repair/Melding/Desynthesis:
Blacksmith Blacksmith
Dyeable: No Unique
Untradeable

Final Fantasy XVI[]

Odin and his sword from FFXVI

Odin and his sword.

The Arm of Darkness eikonic feat temporarily replaces Clive's equipped weapon with Zantetsuken. While equipped, Clive's basic attacks deal less damage and function differently. They also don't fill the Limit Break gauge, instead filling the Zantetsuken gauge. Holding the attack button while Zantetsuken is equipped allows Clive to perform the Zantetsuken ability, dealing massive damage based on how full the Zantetsuken gauge is and the level of Zantetsuken unlocked in Abilities.

The weapon appears to be composed of dark aether rather than forged of metal, as Barnabas Tharmr can simply will it to manifest in his hand, and the weapon is proportionate to the wielder when used by Odin. Likewise, Clive simply manifests the weapon when he is equipping Odin, but cannot use it otherwise. The weapon still behaves like a physical object, and can be snapped in half by Ifrit.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates[]

A sword that cuts through anything. Passed down from abroad a long time ago.

Description

The Zantetsu is as a weapon for Clavats with 80 power.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time[]

A sword that cuts through anything. An ancient heirloom from a distant country.

Description

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 Dimensions II[]

The weapon could only be obtained in the "Sword Emperor Odin" Raid event that took 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.

Dissidia Final Fantasy NT[]

The Zantetsuken is one of Terra's unlockable weapons. It is purchased as DLC from the PlayStation Store. Like all other characters' weapons, equipping it offers no advantages or disadvantages.

Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia[]

FFTA Buster SwordThis section about equipment in Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.

Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade[]

FFTA Buster SwordThis section about equipment in Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.

Final Fantasy All the Bravest[]

Lightning dual-wields the Final Fantasy XIII version of the Zantetsuken when attacking in battle.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper[]

WeaponCategoryLevelAttackMagicMind
Zantetsuken (VI)
(Iron-Cutting Sword (VI))
Rarity 5
Swords17100
2010400
3012000
3512900
Additional stats: Accuracy +95
Bonus effects when equipped: Adds small chance to instant KO.
Zantetsuken (V)
(Iron-Cutting Sword (V))
Rarity 5
Katanas18400
2011900
3013700
3514700
Additional stats: Accuracy +95
Unique Soul Break: Repentance (Gilgamesh)

Final Fantasy Explorers[]

FFE Odin

Odin wields the Zantetsuken.

Final Fantasy Brave Exvius[]

A katana that is said to cut through anything. A monster that appears in lore is said to hold power beyond any mere mortals. Defeating this monster requires the best of materials, a master smith to craft a weapon, and tremendous talent on the part of the challenger. In the hands of the weak, this katana is unable to cut anything, even paper, but in the hands of the resolved, the katana unleashes its powers to easily slice through said monster of lore.

FFBE Description

A sword boasting fierce sharpness from a faraway world. Though known as the weapon of the eidolon, Odin, it is said to have once been wielded by a woman who made a pact with him. As Odin transformed into a great white steed, it is said she rode him into battle, wielding the two halves of the Zantetsuken in each hand.

FFXIII description

Zantetsuken (FFBE) is a Katana that is obtained as Pyro Glacial Lasswell's STMR. It provides 174 ATK, increases Limit Burst gauge fill rate by 50%, and increases equipped Esper's bonus stats by 10%.

Zantetsuken (FFXIII) is a Sword that is obtained as Radiant Lightning's STMR. It provides 169 ATK, increases equipment ATK by 50% when dual wielding, and increases Limit Burst damage by 30%.

Non-Final Fantasy guest appearances[]

Phantasy Star Online 2[]

The Final Fantasy XIV incarnation of Zantetsuken appears as a weapon as part of collaboration agreement between Square Enix and Sega.

Gallery[]

Relm-ffvi-snes-battleThis gallery is incomplete and requires Final Fantasy VI (iOS) added. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by uploading images.

Etymology[]

Zantetsuken (斬鉄剣?) is Japanese for "iron-cutting/slashing iron sword". It normally refers to a blade formed out of exotic materials rumored to be able to cut through steel and/or iron. The term was often associated with blades created by the feudal swordsmith known as Kobayashi Yasuhiro.

It has also been known as Scimitar. A scimitar is a backsword or sabre with a curved blade, originating in Southwest Asia (Middle East).

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