The Star Wars universe, all lightsabers are coveted due to a variety of reasons. When Luke Skywalker first held Anakin’s lightsaber, Obi-Wan Kenobi told that it was “an exquisite weapon that was meant for an era of civilized living.” Ever since it was first introduced, the lightsaber’s been a symbol to Star Wars – the brilliant blues and greens have been an expression of hope, while the blood-red hues of Sith lightsabers have sparked terror all over the world.
They may look elegant however, the lightsaber is far from simple. The mechanical construction of a lightsaber is simple, but the power of it comes from the rare Kyber crystal that is contained in. A Jedi bonds with that crystal. The crystal is described as “a lens that concentrates upon the inner light of it to focus the light of Jedi.” According to the recently released Secrets of the Jedi, wielding a lightsaber is less like holding a sword as it’s the directing of a stream of energy. This bond between the Jedi as well as the light-saber may explain the reason that certain blades have been famous, with the lighting swords used by Anakin as well as Luke Skywalker thought to be to be particularly valuable.
Star Wars Legends introduced several lightsaber designs, however the majority of them were declared non-canon due to the Disney acquisition in 2012. Since then, Lucasfilm has launched a diverse range in new lightabers. This is everything that fans need to be aware of about the lightsabers in the Star Wars canon.
The Standard Lightsaber
The most famous lightsaber type will be the one that’s standard. This is the type of tool that is used by stars like Luke and Anakin Skywalker. George Lucas chose to give Jedi lightsabers in part because they had been considered to be sacred objects which were believed to have mystical significance or used to prove birthright. This makes the transfer of Anakin’s lightsabers to his son Luke crucial, and explains why Kylo Rey was outraged when he saw his father’s knife at the disposal of Rey. Kyber crystals do the difficult work to focus the plasma, even non-Jedi can use all lightsabers. However, only Force users can use them to their maximum potential.
Lightsabers are made of any material; Aayla Secura had a blade constructed of Durasteel specifically designed for strength, while Rey’s new lightsaber in the final scene of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was built partly from her previous staff as a sign of her character growth. Some lightsabers have bent hilts which help enhance the design for to be used for dueling. certain models have nozzles that are different to create a different shape and, of course, lightsabers come in various sizes. They are all in one way or other a reflection of their respective owners. There was a time when Jedi frequently adorned their lightsabers with embellishments and beautiful designs, and a lot were continuously adapted because of changes in galactic fashions, a practice that can be traced in time to Star Wars’ High Republic Era.
Dual-Phase Lightsaber
Darth Vader was proficient with all lightsabers, but the character also wielded the unusual and highly flexible dual-phase model. As a symbol of an earlier, more violent age the dual-phase lightsaber is equipped with two Kyber crystals. With the flip of a switch Vader is able to rotate the kyber crystals into the new position, changing the blade’s length. This can be helpful in taking your opponent off guard but the various lengths require a different set of combat techniques – meaning only a true master of combat should attempt to use a dual-phase light sword. Although all types of lightsabers are risky, the dual-phase lightsaber is the most hazardous to those that have no connection or even a weak contact to the Force.
Training Lightsaber
In the Star Wars prequel trilogy included scenes in which an entire group of Younglings were shown training using lightsabers. It is important to realize that they were not normal lightsabers, but instead ones designed for training. They are a bit shorter than typical lightsabers, designed to fit in young hands, and their energy is set to a lower amount to avoid injury. According to Lucasfilm’s guidebook Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection A solid blow can still cause a shock that temporarily dulls muscles.
The Protosaber
It was the Vader Immortal VR game featured a fascinating weapon known as the protosaber. It was more intricate than most lightsabers, featuring corkscrew prongs that twisted around the base of the blue blade of energy and an intricate fan-like structure that linked the crossguard to the hilt. Kyber crystals were exposed, mounted on some sort of ignition ring, which probably demonstrates the extreme age of this Force artifact.
Shoto Blades
The Jedi Ahsoka Tano’s lightsabers feature what’s known as a shoto blade. This type of lighter is normally used by a more agressive Jedi warrior, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars showrunner Dave Filoni wanted this to reflect Anakin’s influence on Ahsoka. She was accustomed to holding the Shoto blade in her off-hand and was an incredibly fierce fighter. The sourcebooks mention a second sub-type of Shoto called a “Guard Shoto.” This features an additional hilt with a 90-degree angle to help the Jedi transition smoothly from attack to defense.
Double-Bladed Lightsabers
As Darth Maul made his first appearance in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, he used a weapon like nothing fans had seen before. The double-bladed lightsaber features an extra-long hilt as well as is believed to have multiple crystals of kyber. As per Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection, Maul discovered how to make this by scouring through ancient Sith archives.
