Lightsaber Types
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Hilt variants
The most common variety of lightsaber hilt was about 20-35 centimeters, using one or two crystals, and was best wielded with two hands. It was a trademark of the Jedi and their Sith counterparts. During the time of the New Jedi Order, a number of hilt varieties of this lightsaber type existed, but it is unknown if Force-sensitives of other eras also conformed to these standardized hilt options.
Known styles of hilt
Special variants
Archaic lightsaber
Archaic lightsabers, also known as protosabers, were he earliest known form of lightsaber. Consisting of a hilt most often made of solid duranium, a focusing crystal that was set in place inside the hand-carved hilt, a power pack that was strapped to the belt or back of the wielder and a cord that connected to the power pack and to the base of the hilt. The invention of smaller power cells that could be fit within the hilt of the lightsaber and the greater freedom of movement gained by this advance in lightsaber technology made protosabers obsolete. Odan-Urr wielded such a lightsaber, as did many of the Jedi before the Great Sith War.
Curved-hilt lightsaber
A standard design during the prime of Form II lightsaber combat, curved hilts allowed more precise movements as well as reasonable flexibility in lightsaber combat. The curved hilt also provided a challenge when defending against it, because the wielder would strike a slightly different angle than with a normal hilt. It was also more complex and gave the maker a bigger challenge in aligning its crystals. This type of lightsaber was used by Count Dooku, his apprentice Komari Vosa, and later his Dark Side Adept Asajj Ventress. Prior to the Battle of Ruusan, the Sith Master Na'daz possessed a lightsaber with a curved hilt. Na'daz's apprentice, Kas'im, acquired the weapon after killing him, and later presented it to Darth Bane.
Electrum
A lightsaber with a hilt forged from gold-like electrum was often called an "electrum lightsaber." The electrum finish gave the lightsaber a majestic, regal appearance. In the last days of the Old Jedi Order, electrum lightsabers were reserved for senior members of the Jedi Council. Mace Windu's and Darth Sidious's lightsabers were examples of such.
Guard Shoto
Guard shotos were a rare variant on the traditional lightsaber hilt. They had an odd perpendicual-gripped style. The only known users are Maris Brood and Sinya, a Black Sun agent.
Blade Variants
Dual-phase
- "Dual-phase blades seem to be something of a fad among Jedi at certain points"
- ―Luke Skywalker
This type of lightsaber used a combination of focusing crystals to create a blade that could extend up to double the original length with a simple activation. Unlike typical lightsabers, which often possessed a manual adjuster for reducing the blade emission, the dual-phased blade could be triggered in an instant, adding an element of surprise to catch an opponent off guard. Additionally, dual-phase lightsabers also had a blade-width adjust. Gantoris wielded such a lightsaber, as did Corran Horn.
Records from circa 400 BBY indicate that Keiran Halcyon constructed a special dual phase lightsaber that could go from the standard 1.3 meters to a length of three meters with flick of a switch. Most dual phase lightsabers date from the Jedi Civil War, when lightsaber duels were common and the Sith were at the height of their power. As more beings became aware of the Jedi fighting skills and the Jedi themselves strove to end disputes without drawing their weapons, duels grew less frequent and dual-phase lightsabers went out of style.
Shoto
A lightsaber employing a shorter blade than the more common lightsaber. The smaller blade allowed for easier use in combat by those Jedi who were of a smaller stature, such as Jedi Masters Yoda, Even Piell, Yaddle, and Tsui Choi. A shoto was sometimes utilized in the Niman combat style by individuals of normal stature, such as Jedi Master Kavar. Those not Force-sensitive could use this type of lightsaber due to its shorter blade.
Training lightsaber
The training lightsaber was used by Jedi younglings, to practice lightsaber combat. While non-lethal, contact with the blade could cause bruising and even minor burns. This type of lightsaber was often used in conjunction with the basic Shii-Cho style of lightsaber combat. It was also used by Padawans and training droids in the Jedi Praxeum during the New Jedi Order.
Underwater
While most lightsabers shorted out when the blade touches water, this blade was made to operate underwater due to two crystals employing a bifurcating cyclical-ignition pulse. Generally only Jedi from aquatic races would go to the trouble of constructing a waterproof saber, as only they had the mobility to use it effectively underwater. However, there were several other non-aquatic lightsaber-wielders who modified their weapons, so they were functional underwater.
Unusual Weapon Variants
Double-blade lightsaber
This is the most frequently seen of the more exotic lightsaber variants. Double-bladed lightsabers could emit a blade from both ends, with each blade being able to be activated independently of one another or simultaneously. The lightsaber design could allow for one hilt or two normal lightsabers attached together. This weapon was often more dangerous to the wielder than the opponent.
It came to be known as a "Sith lightsaber" because it was preferred by the Dark Lord of the Sith Exar Kun, whose lightsaber was both double-bladed and dual-phase. This made his personal style of lightsaber combat very complex, as he would vary the strength and length of either blade independently; sometimes letting the opponent's blade pass right through his, sometimes blocking.
While Kun was often credited as the first to construct a dual-bladed lightsaber, the Tedryn Holocron stated that he had learned the technique from a Sith holocron possibly assembled by exiles of the Hundred-Year Darkness.
Fiber-cord linked lightsaber
A Fiber-cord linked lightsaber was a form of the double-bladed lightsaber, except that the hilts of this weapon were joined by a fiber cord. More difficult to control than a double-bladed saber, the fiber cord joint of the weapon gave the wielder the benefit of striking from unexpected angles. Asajj Ventress's lightsabers were modified to accommodate a fiber cord link on occasion.
Forked lightsaber
The Forked lightsaber was a form of a double-bladed lightsaber or guard shoto with a second emitter coming out of the hilt at a 45-degree angle to the axis of the lightsaber. In addition to being one of the most unusual lightsaber designs, and subsequently the most rare, the hilt was also slightly curved. One of the few Jedi to use this lightsaber was Roblio Darté, who fought in the Clone Wars at the Battle of Parcellus Minor.
Lightclub
Special focusing crystals and power systems enabled this rare lightsaber to project a blade up to 3 meters in length. These large lightsabers were generally used only by beings of immense stature and were often referred to as great lightsabers or light clubs. Gorc, a mutated Gamorrean Dark Jedi, used such a weapon.
Lightsaber canes/staffs
The Veknoid Jedi Master Zao carried a weathered wooden cane, upon which he attached a lightsaber emitter. Although blind, Zao could still utilize the weapon with frightening accuracy. The Legacy-era Sith Darth Nihl also used a lightsaber staff.
Lightsaber pikes
Similar to the lightsaber cane, the lightsaber pike was a force pike modified to include a lightsaber emitter, resulting in a blade similar to those projected by the saber cane. It could be wielded by anyone skilled in the use of the force pike, and was used to great effect by the Emperor's Shadow Guard.
Lightwhip
The Lightwhip was an exotic variation of the lightsaber that only specially-trained Force-users could wield. It could either have a solid core of a lightsaber-resistant material or it could be a blade of pure energy. Like the lightsaber, it emitted a coherent beam of energy, but unlike the lightsaber's, it was long and flexible enough to be wielded like a whip. Known users of the lightwhip included the Sith Lumiya and Githany, Nightsister Silri, bounty hunter Vianna D'Pow and Kit Fisto.
