A more Inclusive Lightsaber Form page

[Ashi]

Many of us are familiar with the lightsaber forms and the concepts they entail. In light of a number of related questions being asked, however, I have decided to post a running synopsis of each individual form and how it relates to others. In addition, I will be discussing the mentality of each form's practitioners, common weapons or derivatives of them, and the most common manners in which these forms are mixed into other forms and the results of their blending.

In other words. This is the shortened version of all the wookieepages, including only significant highlights and eliminating, or at least reducing, the redundancy therein. It is a great deal more information, however, than what is found on the lightsaber combat page.


Form 1: Shii Cho

General Overview: Form one is a literal derivative of melee combat with broadswords, the weapon of choice before lightsabers became commonly used. Also a hold-over from it's origins, Shii Cho focuses very little on movement, instead preferring to move in slow and determined advances. Originally intended for use with a heavy backpack assembly, this form is effective using large, slow-moving weapons as well as normal lightsabers. It is particularly effective when using a dual-phase lightsaber, as the extended phase is much slower than the standard 1.4 meter blade.

Movement: Form 1 is not a form for the master of movement. It's attacks and parries are easily predicted and countered by a skilled user, and it's footwork is sorely lacking. It is often described as clumsy and awkward, and the user often has difficulty countering their own momentum if their blade is not blocked (note: A parry does not equal a block). Users are trained specifically to target the forearms, wrists, and hands of an opponent, to disarm (often literally) an opponent rather than kill them.

Wielder's Personality: The user of Shii Cho is often slow, but dogged and determined. It works well for those who don't wish to pursue combat or aren't particularly skilled in it. The user's emotional state rarely has anything to do with the resulting effectiveness of the form, and thus getting enraged won't have a significant effect.

Mixed Forms: As the most basic form, Shii Cho is usually taught to younglings as a precursor to more advanced training (site rules dictate that no form may be higher than your skill in Shii Cho as a result of this). The result is that every advanced lightsaber form that the person is taught will hold elements of form 1 to some greater or lesser degree.



Form 2: Makashi

General Overview: Characterized by a series of elegant and precise movements, Makashi is very much a fencer's form. It was developed in answer to Form 1 and it's users tend to be very confident in their abilities. Form 1 users will rarely manage to make it thru the defense/offense ratings of this well-balanced form. (Note: This form is not offensive in nature. It is perfectly balanced and should be treated as such.) Practitioners of Makashi prefer to use curved hilts in their lightsabers to allow maximum dexterity and leverage, but are also known to use Lightfoils [wiki link] for their increased precision due to a lack of gyroscopic effects.

Movement: The movement within Makashi is a direct contrast to Shii Cho. It is precise, economical, and effective. As a fencing form, it focuses primarily on sword-play, and it's somewhat less effective at blocking blaster fire or when faced with multiple opponents. It's wielders focus on a linear combat model, focusing on their opponent and moving either forward or back in a series of attacks, feints, parries (very, very rarely a block) and saber locks. While they are known to reorient this line, perform small side steps, and similar means of keeping an opponent off guard, their entire form is built upon the line, and cannot be effectively executed without it.

It is also of note that this form's precision and efficiency cannot compare with the brute strength of the later forms Ataru, Djem Sho, and Juyo. While it can be used effectively in an offensive manner, their defensive parries are quickly overwhelmed by advanced users in forms that use shear strength.

Wielder's Personality: Form 2 users tend to be elegant, admiring things like dexterity, grace, economy, and intelligence far more than things like constitution and strength. They are supremely confident, often to the point of arrogance, and often seem (and view themselves as) cultured. For more personality traits, Look up Count Dooku, as he fits the form to perfection.

During combat, someone who wields Makashi will always be looking for the advantage. They are focused and examine every possible outcome of their actions. As they do not use pure strength, they often seek to use leverage, using their dexterous and precise control of their blades to control and work around an opponent's blade. Their oft sharp wit is another area where they prefer to use leverage, manipulating an opponent's mindset to achieve their end goals. It should be noted that this intense focus on active thought in combat makes this form utterly worthless in an emotionally compromised state.

