Count Dooku: Lightsaber Lore & Info

Few characters provide as much class and regality to Star Wars as Count Dooku, who was voiced by Corey Burton in the Clone Wars television series and portrayed by the outstanding Christopher Lee in the movie. Aside from his lightsaber, Dooku stands out from other Sith because of his composure, confidence, elegance, and sharp wit. Count Dooku's lightsaber is a distinctive yet timeless classic that naturally reflects his personality.

Dooku was the Count of Serenno, his home planet, and a politician. He was a Jedi Master once, but he no longer believed in the Order or the Galactic Republic Senate. After succeeding Darth Maul as Darth Sidious' apprentice, he went on to become the head of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. With his red lightsaber, he took on the persona of Darth Tyranus and played a crucial role in the Clone Wars schemes. Let's examine the history of the recognizable lightsaber that Count Dooku uses in Star Wars mythology.

A Brief History of Count Dooku's Lightsaber

Little is known about the first lightsaber Count Dooku used, as he built his unique curved hilt by the time he was about 15 years old, just before he was selected to be Yoda's Padawan. He kept this lightsaber for the rest of his life, using it as a Jedi Master when he took Qui-Gon Jinn as his apprentice all the way to his time as a Dark Lord of the Sith.

Count Dooku's lightsaber skills were nearly unmatched when he was a Since Count Dooku had already constructed his distinctive curved hilt by the time he was around 15 years old, just before he was chosen to be Yoda's Padawan, little is known about the first lightsaber he wielded. He retained this lightsaber throughout his life, utilizing it from the time he became a Dark Lord of the Sith until he became a Jedi Master and adopted Qui-Gon Jinn as an apprentice.

When Count Dooku was a Jedi, his lightsaber prowess was almost unrivalled, and he enjoyed the recognition and admiration he got. But during this period of peace and minimal fighting, the lightsaber was mainly regarded by the Jedi as a ceremonial weapon. Dooku believed that the Jedi's use of lightsabers for de-escalation and simulated combat for Republic citizens was insufficient.

Although the majority of Jedi thought the Sith were extinct, Dooku became fixated on the idea that they were secretly hiding after being exposed to the dark side. He committed himself to lightsaber Duelling as a result of this conviction. Grand Master Yoda and the other members of the Jedi Order opposed this endeavor. As Dooku's commitment to the cause grew, so did his lightsaber skill, which was reflected in the shape and hilt of the weapon.

He was one of the few Jedi Masters in history to leave the Order because he believed that the Jedi were haughty, complacent pawns of the Senate. Despite his prior dread of the Sith's threat to the Republic, this led him to turn dark and join them. Much of this past is revealed in the canon audiobook Dooku: Jedi Lost and other tales from Dooku's Jedi days will be told in the animated series Tales of the Jedi.

As a Sith Lord, he taught the skill of lightsaber warfare to a number of pupils, including Asajj Ventress, Savage Opress, and General Grievous, even though he followed Darth Bane's Rule of Two.

What Color Was Count Dooku's Lightsaber When He Was a Jedi?

When Count Dooku was a Jedi, his lightsaber was blue. An interesting indication that Dooku was out of step with everyone around him even before he converted to the evil side was the fact that both his master, Yoda, and his disciple, Qui-Gon Jinn, were armed with green lightsabers.

How Did Dooku's Lightsaber Change When He Joined the Sith?

When he joined the Sith, Count Dooku changed his kyber crystal to a crimson one, but his lightsaber hilt remained the same. For the remainder of his life, he kept using his trademark curved hilt, which changed to a red lightsaber like all Sith weapons.  

Who Did Count Dooku Duel With In the Star Wars Films?

Count Dooku engages in combat with Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi in Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Dooku rips off Anakin's right arm and wounds Obi-Wan, demonstrating his superior lightsaber skills. Dooku and his old master engage in a Force combat and lightsaber duel after Yoda saves them before Dooku can deliver a fatal blow. By lowering a pillar on Obi-Wan and Anakin, Dooku diverts Yoda's attention and allows him to escape.

Chancellor Palpatine (also known as Darth Sidious) is held "captive" aboard the Invisible Hand during Dooku's duel with Obi-Wan and Anakin in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. He defeats the Kenobi, but the Skywalker overwhelms him, severing his hands and stealing the lightsaber from Count Dooku.

