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Line 1: {{trope}} {{cleanup\|This trope is about items that can kill one specific character. Examples that say the item can kill more than one character should be moved to more appropriate pages.}} ~~{{trope workshop}}~~ ~~{{tropestub}}~~ Welcome to my cave, young adventurous Hero. Here pick one of these two weapons, because at your current level you can't defeat [[Big Bad\|the villain]] or [[Did You Just Flip Off Cthulhu?\|punching out Cthulhu]]. He, his [[Mook\|mooks]], and scientific experiment pet, will defeat you in less than a minute, during the [[Curb Stomp Battle]], if you do not use this weapon. {{quote\|''Welcome to my cave, young adventurous Hero. Here, pick one of these three artifacts, because at your current level you can't defeat [[Big Bad\|the villain]] or [[Did You Just Flip Off Cthulhu?\|punch out Cthulhu]]. He, his [[Mook]]s, scientific experiment pet, and his three-year-old niece will [[Curb Stomp Battle\|defeat you in less than a minute]] if you do not use this item. The first weapon was forge by [[Made of Good\|purest minerals]], one of it's special ingredients is [[Nature Adores a Virgin\| virgin tears of joy]]. This artifact is able to take on and even kill [[Made of Evil\|Evil Incarnate]] itself. Even sealing it. ''The first was forged of [[Made of Good\|purest minerals]] and one of its special ingredients is [[Nature Adores a Virgin\|virgin tears of joy]]. This artifact is able to take on and even kill [[Made of Evil\|Evil Incarnate]] itself. ''The second is a whip that was handed down from the legendary [[Vampire Hunter]]s, whose heir is lost to history. If their blood runs in your veins, this will boost your [[Amplifier Artifact\|current spells and strength]] to be on an equal match with the [[Big Bad]]'s strength, skills, and magic. ''The third is [[Throw the Book At Them\|a tome]], contained within which is a powerful spell that can [[Sealed Evil in a Can\|seal your foe away forever.]] ''Which do you choose?}} The [[Villain-Beating Artifact]] is a one-purpose [[MacGuffin]] that makes it possible for a functionally inferior hero to take out a vastly superior [[Big Bad]]. What differentiates it from the [[Infinity+1 Sword]] is that it's ''only'' useful against that one Big Bad -- against any other foe or in any other context it's basically no more effective than a wet noodle. And that assumes it can even be wielded or applied in situations outside of its intended purpose; some video game instances of the Villain-Beating Artifact are simply inert lumps occupying inventory space before and after their special use. However, against its intended target it is often a [[One-Hit Kill]], turning him from [[Hopeless Boss Fight\|an unbeatable monster]] into a [[Zero Effort Boss]]. The second weapon is a whip that's handed down by the legendary [[Vampire Hunter\|vampire hunters]], whose heir is lost in history. If you are related to her, this will boost your [[Amplifier Artifact\|current spells and strength]] to be on an equal match with the [[Big Bad]]. Some [[Villain-Beating Artifact]]s enforce their special singular purpose by being consumed in the process of defeating their designated target -- often [[Explosive Overclocking\|blowing up from all the energy they channel]], or being drained of all their power. ~~Subtrope of [[Plot Coupon That Does Something]]. [[Sister Trope]] to [[Sword of Plot Advancement]]~~ Subtrope of [[Plot Coupon That Does Something]]. [[Sister Trope]] to [[Sword of Plot Advancement]]. If the reason it's used only on one particular boss and no other is that it's simply ignored or forgotten after its one use, that's [[Forgotten Phlebotinum]]. {{examples}} ~~== Advertising ==~~ ~~== Anime and Manga ==~~ == Comic Books == * [[DC Comics]] has the Spear of Destiny, which is the most powerful weapon ever. It ~~was~~holds ~~used~~supernatural onpowers ~~Spectre,~~that aallows ~~spirit~~its ofowner ~~God's~~to [[Mind Control\| control the minds]] of ~~vengeance~~those onwith ~~Earth!