Lightsaber combat/Legends

Lightsaber combat is the style of lightsaber fighting used by Jedi and Sith.

The seven forms of lightsaber combat
Each Jedi chooses the style of lightsaber combat that best suits him or her. For example, Master Yoda uses the Ataru form to compensate for his lack of reach and height; Mace Windu uses Vaapad to tap into his anger and employ it constructively (albeit without giving himself over to the Dark Side); Count Dooku's practice of the Makashi form fits first of all his intention to frequently engage in lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat and second his emphasis on class and elegance as well as precision. The Jedi Exile was a practitioner of some of these forms but never excelled in just one.

Form I: Shii-Cho
As the weapons technology of the lightsaber was developed, the need for a form of combat arose. Thus Form I, also called Way of the Sarlacc, was born. Ancient sword-fighting traditions held key principles of blade combat that were implemented by early Jedi Masters in the rather basic technical tactics of Form I.

Form I, like its succeeding forms, includes the following basic techniques and concepts:
 * attack, a set of attacks aimed at different body zones
 * parry, a set of blocks to thwart any attack in the specified body zones
 * body target zones (1, head, 2, left arm, 3, right arm, 4, back, 5, left leg, 6, right leg)
 * training drills called velocities

Younglings, the Jedi initiate rank, first learn Form I before they begin a Padawan apprenticeship with a Jedi Master. In Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, the Younglings can be seen being taught by Yoda to deflect light plasma shots.

The only known practitioner of Form I is Kit Fisto. Though Kit Fisto was a masterful practitioner of Form I, he could not defeat Darth Sidious with it in Revenge of the Sith. Based on KOTOR 2 the Shii-Cho form is good versus many enemies, and blaster-wielding enemies, but weak versus a single enemy, a lightsaber-wielding enemy and Force powers. Its simplicity is its strength, making it a very good style to use if all else fails.

Form II: Makashi
After Form I's proliferation as a saber combat technique, Form II, or Way of the Ysalamiri, came about as a means of lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat. It is described as being very elegant, powerful, and requiring extreme precision, allowing the user to attack and defend with minimal effort, while his opponent tires himself out. The form relies on parries, thrusts, and small, precise cuts - as opposed to the blocking and slashing of the other forms. The blade manipulation required for this form is very refined and requires much focus, but the results are extremely potent. However, as ranged weapons such as blasters come into play, or more than one opponent is present, the advantages of this form become obsolete.

In the time near the Clone Wars, the Jedi Order seldom practices this technique. There is, if at all, so little lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat involved in a Jedi's life that Jedi Masters have found it impractical. However, Makashi was very common during the older years, before the advent of blasters, where melee weapons were abundant.

Darth Tyranus (also known as Count Dooku), from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, has mastered Form II to the highest degree, fighting with the precision built into the ancient technique. When he wields this form, it devastates the Jedi; the system of Jedi training at the time of confrontation between Darth Tyranus and other Jedi does not prepare the Jedi for the precise movements of a form bred for lightsaber dueling.

Form III: Soresu
After Darth Maul's defeat on Naboo, Obi-Wan Kenobi decided to perfect his practice of Form III lightsaber combat, the most defensive of all of the forms, since Qui-Gon Jinn, Kenobi's mentor and Form IV (Ataru) master, fell against Darth Maul.

Form III, the Way of the Mynock, was originally developed to counteract the advancing blaster technology throughout the galaxy. Those to whom the Jedi were mainly opposed usually wielded blasters now; the Jedi needed to find a method to defend that could not be replicated or be counteracted by the Jedi's blaster-wielding enemies.

Inspired by the need to parry blaster-fire, the form utilizes motions occurring very close to the body to achieve near-total protection, efficiently expending as little energy as possible to execute these moves. This technique exposes as little body target zone open areas as is possible, making a well-trained practitioner nearly invincible. As seen in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Obi-Wan Kenobi becomes defenseless when he appears to allow Darth Vader to strike him down. Practitioners of Soresu comfortably remain on the defensive until their opponents tire or make a mistake, only then do they strike offensively. Luminara Unduli and Barriss Offee are also proficient in this form.

