Post by alleriiatiigan on Jan 9, 2006 18:45:27 GMT -5
The following information on the Lightsaber was copied and pasted from a Wikipedia article. URL here:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightsaber
'Using "frozen blaster" technology, a blade of pure energy is created. It is unknown how this energy only exists for a specific length to form a saber. The beam can cut through almost anything solid, except another (immaterial) lightsaber blade, the rare mineral cortosis, force-fields of various sorts, an alloy used in Magna Guards' electrostaves called phrik, and superconductors. Mandalorian iron is also known to resist the effects of a lightsaber, and very dense materials, such as heavy armor, have been shown to marginally slow them down. In the New Jedi Order series, the Yuuzhan Vong Vonduun Crab armour is able to repel lightsaber cuts and stabs. Both the Vonduun Crab armour and the Vong Amphistaffs are biologically engineered and able to produce a force field.
Before The Jedi Order was formed and when the Old Republic was forming, the first lightsabers were developed as siege weapons. These required a separate power pack, which was often worn on the back, and later, a belt worn power source. The power sources and components were miniaturized in the construction to create the simple weapon used in the later era and adopted by the recently-formed Jedi Order in the early days of the Old Republic.
Lightsaber Colors
In the original film trilogy, lightsaber blades were blue and, later, green for the Jedi, while red-bladed lightsabers were associated with Dark Jedi Knights or Sith - though the first Sith Lords used alchemically altered Sith Sabers as Lightsaber technology had not been developed before the original Dark Jedi were exiled.
The various Expanded Universe (EU) sources and the prequel films opened up the spectrum of blade colors to include many variations of blue, green and red, as well as purple, orange, silver, turquoise, pink, bronze, yellow, viridian, and possibly white and gold, among others; the full variety and extent of focusing gems, and consequently, of colors, is unknown.
The Expanded Universe has no definitive information relating to the color of a lightsaber and its association with Jedi or Sith positions. The reason for the smaller variety of colors for lightsaber blades is revealed throughout several forms of media; the Empire destroyed the caves that housed the lightsaber crystals which Jedi used to focus energy and create their blade's unique color. Synthetic crystals were created to replace the natural crystals found in caverns, typically having either a blue or green color.
Obi-Wan Kenobi primarily wielded a blue-bladed lightsaber, while Mace Windu famously uses a purple-bladed lightsaber. One lightsaber in particular, created by the Jedi student Gantoris, was violet with patterns of rainbow light rippling across its white core.
The color of a lightsaber's blade depends on the crystals used to focus it. Blue-bladed lightsabers are loosely associated with Jedi Guardians; green-bladed lightsabers are loosely associated with Jedi Consulars; yellow-bladed lightsabers are loosely associated with Jedi Sentinels; and red-bladed lightsabers are more closely associated with the Sith and dark Jedi. Nearly every Jedi who has wielded a purple blade has been a powerful Jedi, and a catalyst for change. Therefore, they could be considered "Jedi Powers".
Each Jedi (or Sith) is free to choose whatever hue for their blade they wish or can acquire. Usually the lightsaber crystal will call out to its chosen master during the trials to become a Jedi when the padawan travels to llum.
Prior to the Battle of Ruusan, Jedi used lightsabers in a vast array of colors. Afterwards, Jedi relied on more common Ilum crystals such as blue and green. Mace Windu braved the rock-encrusted natives of Hurikane to obtain the rare purple crystal. In the New Jedi Order Era, Jedi had a wide array of colors such as orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and light blue.
The synthetic red crystals favored by the Sith can create a somewhat more powerful blade than blue or green crystals, but are not as pure due to their artificial nature and can thus be undesirable as the focus of a lightsaber. The Sith apparently had a large supply of red crystals; they also favored red as a symbol for blood.
The lightsaber colors show different states of study for Jedi. If a Jedi chooses blue it means that he focuses his studies more on combat than on mastering the force. A Jedi that chooses green concentrates on mastering the force without the use of his/her lightsaber. The color red means that an adept has fallen to the dark side and has studied the ways of the Sith. Purple is a rare lightsaber color, not only because the crystal is hard to obtain, but also because of its meaning; purple is a mixture of red and blue, so one who has a purple lightsaber has studied the various forms of lightsaber combat, but has also gone to the dark side to learn the art of Sith combat. Although it is not always the case.
