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The Sword Beam is a sword skill that has appeared in various Zelda games, first debuting in the original The Legend of Zelda. It is often utilized by Link wherein, when he is at full health, an attack with his sword will result in a beam of light streaking out and striking anything in its path. It is useful for when one does not wish to engage in close quarters combat or use ammunition like arrows. At times, it can be utilized with any blade; at others, only special blades like the Master Sword will create a Sword Beam when swung. This depends on the game.

History
Until the up-coming Skyward Sword, in which the Sword Beam is expected to make a return, the Sword Beam had only appeared in the 2D Zelda games, with two exceptions. The sword beam was supposedly going to be in Ocarina of Time, but it was scrapped; the discs of light released from Fierce Deity Link's sword in Majora's Mask are suspiciously similar to the Sword Beam, and could be considered the move's first 3D appearance.

Variations
There are various variations of the Sword Beam that have appeared throughout the series.

Sword-Shaped
The first being a straight beam that is actually shaped like the blade of the sword it springs from. This is the most common variation, appearing in The Legend of Zelda, The Adventure of Link, Link's Awakening, Oracle of Seasons, Oracle of Ages, Four Swords Adventures, The Minish Cap, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, and Skyward Sword.

Circular Swirl
The other, rarer variation, appears as a circular swirl of propelled sparkles, and has thus far only appeared in A Link to the Past, Four Swords, and in The Minish Cap after Link infuses his sword with all four elements.

Crescent-Shaped
In Majora's Mask, when Link is wearing the Fierce Deity Mask, he will be able to shoot out a blue, crescent-shaped beam from his sword. However, this ability can only be used when Z-Targeting, and it consumes Magic Power.

The first true appearance of the Sword Beam in a 3D Zelda game is Skyward Sword. In a reference to the game's title, Link can point his sword skyward, and it will charge with "energy from the heavens" and release a circular spinning, crescent-shaped sword beam in whichever direction and angle that the sword is swung next. The beam itself is somewhat similar to what is seen in Majora's Mask.

Light Ring
In Oracle of Ages, if the Light Ring is equipped, then the Sword Beam will be performed not only when Link is at full health, but also when he has one or two hearts missing. If Link finds the Level 2 Light Ring, it will also be performed when he has three hearts missing. As with all rings, it can be transferred to Oracle of Seasons if the games are linked.

Peril Beam
A related maneuver is known as the Peril Beam, appearing only in The Minish Cap. It works exactly the same as the Sword Beam, except the beam is shot out while only one Heart Container remains filled, not while at full health.

Trivia

 * The sword beam in Four Swords Adventures does not result as a function of Link's full health, but as an extra Four Sword power after Link gains 2000 Force Gems in a particular stage, fully enabling the sword to banish evil.
 * Interestingly, even though the Sword Beam appears in the familiar blade-shaped variation in The Minish Cap, the Four Sword's curse-breaking maneuver is visually identical to the swirl variation despite working completely differently.
 * In the TV series, the Sword Beam is the only attack which Link performs with his sword, other than using it to parry. Presumably this is because at the time cartoons could not depict graphic weapon violence, so a magic beam was seen as a softer alternative.
 * The sword beam that was in the pre-release development period of Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time can be found in the debug ROM's gameplay keep.