Masamune (weapon)

An exquisite wave pattern glimmers down the blade of this famous sword.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift description

The Masamune (正宗，マサムネ，まさむね, Masamune?), also known as Masmune, is a recurring weapon in the Final Fantasy series. It is usually one of the most powerful katanas or swords and is often found late in the game.

Appearances[]

Final Fantasy[]

A legendary katana without peer.

Description

The Masamune is a sword that provides 56 Attack, 50 Accuracy and 40 Critical. It can be used by all classes. It is found on the air floor of the Chaos Shrine.

Final Fantasy II[]

A katana of unequaled power.

Description

The Masamune is the most powerful sword and provides 150 Attack, 90% Accuracy and 4% Evade, and when used as an item, will cast Haste XI.

It can be found in a treasure chest in a secret room in Pandaemonium, or as the top prize of the minigame available while on board the Snowcraft. It is located on the fifth floor of Pandemonium in a hidden room on the right wall of the most upper right room. In there NES version, upon receiving the Masamune, the item catch fanfare will play.

Final Fantasy III[]

Masamune (also called "The Mystic Weapon") can be found in Eureka, wherein it is the strongest regular Dark-elemental sword. Kunoichi must be defeated in order to obtain it. It provides 132 Attack and +10 Agility.

Final Fantasy IV[]

Known as the strongest katana.

Description

The Masamune (Magic Sword Masamune in Easy Type) is Edge's ultimate weapon, acquired by defeating the Ogopogo in the Lunar Subterrane. In the 2D versions, it provides 65 Attack and 49 Accuracy. In the 3D versions, it provides 60 Attack, 120 Accuracy, +1 Strength and +3 Speed. In all versions, when used as an item, it casts the Haste spell. This weapon is metallic.

Final Fantasy IV: The After Years[]

The Masamune is Edge's second strongest katana, with the Mutsunokami only slightly surpassing it. It possesses 65 battle power, boosts Speed by 3, and casts Haste when used as an item. It is dropped from Ahriman in the Depths of the True Moon.

Final Fantasy V[]

Katana that always strikes first. Can be used two-handed.

Description

The Masamune is one of the legendary Sealed Weapons acquired in the Sealed Castle. It is the sealed katana, and its user always goes first in battle. It provides 107 Attack and 15% chance for critical hits. It can also be obtained early by using the Control glitch on Magic Dragons at Exdeath's Castle. Only Samurai and Freelancers can equip this weapon.

Final Fantasy VI[]

Masterfully made katana.

Description

The Masamune (named Aura until the Advance version) is used by Cyan. It is not his ultimate weapon, and additional copies of the sword can be obtained. It is automatically equipped on him after defeating Wrexsoul in Cyan's Soul. It can be stolen from Yojimbo and won from the Dragon's Neck Coliseum by betting the Murasame. It has an attack power of 162, and enables the Bushido and Runic commands. In the Advance port, the esper Gilgamesh uses the Masamune as one of his attacks.

Final Fantasy VII[]

The Masamune is Sephiroth's signature weapon: an oversized Japanese Nodachi. Said to be the only one able to effectively use it, Sephiroth wields the Masamune across all of his appearances throughout the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII.

Final Fantasy IX[]

The Masamune is a thief sword equipped by Zidane. It is synthesized in the Black Mage Village in the endgame for 16,000 gil, a Zorlin Shape, and an Orichalcon. It can also be stolen from the Maliris boss in Memoria. (Not the Crystal World variant.)

The Masamune appears as two katana connected at the hilt. It provides 62 Attack, teaches the ability Sacrifice, and inflicts Doom when used with the Soul Blade skill, making it a useful weapon when battling Yans.

The weapon also has a Tetra Master card.

Final Fantasy X[]

The Masamune is Auron's Celestial Weapon found at Mushroom Rock Road, requiring the Celestial Mirror to obtain. It resembles a western sword more than a Japanese blade and bears a similarity to Squall's weapons Twin Lance and Punishment from Final Fantasy VIII.

It requires Mars Crest and Mars Sigil (Saturn Crest and Saturn Sigil in some versions) in order to upgrade it. Fully upgraded, the Masamune has the abilities Break Damage Limit, Triple Overdrive, First Strike and Counterattack. Upgrading the Masamune with the Mars Crest allows Yojimbo to break the damage limit.

The Mars/Saturn Crest is found near the entrance to Mushroom Rock Road, along the final area of the Mi'ihen Highroad. A long, narrow series of passages leads to the southeast, at the end of the path is a chest with the crest. The Mars/Saturn Sigil is obtained from the owner of the Monster Arena after unlocking ten Area Conquest or Species Conquest monsters (can be any combination of the two).

Masamune ignores target's Defense. The Masamune is unique in dealing more damage the lower Auron's HP is. This makes it the only Celestial Weapon that can exceed 100% damage.