During the initial editing of ROTJ, Luke's lightsaber was coloured blue in a trailer. However against the desert blue sky environment, the decision was made to change it to green for a better visual effect, hence the birth of the green light saber.
Lightsaber Types
The very rare Great Lightsaber, similar to a standard lightsaber, had focusing crystals and a power supply producing a blade up to 300 centimeters (9.8 feet) in length.
The rare Dual-Phase Lightsaber is any lightsaber constructed to operate at two different blade lengths. Historically, these complex blades were constructed mostly by ancient Jedi and Sith in their many heated wars; the surprise advantage of a blade which could shoot forth several feet or inches was worth the additional difficulty of constructing a lightsaber with several focusing gems, and further outweighed the fact that a lengthy blade was often inferior from a pure fencing perspective. Darth Vader's lightsaber is an example of this, as he has buttons on his hilt allowing him to change the blade length at will. In Dark Apprentice, with the help of the spirit of Exar Kun, Gantoris created such a lightsaber. Similarly, in Splinter of the Mind's Eye, Luke Skywalker adjusts the controls of his saber to produce a short, pencil-thin blade, which he uses to cut through the bolt of a door lock. The NJO Jedi Knight Corran Horn also used one of these; however he tended to keep the shorter blade ignited and the weapon seemed to only have two settings - standard and extended with no fine control over the lengths of either.
The Electrum Lightsaber is simply a lightsaber with a hilt forged from gold-like electrum. Mace Windu's lightsaber in Episode II and III is an example; Sidious's lightsaber is also similar. For Jedi, only council members are allowed to have an electrum covered lightsaber. Whether the electrum in the hilt affects the blade's properties or is merely decorative is unknown.
There are also variant lightsabers with shorter handles and blades (known as Short Lightsabers or lightdaggers) that can be wielded as offhand (weaker hand) secondary weapons for Jedi who fight with two lightsabers for the dual-bladed lightsaber combat style Jar'Kai (which is used by Jedi Master Kavar), or as the primary lightsaber of a small Jedi like Yoda.
Darth Maul, with a double-bladed lightsaber, battles Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi on NabooThe Double-Bladed Lightsaber, or "Saber-Staff", is a unique variant in which the handle is about three times the length of a standard lightsaber and has two beam emitters; one at each end. The beams can be activated and deactivated independently, allowing for much versatility. This variant was invented by the Dark Lord of the Sith Exar Kun nearly four thousand years before the Battle of Yavin. Kun's lightsaber was notable in that he was able to carefully adjust both its length, from half a meter to one and a half meters, as well as its intensity, allowing the blades' power to vary from that of a deadly blade to an intangible, harmless beam of light. The double-bladed lightsaber proved to be a very popular weapon among the Sith and Dark Jedi of Darth Revan's new Sith Empire. Besides Exar Kun, notable wielders of this weapon include Zez-Kai Ell, Jorak Uln, Uthar Wynn, Darth Bandon, Bastila Shan, Darth Maul, (possibly Jaden Korr), and Azrakel the dark warrior. Use of double-bladed lightsabers as primary weapons has been frowned upon by the Jedi because of their aggressive nature and usage. Though for most Jedi double-bladed lightsabers are used for training purposes, some Jedi do specialize in their use as weapons; these Jedi are known as Jedi brute.
Lightwhip
The lightwhip is a rare and exotic weapon used by Githany, Ona Nobis, Kit Fisto and Lady Lumiya.
A lightwhip is crafted out of Kaiburr crystal and Mandalorian iron, but with the ability to flex and move like a leather whip.
