A
decent fighter requires weaponry.
An
exceptional fighter is classed as weaponry.
I judge that you are believing that swords are the primary weapon to use because it's generally just that in most cases - placed into players left-most hotbar slot for a quick hotkey to '1' in dire situations, as well as within the Survival Games it being more durable then most other weapons.
There is no rules when it comes to this. Personally, when supplied with a bow, it can be my primary piece of weaponry and a sword can be my secondary - although I don't mentally think that, they're just separate weapons used for the same purpose, yet
differently.
Heck things such as swords, bows, fishing rods as well as flint and steel within the games are put in as more offensive tools, but there are much more then people actually realize or care to use. Use absolutely
everything that deals damage towards the player, and use it against them. Usually static, but not always;
Fall, Fire, Lava, Burn, Drown, Void, Suffocation, Mob, Potion, Starvation, Cactus and Explosion, you should always value these things above even what you would consider "
Primary" weapons. You have to steer your fight towards any of those goals first, and attempt to get the upper hand. You should never plan too far ahead into a fight as anything can happen, it all depends on location and how you go along doing it.
gcb99 has the right idea about it:
If you know when and how to use your equip you can win against everyone.