Swords of A Link to the Past

There are four available levels of sword strength in. The Fighter's Sword, the Master Sword, the Tempered Sword and the Golden Sword. Of these, the Fighter's Sword and the Master Sword at the only two unique swords, the other two are upgrades to the Master Sword.

Fighter's Sword
Link's Uncle will give this sword to Link early in the game (together with the Fighter's Shield) as he enters Hyrule Castle, and teaches Link the Whirling Blade Technique. He will use this blade during the game until he can find the Master Sword. During the ending sequence of the game, Link's Uncle is shown with this sword again.

In, this sword is renamed the LV1 Sword and is the first item the player obtains from a chest.

Master Sword
Once Link has found all three Pendants of Virtue, he may enter the Lost Woods and retrieve the Master Sword from its pedestal. The Master Sword is required to advance in the game because the Fighter's Sword is incapable of breaking the Lightning Lock Agahnim has placed across Hyrule Castle's entrance. In addition to being twice as strong as the Fighter's Sword and having a longer reach, the Master Sword can also fire a Beam Attack when Link is at full health. The Beam Attack does as much damage as the Fighter's Sword. In the GBA remake, the Master Sword, as well as its upgrades, can break signs.

In, this sword is renamed the LV2 Sword. It is acquired when the missing Dwarven Smith is reunited with his partner. At this point, the pair will temper the youth's sword for free. Otherwise, the player can rent a higher level sword for 10 minutes in a rental shop.

Tempered Sword
The Tempered Sword is the third sword level.

Golden Sword
If Link throws the Tempered Sword into the Mysterious Pond of the Dark World within the Pyramid of Power, the Fat Fairy will transform it into the Golden Sword, which has a golden blade and green hilt, and is eight times stronger than the Fighter's Sword.

Trivia

 * A Link to the Past and A Link Between Worlds are the only games in which the Master Sword, already seemingly at its full power (as opposed to its powered-down appearances in The Wind Waker and SS undefined), can be permanently upgraded to deal more damage.