Other variants
Other lightsaber variants include the massive lightclub wielded by the Dark Jedi Gorc
the lightrapier used by Count Dooku with its curved handle styled to resemble a rapier
Lightsaber Forms
See also: The seven forms of lightsaber combat
Lightsaber forms are characteristic styles of lightsaber use in battle. Unlike real-world martial arts forms, which are primarily training routines, lightsaber forms are more akin to different theories and methods of fencing. There are seven named forms of described so far:
[/li][li]Form II Makashi[/color] - Most advantageous in Lightsaber vs Lightsaber dueling. Few Jedi use it due to the relative rarity of this type of combat. (Known Users: Count Dooku/Darth Tyranous, Exar Kun, Cin Drallig)
[/li][li]Form III Soresu[/color] - Form which strongly emphasizes on defense and blaster fire deflection. Used by Jedi beset by multiple blaster-wielding opponents to defend themselves from incoming fire. (Known Users: Obi-Wan Kenobi)
[/li][li]Form IV Ataro[/color] - Acrobatic form, emphasizing agility, relatively agressive and tends to open defense. (Known Users: Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi)
[/li][li]Form V Shien[/color] - Takes some of the defensive powers from Form III and channels them to offensive powers. Form V users can use the lightsaber to deflect blaster bolts back at attackers. (Known Users: Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Plo Koon)
[/li][li]Form VI Niman[/color] - Diplomatic form, used by many Jedi in the period when Chancellor Palpatine was in power. Very well rounded, but does not excel anywhere. Often used as a basis for dual lightsaber styles. (Known users: Coleman Trebor)
[/li][li]Form VII Juyo (Vaapad)[/color] - Hardest to learn and most dangerous form, overwhelming and unpredictable. Closely associated with the Dark Side. (Known Users: Mace Windu, Depa Billaba, Sora Bulq)[/li][/ul]
The names of these forms are from the computer/video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords and may not be fully canonical. These are by no means the only styles of lightsaber combat in the Star Wars universe.
History
Lightsabers are the principal weapon of the Jedi but are also used by the Sith. After the extermination of the Jedi, lightsabers became rare relics. Their use is usually restricted to the Jedi, partly because it is too dangerous for an unskilled user, partly because, for non-Jedi, blasters are more effective, and partly because some lightsabers get tuned in to their owner's energy and explode when ignited by anyone else. However, lightsabers remain prized by some collectors, and some black market sales do occur.
Lightsaber technology was developed over thousands of years. The first lightsaber models, used thousands of years BBY, had to be connected to an external power source, as a power source small enough to fit in a saber's hilt had not yet been discovered. Often, power sources consisted of a power pack worn on the back and connected to the lightsaber's hilt by a power cord. The technology was vastly improved as smaller lighter power sources were discovered and implemented.
Typically, Jedi are given lightsabers on the first day of training. Jedi Masters emphasize that the lightsaber is a measure of progress for an apprentice as lightsaber techniques take great skill and concentration. It is considered a final test for a Jedi student to be able to construct his own lightsaber. According to a Star Wars novel, the construction takes place in a cave on Ilum. The padawan then goes in by himself and will only come back out when he has made a lightsaber (though in the Clone Wars micro-series, the padawan and master go into the caves).
Luminara Unduli:
- Speech made during lightsaber construction ceremony
Star Wars: Clone Wars - Cartoon Network
When younglings begin their training at the academy, they are issued lightsabers in order to learn their basic use. After a youngling has been chosen to train under a master, he must design and build his first lightsaber. Padawans usually base their designs on their masters' lightsabers; Obi-wan created his lightsaber from The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones with similarities to that of Qui-Gon Jinn. Jedi will use this design until they are given the rank of master, when they will create their own unique lightsaber; Obi-wan redesigned his lightsaber in Revenge of the Sith, and Mace Windu redesigned his from The Phantom Menace, later giving it gold rims and a purple blade.
Training
A deviation by the Jedi Order from standard lightsabers, the training lightsabers helped train apprentices in the use of a standard lightsaber. Training lightsabers are similar to a standard lightsaber. However, the power is greatly diminished and the size is reduced, the latter being similar to Yoda's lightsaber. Training sabers are usually white in color. Training lightsabers are used in combat education in the Jedi academy of the Old Republic. While these lightsabers are intended to be non-lethal, contact with the blade is highly painful and can be fatal.
Blade characteristics
The standard blade for a human or human-sized wielder appears to be one meter long (~3 feet) or just above this length, with a diameter of approximately 20-25 millimeters. However, these numbers may vary depending on the wielder's own size and preferences.
The blade is completely round, thus more akin to a rod than a blade, and capable of instantly burning human flesh into a carbonized mass, and melt high density alloys within seconds. Despite this, the blades themselves do not seem to radiate heat.
Contrary to what many people think, lightsabers DO work underwater or in the rain. This is seen in the Clone Wars TV show, though Kit Fisto's lightsaber was specially altered to do so, and Obi-Wan uses his on Kamino in Episode II.
