All 7 Lightsaber Combat Forms Explained (& Who Used Which)

Throughout the Star Wars Saga, we witness Jedi and Sith lords employing distinct battle techniques. Some prioritize quickness and accuracy, some have an impregnable defense, while some are highly attacking. These fighting techniques are derived from several lightsaber combat forms that developed over the ages to resist the looming threat of Dark Jedi's and rising Sith lords.

The Star Wars Saga taught us that there are seven different types of lightsaber battle. The methods and strategies used by each kind vary from one another. Learning one type of lightsaber fighting can take years. Every Jedi or Sith was seen using at least one lightsaber combat form throughout the series, except for a few who learned multiple forms.

Let's discuss the various types of lightsabers, their advantages, drawbacks, and users.

Form I: Shii-Cho

Form I, sometimes referred to as the Sarlacc way or the determination form, is the original lightsaber combat form. A Sarlacc is a Tattoine creature that waits for its meal while hiding in the ground. The same beast from which Boba Fett emerged in the television series "The Book of Boba Fett." This beast was given the name "Way of the Sarlacc" because of its tenacity.

Following the Sith Lords, the Jedi council initially established Shii-Cho, and the number of Dark Jedis increased. The discovery of lightsabers, which replaced the antiquated metal swords, gave rise to the Shii-Cho form.

Unlike metal swords, which can only cut in one direction, lightsabers can now cut from all angles thanks to this innovative design. Shii-Cho was limited to simple offensive and defensive maneuvers. The Shii-Cho Form only offers simple strikes and blocks of another lightsaber, just like the archaic metal swords.

Form Given that it could effortlessly cut any melee weapons, such as clubs, swords, and the like, I was a success. Shii-Cho's development enabled Jedis to eliminate several adversaries. Shii-Cho was created with the sole purpose of disarming and destroying the opponents' weaponry, not killing them.

Limitations

Initially, Shii-Cho's innovation worked incredibly well. It made it easier for the Jedi to overcome the adversaries and maintain the Sith's dominance. Although it was fantastic, things weren't supposed to remain this way long.

Over time, the Sith lords learned the Shii-Cho Form and began to adjust to the lightsabers. Jedi battles had become more complex. Jedis was now more concerned with surviving the struggle than with disarming the adversary. The second Form of fighting was created as a result of these circumstances. More sophisticated, this design was appropriate for head-to-head lightsaber battles.

Who Used Shii-Cho? 

Shii-Cho was only able to receive beginner training when the other combat forms were developed, and Jedi were involved in those more complex forms. similar to "Phantom Menace."Master Yoda was teaching the younglings Shii-Cho standard Form.

A proficient master of Form I Form engages in a head-to-head battle with any other combat Form practitioner despite the fact that it is simpler and more fundamental than other fighting forms.

Kit Fisto is a good illustration. During the Clone Wars, Kit Fisto was a form I skilled Jedi. He nearly used Form I l Form saber fighting to beat General Grievous. In addition to Fisto, noteworthy figures who have used Form I l Form saber combat include Obi-Wan Kenobi and Meera Sutrik.

Shii-Cho was indeed less skilled and less frequently utilized in lightsaber duels, although Jedi often employ it in unwinnable battles. They were informed that Shii-Cho would work if nothing else worked. Despite having to rely on the fundamentals of lightsaber combat forms, the determination form requires one to remain resolute.

Form II: Makashi

Makashi, sometimes referred to as the manner of Ysalamiri and the conflict form, is the second type of lightsaber fighting. The lizard-like Ysalamiri could defend against Force strikes by forming a defensive Force bubble. The Jedi order called Form II "the Way of Ysalamiri" in honor of Ysalamiri's tenacity.

In reaction to the Shu-Chii Form's ineffectiveness in lightsaber duels, Makashi was created. More than any other form, Makashi concentrates on lightsaber vs. lightsaber duels.

It is a graceful style of fighting that takes a great deal of practice to become proficient at. Makashi Form is all on accuracy and precision strikes on unprepared opponents and disarming them, in contrast to the Shu-Chii, which is more akin to wild lightsaber blows.

Makashi is a technical style that calls for flawless footwork and quick reflexes. With this Form, I learned how to escape lightsaber attacks easily.

