The standard “battle saber” lightsaber
Seen in A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, etc.
The most famous lightsaber type is the standard blade. This is the weapon used by the likes of Luke, Anakin and Rey Skywalker to name just a few. George Lucas chose to give Jedi lightsabers in part because he knew swords were historically seen as ritualistic objects, imbued with mystical significance, or used as proof of birthright. This makes the lack of customization seem quite strange.
This is explained in Star Wars The High Republic: Shadows of Starlight #1, by Charles Soule, Ibraim Roberson and Phil Noto. This reveals Huyang, a droid created 25,000 years ago to help Jedi build their lightsabers, established guidance for constructing fast, effective “battle sabers” in times of crisis. The battle sabers were built in the field, and they required minimal effort, meaning their loss in battle would not be so distressing. Obi-Wan may have insisted that Anakin’s battle saber was his life, but Anakin can be forgiven for not having that kind of emotional attachment to his lightsaber.
Several lightsabers have bent hilts, helping to improve the design for dueling; Some have different nozzles to give the blade a slightly different shape; And, of course, lightsabers come in all sorts of different sizes. No doubt the customizations were added over time, as a Jedi tie to the Kiber in their blade and began to adapt it to their own purpose. All lightsabers are in some way or another reflections of their respective users, down to Star Wars Many lightsaber colors.
Dual-phase lightsaber
Darth Vader’s modified lightsaber made him even more dangerous
Darth Vader was proficient with all lightsabers, but he personally wielded the unusual and highly versatile dual-phase model. Considered a relic of an older, more violent time, the Two-phase lightsaber possesses two kyber crystals. With the flick of a switch, Vader can rotate the kyber crystals into a new alignment to change the length of his blade. This can be useful for surprising an opponent, although the lengths require different combat techniques – meaning only a true master of combat should attempt to use a dual-phase lightsaber.
Darth Vader uses this carefully. It is not wise to change the alignment in the middle of a battle, because there will be a moment when the Kyber crystals rotate and the lightsaber is deactivated. In theory, Vader could have incorporated this brief deactivation into his combat style, throwing an opponent off-balance; This is a classic technique called Tràkata, which tends to be mixed with the lightsaber form Jar’Kai. But Vader chose instead to determine lengths before a battle, or during an interval, presumably not liking the moment of vulnerability.
Training lightsaber
Seen in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones
The Star Wars Prequel trilogy included a scene in which a group of teenagers are shown training with lightsabers. It is important to understand These were not ordinary light bulbsBut rather ones designed for training. The blades are shorter than a typical lightsaber, designed to fit young hands, and their energy is set at low intensity to prevent injury. According to Lucasfilm’s book Star Wars: The Lightsaber CollectionA hard hit will still deliver a shock that temporarily numbs muscles.
Training lightsabers have been around for centuries. Young Jedi Adventures Even revealed Lord Yoda kept his first training lightsaber, presumably meaning they were common in only 200 years from the reformation of the Republic after the fall of the Sith. There have been hints that Luke Skywalker learned how to build them for his Jedi Temple on Ossus, too.
curious, The acolyte Has confirmed that training lightsabers are not always used by Jedi Padawans when practicing complex sequences. Even the trailers for The acolyte Shown Padawans training with metal rods instead. These are presumably useful for learning sequences where a mistake would give them a shock that disrupts training.
The Protosaber
This may be the first lightsaber ever made
The Vader Immortal VR game featured an intriguing weapon called the Protosaber. It was much more ornate than most lightsabers, with corkscrew prongs twisting around the base of its blue energy blade and a fan-like structure connecting the crossguard to the hilt. The Kiber crystal is actually exposed, mounted on an ignition ring of some kind that presumably testifies to The extreme age of this Force Relic.
The name “protosaber” implies that this was one of the first lightsabers ever constructed. There’s actually some saying lightsabers predate the Jedi Order; The Star Wars: Force and Destiny source book Knights of fate Hints this, with a comment about the first Jedi lightsaber form. “The Early Jedi, And perhaps even their precursorsAdapted the fighting style that would become shii-cho from existing swordplay,“It reads. James Mangold’s upcoming Jedi origin movie may well reveal more.
