Star Wars Lightsaber Combat

Notable Users: Jedi Master Kit Fisto

Details: Form I is known asShii-ChoShii-Cho is the oldest lightsaber combat form, The Way of the Sarlacc. It developed as metal swords changed to lightsabers. Shii-Cho did not start for lightsaber fighting; there were no Dark Jedi or Sith Lords then. Instead, it taught skilled fighters how to use the new weapons.

Jedi quickly phased out Form I for Form II. Jedi still use Shii-Cho during combat when needed. This form acts as a defense, appearing random and chaotic to beginners. Few Jedi use it for main combat. Jedi Master Kit Fisto used it more than other forms.

Notable Users: Count Dooku, Asajj Ventress, and Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi

Details: Form II, orMakashiMakashi developed right after Form I. It soon became the main style across the galaxy. Makashi is a graceful fight style. Practitioners sweep blades with controlled movements, favoring precision over strength. A trait of Makashi users that faded by the Republic was using crossguard lightsabers.

Makashi came after the Sith rose. The old form failed against aggressive Sith fighters. Form II became a defense because it used new attack patterns. These patterns made Form I users easy targets for the Sith. Makashi defends against attacks but also includes counterattacks and direct strikes that helped the Jedi and the Sith.the Jedi and the Sith.

Notable Users: Jedi Master Depa Billaba, Caleb Dume (Kanan Jarrus), the Grand Inquisitor, and Obi-Wan Kenobi

Details: Form III, also known asSoresuor the Way of the Mynock, developed as blaster technology grew in the galaxy. Forms I and II could not handle blaster fire. Soresu focuses on blocking blaster bolts using the lightsaber blade.

Deflecting incoming blaster bolts requires great skill. Mastering this accuracy takes years. Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi was arguably the best during the late Republic. Form III is mainly defensive, blocking attacks. It also includes strong parry moves that push the fight back to the attacker.

Notable Users: Jedi Grand Master Yoda, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, and Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn

Details: Form IV, orAtaruForm IV: Ataru is a highly acrobatic, aggressive lightsaber combat style. It uses fast motions aided by the Force, unlike the defensive Form II. Master Yoda's acrobatic fighting against Count Dooku and Darth Sidious came from his strong Force connection; this made him deadly.

Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker used Form IV often, though it wasn't his main style. A training holo showed him teaching younglings Form IV. Speed and accuracy, paired with a strong Force connection, make Form IV a deadly mix in a fight.

Notable Users: Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, Ahsoka Tano, Luke Skywalker, and Rey Skywalker

Details: Form V, also calledShien and Djem So, developed and used bythe Jedi OrderForm V is a balanced combat style, mixing elements from earlier forms. It centers on expert parries and blocks, immediately followed by strong counterattacks and ripostes.

Form V works for all combat and deflecting blaster bolts, but it primarily targets lightsaber-to-lightsaber fighting. Anakin Skywalker used Form V better than any other Jedi. He mastered the form and taught it to his Padawan, Ahsoka Tano. Form V variants allow a reverse grip, which Tano favored over the standard style.

Notable Users: Darth Maul

Details: Forms I through V focused on one lightsaber. Form VI, orNiman, uses a double-bladed lightsaber. This form blends lightsaber action and Force skills, letting a skilled user fight many opponents at once with the Force.

Form VI defends against multiple enemies, but it fights offensively. Darth Maul used Niman with his double blade, but with a single blade, he used Niman skills to defeat Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Niman takes less physical effort than prior forms, making it easier to use for long periods.

Notable Users: Jedi Master Mace Windu, Jedi Master Depa Billaba, Darth Maul, and the Grand Inquisitor

Details: The final lightsaber form, Form VII, is also calledJuyo and VaapadForm VII, often called "The Ferocity Form," is the most aggressive lightsaber combat style and the most unpredictable. Mace Windu and Depa Billaba were the only two known masters of Vaapad; Mace Windu created the variant to fit his style and personality.

Jedi must balance the dark and light sides of the Force to master Form VII. This form demands a practitioner draw on anger and negative emotions, which goes against Jedi teachings. The Sith practiced Form VII more often. Mace Windu was the most skilled Form VII user; he would have beaten Darth Sidious if Anakin Skywalker had not stepped in.

Notable Users: Asajj Ventress, Ahsoka Tano, Darth Vader, and General Grievous

Details: Forms I through VII all focus on one lightsaber. Even a duel-bladed saber remains a single weapon. Those wanting to use two lightsabers must study Jar'Kai. Masters of this form expertly use a normal-length saber with a shorter one, offering attack and defense options.

General Grievous attacked Obi-Wan Kenobi with four lightsabers using Jar'Kai. Form III proved effective; it disarmed his enemy in that fight. Learning Jar'Kai helped Jedi (or Sith) because two lightsabers offer options when one is not enough. Obi-Wan Kenobi grabbed Quinlan Vos' weapon and his own, using Jar'Kai against Cad Bane.

Notable Users: The Sith

Details: During the Sith Wars, the Sith used what they called the Forbidden Forms. Lightwhips, a lightsaber with a flexible blade, proved a good defense against a Sith attacker. This was the best defense against the Forbidden Forms, not a standard lightsaber.

The Forbidden Forms are a recent addition to Star Warslore, first mentioned in 2021. Justina Ireland's novel, The High Republic: A Test of Courage was published in the High Republic series.

Notable Users: All Jedi, and surprisingly, Darth Vader

Details: Form Zerowas not a lightsaber form like forms I through VII. It was a combat principle the Jedi followed. A Jedi's main skill was not blade use. Instead, they learned to draw a lightsaber only when absolutely needed. This became known as Form Zero because it means no lightsaber combat.

The Jedi were not the only group using Form Zero. Darth Vader used Form Zero during his fight with the Third Sister. In Obi-Wan KenobiDarth Vader avoids drawing his blade during the fight with the Third Sister. Vader uses his Force connection to stop her blade and parry it. This shows Vader's skill. The Jedi aim for peace, not fighting, which Vader avoided. He kept his blade sheathed unless necessary.