The primary goal of this Form was to spend the least amount of energy possible to evade Shii-Chu users' awkward attacks. A Shu-Chii user exhausts himself against a Makashi user who blocks every strike with basic footwork since Shu-Chii is all about random attacks.

Limitations

Makashi did, in fact, excel at close-quarters lightsaber battle and remained valuable for a considerable amount of time until the new dangers began to reappear. Sith lords would soon have access to technology weaponry that could be used at greater ranges.

This time, adversaries showed up with deadly ranged weaponry, such as the droids, and projectile weapons like blaster rifles. Makashi was not sufficiently developed for long-range assaults, but he was effective in close combat, particularly when facing another lightsaber.

The Makashi kind of lightsaber proven to be inadequate and unreliable when Galaxy technology advanced dramatically. Jedi fumbled with their lightsabers to block blaster rounds. Makashi was not the Jedi's preferred Form; an Form is necessity led to the creation of the third lightsaber form. Like Shii-Chu, Makashi was exclusively accessible to a select group of students.

Who Used Makashi

Count Dooku, sometimes referred to as Darth Tyrannous, is a well-known user of the Form II Lightsaber, Makashi. The separatist army, which began as a Jedi separatist, was led by him. It was later discovered that he became an apprentice to Darth Sidious and had an evil side.

Count Dooku used a single conventional lightsaber and was a very proficient Makashi Form user. He disarmed his opponents with little effort, as we saw. In the Clone Wars, he handily defeated Assajj Ventress and the Night Sisters. Count Dooku appeared to be in control of everything, even when facing off against Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker, without sacrificing the accuracy of his strike.

The Makashi form was also acquired and mastered by Qui-Gon Jin, Count Dooku's Padawan: Cin Drilling, a Jedi Master, similarly masters Makashi.

Makashi is still regarded as one of the most excellent lightsaber combat forms and is very successful against Sith lords, even though it is limited against ranged attacks. This Form can defeat a mighty Sith lord, but it might not protect you against a blaster.

Combat Form III: Soresu

Soresu, sometimes referred to as the resilience form, is the third lightsaber combat form. In honor of the creature My-nocks, it is also known as "The way of the My-nock." The Jedi council developed Soresu to evade the ranged attacks. Even blaster bullets cannot penetrate the defenses of a true Soresu master. Its goal was to use a lightsaber to make a defensive shield that could stop all projectile attacks.

Form II Makashi is the ancestor of Soresu, which depends on its accuracy and agility. Soresu is constantly employed as a defense, in contrast to Makashi. Soresu improves the user's reflexes and awareness of his environment. Originally thought to be a form that would enable you to combat blaster attacks while wielding a lightsaber, Soresu has developed to the point where it can even deflect bullets.

Soresu, the third type of lightsaber fighting, only permits the use of a lightsaber to maximize defense; it does not permit wild strikes or even precise slashes. A person who uses Soresu trains his reflexes and himself more than the typical person. Before the bullet is fired, a Soresu master Jedi is supposed to assume the blaster deflecting position. Because of his quick reactions and agility, a Soresu user is reported to be able to defeat up to 20 opponents by himself.

In order to deflect any bullet coming from any direction, Soresu users maintain the blade close to their body. They keep their body in such a way as to minimize the exposure of their body to any ranged blaster.

Limitation

Even while the Soresu forms shielded you from a variety of ranged attacks, they weren't unbeatable. The goal of the Makashi form is to counter lightsaber attacks and create an offensive gap. But the Soresu form is finished and solely focused on defense. "Offense is the best defense," as the saying goes. Although Soresu could deflect bullets, he was powerless to stop the lightsaber's assault maneuvers.

Other lightsaber forms were created in order to fix all of Soresu's flaws as a result of this constraint.

Who uses Soresu

Soresu is a shape that has no offensive potential but permits maximum defense. To survive the blasters on a technologically advanced planet, you also need to master Soresu.

Every Jedi learns Soresu by fusing various lightsaber fighting techniques. We have seen countless films and television shows since the first one was broadcast in the 1970s. It shows all of the Jedi and Sith avoiding the shots with ease.

Well-known figures who are proficient in the Soresu form are Grand Master Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobis. They might have been able to survive Order 66 when others failed because of this as well. The others were unable to deflect the bullets from behind him, but he did.

