Double-bladed lightsaber combat

"The single blade has limitations, Master. It made sense to me to be able to strike with both ends."

- Darth Maul to Darth Sidious

Jedi and Sith who mastered double-bladed lightsaber combat were a rarity. This type of lightsaber combat evolved around a double-bladed lightsaber&mdash;sometimes also referred to as a Sith lightsaber or saber-staff.

A saber-staff would typically consist of a long hilt which had energy blades at both ends. The blades could be ignited one at a time, the saber-staff thus functioning as a normal lightsaber, or simultaneously. One of the primary functions of a double bladed lightsaber was to create fear in the opponent, as a double bladed lightsaber, with its two deadly blades, looked more menacing than an ordinary one.

Double-bladed lightsaber combat was more like fighting with a staff than with a sword. The weapon having two blades, double-bladed lightsaber combat allowed for much more rapid attack which were more difficult to parry for someone using an ordinary lightsaber. Also it allowed for "more kills per swing", since one would be able to strike opponents in front of and behind oneself simultaneously.



This type of lightsaber combat was extremely rare. Firstly, because it was very difficult to master and using a double-bladed lightsaber could be more dangerous to the untrained wielder than to his opponent. Secondly, this type of lightsaber combat was of an aggressive nature and thus deemed too close to the dark side by many Jedi.

The greatest weakness of the double-bladed lightsaber was that it was difficult to defend with. Stabbing attacks were particularly difficult to parry. The double-blades worked extremely well when on the offense, but a Jedi or Sith would have to be very careful not to be put on the defensive for very long.

Several of the standard forms of lightsaber combat had double-bladed variants. Darth Maul used a double-bladed variant of Form VII, and Jedi Master Zez-Kai Ell used a double-bladed variant of Ataru. Jaden Korr may have used double-bladed versions of the fast, medium, and strong styles.

Possible

 * As a Sith Lord, Darth Zannah wielded a unique red double-bladed lightsaber powered by the Bane's Heart, given to her by her master Darth Bane.
 * Several of Tavion Axmis' New Reborn and Sith Cultists used double-bladed lightsabers, but they lacked much training and were no match for the Jedi of the New Jedi Order.
 * Many of the Sith during the New Sith Wars used lightstaffs.

Appearances

 * Tales of the Jedi: The Sith War
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
 * Marked
 * Darth Maul
 * Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
 * Darth Maul: Saboteur
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars: Bounty Hunter
 * Star Wars: Clone Wars
 * Jedi: Mace Windu
 * Star Wars Republic: The New Face of War
 * Star Wars Republic 53: Blast Radius
 * The Cestus Deception
 * Rogues Gallery
 * Star Wars Republic 60: Hate and Fear
 * Yoda: Dark Rendezvous
 * Star Wars Republic: The Dreadnaughts of Rendili
 * Star Wars: Obsession
 * Star Wars: Battlefront II
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (game)
 * Star Wars: Purge
 * Star Wars Galaxies: Rage of the Wookiees
 * Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
 * Star Wars Legacy: Broken