The damage formula is:

(130 - [100 * Auron's current HP ÷ Auron's Max HP]) ÷ 60

Early concept artwork shows an unnamed, unused NPC wielding an unused early version of the Masamune. This character resembles Paine from Final Fantasy X-2.

Final Fantasy X-2[]

Auron's Masamune is wielded by Rikku when wearing the Dark Knight dressphere.

Final Fantasy XI[]

The Masamune is the great katana class Empyrean Weapon used by Samurai. It is available since June 2010 as one of the Empyrean Weapons from the Abyssea expansion. The Masamune can be upgraded to its elevated level 119 (Afterglow) version. The creation of Empyrean weapons utilizes the Magian system of weapon upgrade, requiring players to amass dozens of rare drop items from powerful Notorious Monsters in the Abyssea zones and utilizing the Voidwatch battle system.

Masamune is particularly revered by the playerbase for its colossal base damage, large Strength modifier, and devastating weapon skill Tachi: Fudo, which causes the weapon to become temporarily even stronger. Additionally, weapons upgraded to their Afterglow form become capable of imbuing allies with this specific ability, temporarily increasing the strength of their weapons as well.

There is also a rather less powerful Ninja-only katana, the Hochomasamune (庖丁正宗, houchou masamune?, lit. Masamune-made chef's knife).

Final Fantasy XII[]

In the original version, Masamune is the ultimate katana acquired by completing the Gilgamesh Hunt. It requires the Masamune license for 155 LP to equip. The Masamune can be bought from the bazaar, where it is known as the "Master-Crafted Blade". It can be bought for 350,000 gil after selling Gemsteel x2, Orichalcum x3 and Mallet x2.

While its Attack power of 93 is less than those of Zodiac Spear and Tournesol, the Masamune can be a devastating weapon when equipped with Genji Gloves due to the Masamune holding a high combo rate of 40%, which the Genji Gloves enhance to 70%. All katana have 2.39s charge, and 1.2s action time, making them average when it comes to attacking speed.

The Masamune has a 40% combo rate, which is an allusion to the weapon in the original Final Fantasy, which had the critical rate of 40%. The Masamune from the first Final Fantasy only has the critical rate due to the critical hit bug, which appears to have been deliberately preserved in all later remakes. By assigning the stat to the Final Fantasy XII weapon, the "bug" is perpetuated further.

In the Zodiac versions, it provides 111 Attack, 33 Evade, 31 CT, 30% combo rate, and requires the Masamune license 130 LP. It can be found in the Lhusu Mines (Site 7), obtained from the Hunt Club sidequest, or stolen from Avenger (rare) in Trial Mode Stage 72 and Gilgamesh in Stage 94. It can be equipped by the Bushi job class.

The stronger version, Kumbha, is identical to the Masamune in appearance but is one-handed (putting it in the 1H Sword category while still keeping the normal katana traits). It provides 117 Attack, 40 Evade, 31 CT, 35% combo rate, and requires the Khumba license for 200 LP. It can be bought from the bazaar after selling Gemsteel x2, Orichalcum x3, and Mallet x2.

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings[]

Masamune is Gilgamesh's special attack, dealing heavy melee-type damage to one foe.

Final Fantasy XIII-2[]

Masamune is mentioned in the Brain Blast quiz in Academia 400 AF, which mentions that Masamune is known as the world's best weaponsmith that designs and creates the finest swords known to man.

Gilgamesh wields a Masamune in downloadable battle, dealing heavy damage with it. In the Final Fantasy XIII-2 Ultimania Omega it is revealed that Gilgamesh found it from a poisoned river in Doma, referencing Final Fantasy VI.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII[]

A long sword forged for relentless physical attacks, and nothing else. Rank: Superior

Description

Masamune is a long sword that provides Strength +1700, Magic 0, ATB Speed -15, and the passive ability Hard Hitter Lv. 2. It can be bought from Yusnaan Champion's Quarter Forge (Hard Mode), Final Day Forge for 450,000 gil.

Final Fantasy XV[]

The Masamune was available as a pre-order bonus. It is now available as a DLC item. The Masamune is a redesigned version of the recurring weapon.

Final Fantasy XVI[]

The warriors of those islands situated off the far eastern coast of the southern continent are a curious lot, choosing a cloistered existence upon their lonely archipelago—seemingly content with the constant squabbling over lands within their own demesne—as opposed to setting out to claim territory anew. This is fortunate for the rest of the world, as the warriors are peerless when it comes to swordplay.

Description

The Masamune has attack power of 310. It is found in a treasure coffer in the Angry Gap area of The Shadow Coast, near Shiva's chronolith.

Final Fantasy Tactics[]

This katana's sheath is inlaid with beautiful patterns. It is the life's work of a master swordsmith.