Form IV: Ataru
The master practitioners of the Way of the Hawk-Bat make extensive use of acrobatic maneuvers often thought not physically possible. This form was created during the last centuries of the Old Republic. Qui-Gon Jinn and Yoda were both masters of Form IV, as shown in their duels against Darth Maul and Count Dooku, respectively. Obi-Wan Kenobi, though already very advanced, abandoned his Ataru training in favor of Form III because he felt that his master's death demonstrated a fatal flaw in this form, but Kenobi used Ataru again to face Anakin Skywalker, now Darth Vader, in their ultimate battle on Mustafar in Revenge of the Sith. Aayla Secura is also a master of Ataru, according to Jan Duursema, who co-created the Twi'lek Jedi; Quinlan Vos had taught Aayla Form IV. Palpatine used a Sith variant of this form, which included stabs and wide swings.

In dire situations, Form IV practitioners use the Force to aid in their acrobatics. Spinning, jumping and running very fast and very high, masters of Form IV are sometimes only seen as a blur. In order to achieve the acrobatic prowess, amazing reflexes and physical punch of this form, a Jedi Master would focus on the Force, letting it flow deeply throughout his entire physicality, even allowing him to overcome the limitations of old age. Due to its aggressive nature, it is an effective form to use against single enemies.

Form V: Shien / Djem So
Form V (also called "the Way of the Krayt Dragon") is a powerful style developed by Form III practitioners that preferred a more offensive angle. The defensive nature of Form III often leads to dangerously prolonged combat. This style came about from combining Forms II and III. Anakin, both as himself and as Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, and Jedi Master Plo Koon are all practitioners of Form V.

Form V maintains its existence through having sufficient defensive skills, as derived from Form III, but channeling defense into offense. The example is commonly used that while Form III combatants effortlessly deflect laser bolts, Form V practitioners excel at redirecting the laser bolt toward the opponent. This simultaneously defends the user and efficiently injures the opponent. As well, it employs a basic form of Form II's parries, allowing the user to parry the attempted attack, and counter it. It is different from Form III in the fact that practictioners of Form V will press the assault, using wide, sweeping blows in an attempt to overwhelm the opponent with brute strength. The aggressive philosophy of Form V is the source of many a Jedi's disapproval.

Vader also created his own variant of Form V, where he would use only one hand to strike and defend, and have the other held casually by his side. This can be seen at the start of the duel in The Empire Strikes Back.

With the aggressive but yet refined movements of Form II and the highly defensive postures of Form III, Shien / Djem So has been proven to be an effective style.

Form VI: Niman
The Way of the Rancor, Form VI was the standard style at and around the time period of the Clone Wars and the Great Jedi Purge. This combat discipline is often called the "Diplomat's Form." One can see this in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones when many of the saber-wielders on Geonosis are killed. In fact, all of the Jedi using Form VI were killed at the Battle of Geonosis, including the Form VI practitioner Coleman Trebor, whose technique could not defend against Jango Fett's masterfully placed blaster shots.

Form VI attempts to balance all elements of lightsaber combat, combining the Forms that came before into a less intensely demanding combat style. The result is that the users' skill in each individual areas of lightsaber combat is only moderate, making Form VI well suited for diplomats, as they can spend their time training in the areas of politics and negotiation instead of combat training.

Form VII: Juyo/Vaapad
Dubbed the Way of the Vornskr, Juyo was an incomplete form for millennia, and wasn't seen as one of the main forms until It was further developed by Jedi Master Mace Windu, who could complete it with his Vaapad fighting style, thereby creating Form VII (This can be seen in Shatterpoint when Palpatine said he thought there were only six forms, and Mace said that there were, until he created form VII). The most challenging and demanding of all forms, Form VII requires intense focus, high levels of skill, and mastery of other forms. Only three Jedi have ever mastered Vaapad fully: Mace Windu, Depa Billaba, and Sora Bulq, who instructed Quinlan Vos in a few of its basics. Sora Bulq helped Windu develop Vaapad, but Bulq proved too weak to master the flow of the Light and Dark Sides, and fell to the Dark Side. In this way, Vaapad mastered him.

Intrepid, somewhat direct movements are used in combination with very advanced techniques involving Force-powered jumps and motions. Form VII does not appear as fancy as Form IV, but the technical details of it use very open movements resulting in a very unpredictable battle style. The staccato swings and flow of the form make it seem as if the attacks are not linked - but in reality, it is merely confusing the opponent.

Form VII demands the emotional and physical intensity of Form V, but it much more effectively controls it (if mastered). Form VII, when fully mastered, results in extraordinary power.

However, Vaapad borders on the edge of falling to the Dark Side, as it channels one's anger and darkness into the attack. Only Windu's mastery and concentration of the Light Side prevents him from succumbing, which is why Vaapad is rarely practiced and very dangerous. The two other known practitioners of Vaapad, Sora Bulq and Depa Billaba, both fell to the Dark Side of the Force.

