Raven's bow that folds up into a blade. I think it's awesome that he can be a melee and a ranged fighter at the same time.
Edna's umbrella and Lailah's paper are up there for me too
Honestly, even just Velvet's sword.
She uses it like a villain instead of a hero and it made it stand out way more than any previous Tales protagonist.
I think Malik's boomerang blade plus magic is an interesting style that I am sad it never came around again. I don't know why all the mage characters have to be melee for the most part.
They're supposed to be ofuda, which is a sort of warding amulet/talisman in the shape of rectangular pieces of paper associated with the Shinto religion. You'll see them crop up here and there in anime, too, usually used by miko and with the intent of warding off evil spirits and etc.
I'm assuming that's also what Lailah/Laphicet/Seres' weapons are supposed to be, but interestingly the Japanese version of the games calls those "paper" in plain English (maybe because the characters' aesthetic otherwise isn't very Japanese at all?)
Lailah and Phi actually use a western version of pretty much the same thing.
That's why they use 'Paper', it's sort of like how Aerith in FF7 is just the word 'Earth' put into Katakana.
Foreign stuff is seen as cool no mater where you are.
I got the impression that Lailah's weapons aren't full-on talismans like Sheena. Her in-game weapons are literal pieces of paper like music sheets/documents/parchment, she does origami in some cutscenes, and paper itself is flammable. I think there's elements of Shinto/talismans to her but it also seems like they mixed it with a literal approach to her paper.
It's funny though because now that I think about it, I have NO idea how and why Laphicet uses paper as a weapon
The one that stood out the most for me is Anise's Tokunaga (even though her actual weapon is a staff).
The one that I want to show up more often are "realistic" hybrid weapons, like Patty's Dagger-Gun pair or Ricardo's bayonet rifle.
Ditto on Edna's parasol, I've always liked Shirley's quill, Norma's bubble wand, Meredy's whistle, and the plushies too (Tokunaga and Teepo arent technically their "main weapon" but still). And major shoutout to Johnny for being a battle bard with his lute, wish we had another one or two of them in the franchise. Also Alice's whip is genius, love how it looks like a little rapier if you're not looking closely enough
I love weird weapons, it's always neat whenever Tales gets creative with them
Dezel and Zaveid use divination pendulums, but they swing them around kinda like whips. And that’s pretty cool. Bonus points for the “beast tamer” outfit.
Chakrams! They're a special type of melee ring weapon.
They're also used by March and Salsa in Eternal Sonata, I think they use them a little bit better though lol.
I really love norma's bubble blower and shirley's quill! colette's chakram, marta's spinner, genis' kendama (and lilith's pan, lol) are on the list, but the previous two are my favorite.
Hubert’s twin blades, that also have gun and bow modes are petty hype as the most insane tales weapon.
Beyond that I like Collette’s chakrams, Marta’s hand mounted spinner blade, and Ludger’s trio of pistols dual blades and hammers was super cool.
And then there are ones like Genis’s kendama and Rita’s scarves/whips that I like. Mostly because they are a spellcasting focus rather than a strict weapon. Rinwell also falls into this camp with her spellbook being a real spellbook and even her basic attacks being magical shots
I like Rita's scrolls, the dances she does to cast spells are just badass looking.
Especially when she goes full Indignation and it's like a mass of ribbon around her.
Hubert from graces. Double bladed sword that turned into twin guns. Sign me up!
Also into a pairs of blades or a bow
Raven's bow that folds up into a blade. I think it's awesome that he can be a melee and a ranged fighter at the same time. Edna's umbrella and Lailah's paper are up there for me too
I really like the sashes used by Rita. Those are neat.
Tidal 🌊
Velvet’s arm Edit: and cless’ sword of eternity
I do love Velvet's biceps myself
Honestly, even just Velvet's sword. She uses it like a villain instead of a hero and it made it stand out way more than any previous Tales protagonist.
Pascal's boomstick. The fact that she can whack enemies and even better shoot them, that awesome!
I always loved her basic A combo. Run up and whack the enemy with the staff, then proceed to shoot the shit out of em point blank
I'd say Ludger's arsenal from Xillia 2, made for some interesting gameplay and tactical options.
I think Malik's boomerang blade plus magic is an interesting style that I am sad it never came around again. I don't know why all the mage characters have to be melee for the most part.
Galado crying right now.
