Lightsaber Forms
The Lightsaber is a powerful weapon, but it must be mastered. There are many different types of forms to learn with the light saber. This will list the styles we use here. Please note that you must be a Jedi or Dark Jedi to learn these forms, and they take a LONG time to master, so you will not Master it in one day of role play. In fact, almost no one should have mastered a lightsaber form, unless you really have earned it.
Please Note: Within the RP, people are asked to refrain from simply posting the name of the stance they take. For example : "Jaden takes up the defensive stance, Soresu." It is asked that people actually describe how their stance would look, such as feet and hand placements.
Form I: Shii-Cho
Sometimes called the ideal form, Form I used horizontal side-swipes and parries made with the blade of the lightsaber held upright to push the point of an enemy's blade away during a side-to-side attack. If the attack is a downward slash aimed at the head, Form I simply reversed the motion, with a horizontally-held lightsaber being moved up and down to deflect a blow. All the basic ideals of attack, parry, target zones, and practice drills were created with the Form I style.
Form I, like the other forms of lightsaber combat, includes the following basic techniques and concepts:
Attack: a set of strikes 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
Form II: Makashi
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, the advantages of this form become less useful, but this form of lightsaber combat is still potent against multiple opponents.
Form II emphasized fluid motion and anticipation of a weapon being swung at its target, allowing the Jedi to attack and defend with minimal effort. Although many Jedi historians considered Form II to be the ultimate refinement in lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat, it was dropped in favor of Form III combat when blaster weapons became prevalent in the galaxy.
Known practitioners: Count Dooku/Darth Tyranus, Sev'Rance Tann*, Asajj Ventress*, Komari Vosa*.
Form III: Soresu
Form III, the most defensive of all of the forms, was developed to counteract the advancing blaster technology throughout the galaxy. Most opponents that the Jedi faced during the prequel era carried blasters. Soresu 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 few target zones on the body as possible, making a well-trained practitioner nearly invincible.
Unlike Form II combat, which was developed to work against another lightsaber, Form III was most effective in anticipating and deflecting blaster fire. It stressed quick reflexes and fast positional transition, in order to overcome the rapidity with which a blaster could be fired. It was essentially a defensive technique, emphasizing the non-aggressive Jedi philosophy while reducing the exposed areas of their bodies
Known practitioners: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Barriss Offee, and Luminara Unduli.
Form IV: Ataru
It emphasized acrobatic strength and power in wielding the blade, attributes which were frowned upon by many traditional Jedi Knights and Masters. It found a niche among the eager padawan learners of the time, who believed that the Jedi needed to become more involved in rooting out crime and evil and eradicating it. Ataru relies on wide slashes, acrobatic proficiency and an open space for the Jedi to fight. One basis for the acrobatic nature of Ataru is that lightsabers can damage with brushing, light strokes, rather than hard chopping motions. Ataru practitioners are at a great disadvantage if fighting in a small area.
In dire situations, Form IV practitioners use the Force to aid in their acrobatics. Spinning, jumping and running very high and very fast, 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 physical being, even allowing him to overcome the limitations of old age, or poor conditioning.
Due to its aggressive nature, it is an effective form to use against single enemies; however, it leaves the user open to attacks from multiple opponents; therefore, it is wise to use Ataru in a duel, but not in open warfare. Emotional control is key, as is letting one's emotions fly free. This is not a contradiction, as displayed by Yoda's firm control despite his screams and grunts.
Known practitioners: Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn, Darth Sidious (Palpatine trained in all of the forms), Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Quinlan Vos, Aayla Secura,
Form V: Shien / Djem So
By comparison, Djem So demonstrated an even higher level of physical strength and aggressive moves. So it is believed that Shien and Djem So both fall under the category of Form V, much like Juyo and Vaapad are both Form VII, with Shien better at dealing with blaster bolts and Djem So better at blade-to-blade combat. It can be described as a mix of medieval swordsmanship and kendo.
Embodying the perfection of the idea of counterattack, Form V maintains its existence through having sufficient defensive skills, as derived from Form III, but channeling defense into offense. 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. Also, it utilizes Form II's parries, allowing the user to parry the attempted attack, and counter it.
Form V is also different from Form III in the fact that Form V practitioners believe that the best defense is a good offense. It has already been observed that Form III users simply deflect blaster bolts and parry lightsaber attacks until the opponent makes a fatal mistake. Form V practitioners take the near impenetrable defenses of Form III and press the assault, using wide, sweeping blows in an attempt to overwhelm the opponent with brute strength.
dedication to the power and strength necessary to defeat an enemy characterizes the philosophy of Form V, which some Jedi describe by the maxim "peace through superior firepower." To some Jedi Knights, Form V represents a worthy discipline prepared for any threat; to others, Form V seems to foster an inappropriate focus on dominating others. The aggressive philosophy of Form V is the source of many a Jedi's disapproval.
The variant form known as Shien is a rarely seen style that, while effective, was almost a topic of controversy among lightsaber masters due to the drastically different grip taught by practitioners of the form. The style calls for the Jedi to hold the lightsaber horizontally with the blade along side the arm in a "reverse grip" style, using the lightsaber like a large dagger with the blade pointed "backwards" towards the "bottom" of their gripping hand. All strikes are made by sweeping the arm forward as though throwing a punch while whipping the blade forward away from the arm quickly in a broad arc. Adi Gallia was one of the few Jedi around the time of the Clone Wars known to actively practice the form, as was the Anzati Jedi Nikkos Tyris. Tyris favored a distinctive lightsaber style, in which the weapon was held with the blade pointing toward the ground by the strong side hand, with the off side hand riding loosely on the weapon's pommel. He moved the blade in a triangular pattern that effectively warded the lower two-thirds of his body from attack. With this unique style, he could deliver lightning-fast slashes and ripostes that could easily split an opponent from groin to neck, while also rapidly rotating upwards to block overhead strikes. Others known to utilize Shien were Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker's padawan during the Clone Wars, and Jedi hunter Starkiller during the Great Jedi Purge.