Shoto blades
Seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Ahsoka
The Jedi Ahsoka Tano’s two lightsabers include what is known as a shoto blade. This kind of shorter lightsaber is typically used by a more aggressive Jedi warriorAnd Star Wars: The Clone Wars Showrunner Dave Filoni intended this to indicate Anakin’s influence on Ahsoka. She traditionally held the Shoto blade in her off-hand, and it made her a fierce combatant. Source books mentioned another sub-type of the shoto called a “guard shoto.” This features an additional cap set at a 90-degree angle, helping the Jedi transition smoothly from attack to defense.
in Star Wars Legends, the Shoto Blade was originally developed to aid in battle against the Lightweight. Since this weapon is now canon, it is possible that the same is true in canon as well. Hopefully it won’t be long before then Star Wars Provides more information on the history of the Shoto Blade.
Double bladed lightsabers
Seen in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels
When Darth Maul made his first appearance in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom MenaceHe used a weapon like nothing fans had ever seen before. This double-bladed lightsaber has an extra long hilt and apparently incorporates multiple kyber crystals. According to Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection, Maul discovered how to do this by poring over ancient Sith records.
The double bladed lightsaber’s greatest weakness is revealed in Star Wars Rebels Season 3, Episode 20, when Darth Maul faced Obi-Wan Kenobi for the last time. Rather than deploy traditional techniques, Obi-Wan simply slides his blade down the middle, cutting the heist apart – and also striking a death blow against Maul. This weakness perhaps explains why the Sith stopped using it in ancient times.
switchblade
Seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
One unusual double-bladed lightsaber is known as a switchblade. Here, the two blades can be folded up so they are side-by-side, or switched down in the traditional double-blade configuration. This was introduced in Star Wars: The Clone WarsWith a switchblade used by treacherous Jedi Master Pong Krell. A live action version was seen in Star Wars: The Rise of SkywalkerWilded by a dark vision of Rey. Interestingly, the short scene showed how a switchblade could be used quite effectively in a duel, viz Dark Rey used it to trap Rey’s weapon between herWhich she could easily have wandered off.
Lightsaber picks
Seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels
Not to be confused with double-bladed lightsabers, the lightsaber pike is seen in Star Wars Animations such as Star Wars: The Clone Wars And Star Wars Rebels. It was Used by the Temple Guards in CoruscantAnd the yellow lightsaber blades are symbolic of the eternal flame of the Jedi Order, and the vigilance of its protectors. There were single-bladed variants of the lightsaber pike, with Luke Skywalker discovering one in the comics.
Crossguard lightsabers
Kylo Ren’s famous lightsaber
The Crossguard lightsaber is an interesting design incorporating three blade emitters. Kylo Ren used an unstable crossguard lightsaber, and he quite enjoyed the evil crackling emitted by the blade. Another variant of the Crossguard lightsaber was seen in the High Republic era, wielded by Stellan Gios. This is a refinement of the older crossguard design Kylo Ren developed, with physical quillons to control and direct the energy streams on the sides. The quillons point forward to the emitter when the saber is not in use, and the weapon rests in a specially designed holster.
As seen in the High Republic era, The crossguard lightsaber was very popular when the Jedi were at the peak of their power. Many High Republic Jedi have been revealed as Crossguard wielders. Similarly, the latest video game Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Introduced the Crossguard variation as a stance Cal Kestis can use during combat. This stance was used in-game as a more power-based combat style, with heavy, crushing blows used to break opponents’ defenses.
The Inquisitors lightsabers
The unique blades used by the Imperial Inquisitors
The Imperial Inquisitors are former Jedi who served the Empire by hunting down Force sensitives. They wield unusual and distinctive lightsabers, which they can actually spin like a sort of helicopter. The spinning can give a tactical advantage in any lightsaber duel, and the sight of spinning lightsaber blades can be very intimidating – useful for various Inquisitor tasks. The Eight Brother’s Saber incorporated additional buzz-saw teeth Which give him a further edge in both combat and intimidation.
The great lightsaber
Possibly seen in Ahsoka
The Great Lightsaber is an unusual lightsaber type mentioned in the Star Wars: Force and Destiny source book Knights of fate. These are oversized lightsabers built for use by beings who have large, strong frames; They have heavier heels and more powerful blades, meaning strikes carry much more kinetic force than is usually the case. Baylan Skoll in Ahsoka Appears to use a large lightsaber, with the lightsaber droid Huyang claiming to be The only one he had seen in 500 years.
The Lightfoil
Possibly seen in Ahsoka
The lightfoil is another unusual lightsaber type, and it is possible that this weapon was used by Shin in Ahsoka. Lightfoils are smaller, slimmer blades designed for dueling, and it is believed The first light foils were created by the Sith About 5,000 years ago. They are rapier-like, perfect for quick duels.