Construction details
The lightsaber is made up of a short polished metallic cylindrical tube (usually around 30 centimeters) that emits a beam of pure anti-protons that acts as a sword blade. All lightsabers contain some common basic components:
Lightsabers are powered from the control studs by a circuits channel and focusing crystal found only in nature on the planet Ilum. Before 1,000 BBY, the Jedi also used crystals from the planet Ruusan. This appears to be a matter of tradition rather than necessity, as there are many examples of crystals from elsewhere in the galaxy being used effectively in lightsabers, particularly with the revival of Jedi Order after the downfall of the Empire. Since the Jedi control the supply of suitable crystals, the Sith use synthetic crystals that generate a red blade. Some of the early Sith had other blade colors, but as fallen Jedi they might have re-used the crystals of their old lightsabers. Shadows of the Empire has Luke Skywalker using a synthetic crystal in his lightsaber construction. Green blades can also be created from Corusca Gems from the gaseous planet of Yavin (Jacen Solo used a Corusca gem for his lightsaber) or any green-hued crystal capable of withstanding the strains of having so much power flow through them. This is true of other hues, as well. Natural crystals are usually preferred to synthetic, as there have been instances of synthetic crystals failing at unfortunate times, as happened to Corran Horn in I, Jedi.
The Dual-Phase Lightsaber used crystals that handle differing power level requirements. These are wired to the diatium power cell, which acts like an energy source for the lightsaber. The hilt of this lightsaber rotates in such a way that it aligns the crystals, which doubles the length of the lightsaber and changes the color. Users of this lightsaber type include Anakin Skywalker, Micah Giiett, Gantoris, and Corran Horn.
A Double-Bladed Lightsaber or Lightstaff is essentially two lightsabers in a single oversized hilt. It is a very difficult weapon to handle, but extremely dangerous in the hands of a master. Notable users of double-bladed lightsabers are the Sith Lord Exar Kun and Sith apprentice Darth Maul. Kun's lightsaber was both double-bladed and dual-phase.
When the activator is pushed, internal power cells create photoelectric energy and the blade is focused from the crystal. A tight beam of anti-protons appears on command, which is focused through one, two, or three multi-faceted crystals. The activation button energizes the weapon forming a positively charged shaft of coherent packets of anti-proton energy about a meter long. The anti-protons are attracted back to the saber hilt by a negatively charged, high-energy flux aperture. The anti-proton packets are recycled to create the glowing blade by a power cell superconductor. The saber hums and scintillates with a distinct sound and has a shimmering blade. The entire functioning processes are completely contained and self-regenerative. Lightsabers lose little power (and only when they come in contact with other objects), and thus can last almost indefinitely.
The typical design of the hilt is generally a straight tube. Count Dooku however, preferred a curved hilt, better suited for his Makashi dueling style (similar to fencing).
Mace Windu's lightsaber during the Clone Wars and Revenge of the Sith; also, according to the EU novel I, Jedi, there were myths at one point that the lightsaber was powered by the Jedi's connection to the Force. However, records preserved by Corran Horn's grandfather Rostek Horn indicate that the Force is only used at the end of construction. Once all the pieces are assembled, the Jedi uses the Force to meld them on a molecular or lower level, permitting unheard-of energy efficiency. This efficiency is what allows the blades to remain lit and active for long periods of time. The only real energy drain is when the blade comes into contact with something.
Mace Windu's lightsaber from The Phantom Menace Sometimes certain events necessitated a change in a Jedi's preferred weapon. A Jedi would modify the lightsaber or construct a new one to suit the demands of the situation at hand, such as with Mace Windu and his lightsaber after the Battle of Naboo. In addition, in Knights of the Old Republic, the sabers can be improved with the installation of certain crystals, lens, emitters and power cells.'[/b][/color]
'Using "frozen blaster" technology, a blade of pure energy is created. It is unknown how this energy only exists for a specific length to form a saber. The beam can cut through almost anything solid, except another (immaterial) lightsaber blade, the rare mineral cortosis, force-fields of various sorts, an alloy used in Magna Guards' electrostaves called phrik, and superconductors. Mandalorian iron is also known to resist the effects of a lightsaber, and very dense materials, such as heavy armor, have been shown to marginally slow them down. In the New Jedi Order series, the Yuuzhan Vong Vonduun Crab armour is able to repel lightsaber cuts and stabs. Both the Vonduun Crab armour and the Vong Amphistaffs are biologically engineered and able to produce a force field.