Mixed Forms: Makashi is noteworthy in that it does not mix well with other forms. While elements from Makashi can be used when working with the other forms, the same cannot be said vice-versa. Ataru is too movement oriented, forcing the end user to constantly re-adapt to his new positioning. Djem Sho focuses far too much on strength, and Juyo is far too aggressive.

This rarely prevents practitioners from studying other forms, but they rarely find elements to incorporate into Form 2. Instead they usually set about finding ways to use Makashi to limit and counter their opposition by using their chosen form's weaknesses against them.




Form 3: Soresu

General Overview: By far the most defensive of the lightsaber forms, Soresu is also considered to be the most passive form. It requires an extreme amount of patience and focus to maintain. It is characterized by it's endless parries, even parrying and redirecting blaster bolts. It's only weakness is that a single lapse in focus, no matter the cause, will often have deadly consequences. Users of this form generally prefer to use a standard 1.4 meter long blade with a standard hilt.

Movement: Soresu is designed with the maximum defensive potential, utilizing swift, short movements that are kept very close to the user's body. These movements are usually designed for the most economic results, trying specifically to out-last an opponent. The success of this doctrine is arguable, but their extreme focus on defense gives them ample time to find a more peaceful resolution. Keep in mind, a character who uses this form will very rarely block an opponent's blade, they'll parry it. When used effectively, however, this is the only form capable of staving off Juyo's full potential, save Juyo itself.

Wielder's Personality: Most of the time, a wielder of form 3 is calm and patient; they are very difficult to anger and tend to have a logical mind. Utter dedication to this form is rare, as it's extreme focus takes a lot out of the user. It is logical to assume that, as a result of this requirement, that a lapse in focus would result in either the user chopping off one of their own limbs, or otherwise causing themselves potentially lethal harm due to the extreme closeness of their blade to their body (often measured in a cm or less).

Mixed Forms: Soresu is, save form 1, the single easiest form to mix. While an extremely passive form itself, several derivatives have been derived (namely Shien and Djem Sho) which use similar movements with a more aggressive mentality. The only forms which have little potential use for the defensive nature of Soresu are Juyo and Ataru, which focus almost exclusively on offense.

Four more to come.

[Ashi]

Form IV: Ataru

General Overview:[/b] Ataru is the most physically intensive of the forms. It's intention is to overwhelm the nearly perfect defense of Soresu by attacking rapidly and from all directions. Against masters of Soresu it generally fails, but against the average practitioner, Ataru either manages to get thru their defenses or manages to disrupt their concentration. With Soresu being performed so close to the user's body, a single lapse in concentration will generally cause significant harm to the user, which allows the Ataru user to gain an immediate advantage.

Movement: Ataru is the most movement intensive of all the forms. With it's focus on hitting an opponent from all sides, moving around the target is the single most important requirement. Flips, rolls, dodges, and feints are the norm. The user will always seek the advantage, a better position, an opening within the opponent's defenses, and moving to the point where that advantage is best pressed while avoiding the opponent's blade.

Wielder's Personality: The average Ataru user is fiery and passionate, much like the practitioners of Juyo, with a disregard for authority when needed and a fierce motivation to accomplish their goals. While this is often disguised or held in check by jedi teachings, the mentality is what gives the form it's potency. The user must also calculate the best positions and places to attack from, so a decently sound mind is required, but emotions tend to increase the effectiveness of this form to a fair degree. Once reason begins to suffer, however, the form is no longer effective and degrades very rapidly.

Mixed Forms: Ataru mixes with most forms fairly easily. It mixes best with Juyo and Shien/Djem Sho, tho Soresu users occasionally implement some aspects as well.

Form V: Shien

General Overview: Shien is Soresu with a more aggressive overtone. Rather than general blaster deflections, blaster bolts are deflected directly towards an opponent. Minor attacks and parries used to make openings in an opponent's defense, then taking advantage of the weaknesses enemies open in their assaults while remaining impossible to hit is the primary focus.

Movements: Shien is an obvious derivative of Soresu. It continues to use mostly parries to deflect blades and blasters around the user with the user staying relatively stationary. The goal of a Shien user is to control an opponent's blade by use of controlled saber locks, parries and blocks in a manner that leaves their opponent vulnerable. Once vulnerable, the user will take advantage of that vulnerability with a quick, sudden strike before immediately returning to their defensive form.

