Lightsaber Combat Details

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Classic Lightsaber Forms-

Form I: Shii-Cho: "Form I, also called Shii-Cho, requires little explanation, as every Jedi youngling learns the basics of attack, parry, body target zones, and practice drills called velocities."

Its the very basics of lightsaber combat, in-order to practice other forms of lightsaber combat one must have at least 6 years practice (Intermediate in form) with this form.This form uses body zones to deal damage,and often relys on parrys in combat.

As the most ancient style of lightsaber combat, Shii-Cho was developed during the transition period from swords to lightsabers. Lightsabers were wielded in a manner similar to swords, so many of the maneuvers, such as attacks or parries, remained unchanged, as the key principles of the old sword-fighting methods continued to be incorporated. The simplicity and persistent methods of the form led it to being dubbed the "Way of the Sarlacc"

Shii-Cho swordplay was simplistic and raw. In the hands of a master, the bladework was described as "like watching water flow over the falls."However, less adept practitioners displayed much more basic and somewhat clumsy performance. In combat, Form I encouraged deliberate tactics, calling for continuous, step-by-step advancement while cutting off the opponent's angles.Shii-Cho was specialized towards engaging multiple opponents, the wide, sweeping motions being ideally suited towards attacking numerous adversaries. However, Form I was not as useful against single opponents, as such enemies had complete mobility and could find a weakness in Shii-Cho's comparatively clumsy bladework.

Shii-Cho fostered an emotionally-heated mindset, which resulted in the considerable temptation to execute combat with lethal intent, requiring great restraint to exercise the form without going too far. Despite the pull to kill, the style was designed for the purpose of disarming without seriously injuring.As the most simplistic form, Shii-Cho was the first form taught to initiates within the Jedi Order. Form I training provided the basic knowledge of the sword-fighting principles and blast-deflection skill that was required for practice of all the other forms.

Saber skills:

• Disarming Slash: A strike directed at the opponent's weapon in an attempt to rip it out of their grasp or destroy it.
  
• Shii-Cho sweep: A rushing movement in which the duelist rolls pass the enemy making a sweep for the legs.
  
• Sarlacc Sweep: A wide sweeping attack in which the duelist struck against multiple enemies.
  
• Basic Strike: A strike in which the duelist attacks with a downward slash after side stepping from the target's path.
  
• River Dance: A unique stance that allows more graceful and swift movements, mostly hidding the forms wide swing weakness.(Spec.)
  
• Disarming step: A strike directed at the opponent's weapon in an attempt to rip it out of their grasp or destroy it.Although this is a swift movement forward with a number of strikes, good for disarming a whole group of enemies. (Spec.)
  
  

Form II: Makashi:"Form II, also called Makashi, represents the ultimate refinement of lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat."

Makashi was the most dueling-centric of the seven forms, developed during an era where engagements with Darksiders and rogue Jedi became an almost routine activity. Form II's primary purpose was to serve as a counter to the first form; Shii-Cho. Makashi relied on precision swordplay to counter the sweeping movements demonstrated by Shii-Cho, and a heavy focus on protecting one's weapon to avoid being disarmed, the primary goal of Form I.

Form II emphasized fluid motion and anticipation of a weapon being swung at its target, and so required very fluid movements of both the blade and the body. Timing, accuracy, and skill, rather than strength, were relied-upon to defeat one's opponent. With a skilled practitioner, the results were deadly.Due to Form II's emphasis on blade manipulation, and its many fluid one-handed moves, Makashi practitioners often wielded lightsabers that were specialized for such use. The most prominent weapon for this purpose was the curved-hilted lightsaber. These weapons were used because the curved hilt fit better into the palm, granting better blade control and allowing for greater precision and strength. In addition to this, wielders often created highly decorated weapons, and occasionally included blade-guards, as shown with Dooku's lightsaber.

Saber skills:

• Contentious Opportunity: A tactic based upon recognizing and exploiting an opening in the opponent's defense before swiftly moving to strike the exposed enemy.
  
• Makashi Riposte: A defensive technique where the duelist slightly alters the angle of an opponent's attack before quickly retaliating with a counter strike.
  
• X- Parry: A attack in witch the user deflects a attack and follows with two shallow slashs at the chest that would make a X.
  
• Smooth Exicution: A move in witch the duelist acts as if he/she does not see a enemy coming from behind. They act as if their gaurd is dropped and parry the attack only to follow up with ones own. (Spec.)
  
• Fake strike: A move in witch the duelist fakes there attack and changes the swings direction.
  
