All 14 Lightsaber Types In Star Wars Canon Explained

All 14 Lightsaber Types In Star Wars Canon Explained

The lightsaber is the signature weapon of the Jedi and the Sith – but there have actually been many different types in Star Wars canon.

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The lightsaber is one of the most iconic parts of Star Wars, and there are a surprising number of types and variations on the weapon. When Luke Skywalker first laid eyes on his father’s lightsaber, Obi-Wan Kenobi told him it was “an elegant weapon for a more civilized time.” Ever since then, the lightsaber has been a symbol of Star Wars – the brilliant blues and greens have been an expression of hope, while the blood–red hues of the Sith lightsabers have sparked terror across the galaxy.

Elegant they may be, but the lightsaber is far from simple. The mechanical construction of a lightsaber is relatively straightforward, but its power comes from the rare kyber crystal contained within. A Jedi bonds with the crystal, which has been described as “a lens that focuses the light inside the Jedi.” According to the recently published Secrets of the Jedi, wielding a lightsaber is less like holding a sword than it is directing a current of power. This bond between the Jedi and the lightsaber explains why specific blades have become venerated, with the lightsaber of Anakin and Luke Skywalker considered particularly precious.

The old Expanded Universe introduced many different types of lightsabers, but of course most of these were rendered non-canon after the Disney acquisition in 2012. Still, ever since then Lucasfilm has been introducing a wide range of new lightsaber types. So here are all the ones that have been seen in Star Wars canon.

The Standard Lightsaber

The most famous lightsaber type is the standard blade. This is the weapon – or more properly, the tool – used by the likes of Luke and Anakin Skywalker. The plasma blade is generated by the crystal within the hilt, and although anyone can use a lightsaber only a Force user can operate it to its full potential. George Lucas chose to give Jedi lightsabers in part because he knew swords have historically been seen as ritualistic objects, imbued with mystical significance or used as proof of a royal birthright. This history makes the passing of Anakin’s lightsaber to his son Luke particularly important, and explains why Kylo Ren was so outraged to see his grandfather’s blade in the hands of Rey.

Lightsabers can be constructed from anything; Aayla Secura used a blade made of durasteel designed for durability, while Rey’s new lightsaber seen at the end of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was constructed in part from her old staff as a sign of her character growth. Some lightsabers have bent hilts, helping to improve the design for the purpose of dueling; some have different nozzles to give the blade a slightly different shape; and, of course, lightsabers come in all sorts of different sizes. During the High Republic Era, Jedi frequently adorned their lightsabers with embellishments and beautiful patterns, and many were continually adapted in part due to changes in Jedi fashion.

Dual-Phase

Darth Vader wielded an unusual type of lightsaber referred to as a “dual-phase” lightsaber. Considered a relic of an older, more violent time, the dual-phase lightsaber possesses two kyber crystals. At the flick of a switch, Vader can rotate the kyber crystals into a new alignment to change the length of his blade. This can be useful in taking an opponent by surprise, although the different lengths require different combat techniques – meaning only a true master of combat should attempt to use a dual-phase lightsaber.

Training Lightsaber

The Star Wars prequel trilogy included a slightly disturbing scene in which a group of Younglings were shown training with lightsabers. It’s important to understand these were not ordinary lightsabers, but rather ones specifically designed for training. These blades are shorter than a typical lightsaber, designed to fit in young hands, and their energy is set to a low intensity so as to prevent injury. According to Lucasfilm’s book Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection, a solid hit will still deliver a shock that temporarily numbs muscles.

The Protosaber

The Vader Immortal VR game featured an intriguing weapon that has been called the protosaber. It was far more ornate than most lightsabers, featuring corkscrew prongs twisting around the base of its blue energy blade and a fan-like structure connecting the crossguard to the hilt. The kyber crystal was actually exposed, mounted on some sort of ignition ring that presumably testifies to the extreme age of this Force relic.

