Wielder

A wielder is a person or entity that wields an object, most often a weapon or a tool, by grasping it and directing its use. The noun is formed from the verb wield with the agent suffix -er, and has been part of English vocabulary since medieval times to describe someone who controls or uses an object or power.

In literature, film, and games, the term commonly denotes a character who possesses proficiency with a particular weapon or magical item. Wielders are often depicted as masterful, chosen, or uniquely capable, and the nature of their connection to the item can be central to the narrative—whether the item is legendary, sentient, or forged for a specific wielder.

In role-playing games and video games, a wielder's effectiveness is typically a function of overall attributes, skill trees, or weapon-specific abilities. Some settings emphasize destiny, lineage, or training in determining who may truly become a wielder of a powerful artifact.

Beyond weapons, the concept applies figuratively to control or mastery over non-physical domains, such as the wielder of authority, power, or political influence.

Related terms include weapon-wielder and power-wielder.