• Limb lock: A tactic where the user aims only to cut off limbs and defend from attacks.(Spec.)
  

Form III: Soresu:"A… defensive technique. But effective. Use it if you do not wish to be hit, or if you are facing many opponents with blasters. With a lightsaber blade and enough skill in deflection, it is an excellent offense against blasters, but in other situations, it merely delays the inevitable."

The original purpose of the Soresu form was to counter blaster-wielding opponents, as the previous combat styles focused on lightsaber dueling. Becoming the most defensive of the seven forms, Soresu utilized tight moves, subtle dodges and short sweeps designed to provide maximum defensive coverage, leaving the duelist less exposed to ranged fire. Over time, Form III came to trancend this basic origin and become an expression of non-aggressive Jedi philosophy.

Soresu utilized motions that occurred very close to the body, in an attempt to achieve near-total protection and expend as little energy as possible while executing moves. Form III stressed quick reflexes and fast positional transition, in order to overcome the rapidity with which a blaster could be fired. This technique minimized the body's exposure, making a well-trained practitioner nearly invincible. Form III involved preparation for prolonged battles where the user observed and learned as much as possible about their opponent's or opponents' technique while engaged in combat. Also, by being more capable in lengthy battles, a Soresu user had the ability to gain control of a combat situation, creating multiple options for the Jedi employing the form. A Form III user could choose to kill, disarm, or even reason with their opponent.

Saber skills:

• Circle of Shelter: A technique where the duelist creates a protected area around themselves and their allies, making it difficult for enemies to penetrate.
  
• Drawn out counter: A tactic, the duelist only blocks incoming attacks until the other target is drained of energy, at that time they attack openings.
  
• Deflecting Slash: A technique where the duelist redirects the momentum generated by deflecting an enemy projectile into a slashing attack at an adjacent target.
  
• Wall of sabers: A Deflection technique, the user moves about swiftly as he/she blocks blows and deflects saber strikes forcing openings. The movements also forces a target to lose balance.(Spec.)
  
  

Form IV: Ataru:"Ataru is the name given to the movements of this form - though it is aggressive, it is focused, and its best use is in combat against a single opponent."

Ataru was an aggressive combat form relying on a combination of power, strength, and speed. Practitioners of Ataru were always on the offensive, attacking with wide, fast, and powerful swings, constantly calling upon the Force to aid in their movements and attacks. By allowing the Force to flow throughout their body, they could overcome their physical limitationsand perform amazing feats of acrobatics, such as somersaults and backflips, not only for attack, but also to evade the attacks and strikes of their opponents.

The standard components of Form IV focused on application of and smooth transition between the three axes of rotation in a three-dimensional space; the su ma. Specifically, the jung su ma (spinning), ton su ma (somersaults), and en su ma (cartwheels). Those who used Form IV could move at high speeds and could rain strong blows, jumping and attacking through the air. Powerful and quick spinning attacks could be utilized from all angles, either from ground or air. A master in Ataru combat could appear like a blur to their opponents, attacking from all directions—from the front, the sides, overhead, or behind. The Force not only allowed them to perform athletic feats not possible otherwise, but it also helped guide their actions and movements in combat.

Saber skills:

• Saber Swarm: Numerous short strikes were aimed at the adversary.
  
• Slicing spinner: A move in witch the user makes a perfect 360 degree spin with saber extended.
  
• Dance of the Rancar: A movement in witch the user moves into a circle around the target making heavy strikes as many times as one can.
  
• Hawk-Bat Swoop: Was intended to allow a combatant to quickly strike their opponent without giving them a chance to react.[Spec.)
  

Form V: Shien/ Djem So:"Peace through superior firepower"

Form V was created by Form III masters who desired a more offensive style, since the defensive nature of Form III could lead to prolonged combat, sometimes dangerously so. It evolved into an accepted style by combining the defensive maneuvers of Form III with the more aggressive philosophy and tactics of Form II. Form V also required a higher level of physical strength than the other lightsaber forms, due to its focus on complete domination of opponents.

Classic Form V, Shien was developed first. Known as the "Perseverance Form", Shien was designed to protect against enemy blaster fire and strikes without compromising one's ability to launch powerful counterattacks. With its focus against blaster fire, Shien kept in mind that Jedi were often outnumbered by their opponents and needed to defend themselves while retaining offensive capability. However, it lacked effectiveness against single opponents.Shien practitioners were known to favor, or at least regularly utilize, reversed grips.