Not to be confused with the standard Form V variant of Shien.
Known practitioners: Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Aayla Secura, Plo Koon, Starkiller, Ashoka Tano, and Master Vrook.
Form VI: Niman
This combat discipline is often called the "Diplomat's Form." 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 and counselors, as they can spend their time training in the areas of politics, negotiation and Force mastery instead of combat training. It can be affectionately referred to and known as a sort of "Jack of All Trades" form, with mastery of no one aspect of combat, but competency in all.
Many Jedi skilled in Form VI techniques had already spent at least ten years studying the other Forms, an aspect that many Masters felt was too demanding of the Jedi's time in regards to its benefits on the battlefield. However, if properly mastered, Niman would undoubtedly be a highly effective lightsaber form, especially if one manages to find the time and dedication to study its whole curriculum, effectively covering practically all of the preceding forms.
Known practitioners: Cin Drallig
Form VII: Juyo / Vaapad
In the Jedi world, the form known as Juyo (numbered #7) was an oddity for millennia. It was utilised by Jedi Master Mace Windu, who used it to create his Vaapad fighting style. The most challenging and demanding of all forms, Form VII requires intense focus, high levels of skill, and mastery of other forms.
However, Vaapad borders on the edge of using the dark side, as it channels one's anger and darkness into the attack— it may be related to Japanese shinkengata. Only Windu's mastery and concentration of the light side prevents him from succumbing, which is why Vaapad is rarely practiced and very dangerous.
Vaapad goes beyond being a fighting style as it becomes a state of mind and a power. The state of mind requires that a user of Vaapad be allowed to enjoy the fight and be given over to the thrill of battle and the thrill of victory.
The power of Vaapad is simple: it is a channel for one's inner darkness; and it is a reflecting device. With strict control, a person's own emotions and inner darkness can be changed into a weapon of the light. Vaapad is able to take the hatred, anger and rage of the opponent and reflect it back at him. In his fight with Palpatine, Mace Windu used Palpatine's own speed and hatred against him, reflecting it back against the Sith Lord and using it as his own power. Vaapad is at once a form of lightsaber combat, a state of mind, and an actual tangible power. To use it required great mastery, discipline and, above all else, purity of heart and spirit. Vaapad users are intense, focused, and introverted; there are even signs of pent-up hostility in them.
Known practitioners of Form VII: Vaapad: Mace Windu, Sora Bulq, Depa Billaba, Quinlan Vos.
(partial) Juyo: Darth Maul, Palpatine/Darth Sidious, Kavar.
The three styles of the New Jedi Order
The Fast Style
Consisting of short and quick motions with the blade that could be chained and combined almost indefinitely, this style allowed for multiple attacks at an extremely fast pace.
Users of the fast style would typically utilize a defensive stance where the lightsaber was held across the front of the user, ready to parry attacks and deflect blaster shots or to launch short, fast jabs and cuts.
This style bore some similarities to the Ataru form of the Old Jedi Order, making use of acrobatic jumps and rolls to strike an opponent from unexpected angles. It also shared similarities with Soresu, since users kept the blade close to their bodies for a very rapid and effective defense against blasters and other melee weapons. Fast style enabled very fast parries or trap shunts, allowing users to trap and then redirect an opponent's strike to knock them off-balance.
The Medium Style
An intermediate style between the fast and strong styles, the medium style was based on a perfect equilibrium between speed and power. More often than not, the medium style was the first taught to a lightsaber duelist. It was simple in technique, yet more technical and powerful forms could be built from its foundation.
Users of the medium style would typically utilize a neutral stance, the lightsaber being held in medium position in front of the user ready for both defensive and offensive maneuvers.
This style bore some similarities to the Shii-Cho and Niman forms of the Old Jedi Order, both combining elements of multiple combat forms, yet being simple and basic. A few Ataru-like elements could also be seen in some of the acrobatic techniques within this style, although jumping or rolling techniques were few and far between in this style.
The Strong Style
The strong style was based primarily on powerful strikes to batter through an opponent's defense, sacrificing speed for unrivaled power.
Users of the strong style would typically utilize an aggressive and powerful stance, the lightsaber being held high and back, ready to deliver powerful swings with the blade. A few more physically powerful beings such as Desann used a one-handed variant of this style to great effect.
The style incorporated great power, sharing some features with other aggressive styles associated with the Old Jedi Order—especially Shii-Cho and Djem So. Whether the similarities between the strong style and Djem So was because of derivative relations or overlaps in functionality is unknown. It also bears similarities to the Juyo subset of Form VII, which likewise sacrificed defense for the sake of a more powerful offense.
The strong style was a very offensively focused style, as the stance and windup time for each swing left the user very open to attack. The basic idea behind the strong style was to batter one's opponent into submission through raw power. Defense was limited to either the user swinging their blade directly at their opponent's strike, or blocking and then disarming the opponent, usually with a sharp spin of the blade.
For More Information about the advantages and disadvantages of the three styles, click on their names.
