An Academic Study of the Blade

[Lord Iezkon]

Introduction

Many see the application of blade forms to be a purely physical ability, wherein the practitioner is to learn the correct moves and maneuvers, and needs only understand this to wield the form to any usable degree. While this can be true, to a point, any who wishes to reach true mastery of their form must understand not only its physicality, but its history and philosophy also. Physical moves are only one aspect of a lightsaber form, and mindset is an essential part of truly utilising forms to their full potential.

One cannot use Shii-Cho while thinking like a Makashi user, nor can they use Djem So with the mindset of an Ataru user. This is why many who utilise multiple forms must disengage before they can alter which saber form they use, for it relies upon a notable shift in the way of thinking, and even sometimes the impulsivity of the actions to be performed. One cannot simply shift from Makashi to Juyo without taking the time to disengage, for one relies on awareness, focus, and precision, while the other relies on the impulses of the user, ignoring all else but the fight itself. This change in mindset further solidifies the notion that saber form is as much philosophy as it is physicality.

Thus, this document intends to delve loosely into the first six forms of lightsaber combat, speaking of them from an academic viewpoint. This is not a guide to any of these saber forms, so I do not intend to delve into how this functions, simply discuss the basis of each form in turn.

Form I: Shii-Cho

Form I, Shii-Cho, also known as the Way of the Sarlacc, is not only the first form of lightsaber combat to be created, but the first that many learn in their early days with a blade. This is due, mainly, to its apparent simplicity and the ease with which one can adapt to using it; it is a form that quite swiftly becomes second nature to a swordsman who uses it enough, to the point that often those who can will fall back on Form I as a standard, reliable form that can adapt to most anything thrown at it. The physicality of this form is rather simple, involving wide, sweeping movements, and a relatively low, relaxed stance.

The history of Shii-Cho is also rather simple, for it was created in the transition between swordwork and lightsaber combat, with many of the attack patterns remaining from the former. Form I established the basic movesets and body target zones that are utilised in lightsaber combat to this day, though the memory of the original lightsabers remains in these moves. When Shii-Cho was created, lightsabers were wielded much like standard swords; with the attacks and parries remaining to the principles of sword-fighting of old. Many of these very same philosophies remain, with even modern lightsabers being wielded somewhat like a much more cumbersome weapon than they are, due to the methods by which Shii-Cho was created.

Shii-Cho is simple and persistent, hence being called the Way of the Sarlacc. A Sarlacc is a semi-sentient, plant-like creature, known to live for many hundreds or thousands of years, despite their simple anatomy. The majority of a sarlacc’s body is buried beneath the ground, and the creatures are largely immobile. Their persistence despite their seemingly simple anatomy, as well as their long tentacles extending from the mouth which move in wide, sweeping motions to ensnare their prey, allow Shii-Cho to gain one of its names from the unusual creatures.

Shii-Cho should create in its users a highly emotional state of mind, wherein the practitioner utilises their instinct, allowing for the form to be lethal in the right hands. The bladework is elegant for those who know the form well, the wide, arcing movements are a well oiled machine that move with certainty and elegance. In the hands of a less seasoned practitioner, it can appear clunky and disorganised, for the wide, full-body movements take practice to become second nature. The less experienced Shii-Cho user often finds the full body movements function in a more jolty, stalling manner, rather than flowing like water in the hands of an expert.

Shii-Cho allows for deliberate, continuous assault, with the drive for an emotionally heightened state within the form allowing a Sith to focus solely on their impulses, without any need to hold back like the Jedi would desire to do. Where the Jedi would desire to hold themselves back from Shii-Cho to avoid the temptation to inflict serious or lethal injury, preferring a more disarming use of the form, the Sith need not do so, allowing us to wield the form with fatal intent and true emotion.

