Vibroweapon



In the galaxy, melee weapons ran the gamut from simple clubs and axes like the Gamorrean guards for Jabba the Hutt wielded, to the legendary and exotic Jedi lightsaber. In between in effectiveness and exoticness lay vibroblades.

Vibroweapons were a family of weapons that utilized high-speed sonic vibrations to turn a regular object into a deadly weapon; most commonly found on swords, vibrogenerators could also be found on axes, pikes, knives, etc. Almost anything with a blade had the potential to be turned into a vibroweapon.

Method of operation
Vibrogenerators, most often found in the hilt or handle of the weapon, sent out high-frequency sonic pulses that could cause anything attached to the generator to be sent into an extremely quick vibration. When said object contacted something, notably organic tissue, the vibrations rippled across the material, destroying a much larger portion (in addition to the simple fact of the blow cutting more) and damaging the target more devastatingly then the original weapon. This caused even the slightest glancing blow potentially become a gaping wound.

Contraband status
As per the vibroweapon's devastating efficiency in crime, and its subsequent usage by many criminals, vibroweapons were outlawed in almost all of the civilized systems, but they retained their presence in crime through the lesser-governed worlds.

Vibroblade
Vibroblades were usually ordinary swords or similar weapons that were fitted with a vibrogenerator, usually in the hilt. Vibroblades are most often single bladed, and could so be dual-wielded. A vibroblade could be anywhere from 6 to 25 centimeters long. Some vibroblades had a cortosis weave.

Vibrosword
Vibroswords were larger and heavier versions of vibroblades, often requiring two hands to wield them. Some vibroswords had a cortosis weave.

Vibroshiv
A vibroshiv was a 5 centimeter knife, that was similar to a switchblade, but with a mounted vibrogenerator. Vibroshivs were commonly used in a Jar'Kai stance as an offhand weapon; however, they could be more deadly by combining elements of the Jar'Kai stance (duel wielding) and Trakata (waiting for the opportune moment to spring open the weapon on an unsuspecting opponent).

Vibrostave
Vibrostaves were one of the deadliest types of vibroweapon; this melee weapon featured a long staff, with a rounded hilt roughly three feet long that contained a vibrogenerator. The hilt also contained one 2.5 foot long blade, sharpened to a razor's edge, that could be activated instantly. The blades' cortosis weaves allowed it to parry the blows of lightsabers, energy swords, or blaster bolts.

The efficiency and combat-effectiveness of vibrostaves came from their double-bladed approach; with skill, the wielder could create a whirlwind of motion where he utilized the spinning stave to seriously injure and eviscerate opponents. Also, with great skill, two vibrostaves could be wielded, one in each hand; this effectively gave four blades to attack with, but left him more open to attack.

Double-bladed vibrostaves were the predominant weapon of choice for Royal Guard trainees. Taking an idea from his deceased apprentice, Darth Maul, the Emperor had double-bladed vibrostaves crafted to equip his newly formed corps of Imperial Guards. Palpatine employed one of the greatest melee weapons designers in the galaxy, Kolvo Weapons Manufacturing, to produce a limited number of these weapons. Once the order was completed, the manufacturing facilities were the subject of an assault by TIE Bombers, effectively destroying all blueprints and machinery capable of producing these unique weapons. A Royal Guardsman trained in the martial art of the Echani could wield these durable, lightweight weapons almost like a third limb in combat (an excellent example being Kir Kanos); although when they were officially guarding something, they used their usual Force pike.

Vibrowhip
Vibrowhips were whips, as the name suggested. The Black Sun Vigo Lord Xist was the only known master of the vibrowhip fighting method, although there is some debate as to whether or not it was actually a lightwhip, due to its resistance to a lightsaber blade and its blue glow.

Appearances

 * Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
 * Obsession
 * ''Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire
 * ''Boba Fett: A New Threat