~~superpowers. It was used on Spectre, who is a spirit of God's vengeance on Earth! The Spear almost killed him and precipitated the world's end. Averted in "[[All Star Squadron]]" #20, it was explained why the [[Justice League]] can't jump in and help Europe out during [[World War II]]. Hitler somehow got hold of this spear and will use it to on them (This spear can even harm [[Superman]]); So the Justice League of America had a very good reason to stay away. Averted in "[[All Star Squadron]]" #20, the Spear of Destiny was given as the reason why the [[Justice League of America]] couldn't jump in and help Europe out during [[World War II]]. Hitler somehow got hold of this spear and would use it on them if they entered Nazi-occupied lands (this spear can even harm [[Superman]]), so the Justice League of America had a very good reason to stay away. For many years, Kryptonite was this for Superman. Despite being a radioactive mineral, it had no real use outside of hurting the Man of Steel, and non-Kryptonians could swallow hunks of the stuff without ill effect. This permanently changed [[Post-Crisis]], when the common-sense notion that radiation was radiation and deadly no matter what the source took over. (It was starting to change even as early as the 1970s, as witnessed by the "Kryptonite No More!" storyline which started out with an attempt by someone to build a Kryptonite ''reactor''.) * [[Marvel Comics]] has the Ultimate Nullifier, a devastating weapon the size of a smartphone. It scares Galactus and prevents him from devouring planets. [[Fantastic Four (Comic Book)\|Johnny Storm]] found it in Galactus's homeworld and uses it to save the Earth. [[The Other Wiki]] [[w:Ultimate Nullifier\|says]] that it can nullify or re-create anything, up to an entire parallel universe. == ~~Fan Works~~Film == * ''[[Kubo and the Two Strings]]'': The titular character and his companions must find three weapons -- the "Sword Unbreakable," "Breastplace Impenetrable," and "Helmet" -- in order to defeat the Moon King. {{spoiler\|Kubo has little to no training on how to use these weapons. So, he [[Taking a Third Option\|takes a third option]] and uses his shamisen to defeat the Moon King.}} * In ''[[Omen III]]'', [[The Antichrist]] Damien Thorne's weakness is the Seven Daggers of Megiddo. Only one will do. * In the 2017 version of ''[[Wonder Woman (2017 film)\|Wonder Woman]]'', an ancient sword called the [[Kill the God\|God-Killer]] is kept by the Amazons on Themyscira, guarded against future need. This is the weapon that can destroy [[War God\|Ares]], who spreads death and destruction and has even killed of the rest of the Greek pantheon. {{Spoiler\|As it turns out, the God-Killer is [[Red Herring\|just a normal sword]] -- the ''real'' God-Killer is actually Princess Diana/Wonder Woman, since she's [[Last of His Kind\|the last of Zeus's demigod offspring]].}} == Gamebooks == * In the ''[[Fighting Fantasy]]'' gamebook ''[[House of Hell]]'', the [[Final Boss]] can only be defeated if the player finds and uses the Kris Knife, and even then only in a room with red tapestry, to simulate a battle fought in the depths of Hell itself. Of course, exactly why the cult keeps this weapon in the house at all (or why the eponymous House has a room that qualifies) [[Boss Arena Idiocy\|is something of a mystery.]] ~~== Film ==~~ * [[Kubo and the Two Strings]]: The titular character and his companions must find three weapons, the "Sword Unbreakable," "Breastplace Impenetrable," and "Helmet " in order to defeat the Moon King {{spoiler\|Kubo has little to no training on how to use these weapons. So, he [[Taking a Third Option\|took a third option]] and uses his shamisen instead to defeat the Moon King.