Speaking on the philosophy of the bladeform is deeply rooted in this mindset that Shii-Cho breeds, for it is only by fully submitting to the impulsive nature of the form that one can properly wield it. To utilise Shii-Cho at a high level is to entirely allow the senses to take over, be they physical or otherwise, and work solely on what the user feels. Destructive and lethal in nature, this form is one looked upon poorly by many Sith due to its ‘simplicity’. However, it is worth noting that many only study the form through acolytehood, not further. Thus, their view on the form is limited by their own experience with it - as one grows in power, their ability to give in to those impulses grows too, and the certainty with which they can do so also. One cannot view a master of Shii-Cho as anything less than a force to be reckoned with, and that is rooted in Form I’s tendency for lethal, hacking and slashing, instinctive and brutal fighting.

Training Shii-Cho allows the user to draw on the Force, rather than relying on their senses, and where a Makashi user will be constantly aware of their surroundings and focused on their every advantage, a Shii-Cho user moves like water. Where each move may be calculated in other saber forms, those of Shii-Cho are felt, and acted on instinct. The goal of mastery of Shii-Cho should be to focus not on the physical senses or motions of the form, but to allow the emotion to run through you, acting upon the impulse brought to you by such emotion, and not holding back from such lethality and destruction that Shii-Cho can bring in the right pair of hands.

Form II: Makashi

Makashi, the Way of the Ysalamiri, is an incredibly focused and precise form of lightsaber combat, relying on fluidity and conservation of momentum, it is economical with its strikes. Every movement, every possible step made by their opponent, and how to defend against it, is taken into consideration while utilising Form II.

The Ysalamiri are detailed further in Sith Kelsa’s The Way of the Ysalamiri - A Produce of Focus, but they are an agile, swift creature, negating the power of those who attack them. Makashi gains its name from such a creature for exactly this reason: agile, swift, and able to negate that which the enemy throws their way. The Ysalamiri are capable of creating a space in which an enemy’s abilities with the Force are negated, and thus entirely unusable. In a similar vein, Makashi users are well equipped to fight against those who focus on their Force use, and able to negate any attack which comes their way. Form II demands that the opponent comes to you, forcing engaged bladework, rather than an overreliance on the use of the Force.

Makashi’s emergence came when lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat became more commonplace, and Shii-Cho was decided to be inefficient for such a purpose. Building on the faults of Form I, what emerged was a form fit for duelling, utilising jabs and cuts much more than the hack and slash movements of bladework which came before it. Makashi is a result of Shii-Cho’s failings, and its history must keep this in mind. Due to its creation in this manner, Makashi allows the user to defend themselves with relatively little effort, with a priority on not allowing the enemy to disarm the user, often with Shii-Cho users finding difficulty in fighting against a proficient Makashi duellist, because Makashi was designed as a direct counter to the first saber form. However, as the use of blaster weaponry increased, the use of Makashi in true combat settings wavered, for it became more likely to meet more blaster-wielding opponents on the field of battle than those wielding swords and sabers. Makashi’s use is not gone, however, as while its users will find difficulty in facing those with blasters, Form II still remains the Duellist’s Form, perfect for one-to-one combat with a saber- or sword-wielding foe.

The philosophy of Form II is one that is deeply entrenched in this mindset, as is to be expected. Divorcing mindset from philosophy or physicality would result in a hybrid form that no longer fully fits the structure of Form II. Makashi is a product of focus, clarity, and understanding, and thus the form fosters a mindset of focus, and constant awareness. Makashi finds its greatest strength in this awareness, for a true master of the form will find themselves able to predict the moves of their opponent, and respond accordingly with their own efficient attacks. Though, a major reason this works so well as both an offensive and defensive fighting style for many users is that a major focus is on the creation of their own opportunities, a doctrine known as Contentious Opportunity.

A practitioner of Form II knows how to elegantly and efficiently outmaneuver their opponent with a much more precise moveset than Shii-Cho’s more wild, sweeping movements. Where other forms favour a more overwhelming attack pattern, Makashi’s focus is calculated and controlled movements, fostering a mindset that is less wild, emotional, and impulsive, and much more refined. This in both the sense that it is subtle, precise, and exact, but also clear, with the user’s focus remaining on the duel. Makashi is the Duellist’s Form for this reason, its focus on the immediate here and now, there is not the same impulsivity of Shii-Cho which came before it. A Makashi user does not work on impulses or uncertainty, but on certainty and clear opportunities. There is little room for error in the mind of a Makashi user.

