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Some ambitious duelists took this strategy a step further by dispensing with the use of a regular lightsaber entirely, and instead wielding two shotos simultaneously. By doing so a combatant sacrificed reach and leverage in exchange for unparalleled speed, dexterity and range of motion. It is worth noting that any handicap inherent in this form could be compensated for with sufficient knowledge of [[Ataru]], whose acrobatic maneuvers could be used to regain the ground automatically lost when shortening one's own blades. The renowned [[Jedi Master]] and [[Jedi High Council|High Council]] member during the [[Old Sith Wars]] [[Vandar Tokare]] was a prolific applicant of this technique, as was the [[Dathomirian]] [[Dark Acolyte]] [[Saato]]. |
Some ambitious duelists took this strategy a step further by dispensing with the use of a regular lightsaber entirely, and instead wielding two shotos simultaneously. By doing so a combatant sacrificed reach and leverage in exchange for unparalleled speed, dexterity and range of motion. It is worth noting that any handicap inherent in this form could be compensated for with sufficient knowledge of [[Ataru]], whose acrobatic maneuvers could be used to regain the ground automatically lost when shortening one's own blades. The renowned [[Jedi Master]] and [[Jedi High Council|High Council]] member during the [[Old Sith Wars]] [[Vandar Tokare]] was a prolific applicant of this technique, as was the [[Dathomirian]] [[Dark Acolyte]] [[Saato]]. |
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===As a primary weapon=== |
===As a primary weapon=== |
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| − | For some, however, the use of a shoto is not a choice, but a necessity. Throughout history many diminutive individuals both Jedi and Sith have adopted the shoto due to the physical impracticality of wielding a full-scale lightsaber. |
+ | For some, however, the use of a shoto is not a choice, but a necessity. Throughout history many diminutive individuals both Jedi and Sith have adopted the shoto due to the physical impracticality of wielding a full-scale lightsaber. The [[Jedi Grandmaster]] [[Yoda]], for example wielded a shoto as his primary weapon, as did his contemporary [[Yaddle]] and the ancient [[Sith Acolyte]] [[Toki Tollivar]]. |
==History== |
==History== |
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Revision as of 15:46, 30 November 2012
Warning: This infobox has missing parameters: crew and unrecognized parameters: hidep, color, hidet, era, hideu, imageBG
- "Those who wish to incorporate a second blade may wish to use a lightsaber shoto in their off-hand, for its shorter blade allows for a greater range of motion."
- ―Skarch Vaunk on dual-blade combat in The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force
The lightsaber shoto, commonly referred to as simply shotos, but also known as short lightsabers or lightdaggers, were essentially miniaturized lightsabers, whose purpose was primarily to serve as an off-hand weapon for those duellists seeking to employ the dual bladed technique of Jar'Kai, but were also utilized by Jedi and Sith who were members of species of diminutive stature, whose physiology made wielding full sized lightsabers impractical, or, in some cases, impossible.
Design and construction
Technically the lightsaber shoto was nothing more than a scaled version of its larger sibling, and differed very little in its internal mechanism and construction. Generally speaking a shoto would be half the size of a standard lightsaber in both blade and grip length, and usually featured hilts that were considerably slimmer and more streamlined to allow for maximum dexterity.
Lightsaber shotos constructed during the Jedi Civil War were generally inspired by the same basic template.
Although relatively rare in comparison with common lightsabers, shotos were in great vogue during the Jedi Civil War, to the point where a standard design was adopted, and saw considerable usage, particularly among the Dark Jedi of Revan and Malak’s empire, who wielded shotos with blades of crimson or violet. Like their more traditional counterparts, these sabers were constructed by hand, and were as unique as the individuals who wielded them. Shotos that followed this basic blueprint all shared several common traits, including conical shaped pommels, ringed handgrips and cylindrical emitter shrouds with a pair of wide vertical slits down either side.
Typically a duelist seeking to incorporate a shoto into their arsenal would recreate their original lightsaber in miniature for the sake of convenience and familiarity, although many also opted to make their second blade a different color from that of their primary weapon.
Purpose and usage
In the off-hand
The primary purpose of a shoto in lightsaber combat was to counter attacks by an opponent's weapon while freeing the primary lightsaber for a return strike. To this end, shoto wielders were required to become proficient in the lightsaber techniques of Jar'Kai in order to reduce risk of injury to themselves due to the increased dexterity needed to master the use of both blades simultaneously. Masters of this technique could deliver a high number of attacks in a very short time, potentially overpowering opponents quickly rather than engaging in a protracted duel. Shotos were also used to counter lightwhips.
Fallen Jedi Master Sora Bulq employing a shoto in his off-hand.
Some ambitious duelists took this strategy a step further by dispensing with the use of a regular lightsaber entirely, and instead wielding two shotos simultaneously. By doing so a combatant sacrificed reach and leverage in exchange for unparalleled speed, dexterity and range of motion. It is worth noting that any handicap inherent in this form could be compensated for with sufficient knowledge of Ataru, whose acrobatic maneuvers could be used to regain the ground automatically lost when shortening one's own blades. The renowned Jedi Master and High Council member during the Old Sith Wars Vandar Tokare was a prolific applicant of this technique, as was the Dathomirian Dark Acolyte Saato.
As a primary weapon
For some, however, the use of a shoto is not a choice, but a necessity. Throughout history many diminutive individuals both Jedi and Sith have adopted the shoto due to the physical impracticality of wielding a full-scale lightsaber. The Jedi Grandmaster Yoda, for example wielded a shoto as his primary weapon, as did his contemporary Yaddle and the ancient Sith Acolyte Toki Tollivar.
History
Old Sith Wars
Post-Russan
New Jedi Order
Behind the scenes
In the RPG video games Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Knights of the Old Republic II, the shoto is referred to as a "Short Lightsaber." Its main purpose is as a side weapon. Shotos as depicted in other media, however, seem to have significantly shorter blades.
Shōtō is also a Japanese term used for swords between 1-2 shaku (roughly 30-60 cm) in length. Samurai often wielded short swords such as shoto in their off-hand, keeping up the comparisons between Jedi and samurai.
Appearances
Non-canon appearances
Sources
- Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide
"Disturbance in the Force" — Challenge 66- "The Force Unleashed Preview 2" on Wizards.com (content now obsolete; backup link (/default.asp?x=starwars/article/FUpreview2) not verified!)
- The Force Unleashed Campaign Guide
- Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game — [[{{{set}}}]] (Card: Shoto) (backup link)
- Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game — [[{{{set}}}]] (Card: Double Bladed) (backup link)
- The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force (First identified as Lightsaber shoto)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Complete Season Three
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Notes and references
Warning: This infobox is missing the following parameters: protection, precede, blade type, destroyed, range, hilt material, image, affiliation, owners, hilt model, discovered, blade length, markings, culture, type, creator, succeed, capacity, purpose, design, weight, mods, color, name, model, hilt shape, created, crystal, hilt length