}} * In [[Omen III]], turns out that Damien Thorne, [[The Antichrist]],'s weakness is the Seven Daggers of Megiddo. Only one will do. * In [[Wonder Woman (2017)]]: Hidden somewhere in Themscira, an ancient sword which is called the [[Kill the God\|God-Killer]]. The Amazons guards it. This is the weapon that can destroy [[War God\|Ares]], who spread death and destruction, even offing off the rest of the Greek pantheon (The latter doesn't side with him in the first place) {{Spoiler\| The God-Killer is just a normal sword, the real God-Killer is actually Princess Diana/Wonder Woman. Since it comes with being one of Zeus's demi-god offsprings.}} == Literature == * In ''[[Mistborn]].'', ~~This~~this is double subverted. ~~Since the~~Ten metals ~~are~~ used in the Magic System~~, ten~~ are known to bestow powers. [[Rebel Leader\|Kelsier]] made rumors of ~~the~~an Eleventh Metal that has powers to defeat the [[Big Bad\|Lord Ruler]],; when Vin tries to use it, it's ~~shown~~shows her intangible images of people who used to be. {{spoiler\| The second time, Vin uses it, she realizes that the Lord Ruler is not ~~the one~~ who everyone thinks he ~~was~~is, and uses this knowledge to take out his [[Immortality Inducer]].}} No [[Immortal Inertia]] ensues. * In ''[[The Sword of Shannara]]'', {{spoiler\|'sthe [[Big Bad\|Warlock Lord]] was defeated ~~this~~by using the titular sword, whose powers shows the absolute truth about those that touch ~~way~~it. It's revealed that he's been dead for eons long before the novels began. Plus, the Warlock Lord was reanimated by a combo of collective fear and magic ~~combo~~.}} * ''[[His Dark Materials]]:'' ~~Subverted~~subverts this. The subtle knife was claimed several times to be used as the only weapon capable of killing God, the supposedly [[Big Bad]] of this series. The knife's owner was encourage to take it to the guy opposing God, so he can win. {{Spoiler\| Turns out that God was too old and senile and eventually dies of old age. In addition, not much of Big Bad material.}} * [[Gardner F. Fox]]'s "''[[Niall of the Far Travels"]]'s' short story "Out of the Eons," ~~a short story.~~: Adonair, an alternate universe evil deity, tries to enslave humanity and conquer the world. The gods can't destroy him [[Sealed Evil in a Can\| but ~~manages~~manage to trap him]]. Niall accidentally releases Adonair at the story's beginning. The only way to get rid of Adonair is for Niall to drink a special liquid and trick Adonair into possessing his body. == Live-Action ~~Television~~TV == * ''[[Supernatural]]'': Samuel Colt made a special Colt gun and bullets~~. This~~, ~~gun~~which can be used to kill almost anything... ~~- Except~~except [[Satan\|Lucifer]]. There's a special dagger which can kill demons (and the humans that they possess at the time). Regular knives and daggers don't work, it's just the host body. ~~It's~~Its backstory has yet to appear. ** In one episode, the [[Monster of the Week\| dragon]] can ''only'' be killed by a sword that's forged byin the blood of another dragon. {{quote\|'''Dean''': "So, you need one sword to kill one dragon, but you got to kill one dragon to make one sword. How does this work out?"}} * In ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]] ~~had some of these moments - Like Thor~~'~~s Hammer, that~~'s ~~used to whomp Glory~~had ~~down~~several tosuch ~~size.~~items: The Troll God's Hammer that's used to whomp Glory down to size in Season 5. Also an ancient scythe that's [[The Dragon\|Caleb]]'s [[Achilles Heel]]. ** An ancient scythe that's [[The Dragon\|Caleb]]'s [[Achilles' Heel]]. * [[Doctor Who]]: Subverted. In one episode, "Last of the Time Lords." Which has Martha Jones spending a whole year searching for a weapon which was separated into four parts that can defeat the Master, revealing at the end that the Villain-Beating Artifact {{spoiler\|was just a ruse merely to distract from Martha's real objective.