Double-bladed lightsaber/Legends

"I hear the twin blades are harder to master, but they can make enemies stampede over each other running for cover."

- Atton Rand

The double-bladed lightsaber&mdash;also called a Saberstaff, Lightsaber Lance, Doublesaber, Lightstaff, or the Sith lightsaber, was a specialized form of lightsaber. Utilizing the same technology as a standard lightsaber, the double-bladed lightsaber was designed with two weapons connected to one another at opposing angles, resulting in a long staff-like weapon. The length given by the two blades resulted in a weapon that was twice as powerful, with "more slaughter per swing" as some put it. The user could activate each blade independently of the other.

History
The Jedi Council traditionally frowned on use of the blade, believing a traditional lightsaber was enough, and considering the double-bladed lightsaber little more than a weapon designed to kill more effectively, while the Jedi developed the lightsaber to defend. Though there was no rule forbidding its use, the Jedi discouraged their students from attempting to create or use this weapon.



The Sith Lord Exar Kun is often credited with creating the first double-bladed lightsaber. However, according to the Tedryn Holocron, Kun assembled his lightsaber following instructions from a Sith Holocron, possibly prepared by the Exiles. The design was likely influenced by the Zabrak quarterstaff, or zhaboka.

In 3,963 BBY, during the Mandalorian Wars, Arkanian offshoot Jarael wielded Exar Kun's double-bladed lightsaber against Magister Impressor Chantique.

During the Jedi Civil War, the double-bladed lightsaber was a popular weapon for the Sith followers of Darth Revan and Darth Malak, such as Malak's apprentice, Darth Bandon. Some Jedi also used double-bladed lightsabers during this time, such as Bastila Shan.

During the Dark Wars, the Jedi Master Zez-Kai Ell used a violet double-bladed lightsaber. The Sith Lord Darth Traya used a green double-bladed lightsaber during her adventures with the Jedi Exile.

In 996 BBY, four years after the Seventh Battle of Ruusan, Darth Zannah constructed her own double-bladed lightsaber and used in combat six years later against the Jedi Sarro Xaj, who used a blue double-bladed lightsaber, on Tython. In 980 BBY, she later used it in her final battle with her own master, Darth Bane, on Ambria, where she claimed the mantle of Dark Lord of the Sith from him.

Darth Sidious's first apprentice, Darth Maul wielded a double-bladed lightsaber (actually two lightsabers fused together, explaining the long handle), which he used to kill Qui-Gon Jinn in the Second Battle of Theed on Naboo. In his previous confrontation with Jinn, Maul used only one of his lightsaber's blades, allowing it to function as a long-handle lightsaber. During the Clone Wars, the Sith aspirant Asajj Ventress could connect her two lightsabers and use them as a double-bladed weapon. When Darth Vader raided the Jedi Temple, he encountered some Jedi who used double-bladed lightsabers. After Order 66 was executed, the Jedi Knight Jastus Farr was one of the only Jedi to use a double-bladed lightsaber. Kazdan Paratus also used a yellow double-bladed lightsaber.

In 0 BBY, Darth Maul's doppelganger used a double-bladed lightsaber against Darth Vader in an attempt to kill him.

In 14 ABY, various members of Tavion Axmis' Reborn used double-bladed lightsabers against the Jedi. Some members of Luke Skywalker's Jedi Order also used double-bladed lightsabers against the Reborn. Jedi Master Kyle Katarn's Padawan, Jaden Korr might have used a double-bladed lightsaber.

In 137 ABY, one practitioner of this lightsaber was the Twi'lek Jedi Knight Shado Vao. It was similar to Exar Kun's lightsaber in that he could activate both ends simultaneously or he could activate one, thus having it function like a regular lightsaber. Many Sith in Darth Krayt's order also used double-bladed lightsabers, such as the Sith Lord Darth Azard. His was unique since he had a curved hilt, much like Asajj Ventress' lightsabers in fused form.

Double-bladed lightsaber disadvantages
"In combat, your mind tries to keep track of each blade separately, effectively doubling the number of possibilities. But the two blades are connected: by knowing the location of one, you are automatically aware of the location of the other. In actual practice, the double-bladed lightsaber is more limited than the traditional lightsaber. It can do more damage, but it is less precise. It requires longer, sweeping movements that don't transition well into a quick stab or thrust. Because the weapon is difficult to master, however, few among the Jedi-or even the Sith-understand it. They don't know how to attack or defend effectively against it. That gives those of us who use it an advantage over most of our opponents."

- Blademaster Kas'im



The double-bladed lightsaber was intended to look menacing, and its two blades did indeed give it a very deadly countenance. However, unskilled users were likely to cut themselves in half with a double-bladed lightsaber should they attempt to use it without properly training themselves. Most Jedi, Sith, Dark Jedi, and Sith Lords favored the single-bladed lightsaber due to this reason, or at least still tried to use the idea by using two single-hilt sabers. Another drawback was that the attack and parrying of the double-bladed lightsaber was limited by the fact that unlike a normal lightsaber, one could not simply readjust their posture as the saberstaff required them to hold it either horizontally or diagonally while fighting. Many attacks that are possible with single hilt lightsaber cannot be done without stabbing the user. One last disadvantage of the double-bladed lightsaber was size of the hilt itself. Modified to emit two blades, it was more than twice as long as the standard lightsaber (with the exception of Exar Kun's and Shado Vao's), and is almost inevitably a target when dueling another lightsaber-wielding foe. Even skilled users have been subject to this weakness. In addition to all this, the power cells for such a weapon were much more expensive than those used in regular lightsabers.

To most effectively wield a double-bladed lightsaber, the staff must be kept moving around the body, never holding still and presenting an easy target, nor a predictable strike. Many users believed that the blades must be under control at all times. That means manipulation of the length or intensity of each blade, either through telekinetic means or physical, both of which are extremely hard to focus on while in combat. Exar Kun is believed to have mastered such a technique.

The double-bladed lightsaber was extremely limited, technique wise, because there are many positions and techniques that are virtually impossible because of the other blade. One cannot do a thrust, as stated by Kas'im, because of the other blade. One cannot execute vertical or horizontal strikes or blocks without twisting oneself into an awkward position. Many techniques required the user to spin the staff above their head in order to move the staff around their body. Although many believed the double-bladed lightsaber gives an extreme advantage, it was considered to be awkward and restricting. Many lightsaber-wielders chose to use a single-bladed lightsaber because their movement was not restricted.

Another disadvantage of the double-bladed lightsaber was that it was mainly an offensive weapon. Because one cannot simply push the staff to the side to deflect an attack, many blocks required more of a striking motion to do so. So extreme precision and timing were required. A skilled staff user could still be overwhelmed by attacks because blocking with a staff was considered to be ineffective.

Any sort of technique with a lot of power or penatration was difficult to do because the other blade could slice right through you. A staff-user had to focus on striking their opponents blade rather than their actual opponent to achieve the proper angle on their strikes. Many times, a staff-user would have to spin around or spin their staff above their head to execute strikes so they would not be in the path of the other blade.

Behind the scenes
In the video game Ratchet And Clank: Up Your Arsenal there is a cheat code that replaces the melee weapon (wrench) with a double-bladed lightsaber, called 'Dual Laser Saber'.

In the non-canon story Old Wounds, Darth Maul used a double-bladed lightsaber that had curved hilts like Asajj Ventress' lightsabers.

Non-canon appearances

 * LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game
 * LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
 * Star Wars: Battlefront II
 * Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron
 * Old Wounds
 * Star Wars Infinities: A New Hope
 * Star Wars: Demolition