Tràkata

Tràkata
Historical information
Affiliation	Jedi Order New Jedi Order Sith

Tràkata was a style of lightsaber combat developed for taking advantage of a lightsaber's ability to be turned on and off, a unique quality in a melee weapon. Created by a Jedi Consular in the days of the Old Republic to compensate for weaknesses with using a lightsaber, it was based on quickly shutting off then re-igniting the blade, thus creating the possibility to confuse one's opponent/s, allowing for diversionary feints in combat. Mixed with Jar'Kai, Tràkata was extremely effective even against multiple opponents.

Known moves and maneuvers

Pass the Blade

The duelist deactivated their blade as they attack, bypassing the opponent's block before igniting it into the helpless foe.

Unbalancing Block

The duelist caught the opponent's blade with their own before momentarily deactivating it, causing the opponent to stumble and leave themselves open.

Applications

Unspecified examples:

1. Jedi Master Kao Cen Darach employed this or a similar technique to great effect during his fight with the Sith Lord Vindican and his apprentice, Malgus, wherein he lost his life.
2. Members of the New Jedi Order known to employ this technique such as Jedi Master Mara Jade Skywalker.

Specified examples:

1. Jedi Master Corran Horn used a variant of this technique during the Yuuzhan Vong War; one notable occurrence being while he was battling Shedao Shai on Ithor. During the battle, Horn and Shai were locked in combat, and Horn deactivated his lightsaber then reignited it into Shedao Shai, killing the temporary Supreme Commander.
2. During her duel with Ben Skywalker, Sith apprentice Tahiri Veila used this technique to great effect. Skywalker forced her lightsaber aside, so Tahiri switched her lightsaber off and on so fast Skywalker barely had time to react, allowing her to extend the blade to where his throat had been just moments before.

Behind the scenes

Tràkata was a fanon creation that was brought into continuity by the Star Wars Roleplaying Game Saga Edition Core Rulebook.

Although not an official form in Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, turning off Jaden Korr's lightsaber increased the potency of Force lightning, Force Grip, and Force Push, which can be seen as use of Tràkata. Additionally, in Star Wars: Battlefront II, Darth Sidious turns off his blade to free his hand when using Force lightning.

Appearances

• Tales of the Jedi – The Freedon Nadd Uprising 1
• Tales of the Jedi – The Freedon Nadd Uprising 2
• "Return" on The Old Republic's official website (article) (backup link)
• Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones
• Star Wars: Battlefront II
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Revival"
• Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
• Dark Empire audio drama (First appearance)
• The New Jedi Order: Dark Tide II: Ruin
• Legacy of the Force: Invincible

Sources

• Tales of the Jedi Companion
• The New Jedi Order Sourcebook
• Star Wars Roleplaying Game Saga Edition Core Rulebook (First identified as Tràkata)
• Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide
• Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game — Squadrons Over Corellia Card: Trakata (backup link)
• The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force

External links

• Trakata is now canon, believe it on the Jedi Council Forums' Literature board (backup link)
• "I've Got Star Wars Saga!!!" on Wizards.com forums. (backup link archived on April 23, 2013)

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