Before The Jedi Order was formed and when the Old Republic was forming, the first lightsabers were developed as siege weapons. These required a separate power pack, which was often worn on the back, and later, a belt worn power source. The power sources and components were miniaturized in the construction to create the simple weapon used in the later era and adopted by the recently-formed Jedi Order in the early days of the Old Republic.
Lightsaber Colors
In the original film trilogy, lightsaber blades were blue and, later, green for the Jedi, while red-bladed lightsabers were associated with Dark Jedi Knights or Sith - though the first Sith Lords used alchemically altered Sith Sabers as Lightsaber technology had not been developed before the original Dark Jedi were exiled.
The various Expanded Universe (EU) sources and the prequel films opened up the spectrum of blade colors to include many variations of blue, green and red, as well as purple, orange, silver, turquoise, pink, bronze, yellow, viridian, and possibly white and gold, among others; the full variety and extent of focusing gems, and consequently, of colors, is unknown.
The Expanded Universe has no definitive information relating to the color of a lightsaber and its association with Jedi or Sith positions. The reason for the smaller variety of colors for lightsaber blades is revealed throughout several forms of media; the Empire destroyed the caves that housed the lightsaber crystals which Jedi used to focus energy and create their blade's unique color. Synthetic crystals were created to replace the natural crystals found in caverns, typically having either a blue or green color.
Obi-Wan Kenobi primarily wielded a blue-bladed lightsaber, while Mace Windu famously uses a purple-bladed lightsaber. One lightsaber in particular, created by the Jedi student Gantoris, was violet with patterns of rainbow light rippling across its white core.
The color of a lightsaber's blade depends on the crystals used to focus it. Blue-bladed lightsabers are loosely associated with Jedi Guardians; green-bladed lightsabers are loosely associated with Jedi Consulars; yellow-bladed lightsabers are loosely associated with Jedi Sentinels; and red-bladed lightsabers are more closely associated with the Sith and dark Jedi. Nearly every Jedi who has wielded a purple blade has been a powerful Jedi, and a catalyst for change. Therefore, they could be considered "Jedi Powers".
Each Jedi (or Sith) is free to choose whatever hue for their blade they wish or can acquire. Usually the lightsaber crystal will call out to its chosen master during the trials to become a Jedi when the padawan travels to llum.
Prior to the Battle of Ruusan, Jedi used lightsabers in a vast array of colors. Afterwards, Jedi relied on more common Ilum crystals such as blue and green. Mace Windu braved the rock-encrusted natives of Hurikane to obtain the rare purple crystal. In the New Jedi Order Era, Jedi had a wide array of colors such as orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and light blue.
The synthetic red crystals favored by the Sith can create a somewhat more powerful blade than blue or green crystals, but are not as pure due to their artificial nature and can thus be undesirable as the focus of a lightsaber. The Sith apparently had a large supply of red crystals; they also favored red as a symbol for blood.
The lightsaber colors show different states of study for Jedi. If a Jedi chooses blue it means that he focuses his studies more on combat than on mastering the force. A Jedi that chooses green concentrates on mastering the force without the use of his/her lightsaber. The color red means that an adept has fallen to the dark side and has studied the ways of the Sith. Purple is a rare lightsaber color, not only because the crystal is hard to obtain, but also because of its meaning; purple is a mixture of red and blue, so one who has a purple lightsaber has studied the various forms of lightsaber combat, but has also gone to the dark side to learn the art of Sith combat. Although it is not always the case.
During the initial editing of ROTJ, Luke's lightsaber was coloured blue in a trailer. However against the desert blue sky environment, the decision was made to change it to green for a better visual effect, hence the birth of the green light saber.
Lightsaber Types
The very rare Great Lightsaber, similar to a standard lightsaber, had focusing crystals and a power supply producing a blade up to 300 centimeters (9.8 feet) in length.