Mentality: Shien users vary rather little from Soresu users in mentality. A calm, level head with no room for emotion or taunts are the only way to fight with this form. The parries it utilizes often happen mere centimeters from the user's own body, so a single lapse of concentration could easily prove to be their undoing. The user's mindset is focused on control. control of the enemy's movements, the enemy's blade, the defenses and offenses and every additional variable that can be defined to ensure the enemy falters.

Mixed Forms: Shien mixes very well with Soresu, Shii Cho, and Juyo, and elements can be incorporated into Ataru and Niman as well, tho to a somewhat lesser degree.


Form V: Djem Sho

General Overview: Djem Sho is more aggressive than Shien, with broad, powerful strikes following most defensive blocks and parries, forcing the enemy's blade far out of position to be of any use before ruthlessly finishing the fight. Where Shien focuses on dexterity and leverage, Djem Sho relies heavily on pure strength.

Movements: Djem sho uses broad, over-stated movements that, while easily read, are filled with as much strength as the user can muster. The result is a form that is designed specifically and utterly to dominate and crush an opponent's defense. Every movement and attack carries the full weight of the user, every parry and block is made with the user's full strength. Legwork is perhaps the one failing of Djem Sho, as there is virtually none. The user will advance or retreat as needed, but to use the form effectively the user's feet must be firmly planted on the ground.

Mentality: Much like Shii Cho, from which much of this form was taken, the practitioners of Djem Sho are dogged. Unlike Shii Cho, however, Djem sho focuses on using emotion to inspire more force behind each blow. This is the perfect form for Emotional or Angsty characters, as it was designed more or less specifically for Anakin and Luke Skywalker.

Mixed Forms: Djem Sho mixes best with Juyo and, surprisingly, Makashi. While Makashi can take very little from Djem Sho, a Djem Sho user can import the Makashi footwork, to provide a greater degree of control in a fight.

[Ashi]

Form VI: Niman

General Overview: Originally developed for Dual-wielding, Niman was introduced as an easy-to-learn form that's relatively average. It has no great strengths, save a light focus on manoeuvring, but no substantial weaknesses as well. It's not nearly as effective at defence as Soresu, nor nearly as effective at offence as juyo or ataru. It's greatest strength is it's ease of learning, allowing training in half the time of the average lightsaber form.

The average Niman user uses a single blade, with most of the various types of single blade usable with it, the only exceptions being lightclubs and lightsaber pikes. As the form was originally developed for Dual-wielding, however, wielding two, single-hilt weapons or a dual-bladed lightsaber is also fine.

Movement: Generally the movements in Niman are simple and efficient. It is not an overly energy efficient form, such as Makashi or Soresu, but it's movements are simple and easy to perform. Subterfuge, confusion, and feints are not the way of Niman, and it's movements rarely allow for the effective use of any of these. On the other hand, the average Niman user will be less open to subterfuge than most of the other forms, as the simple movements result in easy adjustment to any second attack with minimal reaction time.

Wielder's Personality: Niman is the only form, save Shii Cho, that doesn't require extreme levels of focus, as it's simple movements rely purely on muscle memory to perform. This, coupled with it's simple-to-learn nature, makes it ideal for consulars who are focusing on using the force during their fights. This also allows for it to be better used when angry, sad, or otherwise emotionally compromised.

Mixed Forms: Niman is generally considered an easy-to-mix form. Like Shii-cho, the movements are relatively simple and easy to apply, but it's extensive focus on muscle memory allows certain movements from Niman, which are generally more effective at a specific action, to instinctively take the place of the movements used in other forms. This means a practitioner must make an active attempt to counter these movements when trying to feign a different style, which in turn means it requires more focus to maintain.

Form VII: Juyo

General Overview: Juyo is the most aggressive of lightsaber forms. It focuses on pure offense, with absolutely minimal provisions for defense. Because of this, coupled with it's use of virtually every other form, it is the single most difficult-to-learn form. It is also the single most potent, however, against all of the standard forms.

Generally, Juyo is most effective with a single, plain, straight-hilted lightsaber. Combined with Jar'kai, however, it can occasionally be used effectively with a dual-wielding mentality.