}} ** Hope's Dagger, which was made from the first sun rays on earth. This is the only weapon to harm the First Evil. * [[Once Upon a Time (TV series)\|Once Upon a Time]] twisted this trope. The only way to defeat the [[Big Bad]] is to steal his dagger, {{spoiler\| but you'll replace the Big Bad as the new one.}} * ''[[Doctor Who]]'': Subverted in the episode "Last of the Time Lords," which has Martha Jones spending a whole year searching for a weapon which was separated into four parts that can defeat the Master. It's revealed at the end that the Villain-Beating Artifact {{spoiler\|was just a ruse merely to distract from Martha's real objective.}} * In [[Madan Senki Ryukendo]], it's stated in the Kanon of Light that only {{spoiler\|to defeat DaiMaOh, they need three Ultimate Keys.}} * ''[[Once Upon a Time (TV series)\|Once Upon a Time]]'' twisted this trope. The only way to defeat the [[Big Bad]] is to steal his dagger, {{spoiler\|but you'll replace the Big Bad if [[You Kill It, You Bought It\|you somehow manage to kill him.]]}} The Duke chose to ''control'' the Dark One with this dagger; Rumplestiltskin did not. * In ''[[Madan Senki Ryukendo]]'', it's stated in the Kanon of Light that {{spoiler\|to defeat DaiMaOh, they need three Ultimate Keys.}} ~~== Music ==~~ ~~== Myths and Legends ==~~ ~~== Newspaper Comics ==~~ ~~== Oral Tradition ==~~ ~~== Pinball ==~~ ~~== Podcasts ==~~ ~~== Professional Wrestling ==~~ ~~== Puppet Shows ==~~ ~~== Radio ==~~ ~~== Tabletop Games ==~~ ~~== Theater ==~~ == Video Games == * In ''[[The Secret of Monkey Island]]'', Guybrush Threepwood found out that there's a Villain-Beating Artifact that can be used to defeat ghosts, especially Captain LeChuck. The pirate then went to find the ingredients (i.e. Voodoo root, etc.). ** In ''[[Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge]]'' {{spoiler\|spraying root beer doesn't work. Guybrush has to assemble a different VBA to defeat his foe.}} * In [[The Secret of Monkey Island]], Guybrush Threepwood once he found out that there's a Villain-Beating Artifact that can be used to defeat ghosts, especially Captain LeChuck. The pirate then went to find the ingredients (i.e. Voodoo root, ). * In ''[[Grow]]'' RPG, this trope was distilled down to its molecular essence. Besides the sword and armor, you will need the special blue orb which can knock the [[Big Bad]]'s life meter down to where you can go man to man. It's not possible to reach the Big Bag without it. ** Whereas in [[Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge]] {{spoiler\|spraying root beer doesn't work. Guybrush has to assemble a different VBA to defeat his foe.}} * In ''[[Chrono Cross]]'', you can kill the [[Time Devourer]] using force alone, but it'll come back eventually. The only way to defeat it once and for all is to use the Chrono Cross. * In [[Grow]] RPG, this trope was distilled down to its molecular essence. Besides the sword and armor, you will need the special blue orb which can knock the [[Big Bad]]'s life meter down to where you can go man to man. (It's not possible to reach the Big Bag without it). * In ''[[God of War (series)\|God of War]]'', whatever is contained within Pandora's Box is the only thing that has the power to kill a god. Kratos spends the first game to find and open the box, that way he can kill Ares. In ''God of War 3'', he needs it again to defeat Zeus. {{spoiler\|He was lied to, since the box was empty the last time he opened it.}} * In [[Chrono Cross]], you can kill the [[Time Devourer]] using force alone, but it'll come back eventually. The only way to defeat it once and for all is to use the Chrono Cross. * ''[[Warcraft 3]]'': Not a specific weapon, but mainly a damage type. Divine armor's weakness is Chaos, which is reserved for Hell's legions or insanely strong monsters. In order to defeat [[Physical God\|Cenarius]], an invulnerable demigod, Grom Hellscream's orcs reactivate some sort of demon pact which allows them to defeat him [[Gameplay and Story Segregation\|by giving them Chaos damage]]. * [[God of War (series)\|God of War]], whatever is contained within Pandora's Box has power that capable of killing a god (Hint: It's the only thing). So Kratos spends the first game to find and open the box, that way he can off Ares. In God of War 3, he needs it again to defeat Zeus...