Made famous in a spectacular showing
Hello! I started playing a fantasy video game today. This is a description of one of skills the main character can use while holding a shield:
"A secret technique that automatically counter-blocks all oncoming attacks for a short time. Made famous in a spectacular showing in the Bullhead Court."

I find the word "showing" confusing here. Does it mean that there was a event held to specially demonstrate this technique? Or maybe some knight demonstrated it during a jousting tournament? I just really don't know. Any chance you could help me understand it? Please.

Question

Made famous in a spectacular showing
Hello! I started playing a fantasy video game today. This is a description of one of skills the main character can use while holding a shield: 
"A secret technique that automatically counter-blocks all oncoming attacks for a short time. Made famous in a spectacular showing in the Bullhead Court."

I find the word "showing" confusing here. Does it mean that there was a event held to specially demonstrate this technique? Or maybe some knight demonstrated it during a jousting tournament? I just really don't know. Any chance you could help me understand it? Please.

Answer

It's just a stressed form of "use" (noun) where others saw it 
Made famous in a spetacular use at ....
He showed off his skill.

Answer

Many thanks, Herb S! I think you should've posted your comment in Answers.

Answer

A "good showing" or "spectacular showing" in this context means that it did well in that event. It doesn't mean that the event was specifically held to show off the sword, just that the sword did particularly well.

Another example I just found: "a strong second-place showing in a recent Florida straw poll". Which means that a candidate did well in a poll. Usually when you see "showing" it's associated with some kind of contest. Hope this helps!

Answers · 4

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