While Form II is one that I personally do not favour, its benefits are clear. It allows the user the ability to control the duel, and does not rely on the same heightened emotional state as Shii-Cho. Thus, especially when fighting a Shii-Cho user, the Makashi duellist often finds their control outmatches their opponents impulsivity. The form is elegant and beautiful in the hands of a master.

Form III: Soresu

Soresu is a form often described as heresy, for it is seen widely as a Jedi form, due to the implied passive nature of the form. This can be true, in the wrong hands, Form III can be a path to light-sided attitudes that are not to be accepted within the Sith Empire. However, with the right practitioner and the proper training, Soresu can be a deadly weapon in the hands of a Sith. The precursor to Form V, Soresu’s defences are elegant and subtle, but ever present, making up the basis of the form. Soresu is also known as the Way of the Mynock, from the creature of the same name. The mynock are often considered parasites, able to leech on the power of starships. They are one of the few creatures able to survive in the vacuum of space, but they are highly regarded for their ability to evade attacks, much like a practiced Soresu user can block, dodge, and evade attacks with relative ease, while not focusing on creating a counterattack until the right opportunity presents itself.

Soresu was created in the time where blaster weaponry became more commonplace in battle, and thus creates a more rigorous defensive form to defend against this. Favoured by many when faced with such weapons, it is the first form to have its roots in the emergence of blaster weapons, and thus is the first specifically designed to defend against them. Developed from Form I, Soresu allows the user to create their maximum defensive coverage, thus limiting their exposure to blaster weaponry. Since the form is considered by many to be too defensive, it very swiftly gave way to more offensive fighting styles, primarily by members of the Sith Order. It is still used by Sith and Jedi, but often in adapted forms. Many Sith will utilise a broken version of Soresu, which allows for more direct counter attacks and proactive creation of opportunities. While this is Soresu, it begins to delve towards the beginnings of Form V, as this is exactly how the later form was created.

To wield Soresu is to be aware of every movement your opponent may make, and be prepared with an efficient parry, dodge, or deflection. The weapon of a Soresu master is the opponent themselves: allowing them to overextend until the fight can be ended with brutal efficiency, often with a single deadly blow. Where one may see pacifism in the form when used by a Jedi, in the hands of a Sith it is cruel, and fuelled by their own emotions, by their connection to the Dark Side. While Jedi may use meditation to achieve a calm, the Sith use it for just the opposite, channeling their very being, their very presence in the Force, into efficiently and effectively defending against whatever may be thrown at them. However, this is unlike Shii-Cho in that the user will often not give into impulses and work near mindlessly, but instead use their focus, their emotion, to fuel their movements, while their physical senses assess for any and all possible openings made available.

It’s philosophy is one that focuses on self defence, and waiting out the enemy. Many users will enter a sort of meditative state when practicing Soresu. Where the Jedi would seek calm, balance, the Sith seek rage and hate. A true Soresu user knows when to strike, and when to wait, knows which opportunities they must take, and which would put them in a dangerous position. To use Soresu is to understand that anything and everything can be an advantage, so long as you know how to wield it.

While Soresu has its own controversy surrounding its place in the Sith Empire, it is an efficient and elegant tool when used by the right practitioner. Lacking in many offensive capabilities, but still capable of devastating effects when necessary, this form is only a Jedi tool in the hands of  a Jedi. While it is entirely possible to fall into the trap of pacifism while practicing Soresu, a Sith who knows how and when to wield it will find themselves with deadly efficiency, able to outlast most any opponent. The difference between Soresu and pacifism lies primarily in the knowledge of when to strike, for every opponent will present opportunities which can be manipulated, but one who truly understands their form will know which to exploit and when.

In regards to Soresu, I will leave you with but two questions to ponder: if you were to pick up a Jedi’s lightsaber and use it to take the head from that very same Jedi, would it still be a Jedi weapon? When the crystals are replaced and that weapon is used to strike down the Jedi and the pathetic Republic soldiers they protect, is that still a Jedi weapon?

