Lightsabers are one of the most renowned weapons in Star Wars. They are weapons of choice for Jedi Knights and can be wielded for various purposes, from dodging blaster bolts to easily slicing through enemies.
Lightsaber blades are made from crystals called kybers that grow naturally throughout the galaxy and have been attuned to the Force. Unlike their synthetic counterparts, kybers possess resistance against dark forces.
The Basics
Lightsabers are an iconic part of the Star Wars universe. Whether they serve as a powerful melee weapon for Jedi or represent hope and power over Sith enemies, lightsabers have become symbols of unity and courage throughout history.
To master using a lightsaber, one must learn some fundamental techniques. These skills can be acquired through books or instructors, but constant practice will be necessary to become fully proficient.
Traditional swords have a flat side that can be deflected, bludgeoned or killed; lightsaber blades, on the other hand, have an asymmetrical design that allows them to cut at an angle no matter where they’re held in your hand. This property makes them powerful weapons capable of cutting through thick materials like ice and wood and shredding shields.
To learn how to use a lightsaber effectively, the best place to begin is at an experienced fighting school offering classes for beginners and experienced users. Here you’ll get guidance from an instructor as they teach the fundamentals of using your weapon, plus they usually provide training partners so you can practice with others.
Once you have mastered the fundamentals of using your lightsaber, it may be beneficial to learn more advanced techniques. Doing so will enable you to progress faster and give you an advantage in full-contact matches.
Lightsaber combat comes in several forms, each with its advantages and drawbacks. Form I (Shii-Cho) is the most popular form, characterised by precise straight-line movements that rely on the Force and curved hilt. While this form may be suitable for beginners to learn in a safe environment, more experienced fighters should avoid it for safety’s sake.
Crystal Energy Chambers are essential elements of any lightsaber. Here, the wide-spectrum energy from the power cell is converted into a narrowly focused beam through one or more focusing crystals.
Depending on the weapon’s design, several crystals may be employed in its construction. These crystals can alter the blade’s colour, grant special effects or abilities, or impart other physical characteristics.
Some more commonly used lightsaber crystals include kyber, asteroid and diamond crystals. These stones amplify and channel the Force but can also control weapons energy fields to produce unique chromatic effects.
Gems typically appear blue or green, though other hues can also be obtained. A Jedi may meditate with crystals until they acquire a specific shade.
Another popular crystal is a kasha, an ancient meditation tool etched with patterns to harness its full energy potential. This type of crystal may even be embedded into weapons hilts to help calm users’ minds during combat situations.
Some lightsaber blades contain rare crystals. Baas’ Wisdom crystal, which imparts a freezing effect when used during combat, and Heart of the Guardian crystal are two such examples, likely remnants from Suvam Tan’s time in the Sith Empire.
Each weapon has crystals that work together to form an efficient and powerful lightsaber. These crystals are typically sourced from Ilum, Adega, and Dantooine and can be coloured or patterned for different colours, effects and unique abilities.
The Energy Channel
A lightsaber’s blade is created through an energy channel. A beam of energy flows through a crystal chamber and transforms into an arcing wave that becomes the blade. The blade contains several controls for length and intensity and several energisers which help deactivate or activate it.
Light sabers can be powered either by a battery (diatium power cell) or by the Force, and only those Jedi or Sith who have joined with it can wield it. While batteries provide some energy to kyber crystal, only when someone has access to the Force does it amplify that energy enough for blade-making purposes.
Jedi can find and select a kyber crystal to use during the construction of their saber. As part of its connection to the Force, this crystal will change colour according to what colour the user chooses – blue, green or purple. Once selected, it’s time to assemble the hilt.
The Blade
The blade of a lightsaber is one of its most crucial components. Its ability to slice and burn through almost anything makes this weapon Impossibly Cool.
Its design and maker determine the shape of a lightsaber blade. Some are circular, while others take more rectangular forms. Furthermore, a blade may have multiple sides for added versatility.
Lightsabers are significantly more potent than other melee weapons and can destroy or deflect other weapons and objects. Unfortunately, this weapon requires specialised training to operate correctly; hence, its power comes at the cost of ease of use.
A lightsaber is a weapon Jedi and Sith use in the Star Wars universe. The Force often accompanies them in films and television shows, which they use to manipulate their blades and other weapons.
Lightsabers are iconic weapons featured in the Star Wars series since its original film. They can be spotted throughout all films of the franchise.