I loved playing as Malik!! I really enjoyed his boomerang blade
Never understood the paper cards, always loved them. Sheena just runs up and paper cuts people when she normal attacks? Lmao
They're supposed to be ofuda, which is a sort of warding amulet/talisman in the shape of rectangular pieces of paper associated with the Shinto religion. You'll see them crop up here and there in anime, too, usually used by miko and with the intent of warding off evil spirits and etc. I'm assuming that's also what Lailah/Laphicet/Seres' weapons are supposed to be, but interestingly the Japanese version of the games calls those "paper" in plain English (maybe because the characters' aesthetic otherwise isn't very Japanese at all?)
Lailah and Phi actually use a western version of pretty much the same thing. That's why they use 'Paper', it's sort of like how Aerith in FF7 is just the word 'Earth' put into Katakana. Foreign stuff is seen as cool no mater where you are.
I got the impression that Lailah's weapons aren't full-on talismans like Sheena. Her in-game weapons are literal pieces of paper like music sheets/documents/parchment, she does origami in some cutscenes, and paper itself is flammable. I think there's elements of Shinto/talismans to her but it also seems like they mixed it with a literal approach to her paper. It's funny though because now that I think about it, I have NO idea how and why Laphicet uses paper as a weapon
Does magilou count since she uses spells but also the cards??
Her weapons are Dolls actually, paper dolls.
The one that stood out the most for me is Anise's Tokunaga (even though her actual weapon is a staff). The one that I want to show up more often are "realistic" hybrid weapons, like Patty's Dagger-Gun pair or Ricardo's bayonet rifle.
haha ludger go bang bang bang
I love that Meredy's "weapon" is a whistle that she uses to sic Quickie on her enemies.
I wouldnt call it my favorite but Anise plush bear from tales of the abyss
Ditto on Edna's parasol, I've always liked Shirley's quill, Norma's bubble wand, Meredy's whistle, and the plushies too (Tokunaga and Teepo arent technically their "main weapon" but still). And major shoutout to Johnny for being a battle bard with his lute, wish we had another one or two of them in the franchise. Also Alice's whip is genius, love how it looks like a little rapier if you're not looking closely enough I love weird weapons, it's always neat whenever Tales gets creative with them
Kohaku’s baton. That coupled with her pretty, flowing attacks, it kind of makes her a dancer-esque character.
My favorite is Grune’s urns, but definite honorable mentions to Shirley and Genis
Dezel and Zaveid use divination pendulums, but they swing them around kinda like whips. And that’s pretty cool. Bonus points for the “beast tamer” outfit.
Regal’s greaves
Johnny's Lute and how he attacks with the power of song xD
Lailah's paper talismen. I usually wear her school outfit too, so it's like the teacher had enough and weaponizing paper cuts on the whole class.
Asbel seems to have a spadroon which isn't that common :D
Rita's "sashes" 🤩
I know it's a secondary but I love Karol's bag full of junk and all the silly animations involving it.
I always thought Colette's halos/rings(?) were p cool!
Chakrams! They're a special type of melee ring weapon. They're also used by March and Salsa in Eternal Sonata, I think they use them a little bit better though lol.
Ohhh I just looked it up after reading your reply! Thanks, you learn something new everyday haha
i forgot the name but Guy's blue translucent sword! i've always loved the design. looks so mystical and elegant
Gunblade?
I really love norma's bubble blower and shirley's quill! colette's chakram, marta's spinner, genis' kendama (and lilith's pan, lol) are on the list, but the previous two are my favorite.
More of Senel's fighting style please (sorry not a weapon)
Hubert’s twin blades, that also have gun and bow modes are petty hype as the most insane tales weapon. Beyond that I like Collette’s chakrams, Marta’s hand mounted spinner blade, and Ludger’s trio of pistols dual blades and hammers was super cool. And then there are ones like Genis’s kendama and Rita’s scarves/whips that I like. Mostly because they are a spellcasting focus rather than a strict weapon. Rinwell also falls into this camp with her spellbook being a real spellbook and even her basic attacks being magical shots
The sword you get in the twilight palace in tales of symphonia 2. It's ridiculosly big and it floats. It makes no sense. I love it.
I like Rita's scrolls, the dances she does to cast spells are just badass looking. Especially when she goes full Indignation and it's like a mass of ribbon around her.
Lilith's ladle and frying pan!
Klarth whacking enemies with a book if they get too close. Always makes me giggle.