In KOTOR 2, which takes place about 4000 years before the Clone Wars, Juyo was one of the lightsaber forms that could be used, showing that even though Juyo was incomplete, it was still an effective form for millennia before Mace Windu completed it with Vaapad.

Darth Maul used a variant of Juyo (not Vaapad, since Mace Windu created Vaapad, and he would never teach it to a Sith) coupled with his knowledge of martial prowess.

Other forms of lightsaber combat
These forms are not considered a part of the seven main forms, and they may not necessarily be official. They are mostly based on other forms, with the exception of Form Zero, which emphasized avoiding conflict whenever possible.

Form VIII: Sokan
Developed by the ancient Jedi Knights during the Great Sith War, Sokan combined tactics that allowed for evasion and mobility with the kinetic motions of Form IV combat. Sokan involved swift strokes of the lightsaber, which were aimed towards the opponent's vital areas in addition to quick tumbles and movements. Combatants made use of large amounts of terrain, trying to maneuver their opponents into vulnerable areas during the course of battles that involved Sokan techniques.

Obi-Wan employed elements of Sokan while dueling Anakin on Mustafar in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, when Obi-Wan sought the high ground and used his favorable positioning to defeat Anakin, attacking his weak points.

Form IX: Shien
Shien uniquely involves a Jedi holding the lightsaber horizontally. The Jedi pointed the end of the blade at the opponent; it was swung in a fast arc while the Jedi punched his or her saber-hand at his or her opposing combatant, in a stabbing motion. In the game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, Master Zez-Kai Ell teaches the Exile this form if the Exile is either a Jedi Guardian or a Jedi Sentinel. (This is not to be confused with Form V: Shien / Djem So.)

Form X: Niman / Jar'Kai
The dual saber Niman permitted a Jedi to fight with two lightsabers, one in each hand, as seen in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones by Anakin Skywalker. One of the blades in the wielder's hands was used for attacking while the other one was used for defending, such as parrying, or for more offensive power. Many Jedi trained to use the Niman style in the hopes of gaining a basic knowledge of the dual-bladed attack, but very few Jedi ever totally mastered Niman. Serra Keto, Sora Bulq, Asajj Ventress, Komari Vosa, and Joclad Danva (who can be seen wielding two lightsabers in the background during the Battle of Geonosis) were practitioners of Form X; it is also possible that Darth Revan may have been a master of this form. Form X is sometimes known as Jar'Kai. (This Niman was not to be confused with the Form VI Niman.)

Form "Zero"
Not an actual form of lightsaber combat per se, Form Zero is the idea that a Jedi should know when to use their lightsaber and when to find another means to solve a problem. This was defined by Master Yoda to address the need of the Jedi to restrain themselves when tempted to use "Aggressive Negotiations," and instead use another well-developed Jedi skill, such as the Jedi mind trick.

Dun möch
The Sith aimed to completely dominate an opponent's spirit through whatever means possible by employing their own lightsaber combat doctrine. Dun möch commonly involved spoken taunts, jeers, and jests that exposed the opponent's hidden, inner weaknesses and/or doubts. Other variations on dun möch involved usage of the Force to throw large, weighty objects at the Sith's opponent during combat, which both distracts the opponent from the battle and could potentially cause damage. Darth Vader uses this against Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back. Count Dooku and Darth Sidious use it against Jedi Master Yoda in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, respectively.

Saber throw
The Jedi or Sith employ an attack in rare instances to use the cutting power of their lightsabers for an object at an unreachable location called the saber throw, or a throwing of his or her lightsaber. The lightsaber is thrown; the blade tip spins in a circular motion about the hilt; and the saber hits its target, usually to cut it. Skilled practitioners will use the Force to manipulate the trajectory of the lightsaber and then redirect it back to their hand. Also, lightsabers will normally turn off when their master releases it, so the thrower will lock it on using the Force.