What Happened to Dooku's Lightsaber?

Anakin cuts off his hands and holds both his and Dooku's lightsabers across the Count's throat. Sitting close by, Palpatine provokes Anakin into murdering Dooku. Count Dooku remains silent and accepts his fate despite appearing shocked by his master's treachery. Palpatine pushes, hoping to fan Anakin's hatred and make him his next apprentice, but Anakin hesitates because his opponent is unarmed—Anakin chops off Dooku's head with the two lightsabers.

What Did Anakin Do With Dooku's Lightsaber?

After decapitating Dooku, Anakin apparently left his lightsaber with his body, allowing it to burn with the Invisible Hand.

Count Dooku's Lightsaber Hilt Design

The distinctively curved design of Count Dooku's lightsaber hilt conveys a sense of aggression and sophistication. It is composed of alloy metal, measures roughly 35.5 cm in length, and has a crimson ignitor and black accents. Given Dooku's intense interest in Jedi history and the fact that curved hilts were typical of ancient Jedi who frequently participated in combat with the Sith, this hilt was deemed outdated when it was constructed. Because of the curve, the wielder can manipulate the blade with just one hand and employ unconventional angles of attack.

Count Dooku's lightsaber was inspired by ancient swords and knives, especially the traditional Filipino barong, for the Star Wars Art Department. The fact that actor Christopher Lee is a skilled fencer is also mentioned.

Why Is Count Dooku's Lightsaber Curved?

Count Dooku's lightsaber's curve symbolizes both his grace and his fascination with customs and history. Additionally, it complements his lightsaber form, which emphasizes using a single-bladed lightsaber with one hand.

How Does Count Dooku Hold His Lightsaber?

Dooku's lightsaber may appear odd in comparison to other lightsaber hilts, but its curvature allows him more control with a single hand and enhances his ability to deflect an opponent. It is challenging to foresee each stroke since the curvature behind the emitter leaves the blade at an odd angle to his hand. For balance, the hilt's elbow acts as a counterbalance, while the tilted pommel gives the off-hand leverage.

Count Dooku's Lightsaber Form

A curved hilt is the ideal choice for Count Dooku's lightsaber form, which emphasizes single-handed combat.

What Lightsaber Form Does Count Dooku Use?

Form II: Makashi is used by Count Dooku, who is an expert in the form. With clean, controlled, and energy-efficient blows, Makashi emphasizes beautiful precision. Instead of using strong, lethal strikes, Makashi seeks to disarm the adversary. Makashi was designed to counter other lightsabers, but it can also block blaster blows.

Why Did Yoda Hate Count Dooku's Lightsaber?

Yoda detested Count Dooku's lightsaber because, during a period when the majority of Jedi thought the Sith were gone, the curved hilt he had made as a Jedi was a duelist's tool meant to throw other lightsaber wielders off balance. He thus had an advantage over other Jedi as a result. Yoda became concerned when he combined this with his devotion to Makashi, a lightsaber form that is used to destroy opponents in lightsaber combat. Dooku thought the Jedi should be ready for the Sith, who were still active in clandestine operations. Yoda disagreed, giving the impression that Dooku's primary motivation was to outdo other Jedi and establish his superiority, something the Order disapproved of.

Yoda took Dooku as his Padawan, something he hadn't done in more than a century since he was worried about Dooku's fixation with fighting and a cause that other Jedi thought was pointless. Taking an apprentice was a rare practice among Jedi Council members, particularly the Grand Master. Yoda acknowledged the young Jedi's potential even as he denounced Dooku for what he perceived to be unreasonable fears. Dooku's lightsaber served as a continual reminder of his and Yoda's argument.

In Master Yoda's opinion, Count Dooku's lightsaber hilt strengthened his passion for conflict. Although he did not support his beliefs or his ambition to exterminate the Sith, he did not specifically prohibit Dooku from learning about the history of the Jedi or refining his form. However, ultimately, he began to worry that Dooku would attack another Jedi with his lightsaber.

Time showed that Dooku was correct in his beliefs, and the Jedi's refusal to listen to him led him to turn dark and join the Sith, whom he had previously feared. Yoda was correct to predict that the Jedi would be the target of Dooku's lightsaber.