Combat Form IV: Ataru

The fourth lightsaber combat form, or aggression form, is called ataru. It was also dubbed "the way of the Hawk-bat" in reference to that animal's violent hunting style.

Unlike Form I, the Jedi had mastered lightsaber combat forms by the time Form IV was created. Initially, the fight involved slurry strikes and sporadic slashes because the Form I Form lightsaber combat had not sufficiently developed. Additionally, Jedi had not yet been adequately trained in the ways of the Force.

One of the seven advanced lightsaber combat styles, Ataru, requires a blend of Force and lightsaber capabilities. To acquire Ataru form, Jedi's have to undergo training in the ways of the Force. Only after mastering the fundamentals of earlier lightsaber fighting styles could they become proficient in Ataru.

Ataru is an offensive form that permits continuous lightsaber attacks until he finds a gap, as the name "aggression form" indicates. With a barrage of lightsaber slashes, an Ataru practitioner should be able to overwhelm his opponent and win in a matter of seconds.

Ataru's strikes, in contrast to Shii-Cho's, are constant and accurate while preventing the opponent from seeing an opportunity. An Ataru practitioner can strike the opponent from unexpected angles while maintaining defense by combining their Force talents.

To effectively master Ataru, a combination of Form III is also necessary. Ataru permitted the Jedi's to advance on the adversaries while thwarting projectile attacks such as blaster shots, whereas Soresu permitted the defensive. For a long time, the Jedi were able to win by combining offensive and defensive tactics with the ability to approach the opponent quickly.

Limitations

In fact, of all the earlier forms of lightsaber fighting, Ataru, the Form IV, was the most sophisticated. It worked incredibly well against both the ranged attacks and the Smiths. However, it had drawbacks of its own.

It took a great deal of training to learn how to attack the opponent quickly and continuously while completely deflecting incoming attacks. But even with its Force powers, Ataru was limited before its shortcomings were revealed.

Even though Ataru's offensive was unrivaled, it was hard to maintain the same defense against constant lightsaber strikes. The Jedi may dominate battles, but only for a while before blaster rounds defeat them. The Jedi council began perceiving new Forms that led to other forms since they could not risk the Jedi's fighting in the thick of the conflicts with Ataru.

Who uses Ataru?

Until the fall of the Jedi order, many Jedis and Sith lords trained Ataru, the fourth Form of Form t-saber dueling. Qui-Gon Jin and his apprentice Obi-Wan employed Ataru form against Darth Maul, as demonstrated in the film "Phantom Menace."

With relentless lightsaber attacks and a furious charge forward, Obi-Wan vanquished Maul. He ultimately threw Maul out of the ship after severing his dual-phase lightsaber in two.

Many famous Jedis and Sith lords use Ataru, one of the most sophisticated lightsabers, despite his limitations.

Form V: Shien & Djem

The lightsaber combat form's fifth Form is Formed by Shien & Djem. It is sometimes referred to as the perseverance form. "The way of Krayt Dragon" was another name for it. To solve the offense problem of its previous Form, SoForm, Form IV was created. Form IV offered the offense, but it was unable to maintain the same defense.

Form V: Shien and Djem is the outcome of yet another attempt to address this Soresu form issue. Ataru was created from the ground up in order to address the Soresu problem. But Shien and Djem So was modified in defense and was derived from Soresu (Form III).

Shien and Djem are the two halves of Form V. Djem So concentrates on the offense, while Shien keeps the defense as formidable as Soresu. The Jedi used Shien to deflect the blasters and became so precise that they were able to hit their opponents with their bullets and redirect the bullets back to their original location.

Unlike Form III Form which focused more on defense alone, Shien's approach was to overwhelm their opponent with an unexpected offensive maneuver. Shien's ability to deflect shots back to the opponent was exceptional, but it was made with Makashi (Form II) in mind so that it could attack with the precision of a lightsaber wielder. As a result, the second section, Djem So, was written after Shien.

Limitations

Djem So concentrated on taking on the opponent head-to-head and controlling him using a mix of offensive and defensive techniques, whereas Form II placed more emphasis on blocking and spotting a gap to deliver a precise blow.

Djem & So practitioners are supposed to switch between offense and defense while maintaining their defense. Thus, Soresu's defense and Makashi's accuracy are the focus of Form V. The goal is to use exact brute Force to overwhelm the enemy and put him in a position where he may be vanquished.