Shoto Blades

In addition to her standard lightsaber, Ahsoka Tano uses a second Shoto blade. This kind of shorter lightsaber is typically used by a more aggressive Jedi warrior, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars showrunner Dave Filoni intended this to indicate Anakin’s influence upon Ahsoka. She traditionally held the Shoto blade in her off-hand, and it made her a fierce combatant. Sourcebooks have mentioned a further sub-type of the Shoto called a “Guard Shoto.” This features an additional hilt set at a 90 degree angle, helping the Jedi transition smoothly from attack to defense.

Double-Bladed Lightsabers

When Darth Maul made his first appearance in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, he used a weapon like nothing fans had ever seen before. This double-bladed lightsaber has an extra long hilt, and apparently incorporates multiple kyber crystals. According to Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection, Maul discovered how to make this by poring over ancient Sith records.

Switchblade

An unusual type of double-bladed lightsaber can be referred to as the “switchblade.” Here, the two blades can be folded up so they are side-by-side, or switched down into the traditional double-bladed configuration. This was introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, with a switchblade used by treacherous Jedi Master Pong Krell. A live-action version was finally seen in Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker, used by a dark vision of Rey. Interestingly, the brief scene suggested this could be used quite effectively in a duel, because Dark Rey used the switchblade to trap Rey’s own lightsaber between her two blades – she could have disarmed her counterpart with a flick of her wrist.

Lightsaber Pikes

Not to be confused with double-bladed lightsabers, the lightsaber pike is seen in Star Wars animations such as Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. It was used by the temple guards at Coruscant, and the twin yellow blades were seen as symbolic of the eternal flame of the Jedi Order, and the vigilance of its protectors. There were single-bladed variants of the lightsaber pike, with Luke Skywalker discovering one in the comics and another available at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Crossguard Lightsabers

The crossguard lightsaber is an interesting design incorporating three blades. Kylo Ren used an unstable crossguard lightsaber, and he quite enjoyed the sinister crackling emitted by the blade. Another variant of the crossguard lightsaber has been seen in the High Republic Era, wielded by Stellan Gios. This appears to be a refinement on the older crossguard design Kylo Ren developed, with physical quillons to control and direct the energy streams at the sides. These point forwards when the saber is not in use, and the weapon rests in a specially designed holster.

The Inquisitors’ Lightsabers

The Inquisitors, agents of Darth Vader tasked with hunting down potential Jedi. were introduced in Star Wars Rebels. They wielded unusual and distinctive lightsabers, which they could actually spin as a sort of helicopter. These remarkable designs are sturdy and effective melee weapons, and the Eighth Brother’s incorporated additional buzz-saw teeth to give him a further edge in combat.

Lightsaber whip

Star Wars: The High Republic has reintroduced a weapon originally seen in the Expanded Universe; the lightsaber whip. Strongly associated with the Nightsisters of Dathomir, the lightsaber whip is an unusual weapon that the Jedi are uncomfortable with. Jedi Knight Vernestra “Vern” Rwoh nonetheless constructed one at the guidance of the Force.

The Darksaber

The Darksaber is a unique lightsaber, created a thousand years ago by Tarre Vizsla, the first Mandalorian to join the Jedi Knights. Although the weapon is clearly related to the typical lightsaber, is energy blade is a strange, shimmering black – one that is flat rather than cylindrical, giving the Darksaber a distinctive appearance. Whoever holds the Darksaber is believed to have the right to declare themselves ruler of the Mandalorians.

Ezra’s Unique Lightsaber

In Star Wars Rebels, Ezra Bridger constructed one of the most remarkable lightsaber designs seen to date. Jedi had always built lightsabers using whatever they had to hand, and in Ezra’s case he fashioned his lightsaber using his blaster. Powered by a blue kyber crystal, this allowed Ezra to alternate between blaster shots and the traditional melee weapon that is a lightsaber. In truth, it was more a testimony of Ezra’s doubt in his own skills, and after it was destroyed by Darth Vader he replaced it with a standard lightsaber.

The Lightspear

Apparently the ancient Sith used another type of lightsaber, known as a lightspear. This was never seen in the Expanded Universe, and has only once been mentioned in canon – in Charles Soule’s Light of the Jedi. It has never been described in any detail, so nothing is yet known of this design. Hopefully it won’t be long before the lightspear appears.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/star-wars-lightsaber-types-versions-canon-explained/

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