Movements: With it's focus on pure offence, Juyo's movements are simple and direct, but incredibly fast. Skilled users were said to attack as often as twenty times per second, but there are unconfirmed reports of some users approaching forty attacks per second, which makes it incredibly difficult to defend against. Against multiple opponents, however, these numerous attacks must be split evenly among the opponents, in order to keep them off balance. The attacks are also very random. Rather than follow thru with all of the attacks, a skilled practitioner of Juyo will often follow thru with only one of three or one of five attacks at random. The idea is to keep your opponent continually off-guard, to the extent they cannot attack.

Wielder's Personality: Despite the ferocity of the form, the average user tends to be incredibly focused. Anger is considered the most effective fuel for the tenacity of this form, which in turn leads to the Dark Side. Emotional stability was known to reduce the effectiveness of this form, which makes it ideal for countering Dun Moch.

Mixed Forms: Juyo does not mix well with other forms. It's movements are too overtly aggressive and too rapidly carried out to bring to other forms. On the other hand, other forms can greatly influence the effect of Juyo. Soresu and Shien can teach the Juyo user the best way to attack a defensive fighter, or can allow the juyo user to increase his minimalistic defences while still maintaining a solid offensive. Ataru allows the Juyo user to attack from multiple angles, seemingly simultaneously. Djem Sho allows the user better knowledge on how to focus the strength of his attacks. And even Makashi allows for better understanding of how to control the blade.

[Ashi]

Unorthodox Lightsaber Forms:[/b]

These secondary forms are designed to fight either with a specific weapon or in a specific environment. Often, this specialization can prove to be a useful, and often invaluable tool, but as often as it is useful, it is also useless. Be careful, therefore, when you add points into these forms. Also keep in mind that these forms are generally half-developed, so much of this information is inferred from my knowledge of melee combat.

Double-bladed Lightsaber:[/size]
General Overview: Generally, and falsely, believed to be more powerful or more damaging than their more common brethren, double bladed lightsabers have a truly unique fighting style. Because of how the blades are oriented, piercing, thrusting, and blocking motions are all very limited and create any number of problems for a double bladed wielder; as a result, the double bladed style is all about slashing for offence and parrying for defense. This style is also less precise than most forms, as the user must be mindful of both blades at all times, rather than just one. A noteworthy weakness to this style is the lengthened hilt of the lightsaber, which is particularly prone to disarm attempts made against said hilt.

There is actually a large variation in these hilts. Most of this variation is in length and decorations, but this does also allow for a great deal of lee-way. A few things about them, however, are fairly common. The blades are always mounted along a 180 degree axis, creating a lightsaber shaped similarly to a quarterstaff. The hilt is almost always twice the size of a normal lightsaber hilt, or between 40 and 60 cm (15-23.5 inches). Finally, the double bladed lightsaber contains two, completely independent, lightsabers attached at their respective pommels (the nature of the pommel changes. Sometimes they're screwed together, sometimes they're welded together, sometimes they're made of a single piece of metal, but they usually do still work after the hilt is cut in two).

Movement: The double-bladed combat style is truly unique. The entire style is based around a series of arcs, using the legs and arms of the practitioner as pivot points. This form is therefore very intensive, and is not recommended for most average jedi or sith. This form is also particularly easy to mix with open-handed fighting styles, as the blade is often being cycled thru an arc on the wrong side. A fair portion (not quite half) of the movement this form uses a single hand to rotate the saber and gain momentum, which further endears it to fighters skilled in unarmed combat.

Wielder's Personality: The practitioners of the form tend to be very calm and subdued when not fighting. They are very intelligent, and often tend to be highly focused on a single goal. Their emotions are always in check, and are generally used to fuel and motivate the wielder, but are kept so tightly controlled they never dominate. In combat, they let loose, using their channelled emotion to fuel their ferocity. Emotionally compromising a wielder of this style is a valid tactic, but it's results are generally going to work against the person attempting to compromise the wielder. The wielder, when compromised, will focus even more of their emotional fury into their fighting arts, rather than a blind and uncontrolled outburst.

