Lightsaber Combat is the fictional style of lightsaber fighting used by Jedi and Sith in the Star Wars franchise. They are never mentioned directly in the released Star Wars films, but the details of the saber styles are explored in expanded universe sources such as the novels, magazines, the Star Wars Role-playing Game and "Visual Dictionaries."
The stage combat used in the films are a combination of Kendo, Samurai, and Western sword work such as Fencing. The naming of the different forms of combat after animals is common in Chinese martial arts, as the moves in the form are said to mimic the animal in question.
The seven forms of lightsaber combat
Each Jedi chooses the style of lightsaber combat which best suits him/her/it. For example, Master Yoda uses the Ataro form to compensate for his lack of reach and height and 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.
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
- parry
- body target zones
- training drills called velocities
Younglings, the Jedi initiate rank, first learn Form I before they begin a Padawan apprenticeship with a master. In Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, the Younglings can be seen being taught by Yoda to deflect light plasma shots.
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. The blade manipulation required for this form is very refined and requires much focus, but the results are extremely powerful.
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.
Darth Tyranus, 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 master and Form IV practitioner, 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.
The need to deflect Blaster bolts inspired the technique in Form III. It is very defensive; it has no aggressive qualities. Form III utilises motions occurring very close to the body to achieve a nearly total protection, efficiently expending as little energy as possible to execute those moves. This technique exposes as little body target zone open areas as is possible, making a well-trained practitioner nearly invincible. Testimony to this is the fact that Ben Kenobi, a Form III master, only falls when he chooses to let Darth Vader kill him. One could still argue that he is invincible as he re-appears later in the series as a Jedi Spirit.
Form IV: Ataro
The master practitioners of the "Way of the Hawk-Bat," make extensive use of acrobatic manoeuvres often thought not physically possible. 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 favour of Form III because he felt that his master's death demonstrated a fatal flaw of the Ataro form.
In dire situations, Form IV practitioner 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.
Form V: Shien / Djem So
Form V is a powerful style developed by Form III practitioners that preferred a more offensive angle. The defensive nature of Form III dangerously prolonged combat. The maxim "peace through superior firepower," encompasses the philosophy of Form V, also called the "Way of the Krayt Dragon." Anakin and Luke Skywalker are both practitioners of Form V.
Form V maintains its existence through having sufficient defensive skills, as derived from Form III, but channelling defence into offence. 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.
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: 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.
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 area 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," Form VII was an incomplete form for millennia. It was further developed by Jedi Master Mace Windu, who could complete it with his "Vaapad" style. The most challenging and demanding of all forms, Form VII requires extreme, intense focus, high levels of skill, and mastery of other forms. Only two Jedi have ever mastered Form VII fully, Mace Windu and Depa Billaba. One other Jedi, Sora Bulq, mastered its physical aspects but was overwhelmed by the required mental discipline.
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.
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, as Mace Windu remarks in Episode III, Vaapad borders on the edge of falling to the dark side; it is only his mastery and concentration of the light that prevent him from succumbing, which is why Vaapad is rarely practiced and very dangerous. The two other known practitioners of the form- Sora Bulq and Depa Billaba- both fell to the dark side of the force.
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.
Maneuvers and Marks of Combat
All seven forms of lightsaber combat utilize these ancient terms used by the Jedi for describing the objectives, manoeuvre to use, and the various outcomes that could arise out of a fight involving lightsabers as weapons. Also listed is the term used to describe a re-enactment of a sword/lightsaber battle.
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 honour 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.
Jung
A jung in lightsaber combat is a 180-degree turn.
Jung ma
The term jung ma is used to describe a manoeuvre used by Jedi to perform a 360-degree spin in which power is gained for an imminent attack on the opponent.
Kai-kan
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.
Sai cha
The term sai cha is used to describe the rare instance when a Jedi beheads his or her opponent.
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.
Shiak
The term shiak is used to describe the honourable action of stabbing an opponent.
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.
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.
Sun djem
A sun djem is a attack used by Jedi that disarms the weapon of an opponent, the objective usually being not to physically harm the opponent.
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