{{spoiler\|He was lied to, since the box was empty the last time he opened it.}} ** Also, Illidan devours the Skull of Guldan (another VBA), which the Legion were using earlier to spread corruption in the Night Elves' forests. This turns him into a half-demon, but gives him the powers to defeat Tichondrius. * [[Warcraft 3]]: Not a specific weapon, but mainly a damage type. Divine armor's weakness is Chaos, which is reserved for Hell's legions or insanely strong monsters. In order to defeat, [[Physical God\|Cenarius]], an invulnerable demigod, Grom Hellscream's orcs reactivate some sort of demon pact, this allows them to defeat him ([[And Story Segregation\|By giving them Chaos damage]]). Someone told Prince Arthas that to defeat Mal'Ganis (the dreadlord), he must search for the Frostmourne (a legendary sword). Once Arthas gets it, he confronts the dreadlord. Mal'Ganis laughs and states he fell into their trap, and to add to the sucky-ness, the sword consums Arthas's soul. While it's true, Arthas's real master is the Lich King, who seems to serve the Burning Legion and [[The Starscream\|has his personal agendas]]. Arthas then follows orders to slay Mal'Ganis. Also, Illidan, who devours the Skull of Guldan, which the Legion were using earlier to spread corruption in the Night Elves' forests. This turns him into a half-demon, but the bonus is an ability to defeat Tichondrius. * In ''[[Neverwinter Nights 2]]'', the only way to injure and even kill the King of Shadows was to find the Silver Sword of Gith. But it was broken into several shards when it was used earlier and your character isn't the only one interested in collecting them. ** Someone told Prince Arthas, that to defeat Mal'Ganis, the dreadlord, he must search for the Frostmourne, a legendary sword. Once Arthas got it, he then confronts, the dreadlord. Mal'Ganis laughs and states he fell into their trap, and to add to the sucky-ness, the sword consumed Arthas's soul. While it's true, Arthas's real master is the Lich King, who seems to serve the Burning Legion and [[The Starscream\| has his personal agendas]]. Arthas was then order to and does slay Mal'Ganis. * In the original ''[[Doom 3]]'', the player uses the Soul Cube to defeat Cyberdemon. The smaller ones, however, aren't limited to this type of weakness. Also, the Soul Cube powers up by using the souls of fallen enemies. Subverted, in patches. * [[Neverwinter Nights 2]], the only way to injure and even kill the King of Shadows, was to find the Silver Sword of Gith. But it was broken into several shards when it was used earlier and your character ain't the only one interested in collecting them. * ''[[Legend of Zelda]]'': * In the original [[Doom 3]], the player uses the Soul Cube to defeat Cyberdemon. The smaller ones, however, aren't limited to this type of weakness. Also, the Soul Cube powers up by using the souls of fallen enemies. Subverted, in patches. In ~~[[Legend of Zelda]],~~ most of the games, ~~has~~ Link ~~needing~~needs the Master Sword to defeat Ganon. In ''the [[Phantom Hourglass]]'', Link needs the Phantom Sword to defeat Bellum. ** ~~Also,~~In ''[[A Link to The Past\|]]'', the Silver Arrows]], which are an upgrade of his regular arrows, only then will Link will be able to use them to defeat Ganon. * In ''[[Baldur's Gate 2]]'', ~~the~~you ~~way~~are told that ~~the Unseeing Eye was advertised in this matter and~~ you'll need a special rod of destruction to defeat ~~him~~the Unseeing Eye. Actually, it's easier (though less profitable) to just kill his followers