Description

The Masamune has an attack power of 18 and a weapon defense of 15%. The katana's Iaido ability is called Ethereal Embrace, granting the Regen and Haste statuses. The Masamune cannot be bought.

The Masamune is wielded by one of the antagonists, Marquis Messam Elmdore, and must be stolen from him. It may also be Thrown by high-level enemy Ninjas, meaning the player can catch it with the Sticky Fingers ability equipped.

In the remake, Elmdore has the Safeguard ability, preventing his equipment from being stolen, but the sword can still be stolen from a Samurai working for Celebrant Bremondt Freitberg, and is still thrown by high-level Ninjas. It can also be obtained via Rendezvous.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance[]

Famous sword known for the wave design on its blade.

Description

The Masamune is a standard weapon wielded by Ninjas and Assassins. It teaches Oblivion to both classes, and provides +65 Attack. It can be bought at Muscadet for 25,000 gil, as a Clan Level-Up Reward, or stolen during the missions "Materite Now!" and "Free Muscadet!".

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift[]

The Masamune is a weapon wielded by Ninjas, Parivirs, Assassins, Chocobo Knights and the Heritor. It can be obtained by selling a Moon Ring, Clear Sap, and Spider Silk at the bazaar. It teaches Oblivion to Ninjas and Assassins.

Final Fantasy Tactics S[]

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles[]

The Masamune is an artifact that boosts the wielder's Strength by 5, making it one of the most powerful Strength-boosting artifacts. It can be obtained by defeating the Iron Giant at Mount Kilanda, cycle 3 or later.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates[]

Marvelous sword born of a skilled swordsmith, eerily reminiscent of a rich, faroff history.

Description

The Masamune is one of the strongest weapons for Clavats along with its twin sword, the Murasame. It raises the players ATK by 160. The scroll used to make this is called Foreign Weapon.

The Final Fantasy Legend[]

Masmune has a sword icon before its name. It can be found on the outside of the Tower, guarded by Su-Zaku2. It has 50 uses, and the damage formula for Masmune is base on Strength.

Final Fantasy Legend III[]

Masmune has a mystic sword icon before its name. It is one of the four Mystic Swords. It can be found in the Crevasse, though it is a simple sword with a curse and goes by the name Muramas. The curse is removed and renamed by Masa the weapon artist on board the Talon. It grants +100 Attack, the second strongest Mystic Sword and +170 to Cyborg HP. It deals Mystic-elemental damage against bosses and does not cause physical damage, a common late-game resistance.

Final Fantasy Dimensions[]

Final Fantasy Dimensions II[]

While not appearing formally, the Masamune is wielded by the Onion Ninja in his artwork.

Dissidia Final Fantasy (2008)[]

The Masamune is Sephiroth's exclusive weapon. The Masamune gives 64 ATK, increases all damage by 10%, and can be equipped at level 95.

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy[]

The Masamune is featured as the weapon Sephiroth wields in battle. As an equippable weapon, the Masamune is as an exclusive weapon for Sephiroth, it is a level 90 weapon with a 63 ATK Bonus, a 34 BRV bonus, and a 1 DEF penalty, and now it only increases all damage by 7%.

Vaan wields the Final Fantasy XII version of the blade in his EX Mode. It is also one of the eight weapons Gilgamesh uses randomly when attacking, and Gilgamesh's version borrows its appearance from Sephiroth's Masamune, albeit with a slightly shorter blade, possibly as a reference to Gilgamesh's Final Fantasy XII appearance, where he used fake versions of weapons from previous games. When he uses it, it produces more EX Force than usual.

Dissidia Final Fantasy NT[]

The Masamune is Sephiroth's default weapon, and is based on his iconic weapon from Final Fantasy VII. Having it equipped carries no advantages or disadvantages.

Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia[]

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy and Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call[]

Sephiroth wields the Final Fantasy VII version of the Masamune in his character model.

Pictlogica Final Fantasy[]

Pictlogica Final Fantasy ≒[]

Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade[]

Final Fantasy All the Bravest[]

Beautiful and deadly, this blade is rumored to belong to the great fencer Mi'ihen.

Description

Masamune grants +10 to Attack. It can be equipped by Samurai, Ninja, and Auron.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper[]

Final Fantasy Explorers[]

Final Fantasy Brave Exvius[]

A katana with an exceptionally long blade. It is said to have been used by a legendary SOLDIER in a faraway world. The blade's stunning brilliance complements its unprecedented sharpness, but as the katana is very heavy, most swordsmen are unable to use it properly. The aforementioned SOLDIER, though, was able to cut down his enemies with it in the blink of an eye.

Description

A katana from the faraway world of Spira with a uniquely shaped blade. Masamune is one of seven weapons in Spira that have gained monstrous power through special enhancements. Masamune's wielder is said to have been such a skilled swordsman that he was known as the Legendary Guardian.