The rare Dual-Phase Lightsaber is any lightsaber constructed to operate at two different blade lengths. Historically, these complex blades were constructed mostly by ancient Jedi and Sith in their many heated wars; the surprise advantage of a blade which could shoot forth several feet or inches was worth the additional difficulty of constructing a lightsaber with several focusing gems, and further outweighed the fact that a lengthy blade was often inferior from a pure fencing perspective. Darth Vader's lightsaber is an example of this, as he has buttons on his hilt allowing him to change the blade length at will. In Dark Apprentice, with the help of the spirit of Exar Kun, Gantoris created such a lightsaber. Similarly, in Splinter of the Mind's Eye, Luke Skywalker adjusts the controls of his saber to produce a short, pencil-thin blade, which he uses to cut through the bolt of a door lock. The NJO Jedi Knight Corran Horn also used one of these; however he tended to keep the shorter blade ignited and the weapon seemed to only have two settings - standard and extended with no fine control over the lengths of either.
The Electrum Lightsaber is simply a lightsaber with a hilt forged from gold-like electrum. Mace Windu's lightsaber in Episode II and III is an example; Sidious's lightsaber is also similar. For Jedi, only council members are allowed to have an electrum covered lightsaber. Whether the electrum in the hilt affects the blade's properties or is merely decorative is unknown.
There are also variant lightsabers with shorter handles and blades (known as Short Lightsabers or lightdaggers) that can be wielded as offhand (weaker hand) secondary weapons for Jedi who fight with two lightsabers for the dual-bladed lightsaber combat style Jar'Kai (which is used by Jedi Master Kavar), or as the primary lightsaber of a small Jedi like Yoda.
Darth Maul, with a double-bladed lightsaber, battles Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi on NabooThe Double-Bladed Lightsaber, or "Saber-Staff", is a unique variant in which the handle is about three times the length of a standard lightsaber and has two beam emitters; one at each end. The beams can be activated and deactivated independently, allowing for much versatility. This variant was invented by the Dark Lord of the Sith Exar Kun nearly four thousand years before the Battle of Yavin. Kun's lightsaber was notable in that he was able to carefully adjust both its length, from half a meter to one and a half meters, as well as its intensity, allowing the blades' power to vary from that of a deadly blade to an intangible, harmless beam of light. The double-bladed lightsaber proved to be a very popular weapon among the Sith and Dark Jedi of Darth Revan's new Sith Empire. Besides Exar Kun, notable wielders of this weapon include Zez-Kai Ell, Jorak Uln, Uthar Wynn, Darth Bandon, Bastila Shan, Darth Maul, (possibly Jaden Korr), and Azrakel the dark warrior. Use of double-bladed lightsabers as primary weapons has been frowned upon by the Jedi because of their aggressive nature and usage. Though for most Jedi double-bladed lightsabers are used for training purposes, some Jedi do specialize in their use as weapons; these Jedi are known as Jedi brute.
Lightwhip
The lightwhip is a rare and exotic weapon used by Githany, Ona Nobis, Kit Fisto and Lady Lumiya.
A lightwhip is crafted out of Kaiburr crystal and Mandalorian iron, but with the ability to flex and move like a leather whip.
Other variants
Other lightsaber variants include the massive lightclub wielded by the Dark Jedi Gorc
the lightrapier used by Count Dooku with its curved handle styled to resemble a rapier
Lightsaber Forms
See also: The seven forms of lightsaber combat
Lightsaber forms are characteristic styles of lightsaber use in battle. Unlike real-world martial arts forms, which are primarily training routines, lightsaber forms are more akin to different theories and methods of fencing. There are seven named forms of described so far:
- Form I Shii-Cho
[/li][li]Form II Makashi[/color] - Most advantageous in Lightsaber vs Lightsaber dueling. Few Jedi use it due to the relative rarity of this type of combat. (Known Users: Count Dooku/Darth Tyranous, Exar Kun, Cin Drallig)
[/li][li]Form III Soresu[/color] - Form which strongly emphasizes on defense and blaster fire deflection. Used by Jedi beset by multiple blaster-wielding opponents to defend themselves from incoming fire. (Known Users: Obi-Wan Kenobi)
[/li][li]Form IV Ataro[/color] - Acrobatic form, emphasizing agility, relatively agressive and tends to open defense. (Known Users: Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi)
[/li][li]Form V Shien[/color] - Takes some of the defensive powers from Form III and channels them to offensive powers. Form V users can use the lightsaber to deflect blaster bolts back at attackers. (Known Users: Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Plo Koon)
[/li][li]Form VI Niman[/color] - Diplomatic form, used by many Jedi in the period when Chancellor Palpatine was in power. Very well rounded, but does not excel anywhere. Often used as a basis for dual lightsaber styles. (Known users: Coleman Trebor)
[/li][li]Form VII Juyo (Vaapad)[/color] - Hardest to learn and most dangerous form, overwhelming and unpredictable. Closely associated with the Dark Side. (Known Users: Mace Windu, Depa Billaba, Sora Bulq)[/li][/ul]
The names of these forms are from the computer/video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords and may not be fully canonical. These are by no means the only styles of lightsaber combat in the Star Wars universe.