until he appears., ~~Since~~since the Unseeing Eye is just a standard mage with more hit points than usual and less dangerous (unlike the beholders that one needs to kill just to get the rod). * In ''[[Colobot]]'', the only way to defeat the alien queen ~~was~~is to find and use the Phazer Shooter. ~~But to acquire it, you~~You'll need to collect four keys ~~and~~ to open the vault in order to acquire it. * The ''[[Fire Emblem (Video Game)\|Fire Emblem]]'' series uses this trope too many times to count. Even occasionally using the titular Fire ~~Emblem~~Emblems ~~occasionally~~in ~~(or~~certain ~~not~~games ~~using~~- ~~it,~~which ~~depends~~are onvarious objects/artifacts that meet the ~~game)~~trope. Here are some examples: In ''[[Fire Emblem Gaiden]]'' has its own Falchion, which is the only thing that can kill off Duma once and for all (~~Besides~~besides using the Cleric's Nosferatu spell, which ismay be a bug in the original game ~~maybe~~). In ''[[Fire Emblem: Genealogy of Holy War]] ~~which~~'' has the Falchion substitute in the form of the Naga spell: [[In-Universe]], it's treated as one, but on a gameplay standpoint the Naga spell isn't necessary to defeat the [[Final Boss]]. (Good luck beating him without it), though.) ** In ''[[Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem]]'', the Falchion, Starlight, and the Binding Shield (aka the Fire Emblem itself), these artifacts together are used to seal away the Earth Dragons when all the Spheres are returned. The Lightsphere is one of these in its own right (a villain beating artifact), since it's the only thing that can nullify the protection of Hardin's Darksphere. * Both invoked and averted at various times in the late, lamented ''[[City of Heroes]]''/''[[City of Villains]]''. During some plot arcs you would be given special weapons to use on the enemy at hand -- but you didn't ''have'' to use them, and they would remain in your inventory of powers until you used up their charges (which could be months or even ''years'' later). A good example would be the anti-ghost weapons you could get in several different arcs, including a villain arc that sent you up against [[The Dragon\|Ghost Widow]]. In other arcs, though, you would find, receive or craft weapons or items that would immediately vanish with the end of your need for them -- this included things like the grenades from the Lambda trial or the wand which cures the Lost that you would make at the end of the Midnighter Club membership arc. ~~== Web Animation ==~~ ~~== Web Comics ==~~ ~~== Web Video ==~~ == Western Animation == * In ''[[Samurai Jack]]'', the titular character's sword is for the ~~predominately~~most part the only weapon to take out Aku, because ~~of its~~it's [[Made of Good]]. * In ''[[Adventure Time]]'', the gauntlet that Billy owns has the power to seal the Lich. {{spoiler\| Unfortunately, the bad guy destroyed it before Finn can make good use of it. Finn has to resort to using the [[Power of Love\|Power of Liking Someone A Lot]], just to destroy its physical form.}} * In ''[[Scooby Doo Mystery Inc]]'', Scoob and his friends found out that they need to find and use the Heart of the Jaguar to destroy {{spoiler\|the Crystal Sarcophagus, because Annuaki was sealed in it.}} During the final episode, {{spoiler\| ~~The~~the real "Heart of the Jaguar" wasn't the crystal spearhead (which ~~got~~was destroyed earlier), it's [[The Power of Friendship]] which binds the gang together. This and teamwork were used and Scooby use the spearshaft to shatter the sarcophagus.}} ~~== Other Media ==~~ ~~== Real Life ==~~ ---- {{reflist}} [[Category:{{BASEPAGENAME}}]] [[Category:~~Pages Original to All The Tropes~~Plots]] ~~[[Category:Pages needing more categories]]~~ ~~[[Category:Plot]]~~ [[Category:Applied Phlebotinum]] [[Category:Plot Coupon That Does Something]] [[Category:Video Game Items and Inventory]] [[Category:MacGuffin]]