 * During his duel with Yoda on Geonosis, Count Dooku threw his lightsaber in an attempt to strike the agile Grand Master. Dooku succeeded only in grazing the side of his solar sailer with the spinning blade.
 * When Yoda fought his way into the Jedi Temple in Revenge of the Sith, he used this technique to kill an attacking clone trooper.
 * When Luke Skywalker jumped atop a suspended catwalk in Return of the Jedi, Darth Vader threw his lightsaber to bring the catwalk crashing to the ground; some say that Darth Vader lacked the physique, speed, and Force power to jump atop the catwalk himself to continue the duel, while others count this as an example of his mastery of many techniques of the Force, confusing and intimidating his younger, less knowledgeable opponent; a third opinion states that Vader tried to avoid fighting an opponent on higher ground, given the outcome of his first battle with Obi-Wan Kenobi.
 * In video and computer games featuring lightsabers such as the Jedi Knight and Knights of the Old Republic  series, among others, this is a common technique.

Tràkata
This is a form of lightsaber combat unique to only one or two of the most powerful Jedi. The Jedi will keep the lightsaber in their grasp but will keep it turned off. The Jedi will then dodge or defend any attacks using the Force. Some of the more skilled Jedi may launch attacks using the Force in-between sweeps of the opponent's lightsaber. They will then wait to the right moment and swiftly turn the lightsaber on and off, sending the blade through the enemy's body. This will instantly wound or kill the apposing enemy. This technique is difficult to master and to use it the Jedi must be very powerful with the Force. It is considered to be a dark form of combat as it takes the enemy by surprise and can be also used outside a lightsaber duel to dispose of somebody in close quarters. It is best used in lightsaber dueling but can also be used to avoid blaster fire.

The unorthodox
Several techniques fall outside the traditional and practiced forms of the Jedi. Characters, such as General Grievous in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, can employ more varied movements. His attacks are intended to misdirect and confuse traditionally trained sword fighters. Grievous is exceptionally capable at this due to the flexibility of his joints, robotic reflexes, and his many limbs. Only the most experienced and talented of Jedi can withstand his attacks. For example, Grievous can hold one lightsaber in each of his four hands, spinning two of them very rapidly in front of him, acting as a shield. Grievous uses this against Obi-Wan on Utapau, but Obi-Wan manages to overcome this, biding his attack, and finally timing his strike through the whirling lightsaber shield.

Another unique lightsaber style is that of Adi Gallia (a victim of Grievous), who holds her saber with a one-handed reverse grip (backhand style). This is a personal variation of Form IX, much as Vaapad is Mace Windu's personal variation of Form VII.

Maneuvers and marks of contact
All seven forms of lightsaber combat utilize these ancient terms used by the Jedi for describing the objectives, maneuvers to use, and the various outcomes that could arise out of a fight involving lightsabers as weapons.

Cho mai
The term cho mai is used to describe the action of cutting off an opponent's weapon hand. This move shows that the Jedi using it has the honor to cause the opponent minimal physical damage; it also shows the skill and mastery of the Jedi performing the move to the opponent.

Cho mak
A cho mak is the act of cutting off an opponent's limb, such as a humanoid's leg.

Cho sun
The term cho sun is used to describe the move used to cut off an opponent's weapon arm.

Sai cha
The term sai cha is used to describe the rare instance when a Jedi beheads his or her opponent. This is often reserved for the most dangerous of enemies - ones who a Jedi cannot afford to let live. This is an example of what Anakin Skywalker did to Count Dooku in Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith.

Sai tok
A sai tok, frowned upon by the Jedi because of its Sith-like nature, is the act of cutting an opponent in half, usually separating his or her legs from torso at the waist. It is performed by Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi against Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace.

Shiak
The term shiak is used to describe the honorable action of stabbing an opponent. Although used differently by Darth Maul when he stabbed Qui-Gon Jinn in Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

Shiim
A shiim is a more minute, considered inferior, wound to an opponent by the edge of a lightsaber's blade. It is also considered a sign of desperation or struggle against a potent enemy.

Sun djem
A sun djem is an attack used by Jedi that disarms the weapon of an opponent, the objective usually being not to physically harm the opponent.

Jung
A jung in lightsaber combat is a 180-degree turn.

Jung ma
The term jung ma is used to describe a maneuver used by Jedi to perform a 360-degree spin in which power is gained for an imminent attack on the opponent.

Kai-kan
Not a maneuver per se, but the kai-kan is a re-enactment of a famous, usually ancient, very dangerous, lightsaber or even sword battle, which only very well trained Jedi attempt to perform.

Sai
A sai is the term used to describe the move used by Jedi to evade an attack directed at their legs. The Jedi jumps up with the Force as the main backbone of the strength, height, and speed at which the jump is executed. The Jedi can then strike downwards, using his fall as a fulcrum for more power.

Shun
The term shun is used for when a 360-degree turn is performed with just a one-handed grip, thus gaining speed for an attack.