Sith Mitina's Guide to Form II

[Foster]

Form II, the Way of the Ysalamiri.

The first form that was created after the appearance of the Lightsaber, this Form is characterized by its economy of movement, a focus on redirection and accuracy. This form was created to offer a counter against Shii-Cho whilst addressing Form I’s shortcomings.
It’s moveset and attacks very clearly reflect that they were created after the appearance of the lightsaber. It’s shallow slashes and its jabs don’t carry nearly as much weight behind it, yet because it is usually done with a lightsaber, suddenly the shallow cuts leave someone reeling while those jabs bite through the heaviest of conventional armour.
One of Shii-Cho’s main focuses was on disarmament and dismemberment, Makashi offers a defense against that, from its attacks and mentality to its footwork and counters.
However, it is not effective against blaster fire, as it was not invented back during the time of Makashi’s creation and it is also not effective against multiple opponents.
Hence it is reserved for duelling with fellow Force Users.

Starting stance variations and associated moves

The opening stance for Makashi is rather simple, your main foot is moved back slightly and turned to face outwards while your other foot is moved forward with your foot facing forwards, then with your blade ignited, then you point it outwards and off to the side. Your other hand then rests by your side.

But much like in Shii-Cho, Makashi also has a fair amount of variation, though most of it focuses on the location of the blade.
The blade’s location can be before someone, angled downwards, ready to flick up with a simple wrist movement to have an opponent skewer themselves on it. I’ve observed Darth Horuset defeat a Jedi Master with that simple technique.
The blade’s tip can also be angled upwards, ready to intercept attacks.

The Makashi Salute

At its core, Makashi is a duelling form, as such, it was expected to show respect towards one’s opponents. That’s where the saluting move came from. It is simply raising one’s blade before themselves, angling the blade upwards vertically before entering the starting stance.

The Makashi Flourish

The flourishing motion for Makashi is meant to grab attention, an inexperienced opponent’s focus will often be on a blade, which leaves them considerably more open to an attack. The motion itself is simple, you are simply drawing X shapes in the air before you with your saber. It is an open challenge that few can resist.

The Contentious Opportunity

The moment an enemy exposes a weakness, you move in for the strike, you act as swiftly as you can and exploit that opportunity. This move encompasses the spirit of Makashi.

The Makashi Riposte

As the name suggests this move is done right after a successful redirection of an enemy attack. Right after shifting the enemy’s blade away from you, you go in and punish the opponent. Opportunities are not only caught, but they are also created as well, the ability to create them marks a proficient practitioner.

Associated marks of contact

Shiim - Makashi is known to commonly employ shiims as a way of wearing the opponent down for the sake of slowing them down and making them more prone to mistakes as their own body cannot function as well as before. Needless to say, even a glancing blow from glowing hot plasma can leave an opponent reeling and stunned from pain.

Shiak -

The most commonly used form of attack in the form, usually used by the time the enemy is worn out and tired from the duel or already injured from multiple Shiims prior. A decisive stab to end the fight. Elegant, swift and deadly.

Sun Djem -

Unlike a Shii-Cho practitioner, a Makashi user is precise, instead of wrenching or bashing the weapon of the opponent aside, they often destroy the weapon with a precise attack instead.

Application, modus operandi and shortcomings

Makashi is a duelist form by design. You are exchanging and redirecting blows with an enemy whilst maintaining an economical movement for the sake of energy conservation, your footwork, is a back and forth movement, with as few reorientations as possible. In and out. The Form lends itself to focused and intense duels. You outlast your opponent, then you kill them when they get sloppy from fatigue.
By now, I’m certain you’ve noticed that the tip of your blade is what you use for most of the damage you do with this form. Makashi developed this way because by then, lightsabers were available. They didn’t need extreme force to cut through armour anymore, and neither do you.
To answer the question: Can I use Makashi here? The answer depends on what you are facing. Against multiple opponents or blasters, the answer is a firm ‘no’, there are other forms that will serve you better. However, against a single opponent, you’ll be performing at your best.