Form IV: Ataru

Ataru, the fourth form of lightsaber combat, is also known as the Way of the Hawk-bat. With the principles of constant attack, Ataru users can very well be likened to a Hawk-bat: a predatory avian reptile, which are considered to be an elegant species, though they are much feared when they choose to attack, and known to be dangerous to those they do. Form IV gains its name from the species because of this combination of dangerous attacks, and elegant beauty.

Characterised by its Force-enhanced acrobatics, somersaults, and leaps, as well as powerful, high-speed strikes from any direction, Ataru is an incredibly active saber form. Relying on combinations of strength, speed, and agility, this form almost demands that its users channel the Force through their bodies to enhance movement, increase speed, and deal stronger blows. Ataru is one of the more offensive forms, allowing the user to overwhelm their opponent with the sheer volume of attacks, rather than the direct strength or lethality of each. Ataru fosters, for this very reason, a deep tie to enhancing the body with the Force, allowing the Sith to draw on their connection to the Dark Side to enhance their every move, and thus it often encourages a highly charged mindset.

Learning Ataru can be rooted in repeating sequences and adapting from them, such is rather inefficient however. Understanding the basics of momentum and how to adapt with not only your intended attacks, but any blocks, parries or counter attacks your enemy may throw at you, is the way I found most effective to learn the form. If one learns from repeating sequences and building from them, they will often find their skillset limited to that which is allowed by these very same sequences and rotations. Whereas, if one begins with the philosophy, they can create and adapt their own sequences much more effectively, for they are not bound to any specific set of moves that have been taught as the ‘correct’ starting point. While one can use many different moves in any saber form, learning a set of poses and sequences will often limit the skills of a practitioner as they endeavor to improve.

Form IV is in every way the opposite of Form III, and came about many years after Soresu. Being a much more offensive form in nature, one cannot hope to outlast their opponent in most cases - the longer a duel goes on, the more detriment the Ataru user finds themselves in. While learning Ataru can be focused on sequences, rotations, and elaborate acrobatic routines, the best starting point is the idea that Ataru creates momentum. To wield this form effectively, with the same deadly efficiency as any other, you must understand the concepts of momentum, how to create it, and how to manipulate it. Being able to not only generate your own momentum, but move with the momentum provided by your opponent, and recover when an opponent aims to stop this. These are core ideas to Form IV, and true mastery cannot be reached until these concepts are understood at their very roots. One cannot hope to find their Ataru effective if they do not know the basics of Augmentation, or they are unwilling to learn the basics of momentum.

An interesting note here is that an Ataru user will find themselves often disadvantaged against a Soresu user with more expertise than themselves, for Ataru demands overextension, in order to overwhelm, while a Soresu user thrives on their opponent doing exactly that. Similarly, Ataru users often tend to find difficulty in fighting a Makashi user of higher skill than themselves, for much the same reason. Ataru is tiring, and focuses on ending a fight swiftly, while both Makashi and Soresu focus on the conservation of energy, their strikes few and calculated, while the Ataru user sees themselves exhausted, exactly as their Makashi- or Soresu-using opponent desires.

Form V: Djem So and Shien

Form V is split into two variants, Djem So and Shien. These two will be addressed separately, for they require a different approach. Form V comes as a direct result of Form III, Soresu, and thus utilises much of the same defensive patterns held by its predecessor. However, Form V allows much more offensive freedom in the realm of battle than Soresu, with its own defined attack patterns and movesets. While both Djem So and Shien are distinct, and notably separate from Soresu, their roots are clear to see, for without III, there would be no V.

Form V as a whole is also known as the Way of the Krayt Dragon, a large, carnivorous reptile. The Krayt Dragons are fierce and powerful creatures, much akin to those who utilise Form V: the form relies on ferocity and power, requiring significantly greater physical strength than other saber forms.

