WARNING: The following contains spoilers for X of Swords: Creation by Jonathan Hickman, Tini Howard, Pepe Larraz, Marte Gracia, & VC's Clayton Cowles, on sale now.
X of Swords will see the X-Men forced into a massive battle against the ancient, long-lost mutant champions of Arakko. To save Krakoa from invasion, ten of the X-Men's best fighters will venture into conflict wielding ten special blades, each with their own unique properties.
Thanks to Saturnyne, the team learned which ten swords they'll have to use in X of Swords: Creation #1. Now, we're taking a closer look at the ten swords that the X-Men have three days to gather before the duels with the Sword-Breakers of Arakko begin.
MURAMASA
The modern Muramasa Blade was forged in the fallout of Wolverine losing his family decades ago. Approaching the ancient dark swordmaster Muramasa, Wolverine sacrificed an aspect of his soul to empower the Muramasa Blade. The sword is specifically capable of counteracting healing factors, and it can bring down enemies who could otherwise walk off any other form of injury.
The blade was briefly given to Cyclops to serve as a counter to Wolverine if he ever lost control of himself. More recently, it ended up in the hands of the Orphans of X. The group melted down the blade to create bullets that could put down mutants with healing factors, so the blade would need to be reforged. However, there is another, earlier Muramasa Blade out there -- known as the Black Blade -- that was briefly in the possession of the Silver Samurai.
SWORD OF MIGHT
The Sword of Might is one of the older weapons in the universe and is one of the chief tools used to decide potential candidates for the role of Captain Britain. Whenever a new candidate for the role is chosen, they are given a choice between the Amulet of Right and the Sword of Might. While the Amulet of Right is the choice of worthy Captain Britain candidates, the blade can give wielders a major advantage in battle, essentially transforming them into knights.
The Sword of Might is currently in the hands of Betsy Braddock, the current Captain Britain. After briefly being controlled by Morgan le Fay and made into her champion, Brian Braddock -- the former Captain Britain -- chose the Sword over the amulet, increasing his strength but at the cost of him losing control of his status as Captain Britain. Out of fear of his dangerous potential, he gave it over to his sister for protection, although it seems he'll be taking it back up for this upcoming battle.
GRASSCUTTER & GODKILLER
When war erupted between the Greek and Japanese pantheons centuries ago, Zeus and Amatsu-Mikaboshi both approached a skilled forger and requested a sword. Godkiller was given to Zeus, while Amatsu claimed Grasscutter. The two swords passed through the annals of history -- both blades changing hands over the centuries and leaving impacts across history.
Godkiller eventually ended up in the hands of Gorgon, while Phobos -- son of Ares -- killed Mikaboshi and claimed Grasscutter while a member of the Secret Warriors. Phobos and Gorgon battled in Secret Warriors, with the swords actually shattering during their fight -- but Gorgon getting the chance to use the broken blade to kill Phobos. The blades were seemingly lost in the chaos that followed, but if they could be rediscovered than the X-Men may gain a godly advantage.
WARLOCK
During Jonathan Hickman and Russell Dauterman's Giant-Size X-Men: Storm, Cypher was among the X-Men who accompanied Storm into the World. When confronted by the hordes of technological threats, Cypher used Warlock -- a long-time shapeshifting alien ally to the New Mutants -- essentially as an exo-suit, granting Doug new combat attributes like the ability to turn an arm into a blade and craft various lasers.
Although Warlock isn't typically thought of as a weapon and more as a genuine and sentient friend, his durable and flexible nature does lend itself to battle, especially against an opponent who's full abilities aren't known. In the battle against the Swordbreakers of Arakko, Warlock could theoretically become bonded to Doug or any other member of the X-Men.
SOULSWORD
The Soulsword was created when Illyana Rasputin found herself trapped in the demonic dimension of Limbo. Forced to learn magic to survive, Magik was forced to imbue the blade with some of her own essence. However, the Soulsword is strong enough that it helped Magik actually conquer Limbo.
The swords' most unique aspect is that the mystical blade -- forged in part by Magik's soul -- is that it can cut through the essence of a person, bypassing physical, psychic or mystical defenses. The sword passed through multiple hands after Illyana's death, but her eventual restoration led to her taking the blade up again. At any given moment, the Soulsword is one of the more powerful weapons that the X-Men have at their disposal.
THE LIGHT OF GALADOR
The Light of Galador previously belonged to the SpaceKnights, a race of powerful warriors from a doomed world. The blade ended up on Earth and under the feet of a massive monster, where it was eventually found by Cable. Claiming it as his own (and even defeating a horde of SpaceKnights who came to Earth in search of the blade), the sword is able to exert an incredible amount of energy.
Elsewhere in X of Swords: Creation #1, it's even enough to help reignite the Peak, the space-station formerly controlled by S.W.O.R.D. and recently found by the X-Men. The massive cosmic sword isn't Cable's only weapon, but it may be one of the most potentially powerful when coupled with his own impressive psionic powers.
THE STARLIGHT SWORD, THE SCARAB, & SKYBREAKER
These three blades haven't been revealed before, although it's not too difficult to imagine out what they might b. Given her connection to Otherworld and responsibility to protect the Starlight Citadel, Captain Britain is the likely wielder of the Starlight Sword, which seems similar to the psychic blades she once used as Psylocke.
Storm's power-set and history fit well with a weapon known as Skybreaker, which seems to be the black blade she wields in some previews. In one notable X of Swords teaser, Storm is seen electrifying her blade with lightning, giving a hint of how strong the weapon could actually be and how it could work in junction with her own powers.
The Scarab would fit into the Egyptian-inspired naming structure Apocalypse gives most things in his life. This sword is likely the massive curved blade the ancient mutant has been seen with in numerous previews of X of Swords. And in all likelihood, Apocalypse will have to wield that blade against the ancient mutants he once called family.