Swords are blunt by nature, while the weapons that are associated with the Jedi and the Sith in the movie Star Wars are known as lightsabers. While these powerful energy swords may look awesome, they are not simple toys that an average person can just use and need training to master. The specific actions that a Jedi or Sith executes when combating with a lightsaber are termed forms, which are classified into different categories. Combined, they reveal various ways that the warrior approaches the fight due to different forms’ features. Well, let me explain it further and discuss how these forms contribute to lightsaber combat.

Form I: Shii-Cho

Basic and Fundamental

• Description:Shii-Cho is any formalized method of lightsaber combat and is often known as the first and most simplistic basic form. It is called fundamentals because it mainly deals with blade fighting.

• Combat Style: I’m encouraged, impatient, and easy-going, preferring to make large, obvious gestures. It is for minimizing the might of the rivals and not for ending their lives.

• Advantages: in two vs. two and three vs. three combats, and within less structured and more hectic fights.

• Disadvantages: In one-on-one combat situations, it is not as efficient to use against a single experienced fighter.

• Example: Many Jedi children begin with Shii-Cho in order to become familiar with the fundamental movements of the style before they progress further.

Form II: Makashi

Elegant and precise

• Description: Makashi warrior art is specifically designed for blade-to-blade fighting, specifically using lightsabers.

• Combat Style: Tasty and effective, stressing the canons of elegance and the correct positioning of feet. It employs one-handed grips so that it provides better and more precise quantities.

• Advantages: Perfect for when you want to take on an opponent in a one-on-one setting or if you just want to save your stamina.

• Disadvantages: It inflicts slightly less damage against enemies armed with blasters and enemies whose multiple hits can deal damage.

• Example: Count Dooku, appreciated for his slippery and effeminate manner of combat, was a master of Makashi.

Form III: Soresu

Defensive and resilient

• Description: Soresu is indeed a defensive fighting style, employing more blocking and parrying the blows aimed at them.

• Combat Style: Slow and stiff like a turtle to avoid being attacked, while following the rules of Judo to be unbeatable.

• Advantages: Very useful for withstanding blaster fire and long fights, as well as more powerful repulsors.

• Disadvantages: Another weakness is the lack of aggressive ability and the need for time and focus when playing this move.

• Example: Some notable Star Wars characters and the forms they know are: Obi-Wan Kenobi: defense form Soresu.

Related Content : How Did Luke Skywalker Craft His Green Lightsaber?

Form IV: Ataru

Aggressive and Acrobatic

• Description: Ataru has similar properties as Aratanaru but focuses on aggressiveness, constant movements, and perfect control of the body.

• Combat Style: To be fast and dynamic where the fighter tackles the opponent in a twirl spin and charges at the opponent at supersonic speed.

• Advantages: Perfection for dangerous hits and unexpected moments due to their increased strength and efficiency.

• Disadvantages: It uses a lot of energy and is relatively less efficient when confined within a small area.

• Example: When Ataru is used by Yoda and Qui-Gon Jinn, one can see that they jump with big, powerful bounds.

Form V: Shine or Djem So

Powerful and dominating

• Description: Shien is a variation of the fifth form, while Djem So is another form of the fifth form. This strategy powers rare attacks and counterattacks.

• Combat Style: This is a shield for deflecting blaster bolts back at the adversary, while this is considered an offense-oriented saber style with powerful attacks.

• Advantages: semi-powerful, specializing in attack while also having good defense.

• Disadvantages: It involves the use of force and can be tiresome at times, depending on the force used.

• Example: As you know, Anakin Skywalker and Luke Skywalker exploit this form often because they are the representatives of power and aggression.

Form VI: Niman

Balanced and versatile

• Description: Niman is the last form developed that splits across itself those preceding patterns while pursuing moderate interactions.

• Combat Style: A rock and roll style that sometimes plays an attack and other times plays for the defense.

• Advantages: Close quarters are effective for combination with force powers and are ideal for versatile Jedi who wish to incorporate lightsaber fighting.

• Disadvantages: jacks of all trades and masters of none, which are individuals with no specific skills.

• Example: K Millennium Falcon Overseers are diplomats with an emphasis on the Force; they make use of Niman.

Form VII: Juyo or Vaapad

Ferocious and unpredictable

• Description: The last form, known as Form VII, has two subforms, namely, Juyo and Vaapad. It is the most aggressive one, and its occurrences are beyond humans’ control.

• Combat Style: It involves hard and tough, unmixed and unsteady, and has features of Ilu invasive and erratic locomotion. Vaapad creates interior pressure and reflects the adversary’s fury.

• Advantages: It has very high physical attack and strong close-combat capabilities, making it suitable for soft control.

• Disadvantages: When done, it implies mastery and control, as if to prevent one from falling to the Dark Side.

• Example: Juyo is a form that Mace Windu enhanced and elaborated into Vaapad; he has mastered this form of the dark side sufficiently enough not to be consumed by his dark side.

Read More : What Are The Origins Of The Lightsaber In Star Wars Lore?

 Conclusion

What adds flavor is the fact that each of these lightsaber forms also has its strengths and weaknesses and determines how a Jedi or Sith approaches combat. From the primitive and straightforward Shii-Cho to the unpredictable and deadly Juyo/Vaapad, these forms signify versatility and complexity in the dueling arts of the Force. Gaining an understanding of these forms enhanced this appreciation for the dexterity and tactics characteristic of the proper use of a lightsaber. Defensive and aggressive styles are very systematic and slow in gameplay, while balanced styles are a little faster. I have a different outlook on the duels, and every fight in the Star Wars universe is always fascinating.