Since Makashi was very hard to learn and Soresu was not offensive, the Jedi council preferred Form V above both.

To put it briefly, Shien and Djem So were developed to solve every problem that arose in earlier iterations. Ataru (Form IV) and Shii-Cho (Form I) pushed their way forcefully. Makashi (form II) Form led against blasters, whereas Soresu (Form II concentrated on patience and defense. Shien and Djem So were able to manage any scenario properly. A practitioner of Shien and Djem So maintained his defensive and pushed his way forcefully without showing any weakness.

Who uses Shien and Djem So?

One well-known figure who trained Shien and Djem So was Anakin Skywalker. Even though he was proficient in Ataru and Form IV, his Shien and Djem So forms were very different. Several times, including against Ezra Bridger in "Rebels," he was observed redirecting the rounds back to droids.

Ahsoka Tano, Anakin's Padawan, is another well-known figure. Despite using two lightsabers, her reverse grip style made Form V easy for her to learn. Ahsoka was among the many Shien and Djem practitioners who employed the reverse grip approach to aid in both their offensive and defensive strategies. She held it in reverse with a single yellow-green Shota lightsaber.

Form VI: Niman

Niman, often referred to as the diplomat's Form, the the Form deration Form, or the way of the Rancor, is the sixth Form of Form lightsaber. The sixth lightsaber form, Niman, was a hybrid that could sense every lightsaber form that had come before it. From Shii-Cho (Form I) to Form Hien (form V), it incorporates characteristics of every lightsaber form.

Because Niman combined all of the key components of earlier forms into a single form, leaving no flaws, it had some advantages over other forms. However, it lacked other forms in that it did not consider any form to be perfect.

It was intended to give Jedis a well-rounded strategy in combat. It was anticipated that the Jedi would be able to both defend and offend without showing weakness. The Jedi were unable to specialize in any particular combat form, even if they could study all the fundamentals of the earlier forms. This Form is Formn known as the "jack of all trades" form because of this.

In fact, Niman, which is derived from Soresu (form III Forms typically a defense-oriented form. By fusing the aspects of Makashi and Ataru, the Jedi Order was able to maintain defense while executing quick and surprising offensive maneuvers.

Limitations of Niman

For generations, niman had been the most popular Form, am Form orca users. Ironically, because of its limits, it is also the most criticized Form. Give Form that it prevents master-level mastery in any prior form, many Jedi saw it as a drawback.

Although he can defend similarly to Soresu, a Niman practitioner's defense is far inferior. Unlike Makashi, he has dull precision and imperfect footwork. He lacks Ataru and Shien's ruthless strength in his offense. However, this is not a form of specialization; instead, it is a generalization.

Niman has shown himself to be the most helpful despite his limitations, particularly when combined with Force.

Who used Niman?

The most popular lightsaber combat form was Niman. Because it backed both the Jedi Order's and the Republic's diplomats, the Jedi Order favored it over other formats. Second, Niman made no demands regarding pro-level competence in any of the earlier versions. The Jedi found it more straightforward to master the fundamentals and some of the most critical aspects of every Form that would be useful to them in combat. In this manner, the Jedis could be ready for any unforeseen combat situation.

The pairing of Force and Niman is another factor in its adoption. In a battle, using the fundamental physical components of all the earlier forms did not deplete as much energy as using a specialized form. This made it possible for the Jedi to combine Niman with Force attacks like Telekinesis successfully. Compared to other lightsaber combat forms, the Niman form is more likely to use the Force for pushing, pulling, and repelling.

Niman has been the most widely employed lightsaber combat form from the Jedi-Sith Great War until the Clone Wars. Many Jedi view it as the most helpful type of lightsaber battle.

Like the Jedi, the Sith lords had also been using this Form. The Form and Inquisitor and Darth Maul are two well-known Sith figures who have studied Niman form.

Form VII: Juyo

Juyo, or Ferocity form, is the seventh Form of Form t-saber fighting. In honor of a creature Vonskr that was able to sense the Force energy within other beings and hunt them down to consume it, it was termed "the way of the Vonskr." The Juyo practitioners were precisely like these hunters of Force-beings.