Mixed Forms: This form of combat mixes moderately well. Ataru is the best choice for multiclassing, but Soresu and Shien have substantial advantages as well. The worst three choices for mixing are Juyo, Shii Cho, and Djem Sho. Shii Cho and Djem Sho focus on overpowering an enemy and blocking their attacks, which is mostly useless to a double-blade user. Juyo's focus on thrusting attacks, which are very difficult to do with a saberstaff, makes it difficult to mix.


Jar-kai:

General Overview: Technically a sub-form of Niman, it would actually be more accurate to say that Niman is a form of Jar-kai. Jar-Kai is the art of wielding two blades, be they long or short blades, and using them to out-wit, out maneuver, and out-class your opponent. There are three general tactics in Jar-kai, the first is defensive, in which both blades are used to parry, control, and, very rarely, block an opponent's lightsaber. The second is a balance, where one blade (usually the main-hand) is used offensively, while the other (usually the off-hand) is used defensively. The third is pure offense.

Generally, it is not wise to use two standard-length sabers, so a practitioner of Jar-kai will usually carry an extra saber or two. The idea is to use either a standard lightsaber and a short lightsaber (also called a shoto), or two short lightsabers. In a pinch, two standard lightsabers can be used, but the extra length on the off-hand can be difficult to control.


Movement: Not all that different from Niman, the practitioners of this form tend to be blunt and practical. Muscle memory is important here, and most of the time your movements will be automatic and reflexive; you will not think when using them.

Wielder's Personality: Virtually identical to Niman. Practitioners of this form rarely have to spend much time thinking in a fight, as the entire fight is carried out entirely by muscle memory. Emotion has little effect on this form, as the user's conscious mind is essentially taking a break.

Mixed Forms: Like Niman, this form mixes fairly well. Makashi, and Djem Sho are the only two forms that do not mix well and this is only because they focus on either emotion or pure logic. The other forms are relatively easy to adapt to using two blades, but some are easier than others.


Trispzest:
General Overview: Keep in mind, this form has incredibly little data, so it is suggested that you use a different form. If you must use this form, however, this is the compilation of everything that has, to date, been created. Most of this is directly from a game mechanic, so if you want to build on it or build something completely different, I actually suggest it. Just keep the movement section in mind.

Trispzest is the art of aerial dueling, specifically with lightsabers, but due to it's origins it can be learned by someone using a traditional blade as well. This form focuses on using the advantage of the air upon ground-bound people, but there are some provisions for fighting another opponent who is airborne. This form focuses on decapitations and strikes against the upper body. In addition, it is noticeably weak against attacks made from directly below. This form works best with a single, standard lightsaber blade, but a dual-phase extension is also useful.

Movement: Trispzest focuses mostly on aerial maneuvering, so it is hard to classify as one specific movement type or another. As a general rule, however, this form uses flyby attacks at just above head height (about 2-2.5 meters) and it is therefore relatively predictable. Some variations also use a spinning attack, but reports about it's efficiency are over-rated (as a result of a game mechanic). Keep in mind, however, that flying below your wingspan is not particularly wise, as it limits your maneuverability substantially. The average wing span of a 5 ft tall character should be between 2 and 3 meters (due to musculature limitations, smaller than this most likely will not sustain flight; that being said, there are a few races with the musculature to flap more often, and their wingspan will be noticeably shorter (1.6-2 meters).

Wielder's Personality: The aspect of height in most forms of combat, is immediately associated with superiority, and most users of Trispzest feel this quite keenly. They are bold, often to the point of arrogance, and direct. They have little problem with the lethality of their attacks, and many even relish it.

Mixed Forms: In canon, Trispzest is supposed to employ elements of Juyo. In actuality, Juyo is most likely a poor and ineffective choice when working with this form. Ataru, which focuses on gaining and using positional advantages, would be a wise choice, as would Makashi due to it's linear focus. Soresu and Shien would be poor choices, as they use a full 360, whereas wings limit the arc you can effectively use to about 160 degrees in front of the user. Niman, Djem Sho, and Shii Cho are average choices. There is nothing particularly effective about any of these, but there is no great impediment or problems with them (save potentially Djem Sho's dependence on a solid footing) either.