History
Lightsabers are the principal weapon of the Jedi but are also used by the Sith. After the extermination of the Jedi, lightsabers became rare relics. Their use is usually restricted to the Jedi, partly because it is too dangerous for an unskilled user, partly because, for non-Jedi, blasters are more effective, and partly because some lightsabers get tuned in to their owner's energy and explode when ignited by anyone else. However, lightsabers remain prized by some collectors, and some black market sales do occur.
Lightsaber technology was developed over thousands of years. The first lightsaber models, used thousands of years BBY, had to be connected to an external power source, as a power source small enough to fit in a saber's hilt had not yet been discovered. Often, power sources consisted of a power pack worn on the back and connected to the lightsaber's hilt by a power cord. The technology was vastly improved as smaller lighter power sources were discovered and implemented.
Typically, Jedi are given lightsabers on the first day of training. Jedi Masters emphasize that the lightsaber is a measure of progress for an apprentice as lightsaber techniques take great skill and concentration. It is considered a final test for a Jedi student to be able to construct his own lightsaber. According to a Star Wars novel, the construction takes place in a cave on Ilum. The padawan then goes in by himself and will only come back out when he has made a lightsaber (though in the Clone Wars micro-series, the padawan and master go into the caves).
Luminara Unduli:
[glow=navy,2,300]The crystal is the heart of the blade.
The heart is the crystal of the Jedi.
The Jedi is the crystal of the Force.
The Force is the blade of the heart.
All are intertwined
The crystal, The blade, The Jedi.
You are one.[/glow]
The heart is the crystal of the Jedi.
The Jedi is the crystal of the Force.
The Force is the blade of the heart.
All are intertwined
The crystal, The blade, The Jedi.
You are one.[/glow]
- Speech made during lightsaber construction ceremony
Star Wars: Clone Wars - Cartoon Network
When younglings begin their training at the academy, they are issued lightsabers in order to learn their basic use. After a youngling has been chosen to train under a master, he must design and build his first lightsaber. Padawans usually base their designs on their masters' lightsabers; Obi-wan created his lightsaber from The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones with similarities to that of Qui-Gon Jinn. Jedi will use this design until they are given the rank of master, when they will create their own unique lightsaber; Obi-wan redesigned his lightsaber in Revenge of the Sith, and Mace Windu redesigned his from The Phantom Menace, later giving it gold rims and a purple blade.
Training
A deviation by the Jedi Order from standard lightsabers, the training lightsabers helped train apprentices in the use of a standard lightsaber. Training lightsabers are similar to a standard lightsaber. However, the power is greatly diminished and the size is reduced, the latter being similar to Yoda's lightsaber. Training sabers are usually white in color. Training lightsabers are used in combat education in the Jedi academy of the Old Republic. While these lightsabers are intended to be non-lethal, contact with the blade is highly painful and can be fatal.
Blade characteristics
The standard blade for a human or human-sized wielder appears to be one meter long (~3 feet) or just above this length, with a diameter of approximately 20-25 millimeters. However, these numbers may vary depending on the wielder's own size and preferences.
The blade is completely round, thus more akin to a rod than a blade, and capable of instantly burning human flesh into a carbonized mass, and melt high density alloys within seconds. Despite this, the blades themselves do not seem to radiate heat.
Contrary to what many people think, lightsabers DO work underwater or in the rain. This is seen in the Clone Wars TV show, though Kit Fisto's lightsaber was specially altered to do so, and Obi-Wan uses his on Kamino in Episode II.
