When one thinks of superheroes in the DC Universe, they usually imagine impressive feats of physical combat and strength, superpowered battles, or similar things of that nature. This is often true, but it’s not always the case. There are a handful of heroes who are weapons experts as well.
That would likely make one think of Green Arrow, but not everyone’s weapon of choice is long-ranged. Many heroes and villains use melee weapons and close-quarters combat to repel enemies. These tend to be some of the more brutal heroes or most vicious villains, as looking to beat one’s opponent in such a physical way is not for everyone.
10 Batman Is Trained In Various Forms Of Melee Weapon Combat
Despite the fact that he’s not particularly known for using any weapons beyond his Batarangs, Batman is an extremely proficient melee weapon fighter as has been shown on several occasions. He has outfought the deadly Ra’s al Ghul in a sword duel, and he has adopted all manner of knives, blunt weapons, and Batarangs into his close-quarters fighting style as needed.
Batman may largely rely on his fists, but he is just as effective with practically anything that falls into his hand–so long as it’s not a gun, as that is the weapon of the enemy.
9 Damian Wayne Is Disturbingly Good With A Sword
Damian Wayne, aka Robin, is the son of two of the most skilled warriors in the world: Batman and Talia al Ghul. He was raised by the League of Assassins, so it’s no surprise that he is also an impeccable fighter. He is talented with all manner of weaponry, but he has a particular affection for swords.
Damian has tried to put many of his enemies to the sword over the years, but Batman has tried hard to cull Damian Wayne’s more violent tendencies to varying degrees of success.
8 Ra’s al Ghul Is A Proficient And Deadly Swordfighter
As the Head of the Demon and leader of the League of Assassins, Ra’s al Ghul needs to be a skilled fighter to repel any and all would-be challengers. Ra’s al Ghul is particularly good with a sword (even if he was outdone by Batman in the aforementioned duel). Knives and other bladed weaponry are also well within his wheelhouse.
Ra’s al Ghul is easily one of the most proficient killers in the world, so any weapon is hand is guaranteed to be extremely deadly.
7 Nightwing’s Escrima Sticks Are An Effective Pacifying Tool
Nightwing was the first Robin, so he was the first to be taught by Batman. As such, Nightwing has had the most time of all of Batman’s sidekicks to adapt the Dark Knight’s fighting skill and transform it into his own distinct fighting style. Nightwing has used bo staffs in the past, but his most frequent tool is his pair of escrima sticks.
These are a pair of short and thick sticks generally made of wood (though Nightwing’s have been outfitted with tasers and ziplines before, implying that his sticks are likely metal) and used to disarm and pacify opponents. Nightwing’s escrima sticks also serve as a ranged weapon, as he can throw them at opponents. They often bounce back to him much like Captain America‘s shield.
6 Black Manta Uses All-Manner Of Bladed Weaponry
Black Manta, the arch-nemesis of Aquaman, is just a mortal man (Underworld Unleashed notwithstanding) in a diving suit fighting against half-Atlantean royalty. That means that David Hyde must be able to match Arthur’s strength with skill.
To this end, Black Manta employs darts, poisons, a helmet that shoots lasers, and several bladed weapons. These include swords, daggers, tridents, and hand-held harpoons
5 Hawkgirl Excels With Her Metal Mace
Hawkgirl is an endlessly reincarnating warrior from ancient Egypt. Whether Shayera Hall/Kendra Saunders remembers all of her past varies. When she does remember her past lives, she has access to a deep well of combat tactics.
However, Hawkgirl’s most frequent weapon is her mace, made from the alien Nth Metal used by the Thanagarians. Hawkgirl has shown the ability to fight off all manner of foes with her mace. She can use other weapons, such as shields and swords, but her mace is the most reliable.
4 Wonder Woman Is A Powerful Swordfighter
Wonder Woman often relies on her fists and her Lasso of Truth when she is forced into combat. However, she has shown the ability to be just as effective with a shield and shortsword. She has lifetimes of combat experience behind her, and she has been trained by some of the greatest warriors in the world on Themyscira.
There is also an unforgettable instance in which she adapted the Lasso of Truth into a ripcord for a chainsaw and used it to carve up the Batman Who Laughs.
3 Hawkman Has An Arsenal Of Melee Weapons To Choose From
Like Hawkgirl, Hawkman is the reincarnation of an ancient being (once thought to be Prince Khufu of Egypt, now revealed to be Ktar of the Deathbringers). Carter currently has unprecedented access to the memories of all his past lives, and this also gives him centuries, if not millennia, of combat experience to draw upon.
Hawkman’s most trusty weapon is also his Nth Metal mace, but he has been more liberal with his weapon choices than Hawkgirl. Carter Hall has been known to use swords, axes, knives, and pretty much anything else he can get his hands on as a melee weapon.
2 Deathstroke The Terminator Can Use Bo Staffs, Swords, And Knives
Deathstroke the Terminator, aka Slade Wilson, is the deadliest assassin on the planet. While he isn’t afraid to pull out a gun or two as needed, Deathstroke is more famous for using swords, knives, and his Power Staff to overwhelm foes like the Teen Titans and the Justice League.
Like Ra’s al Ghul, Batman, and Hawkman, anything is a weapon in the hands of Deathstroke the Terminator. He is powered by a computer-like brain and a chemically-enhanced body to be the most deadly human on the planet.
1 Katana Is One Of The Best Sword Fighters On The Planet
However, few have as much skill with a single weapon as Katana, aka Tatsu Yamashiro. She wields the Soultaker Sword, a legendary blade that contains the soul of her deceased husband. She has sought for years to free him from the Soultaker, and this has set Katana down a blood-soaked path.
Despite this, Katana has most often been a hero. She has been a member of the Justice League of America and the Outsiders, and she’s even served on the Suicide Squad.
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