Switchblade
This unique double-bladed lightsaber may also be called a switchblade. Here, the two blades are able to be folded to form a side-by-side arrangement, or switched down into the traditional double-bladed configuration. This was introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars which featured a switchblade that was used by the treacherous Jedi master Pong Krell. An animated version was observed within Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker that was used by a dark version of Rey. The brief scene suggested this could be used quite efficiently in a duel since Dark Rey used the switchblade to hold Rey’s own lightsaber between her two blades. She could have disarmed her rival with a single flick of her wrist.
Lightsaber Pikes
Not to be confused with double-bladed lightsabers, the pike used for lightsabers is shown as a character in Star Wars animations such as Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. The pike was used by temple guards on Coruscant and the red blades symbolize the eternal fire of the Jedi Order, and the protection of its guardians. There were single-bladed versions the lightsaber pike. Luke Skywalker discovering one in the comics and another available in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Crossguard Lightsabers
The crossguard lightsaber has a unique design that has three blades. Kylo Ren had a shaky crossguard lightsaber and quite enjoyed the sinister crackling that emanated from the blade. Another variation of the crossguard lightsaber was seen in the High Republic Era, wielded by Stellan Gios. It is believed to be a refinement of the older designs for crossguards that Kylo Ren developed, with physical quillons to control and control the energy streams to the sides. These are pointed forward even when the saber’s not in use and the weapon lies inside a holster that is specifically designed for it.
The Inquisitors” Lightsabers
The Jedi-hunting Inquisitors, Darth Vader’s agents, appeared in Star Wars Rebels. They carried distinctive and unique lightsabers. They could actually spin as an unmanned helicopter like in the movie Obi-Wan. The spinning of the blades can provide advantage in any lightsaber duel, and the sight of spinning lightsaber blades can be highly intimidating and useful in a variety of Inquisitor work. The Eighth Brother’s saber was fitted with additional buzz-saw teeth which give an additional edge in both combat and intimidation.
Lightsaber whip
Within Star Wars: The High Republic, the whips of the lightsaber from the original Expanded Universe made a comeback. It is strongly associated with the Nightsisters of Dathomir the whip with lightsabers is a weapon that the Jedi dislike. Jedi Knight Vernestra “Vern” Rwoh nonetheless designed one under the guidance of the Force. Under the guidance of an experienced master the lightsaber whip could be the most versatile out of all blades.
The Darksaber
The rare Darksaber in The Mandalorian is a unique lightsaber that was invented more than a thousand years ago by Tarre Vizsla, the initial Mandalorian to join the Jedi Knights. While the weapon is similar to the standard lightsaber, its energy blade is a unique, shining black that is flat rather than circular, which gives the Darksaber an unusual appearance. The person who wields the Darksaber believed to have the right to claim the title of ruler of the Mandalorians. Strangely, the Darksaber’s force and efficiency in combat largely is determined by the state of mind and emotions of the person who uses it. Apart from just Force control, the Darksaber is able to be used properly through sheer willpower. This is the reason Moff Gideon was able swing it freely.
Ezra’s Unique Lightsaber
in Star Wars Rebels, Ezra Bridger constructed some of the most remarkable lightsaber designs seen to date. Jedi always constructed lightsabers using whatever they had in hand, and in the case of Ezra he made his lightsaber with his blaster. This was powered by a blue kyber crystal, this made it possible for Ezra to switch between blaster shots and the classic melee weapon that is the lightsaber. In truth, it was more an indication of Ezra’s doubt in his own abilities. After the weapon was destroyed by Darth Vader the Jedi, he rebuilt the lightsaber with a normal one.
The Lightspear
The ancient Sith used another type of lightsaber, referred to as a lightspear. It wasn’t seen within the Expanded Universe and has only been mentioned once in canon as in the novel by Charles Soule Light of the Jedi. The Sith lightspear from High Republic has never been discussed in detail as of yet, and there’s nothing revealed about this model. Hopefully, it won’t be long before the lightspear appears with a more detailed explanation.
The most powerful type of Lightsaber
All lightsabers, even the ones used to train Jedi young Jedi, can be extremely powerful weapons in the hands of the right user – but Darth Vader’s dual-phase light sword is the perfect blend of weapon and man. Vader’s preferential use of the lightsaber to kill regardless of whether it’s in Legends in canon and Legends, means that his dual-phase lightsaber is the highest kill count of any single known lightsaber in Star Wars. Apart from the tactical benefit of being able to adjust the blade’s length at will and the fusion of two kyber crystals as well as Vader’s synergy with the dark side of the Force allows his dual-phase lightsaber the advantage in nearly every duel. Notably, Luke only defeated Vader within Empire Strikes Back because of an extensive amount of training, one of which was his 9 lightsaber duels before fighting Darth Vader. Again, even a standard lightsaber when used with the right person, could make the best light saber in Star Wars at any given moment.
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