Construction details
The lightsaber is made up of a short polished metallic cylindrical tube (usually around 30 centimeters) that emits a beam of pure anti-protons that acts as a sword blade. All lightsabers contain some common basic components:
- A handgrip
- An activation stud plate, button, switch, or internal
Force-activated mechanism - A safety or dead-man's switch
- An emitter matrix
- A primary focusing crystal (which gives the blade its hue, Adegan/Ilum crystals are most commonly used)
Up to two secondary crystals which produce different effects - A lens assembly (focusing crystals)
- A blade-length adjuster (only on Dual-Phase Lightsabers)
- A power cell (for the most part, unlimited in power; requires little recharging)
- An Energy Gate
- A power conduit
- A recharge socket (recharges the power cell when the lightsaber is off)
- Cycling field energizers
- A belt ring (optional)
Lightsabers are powered from the control studs by a circuits channel and focusing crystal found only in nature on the planet Ilum. Before 1,000 BBY, the Jedi also used crystals from the planet Ruusan. This appears to be a matter of tradition rather than necessity, as there are many examples of crystals from elsewhere in the galaxy being used effectively in lightsabers, particularly with the revival of Jedi Order after the downfall of the Empire. Since the Jedi control the supply of suitable crystals, the Sith use synthetic crystals that generate a red blade. Some of the early Sith had other blade colors, but as fallen Jedi they might have re-used the crystals of their old lightsabers. Shadows of the Empire has Luke Skywalker using a synthetic crystal in his lightsaber construction. Green blades can also be created from Corusca Gems from the gaseous planet of Yavin (Jacen Solo used a Corusca gem for his lightsaber) or any green-hued crystal capable of withstanding the strains of having so much power flow through them. This is true of other hues, as well. Natural crystals are usually preferred to synthetic, as there have been instances of synthetic crystals failing at unfortunate times, as happened to Corran Horn in I, Jedi.
The Dual-Phase Lightsaber used crystals that handle differing power level requirements. These are wired to the diatium power cell, which acts like an energy source for the lightsaber. The hilt of this lightsaber rotates in such a way that it aligns the crystals, which doubles the length of the lightsaber and changes the color. Users of this lightsaber type include Anakin Skywalker, Micah Giiett, Gantoris, and Corran Horn.
A Double-Bladed Lightsaber or Lightstaff is essentially two lightsabers in a single oversized hilt. It is a very difficult weapon to handle, but extremely dangerous in the hands of a master. Notable users of double-bladed lightsabers are the Sith Lord Exar Kun and Sith apprentice Darth Maul. Kun's lightsaber was both double-bladed and dual-phase.
When the activator is pushed, internal power cells create photoelectric energy and the blade is focused from the crystal. A tight beam of anti-protons appears on command, which is focused through one, two, or three multi-faceted crystals. The activation button energizes the weapon forming a positively charged shaft of coherent packets of anti-proton energy about a meter long. The anti-protons are attracted back to the saber hilt by a negatively charged, high-energy flux aperture. The anti-proton packets are recycled to create the glowing blade by a power cell superconductor. The saber hums and scintillates with a distinct sound and has a shimmering blade. The entire functioning processes are completely contained and self-regenerative. Lightsabers lose little power (and only when they come in contact with other objects), and thus can last almost indefinitely.
The typical design of the hilt is generally a straight tube. Count Dooku however, preferred a curved hilt, better suited for his Makashi dueling style (similar to fencing).
Mace Windu's lightsaber during the Clone Wars and Revenge of the Sith; also, according to the EU novel I, Jedi, there were myths at one point that the lightsaber was powered by the Jedi's connection to the Force. However, records preserved by Corran Horn's grandfather Rostek Horn indicate that the Force is only used at the end of construction. Once all the pieces are assembled, the Jedi uses the Force to meld them on a molecular or lower level, permitting unheard-of energy efficiency. This efficiency is what allows the blades to remain lit and active for long periods of time. The only real energy drain is when the blade comes into contact with something.
Mace Windu's lightsaber from The Phantom Menace Sometimes certain events necessitated a change in a Jedi's preferred weapon. A Jedi would modify the lightsaber or construct a new one to suit the demands of the situation at hand, such as with Mace Windu and his lightsaber after the Battle of Naboo. In addition, in Knights of the Old Republic, the sabers can be improved with the installation of certain crystals, lens, emitters and power cells.'[/b][/color]