Whereas Shien specialized in blast-deflection, the more advanced Djem So focused on lightsaber dueling.Utilizing a combination of blocks and parries, a Djem So user maintained a proper foundation in terms of defense against both ranged and melee attacks, but rather than counter only when necessary as per Soresu training regimens, Djem So actively pressed the offense.

Djem So placed a heavy focus on brute strength, utilizing wide, powerful strikes and parries. Power attacks from a Djem So user could even knock an opponent back just through sheer kinetic force, throwing them off balance and leaving them vulnerable to further brute force strikes and power blows that sought not just to penetrate an opponent's defense, but drive them back and leave them unable to counter.

Saber skills:

• Barrier of Blades: Defended the user from blasterfire and redirected some of the incoming blasts
  
• Shien Deflection: Simultaneously deflect weapons fire and leap towards an opponent(Spec.)
  
• Falling Avalanche: An overhand power blow that crashed down upon an opponent with incredible force
  
• Pearl blister: The duelist parrys a attack and aimmed a strike of ones own at the head.(Spec.)
  
• Shien Grand: Deflect blast at others close by.
  

Form VI: Niman/Jar'kai:"Is Form VI the most worthy of study? No, but in general it is the most practical."

The style was adopted by the Legions of Lettow, a group of Dark Siders responsible for the First Great Schism of the Jedi Order. After the defeat of the Legion at the hands of the Jedi, Niman was adopted by the Jedi order, eventually being refined into the sixth form of lightsaber combat, referred to by the same name.

Form VI attempted to balance all elements of lightsaber combat, combining the techniques from Forms that came before into a less intensely demanding combat style. In practice, Form VI was a combination of older forms (Forms I, III, IV, and V), and all of them in moderation. In the blending, much of the individuality was lost, but the strengths were spread evenly, and there was little weakness in it. Due to its "jack-of-all-trades" nature, the success of this form was largely dependent on the practitioner's intuition, improvisation, and creativity in combat rather than the rote responses derived from other forms. This broad generalization made Form VI well suited for diplomats, as they could spend their time training in the areas of politics and negotiation instead of combat training.

The Jar'Kai style developed by the Yovshin Swordsmen was named for a city on Atrisia. The city of Jar'Kai was also the site where the original Jar'Kai dueling sabers were crafted. These weapons were utilized by the Yovshin and were designed for the express purpose of being dual-wielded.

Saber skills:

• Draw Closer: It consisted of the duelist telekinetically seizing an opponent and pulling the enemy into the path of his/her blade.
  
• Twin Strike: A duel-wielding strike that the character simultaneously swings both lightsabers to act as a strong-attack. Both lightsabers meet the target or object
  
• Pushing Slash: The duelist would slash an opponent before blasting him aside with a Force push.
  
• Rising Whirlwhind: A duelist swings his lightsabers about his body, creating a brilliant whirlwind
  
• Whipping sabers:The user uses his blade(s) to attack many times swiftly over and over.(Spec.)
  
• Combo strikes: A well aimed two hand strike that swiftly turns a target away and attepting to strike the target in a exposed back.(Spec.)
  

Form VII: Juyo:"Six there were for generations of Jedi. The seventh, is not well-known. Powerful form it is. Deadliest of all. But dangerous it is, for its master as well as its opponent. Few have studied. One student alone, to mastery has risen."

Juyo was described as the most vicious form of lightsaber combat, and was said to be filled with both fury and "malignant grace." The form was given the title of the most difficult and demanding form in all of saber combat. Bold, direct motions as characteristics of Juyo, qualifying them as more open and kinetic than Form V, but with a less elaborate appearance than Ataru.the tactics of Juyo as not nearly as graceful or linked as those of Ataru, instead referring to them as "seemingly unconnected staccato sequences." He also listed one of the strengths of the form as its unpredictability. The form was said to necessitate greater energy than Form V, due to a broader wielding of a user's focus and a deeper emotional link. Despite the challenges inherent in the use of the form, it could serve as a pathway to considerable power.

Saber skills:

• Assured Strike: Trading sheer power for a near-certainty of landing a hit. (Spec.)
  
• Vornskr's Ferocity: Involved "ferocious" attacking of an opponent.
  
• Swift Flank: The user leaped or dashed around an opponent to make a quick strike. The speed of the maneuver was intended to catch opponents off guard.
  
• Tempered Aggression: Used to describe the ferocity of the Vaapad form, but with more control against succumbing to the dark side even in the heat of battle.
  
• Flowing crash: Many powerful fast peace strikes are aimed at the target until they are put down.(Spec.)