The history of Form V is rather simple, it was created by masters of Soresu who desired a more offensive fighting style. Combining the defensive capabilities of Form III with the aggressive movesets and mindset of the more offensive forms which came before, Form V was born. Both variants of Form V take this combination of philosophies, and refine them into a lightsaber form that demands greater physical strength than others. The form was developed along the same time period as Ataru, both seeming to mend the gaps in Form III in very different ways - Ataru by creating a form that is purely offense, with little to no ability to outlast the opponent, and Form V by adapting from Form III to create a form which sacrifices elements of Soresu’s defence and creates a form that wields the symmetry between offense and defence almost perfectly, with attention almost equally divided between the two. The use of Form V relies on finding the middle ground between effective offence and defence, allowing the user to wield both once they know how. Where its predecessor knows only defence, Form V finds symmetry.

While both similar and different in a variety of ways, one can draw similarities between the mindsets of both variations of Form V; they both require a focused, honed mind that can assess the possible paths the combat may take ahead of time.

Djem So

Being one of the variants of Form V, Djem So endeavors to repair the holes in Soresu into a more offensive form, while maintaining as best as it can the defensive capabilities of its predecessor. Djem So Focuses on domination and overwhelming force behind their attacks, immediately following every block and parry, then, with a further assault. Typically associated with Djem So are the efficient combinations, Djem so has a focus on brute strength and power. Wide strikes, parries followed immediately by counter attacks, and the solid foundation of defence granted by the foundation gained from Form III.

The mind of a Djem So user is one of focus, the form demanding that the practitioner not only counter the incoming attacks, but press their assault further. Each move is calculated, with a brutal efficiency that can not only overwhelm the defences of his opponent, but see a fight end before it truly has a chance to begin. This is the way that Djem So functions in the hands of a master of the form, and the mindset is one that any novice to the form must attempt to understand if they wish to find success in their learning.

Many view Djem So as a hacking-and-slashing form, and while it appears so on the surface, those who are truly practiced in the form find their moves much more calculated. To use Djem So effectively, they must understand the concepts of momentum, leverage, and how to appropriately use combinations. The correct way to step, parry, or deflect, and when to do so, are skills those who wield the form must master. Thus, many will assume that Djem So works solely on impulses, desires, and instinct, and while there is an element of such to it, the form is much more calculated and efficient than it may appear on the surface.

By taking the focus away from the pure defensive Form III, and adapting it to suit a much more attack-focused style of combat, Djem So is a staple for many, and though it does lack somewhat in the maneuverability of other saber forms, it is by far one of the more commonly used within the Powerbase. Even without the finesse of Form II, or the acrobatics of Form IV, it is a saber form that - for a dedicated practitioner - moves with an elegance and certainty that many may miss at a first glance. While its predecessor does not have any doctrine on the creation of one's own opportunities, Form V thrives on it. One cannot utilise Djem So to any functional degree without knowing how to manipulate a fight into your favour, and create the openings needed to press your attack.

Shien

Shien is the classical variant of Form V, and has a focus on blaster deflection, often allowing its practitioners to return the bolt to its origin. However, Shien not only provides a mechanism for the deflection of blaster fire and other weapons, but allows the user the freedom to still launch their own counterattacks. In a very similar manner to Soresu, Shien has incredible defensive capabilities, but serves well those who wish for more freedom for their own attacks to be utilised also. Though, for all its use in deflecting blaster fire, and in the face of numerous enemies, Shien’s main downfall is its weakness against a single opponent.

In much the same way as Shii-Cho, Shien relies much more heavily on wider movements than its counterpart, Djem So, and thus its users often find themselves disadvantaged in single combat. It is for this very reason that masters of Form V often utilise Djem So in single combat, and Shien in the face of multiple opponents, or those wielding blasters. However, despite its shortcomings in doing so, it is entirely possible to utilise Shien in single combat, but its use will be significantly more limited should the opponent be of a similar or higher skill level with their chosen form. This form allows one to defend from all sides, because of the focus on deflecting blaster bolts, and thus it is much more difficult to defend against a single opponent. Shien appears much more like Shii-Cho than it does Djem So, Makashi, or Soresu, for the implementation of wider movements allows greater freedom of movement.

Form VI: Niman

Niman, the sixth form of lightsaber combat, is the final form I will delve into in this document. This is by far the most versatile form thus far, with more relaxed bladework than some of the other forms. Form VI does not only allow for the use of Force attacks in combat, but integrates them into the sequences. While the practitioner of any form can utilise a Force Push or similar attack, Niman takes this quest a step further in creating a form that encourages the use of the Force, so intrinsic that each sequence and rotation often includes the relevant gestures for the Force abilities intended to be used.