Lightsaber VIP
A unique lightsaber from the Expanded Universe that is now part of the canon
The lightsaber whip is one of the most unusual lightsaber types in Star Wars History. All lightsabers generate a magnetic field to control the stream of energy channeled through the Kyber crystal; This is what gives the lightsaber its distinctive blade shape. A lighter, however, has a weaker and more magnetic field that can be used as a whip. The same amount of energy is diffused along a larger area, meaning the “lace” of the whip is less dangerous, but they are damaging enough to be pretty lethal.
Justina Ireland’s “A Test of Courage” introduced the lightsaber whip, a version of the lightsaber that can actually be turned into a lightsaber with a twist and switch. The Force led the young Jedi Knight Vernestra Rvoh to make the adjustments, though she briefly hid them from the Jedi Council, warning that they would not approve—lightwipes are typically associated with the dark side of the Force. Vernestra Rwoh is played by Rebecca Henderson in The acolyteWhen the lightsaber whip made its live-action debut.
The Darksaber
Seen in Star Wars Rebels, The Mandalorian
The rare darksaber in The Mandalorian Is a unique lightsaber, created a thousand years ago by Tarre Vizsla, the first Mandalorian to join the Jedi Knights. Although the weapon is clearly related to the typical lightsaber, its energy blade is a strange, shimmering black – one that is flat rather than cylindrical, giving the darksaber a distinctive appearance. Whoever holds the Darksaber is believed to have the right to declare himself ruler of the Mandalorians.
Interestingly, the darksaber’s balance and effectiveness in combat depend largely on the mental and emotional state of the user. Aside from just Force mastery, the Darksaber can be properly wielded by sheer willpower, which is how Moff Gideon is able to wield it freely. As of the end of The Mandalorian Season 3, the Darksaber is destroyed, begging the question of whether it will be reforged in the future of Star Wars.
The Stranger’s Trick Lightsaber
Introduced in the Acolyte
The acolyte Introducing a new Sith lightsaber that perfectly suits their reputation for deception. In the spread cap of the lightsaber is a secret; A detachable second cap, unlocked with a twist. The second sheath contains a smaller battery, meaning it essentially forms something of a lightsaber rather than a traditional lightsaber. This is easily one of the most cunning tricks in Star WarsBecause the stranger uses it to surprise opponents.
Ezra’s unique lightsaber
A custom-built lightsaber unlike any other
in Star Wars RebelsEzra Bridger constructed one of the most remarkable lightsaber designs seen to date. Jedi always built lightsabers using what they had on hand, and in Ezra’s case, He made his lightsaber with his blaster. Powered by a blue kyber crystal, this allows Ezra to alternate between blaster shots and the traditional melee weapon that is a lightsaber. In truth, it was more a testament to Ezra’s doubt in his own skills, and after it was destroyed by Darth Vader, he replaced it with a normal, single-bladed lightsaber.
Kanan Jarrus’ lightsaber
A surprising collapsible lightsaber
Ezra took after his master, who also used a unique light cipher. Kanan’s lightsaber is essentially collapsible, in that he can split it in two. According to the Star Wars Rebels: Season 2 SourcebookCannon carried “The main body and grip of the heist on the small of his back, and the top part that formed the blade on his left side.” All he needs to do to assemble his lightsaber is snap the parts together and twist. It was the perfect lightsaber to use during the Dark Times of the Empire’s reign.
The Lightspear
Referenced in Star Wars: The High Republic
Apparently, the ancient Sith used another type of lightsaber, known as a lightsaber. This has never been seen in the US Expanded Universe And is only mentioned once in canon – in Charles Sole Light of the Jedi. The Sith Lightspear is never described in any detailSo nothing is known about the plan yet. Hopefully, it won’t be long before the lightsaber reappears along with a deeper explanation of its specific differences as a lightsaber variation in the Star Wars Galaxy.
Sickle-bladed lightsaber
The sickle-bladed lightsaber is a Sith weapon with an interesting curved blade. It was only seen once, used by the ancient Sith Lord named Darth Noctyss, and was initially believed to be the stuff of legends. Palpatine gave the blade of Darth Noctyss to one of the acolytes of the Next to Duel Luke Skywalker in Adam Christopher’s novel Shadow of the Sith.
lightsaber canes
It has never been seen in canon, but older Jedi who survived Order 66 are confirmed to have hidden their lightsaber by integrating its sheath into a staff. According to the Star Wars: Force and Destiny source book Unlimited powerThis idea was common among older Jedi in days long ago, but helped many Jedi keep their lightsabers at hand while on the run from Inquisitors. “The concealment comes with a price,“The Sourcebook Notes.”The awkward size and inconsistent weighting often interferes with use in heated combat.“