The most challenging type of lightsaber fighting is Form VII. Direct attacks are part of this daring Form. Juyo Form expended more on mental energy than physical energy, in contrast to Ataru or Shien. It is challenging for the opponent to catch his surprising moves when a Juyo user assaults them from such angles and with such erratic behavior.

Following Form IV's brute Force, Juyo is a more kinetic and physical form. Juyo, like Shii-Cho, is exclusively interested in killing blows and lacks the concept of defense, unlike Ataru.

While appearing tranquil on the outside, the Juyo's purpose is to allow them to be absorbed into the Force and generate mental pressure. During the battle, the Jedi were supposed to let go of their mental tension in order to increase their fervor and anger. Compared to previous types, this emotional fuel increases the user's energy and attention, but it also causes them to lose their moral compass. To put it another way, Juyo was the Form that caused harm to others.

"The Dark Side is reached by rage." Originally, Juyo was used as a lightsaber fighting form. Because of this Form's sForm 'sibility to the Dark side, Juyo was later expelled from the former Jedi Order. Until Mace Windu made some changes, Juyo remained prohibited for millennia.

Form VII: Vaapad

A renowned Jedi Master and council member was Mace Windu. In addition, he was regarded as more potent than Master Yoda. Form VII Juyo was modified by Mace Windu, who called it Vaapad. What changes did Windu make, and why was reforming Juyo necessary?

Jedis were prohibited from learning Juyo after the ban, although Sith lords were not. Mace Windu understood that the Jedi were at a disadvantage to the Sith and that Juyo gave its practitioners tremendous power.

The Jedi may safely learn Juyo form when Mace Windu corrects it. He manages to let your unpleasant feelings flow without becoming unmanageable. He developed self-discipline to the point that he was able to regulate his negative feelings.

Vaapad used the same mental and physical strategies. Windu gained tremendous power from the Form, VII Form allowing his emotions to be safely fueled by his mental pressure.

Who uses Juyo and Vaapad?

Juyo was a popular lightsaber combat form among Jedi in the early days of the Jedi Order. Juyo was practiced by well-known Jedi Masters like Vrook Lamar, Kavar, and Zez-Kai Ell. The Jedi order banned Juyo as a result of the majority of those Jedis, regrettably, turning evil.

Darth Maul is one of the well-known figures to have mastered Juyo form, and Juyo was still used by those on the opposing side of the Force. He learned the Juyo form even though he was skilled in Niman.

Limitations

Regarding its altered version, the only known practitioner of Vaapad was Mace Windu. This is due in part to the fact that this Form was challenging to perfect and that the Jedi fell extinct after Order 66. Not all Jedi had the ability to express negative feelings while maintaining control over them freely.

Despite having pupils, Mace Windu never used Vaapad form with any of his disciples, including Jedi Master Depa Billaba. Vaapad, the alter ego of Juyo, likewise vanished permanently from Jedi doctrine with the deaths of Mace Windu and Depa Billaba during the Great Jedi Purge.

FAQs

What is Form I of lightsaber combat?

The fundamental Form tau Form to all Jedi is called Form I, or Shii-Cho, and it emphasizes wide, sweeping motions.

Who is known for using Form II, Makashi?

Count Dooku is well known for being skilled in Form II, which is particularly good in lightsaber dueling.

What characterizes Form III, Soresu?

Obi-Wan Kenobi is renowned for using Soresu's defensive methods.

Which form did Forma prefer?

Yoda preferred Ataru, Form IV, which is characterized by its acrobatic and dynamic moves.

What makes Form VII unique?

Mace Windu uses Form VII, Juyo/Vaapad, which is renowned for its violent and erratic strikes.

Conclusion

To sum up, the seven types of lightsaber battles accommodate various fighting philosophies and tactics within the Star Wars world. Shii-Cho, or I Form, is the foundational Form the Form l Jedi practiced. Makashi, or II Form, was Count Dooku's favored Form and Form well suited for battle. Obi-Wan Kenobi mastered the defense-oriented III Form, Soresu. Yoda employed the acrobatic IV Form, Ataru. Anakin Skywalker's V Form, Shien/Djem So, prioritizes counterattacks. Many Jedi practiced the VI Form, Niman, which strikes a balance between fighting skills and Force talents. Finally, Mace Windu employed Form VII, Juyo/ Vaapad, which is hostile. Each Form demonstrates the depth and strategic variety of lightsaber fighting.