Mounted Combat:
This is not really a "form" per say, so I will not cover it in depth. Essentially, this form uses a single lightsaber in a one hand, and uses the vehicle's momentum as the force behind the attack. A dual-phase lightsaber is potentially quite useful for this, but there are numerous limitations. Should the lightsaber hit anything that resists it's blade, the shock of the impact will have repercussions. In most instances, this will force the jedi to drop the lightsaber and use both hands to correct the vehicle, as it will veer in the direction the lightsaber was resisted in (essentially, the lightsaber's side had the breaks applied violently, while the other side continued as normal). The other major disadvantage of this is the vehicle's speed. It will create limitations on how fast, and how accurate, attacks are.

[Ashi]

Lightsaber Tactics:[/b]
Lightsaber tactics do not, of themselves, make for a true form, but instead fit neatly into other forms. These consist of specific styles of movement and mannerisms when wielding a lightsaber that allow for using a form in a more advantageous manner.

Sokan:[/b] By far the easiest tactic to recognize, and one of the hardest to use wisely in a fight, Sokan means finding the best possible position to gain an advantage against your opponent. Be it the high-ground against a Shien/Djem Sho user, or the low ground against a Soresu user, they constantly look for the best and most effective position and attempt to maneuver so that they can make the best of it.

This tactic is integrated into Ataru, and Ataru was designed to capitalize on it.

This tactic is best used in roleplays where people are particularly descriptive about the room the fight is taking place in. A map or loose sketch is useful as well. When maneuvering towards the best possible position, and when in that position, a character simply knows they are in the better position against their opponents.

Dun Möch:[/b] A decidedly sith tactic, Dun Möch is the art of distraction. In a fight, sith use taunts, using any information they might have previously learned before a fight, or using knowledge they glean from an opponent as they fight, and try to emotionally compromise an opponent. Once compromised and unable to focus, it uses a series of telekinetic attacks to disorient the opponent, both directly applied to the opponent, and using whatever objects are conveniently nearby. The concept is most effective when used to convert opponents, due to the heavily disorienting nature of the assault. People who have been attacked by this tactic are often uncertain about themselves, about their own motives, their own weaknesses, and their own passions and desires. A properly disciplined mind, however, is virtually invulnerable to this assault, however, as disorientation and misdirection are naturally expected in a fight, and emotions are carefully limited or channelled into their actions.

Most sith use this practice regularly in their fights, but the choice is a personal one. Many sith willingly choose to forgo this tactic (Darth Maul, most notably). It is best applied to a roleplay where the sith knows a lot about their opponent. An old master, or a padawan who have fallen are very effective at this, as they know the thoughts and doubts of the other very well.

To witness this tactic in use, watch Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.

Tràkata: This tactic is relatively rare, as the practitioner must be wholly willing to kill an opponent who is, at least against the user, wholly defenseless. This tactic is actually a series of similar tactics, which take advantage of the fact that the lightsaber blade can be turned rapidly on and off. There are few effective defenses against such an attack, and fewer still are the people who understand this tactic well enough to defend against it effectively. Understanding how an opponent is going to position his or her blade, and understanding how to best take advantage of that are the two most important aspects of this tactic.

The first way this tactic can be applied is on the offense. An attack that is pulled off effectively can bypass any block, tho you still may have difficulty with a parry. As your opponent moves to block, you turn your saber off, thus sending their saber far out of position and placing your saber blade well within their guard when you turn it back on an instant later. This tactic often results in half-eviscerated opponents, as the blade is still moving, even when it's turning on, and often is not fully activated when it comes into contact with your opponent.

The second way this tactic can be applied is in defense. As you block an opponent and they try to force a saber lock, disabling your lightsaber throws them off guard, as their own momentum carries them away and leave them exposed. A skilled swordsman will immediately understand that his is exposed, and not taking advantage of such a move can be a blatant insult, emotionally compromising them and giving you a much greater chance of victory. If you take the free shot, you win the fight flat out.

Note: Trakata may be learned by anybody knight ranked or above, but SWU requires that any opponent is willing for you to kill/maim/otherwise permanently harm their characters. As Trakata makes an opponent virtually defenseless against your attack, use Trakata only if you have permission from the other player to cause their character harm, as it is almost always lethal.