Jedi Archive

Lightsaber Forms

Form I
When lightsabers first replaced the older, traditional swords of metal, this form was created. It is based on the ancient sword-fighting traditions and the basics remain much the same. Attack, parry, body target zones and practice drills, all stay almost exactly the same.

Form I is the first form a Padawan must study. Around the time of the Clone Wars Jedi Master Yoda taught the young clans this first form.

Form II
With this second form, the art of lightsaber fighting was refined. The precision of blade manipulation was advanced to its finest possible degree. The greatest swordsmasters in the galaxy were trained in this form.

But the form became less current, because fighting an opponent with a lightsaber was not common for a Jedi. On the other hand Sith Knights, who expect to battle the Jedi with their saber, train intensively in this form and find it a powerful technique.

Form III
Form III is based on the laserblast deflection. When blasters became the most common weapon in the hand of evildoers, Jedi developed new means of defending themself. This form became a refined expression of their non-aggressive philosophy. Form III uses tight, efficient moves, leaving no target areas exposed compared to other, more open forms of wielding a saber. True form III masters are believed almost invincible. But as a side effect, this form isn't useful in attack.

Form IV
Form IV is the most acrobatic form ever developed. In this form the Jedi uses the Force to go beyond what is physically possible. Jumps, spins and runs. The form is filled with elaborate moves in which the Jedi stands as the center of the blur formed by his lightsaber.

Form V
This form is a developed by Jedi Masters who found form III too passive. They turned the first only-defensive lightsaber moves into block and attack moves. The form focusses on strength and lightsaber moves. It turns the deflecting of a blaster bolt into an attack, by deliberately sending it back to the opponent. To many Jedi it represents the philosophy of "peace through superior firepower", and might seem a worthy discipline, prepared for any threath. Others think it is focussed on dominating other beings.

Form VI
This form is a combination of form I, III, IV and V. Young Jedi spend their first years studying form I and after that they learn the other forms in small periods. A true form VI master studies at least ten years this form after completing the first one.

At the beginning of the Clone Wars, form VI is the current standard for Jedi. It is the least intensive of all forms. It keeps the balance between true harmony and justice without resorting to the rule of power. It is seen as "the diplomat's form", because it allows Jedi to further develop their skills in perception, political strategy and negotiation.

Form VII
Only the highest skilled Jedi Masters ever reach form VII. It is the most difficult of all forms, but leads to fantastic skill and power. This form uses wide and open lightsaber moves, combined with Force-assisted jumps and movements. The unrelated, staccato swings make the form highly unpredictable in battle. But this is also what makes it a lot more difficult to execute, than the linked move sequences of Form IV. This form has the intensity of form V, but uses more energy because of the wider moves. The outward bearing of a form VII practitioner is calm, but the inner is extremely focussed, drawing upon a deeper well of emotion. This form is at the time of the Clone Wars still under development, as few Jedi have mastered it fully.

Jedi Masters Mace Windu and Sora Bulq developed this style together. It is also known as Vaapad. This form is rather dangerous when used by untrained and unfocussed minds. The deep well of emotions can lead to the release of anger and trigger temptations towards the Dark Side.

Form X
The dual saber Niman permitted a Jedi to fight with two lightsabers, one in each hand, as demonstrated by Anakin Skywalker when he first faced Count Dooku. One of the blades in the wielder's hands was used for attacking while the other one was used for defending, such as parrying, or for more offensive power. Many Jedi trained to use the Niman style in the hopes of gaining a basic knowledge of the dual-bladed attack, but very few Jedi ever totally mastered Niman. Serra Keto, Sora Bulq, A'Sharad Hett, Asajj Ventress, Komari Vosa, and Joclad Danva (who can be seen wielding two lightsabers in the background during the Battle of Geonosis) were practitioners of Form X; it is also possible that Darth Revan and Jedi Master Kavar may have been masters of this form. Form X is sometimes known as Jar'Kai. (This Niman was not to be confused with the Form VI: Niman.)

Source: Star Wars Insider #62, based on the article by Dr. David West Reynolds and fencer Jack "Stelen" Bobo.

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