Niman is also known as the Way of the Rancor, gaining this name from the creature of the same name. Rancors are a large, carnivorous reptilian mammal, often known for their sheer size. Their skin is tough enough to deflect blasterfire, with two longer fore-limbs and two shorter back legs, and a mouth full of razor sharp teeth. A rancor is an efficient killing machine. Niman being as well-rounded a saber form as it is, with an equal set of offensive and defensive attributes, is exactly why it gains such a name as the Way of the Rancor. A rancor has very similar offensive and defensive capabilities, utilising them in a way much akin to a practiced Niman user.

While Niman pulls in the core principles of Shii-Cho, Soresu, Ataru and the Form V variants, it is a form in its own right, with its own unique advantages. The integration of Force Abilities into saber combat allows the user greater freedom in their approach to the combat they find themselves in, and whether they wish to focus on bladework within the confines of Niman, or if they prefer to utilise their connection to the Dark Side to overwhelm their opponent from a distance, or somewhere in between, a Niman master knows when to choose one or another of these, how to implement them, and where their weaknesses lie. Due to its versatile and loosely defined nature, many deem this form too easy, or non-rigorous, but the form is as demanding as any other, within the realm of the skill level of its user. Though, it should be noted, that one could be a master of all previous forms, and struggle still to understand Niman. It is a form in and of itself, not simply a conglomeration of its predecessors, and requires focus and understanding to master, in much the same way as any other.

In the deceased Sith Razia’s document on Form VI, he states that “the Legions of Lettow were the first to set the foundation for the lightsaber form as we know it to this day,” but this is incorrect. What Sith Razia referred to here was a fighting style utilised long before Form VI: Niman was created, which simply went by the same name as the saber form which would come later. Niman did come from this earlier fighting style, but they were not the same. It was, however, the preferred form of the Sith Lord Exar Kun.

Niman has a very broad emphasis, and while it takes much work to reach any true mastery of the form, as it would with any other, it is often seen as lesser due to its less strictly defined bladework. However, Niman is favoured by many Sith, and its adaptability sees its popularity grow. A Sith who wields Niman can rely on any aspect they desire, be that their physical senses, or their connection to the Force, or some combination of the two. Those who wield the form with any degree of mastery fight with a mindset that allows for the adaptability and flexibility of Niman.

Some Conclusions

Every lightsaber form is distinct, and fosters its own differing mindset as well as moveset, otherwise we would have only a single form. Instead, we have an array from which any Sith can take their pick of what suits their needs most. On a personal level, I have chosen to learn of each form in turn, analyse them, and use them as and when I see fit to do so, while some would favour a single form and focus primarily on that. There is nothing wrong about either approach, and one will find that they often fall somewhere in between.

From Shii-Cho’s simplicity, to Niman’s versatility, each form has its own unique advantages, as well as drawbacks that must be overcome in one way or another. There is no single correct way to select a saber form, either for all use or a single fight, and the drawbacks of that which you choose must be considered carefully, for they can only be overcome by knowing where these lie. One can weigh the defensive capabilities of Form III against those of Form V, and some will prefer to sacrifice the defence for a stronger offensive moveset, or vice versa. Equally, they could weigh the constant movement of Ataru against Makashi’s more conservative, controlled movements, and make a decision on which works best for their preferred fighting style.

I will reiterate, however, that changing forms on the fly is not a skill that all can master; it takes some intense concentration to change not only your way of moving and  fighting, but the way you think as well. This is not something that can be a split second decision, but requires one to disengage from the fight entirely, thus the decision on the correct form to use in that situation can often be final, it is not often you find yourself with time enough to focus during true lightsaber combat, nor even truly in a spar.

Lightsaber combat is as much a physical training regimen as it is a philosophical analysis, requiring thought and understanding of not only how, but why the form functions as it does. Neglect the academic study of the blade, and you neglect the skills needed to best an enemy in battle.


(*Post by Eddi Arkiti.*)