FFX description

A katana from another world with an exceptionally long blade. Although difficult for the average person to wield, when mastered it is bound to deal a terrifying amount of damage. In its world of origin, this weapon is said to be used by a silver-haired man who was once regarded as a hero.

KH version

An incredibly long katana from a distant world. Though it is honed to perfection, rare are those who are able to wield this crafted masterpiece effectively. In the blade's world of origin, it seems to have been renowned as the weapon of a legendary SOLDIER.

FFVII REMAKE version

Masamune is a katana that provides 150 ATK, enables Doublehand, and when equipped by Sephiroth, enables Octaslash. It is obtained as the Trust Master from Sephiroth.

Masamune (FFX) is a katana that provides 184 ATK and MP +30%. It is obtained as the Super Trust Master from Auron.

Masamune (KH) is a katana that provides 172 ATK, requires two hands to wield, gives +50% Accuracy, has a damage range of 125-175%, provides ATK +30%, and deals 50% more damage to Humans. It is obtained as the Super Trust Master from Sephiroth (KH).

Masamune (FFVII REMAKE) is a katana that provides 148 ATK, requires two hands to wield, gives +50% Accuracy, and has a damage range of 125-175%. It is obtained as a quest reward from the events "Destiny's Crossroads" and "A Battle between 1-C SOLDIERs".

War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius[]

Mobius Final Fantasy[]

Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin[]

The Masamune is a katana.

Non-Final Fantasy guest appearances[]

Ehrgeiz: God Bless the Ring[]

Sephiroth's sword.

Description

The Masamune appears as a 2-handed sword within the Forsaken Dungeon. It provides 98 Weapon Atk, 8 Durability, +7 Magic Atk, -3 Speed, and -2 Consumption Rate. Only Masuda Koji can equip this weapon. Sephiroth can wield the Masamune during Arcade Mode.

Kingdom Hearts series[]

In Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II, two Keyblades, the One-Winged Angel and the Guardian Soul, are modeled after Sephiroth and Auron's respective versions of the Masamune.

The One-Winged Angel is won by defeating Sephiroth in the Platinum Match at Olympus Coliseum (Final Mix versions only), and the Guardian Soul is won by defeating Hades in the Underworld after freeing Auron from his control. Sephiroth also wields his original Masamune when fought as a boss.

Puzzle & Dragons[]

Sephiroth's Masamune appeared as part of the Final Fantasy collaboration.

Bravely series[]

The works of Masamune, a master swordsmith from the legendary lost land of Wa, sometimes bear his name. However, many of the blades he made do not, which makes it difficult to appraise their authenticity. The existence of multiple apprentices and offshoot schools only compounds the difficulty.

Description

Masamune is a katana that provides 39 P.ATK, 90 Aim, and 15 Critical in Bravely Default and Bravely Second.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.[]

Masamune is Sephiroth's weapon of choice. Unlike most appearances, he wields it in a reverse grip as he often does when not in use, and uses it for many of his attacks, uniquely attacking with the pommel for his neutral normal combo. His forward air normal attack allows him to stick the sword into walls and use it as leverage to jump further. Unlike other swords, Masamune has two sweet spots depending on the type of attack Sephiroth uses. When swung, it is strongest towards to end. For stabbing attacks, it is strongest at the tip. Due to the sword's length, Sephiroth has the longest consistent melee range in the game.

Masamune is patterned after its common appearance in the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII in Sephiroth's 1P, 3P and 7P colors, but changes color to its original design from Final Fantasy VII in his 2P, 5P and 8P variations, and black in his 4P color to resemble its appearance other games such as Dissidia and Crisis Core.

Gallery[]

Etymology[]

[view · edit · purge]The Masamune is named after Masamune Okazaki, a legendary Japanese blacksmith of the Kamakura Era employed under the Kamakura Shogunate. He was famous for his forging process of soshu kitae and nijuba, the strongest method for the body of katana, layering different consistencies of carbon steel for tensile composition and in such a way they were forged twice, and cultivating the aesthetics of katana through having refined and merged traits of quality with those of beauty.

His works were often compared to those of Muramasa, and sometimes mistaken for the other in fiction or fantasy novels, though always the better of the two. According to legend, the two swordsmiths set a sword of their making into a nearby stream as contest to see who made the better sword, with Masamune's blade said to have ignored all things that came near it. Though Muramasa belittled Masamune, a monk came to be the final judge and praised Masamune's swords for having benevolence, cutting only what it was meant to cut while Muramasa's cared little for what it cut. From this tale, Masamunes are said to be the marks of an internal peaceful and calm warrior, the opposite of Muramasas who were deemed bloodthirsty and cursed blades. All legends of the two ever having met are considered historically impossible since they were from different time periods.