Some Form V stances, their applications and a novice's commentary on the form

[Andnoa]

by Apprentice Tutam

The fifth form of Lightsaber combat has a number of different opening stances. In this document I seek to elaborate on which stances may be of use in different scenarios as well as point to why they are incorporated into the form at all and my own thoughts on them as a novice to the form.

Fig 1: The Djem So attack stance

The attack stance shown in figure 1 is the first of these. It is an open stance, blade held above the head in a two handed grip and behind the user, slanting downwards. Both feet are placed upon the ground next to each other firmly in this example, though should the Djem So user feel they require additional strength in this, the dominant foot can be placed behind the non-dominant.
This stance (as the name suggests) is an aggressive one, blade poised to strike down upon the foe to crush them under your power. The two handed grip in conjunction with the firm placement on the floor allows for a large amount of force to be exerted in the downward swing and with the user stepping into the attack as they use it this is furthered still. This also allows an opportunity for the user to subvert the expectations of the foe, twisting the body to bring the blade in diagonally to either side and thus allowing the opportunity to strike at inopportune blocking angles at the foe.
The disadvantages of this stance are several. This is as the name implies a stance for attacking in. The placement of the blade as well as the firmness of the footing does not allow for quick and easy retreats (A Djem So user should not be utilizing these often but the choice between breaking form and dying should be an obvious one.) nor allow for fast blocks against sudden thrusts or blaster-fire. All in all this is a most useful opening stance but one must be aware of it's limitations.

Fig 2: The Form V opening stance

The second of the stances I have been shown is this. Another stance with wide feet next to each other and blade held with two hands, this one differentiates itself from the first by it's blade positioning and torso alignment. In this stance, the blade his held to one side of the body, slanted backwards but upright and he body is twisted to that side. This is mean to allow for the whole torso to be put into the swing, combining force augmented and natural strength with as many advantages as possible to dominate your foe's blade.
This stance is designed for angled attack as it proves next to impossible to attack from both sides equally with this technique. Doing so offers advantages in all attacks to one side launched from this position but allows for a certain linearity to your options. You will be more predictable as with the first stance. It is up to the user of the form as to if they think this is a good trade off.
This stance does offer some advantages in blast deflection however as it is much quicker to get your blade into position from this than it is for the first stance. It potentially also allows you to bat at the incoming blaster fire for maximum effect, directing it back at the shooter or any alternative targets you desire to end.

Fig 3: The Djem So defense stance

The third form I am going to discuss in this piece is the Djem So defense stance. The name rather gives away it's purpose and this differentiates itself with different footwork. In this, the dominant foot is placed at the back and to the side of the non-dominant. This is to allow for a step forward to be taken during the block, pushing the blade forwards and again increasing the power of the guard. The blade is held diagonally downwards from a high guard in front of the body with two hands. I suspect this is due to this stance being designed to fight against other form V users who from the previous two stances would show a strong affinity for downwards strikes. The diagonally downward blade would be in a perfect position to meet these blows head on and then counter strike back again.
The advantages of this form are that it allows you to be more cautious, when it is called for. Not all foes are known quantities and this allows to you test their offences before you crush them under heel. The blade being between yourself and your foe gives an additional advantage as it allows for simpler deflection of blaster fire back at the source. In many ways this is an inversion of the Shii Cho opening stance. The blade is a weapon and a shield in this case allowing you to fall back upon this stance when others fail you.
It is not however without fault. The awkward angle of the blade makes overhead attack with this stance difficult needing almost 360 degrees of movement to accomplish and thus making such and assault slow. It also offers very little protection to the legs as you would need to thrust down to block a low strike, leaning forward and negating your advantage in strength.
Conclusions
As I work further into the form, I am reminded why Shii Cho is described as a "..fall back for when no other form will do". Form V is far more specialized than Shii Cho. It has stances where you do not have nearly as many options to use and would allow predictability to set in. Why then do Sith chose to learn it? Because when it does offer something, it offers great advantage. Every heavy blow from this form is like being struck with a hammer blow, ripostes are quick and violent, hitting flesh with deadly precision and the domination of the foes blade is a surefire strategy to defeat them. Being more predictable means nothing when it just allows your foe to see their doom and being slower in movement is a small price to pay for each blow that does hit being monstrously strong. This is a duelist's form without the pomp and lightness of Makashi, a defensive juggernaut of a form without the passivity and patience of Soresu, and a revelation to me. The Way of the Krayt Dragon offers great power for those who would invest their time into it.
Glory to the Empire