Sai cha

"Sai cha comes from the ancient words for "separate" and "head", and as you might expect it describes the act of using a lightsaber to behead an opponent."

- Cin Drallig



In lightsaber combat, a sai cha was a rare instance when a Jedi beheaded his or her opponent. In general, sai cha was reserved for either droids or biological opponents that presented a great danger and resisted non-lethal subduing attacks (such as cho mai). Only individuals like Simus with great strength in the Force were able to survive it, and even in his case it may have been impossible without the particular physiology of the Sith species.

It was one of the lightsaber techniques known as The Marks of Contact.

Notable uses
"Do you think you'll still be able to call on the Force after I've separated your head from your body?"

- Asajj Ventress to Luminara Unduli

Droids were regarded by most Force-sensitives as neither honorable nor dishonorable, with the exception of a few heroic notables. For example, Obi-Wan Kenobi beheaded General Grievous's MagnaGuards on board the Invisible Hand and during the Battle of Utapau.

During the time of the Galactic Republic and after time traveling into 41.5 ABY, Relin Druur beheaded a few Massassi warriors aboard the Harbinger.

Darth Malgus applied sai cha against his master, Vindican, after killing Kao Cen Darach aboard the Korriban space station.

Jedi Knight Ulic Qel-Droma used sai cha during the Freedon Nadd Uprising to end the life of Warb Null.

During the Sacking of Coruscant, Darth Angral used sai cha on the helpless Supreme Chancellor Berooken in his office.

Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Bane applied sai cha against a defenseless Sirak when the Zabrak begged for mercy, and ten years later on Jedi Lord Valenthyne Farfalla during their duel on Tython.

In 37 BBY, Qui-Gon Jinn was forced to apply the sai cha against Baroness Omnino of Vena, as she was in possession of a psychic augmenter, a sophisticated device that enabled her to control the minds of others. Jinn was forced to decapitate her to save the lives of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum, and knocking the Baroness unconscious was not an option, as her dangerous mind may have remained active.

Mace Windu used sai cha to kill Jango Fett in the Petranaki arena on Geonosis. He also attempted to use this move on Darth Sidious, until Anakin Skywalker intervened.

Anakin Skywalker used Sai cha on a IG-100 MagnaGuard during Mission to Skytop Station.

Ventress attempted sai cha on King Toydarian Katuunko, until Yoda intervened.

Dark Acolyte Asajj Ventress used sai cha on an Unidentified Green Company trooper during the Rescue on the Tranquility.

The Secret Mandalore Pre Vizsla attempted sai cha on Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano, until R2-D2 intervened.

Padawan Ahsoka Tano used sai cha to behead four of Pre Vizsla's Death Watch warriors.

The Zabrak Nightbrother Savage Opress used Saber throw and sai cha to behead four Falleen warriors including Xomit Grunseit during their Mission to Mustafar.

Sith Lord Darth Maul performed several brutal sai cha marks: first on several villagers on Raydonia and later on the Death Watch's Secret Mandalore Pre Vizsla in the Mandalore Throne Room during their takeover of Sundari. Anakin Skywalker applied sai cha on Count Dooku onboard the Invisible Hand. Notably, this instance was carried out using two lightsabers in a scissor movement, and was performed on an already helpless opponent.

On Kashyyyk, Master Yoda performed sai cha on Clone Commander Gree and a fellow trooper after Order 66 was initiated.

During the Great Jedi Purge, Darth Vader was infamous for beheading his opponents with his lightsaber. Bol Chatak, Iwo Kulka and Siadem Forte were among his more well-known victims.

Several Jedi were forced to employ sai cha during the Great Jedi Purge. These include Roan Shryne, who performed sai cha upon Commander Appo in the Imperial invasion of Kashyyyk, and Jedi Master Tsui Choi, who applied it against a clone commander in 19 BBY.

A'Sharad Hett decapitated Resk during his time as a bounty hunter.

Inquisitor Jerec performed two brutal sai cha marks: first on a helpless Morgan Katarn, and later on Jedi Master Qu Rahn.

In 26 ABY, Tahiri Veila applied sai cha on Master Shaper Mezhan Kwaad using Anakin Solo's lightsaber.

Jedi Master Luke Skywalker applied sai cha during his final confrontation with Shimrra Jamaane, Supreme Overlord of the Yuuzhan Vong. Skywalker beheaded Jamaane with the crossed blades of both his and his nephew Anakin's lightsaber, much like how his father beheaded Count Dooku nearly fifty years before.

Jedi Master Tresina Lobi felled by a sai cha strike from Dark Jedi Alema Rar, during their duel in Coruscant's Fellowship Plaza.

Dark Lady Lumiya received a sai cha strike from Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, ending both their duel and her life.

In the underlevels of Coruscant, Darth Caedus applied sai cha against the Falleen Jedi Thann Mithric.

Luke Skywalker used sai cha to finish off Sith Lady Olaris Rhea during the Skirmish at Sinkhole Station.

During the Duel in the Dathomir meadow, Jedi Knight Ben Skywalker, applied sai cha to a Sith Saber.

On the planet Daluuj, an Unidentified Rodian Sith received a sai cha strike from Shado Vao at the end of the skirmish.

Darth Stryfe beheaded Darth Reave after he transformed into a rakghoul mutant on Had Abbadon.

Behind the scenes
Beheading of opponents is normally not available in Star Wars computer games, because of censorship and rating issues. However, in Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast and Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, beheadings and general dismemberment are possible using the "Saber Realistic Combat" function which is accessible through a cheat code. In some cases you didn't even need to attack your opponent if they are running right at you, all you need to do is turn in their direction. It is also available in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II.

In the novelization of Revenge of the Sith, Darth Sidious kills both Saesee Tiin and Kit Fisto this way, and proceeds to decorate his desk with the deceased Master Fisto's head.

In the Star Wars: The Clone Wars episodes "Eminence" and "Shade of Reason," the Cartoon Network airings of the episodes had censored the scenes where Savage Opress and Darth Maul performed sai cha on the Black Sun leadership council and Pre Vizsla, respectively. The cut sequences were restored on the DVD/Blu Ray release.