The original Lightsabre guide of the Brotherhood can be found here: http://lightsaberguide.darkjedibrotherhood.com/lightsaberguide.pdf Yet, items applicable to the ACC appear within this section of the Compendium as well as the Rules and Supplement.

Lightsabre Flow Chart

There are various different forms of wielding a lightsaber in combat. These are divided loosely into three groups: the Jedi Arts (Core forms), the Advanced, and the Elite.

Quick Links:  Core Sabre Forms | Advanced Sabre Forms | Elite Sabre Forms

Sabre Form Annotations

Sabre form annotations for the use in battles; they work exactly the same as Force Power annotations. Hovering over a correctly written annotation (to include the brackets and case) will reveal a tool-tip with information on the form, within the text of a battle. These, however (unlike Force Power annotations) are NOT mandatory. They have been created to allow a fluidity of description of sabre use/combat without having to "name" the form in the context.

The Jedi Arts

The Jedi Arts are the most common forms of lightsaber combat. They cover a wide range of skills including swordsmanship, dueling, defense, acrobatics, offence and mediation. Each form incorporates some of the basic principles of swordsmanship that form the core of Form I to provide a solid foundation for those training in the use of a lightsaber. While there is no best form, it is usually necessary to know the basics of Forms I, II and III before being able to go on to train in the more difficult Forms IV, V, VI and VII. Nevertheless only a fool would dismiss a master of Form I as inferior to a mere adept of Form V. It is far better to master the basics than to dabble in techniques one does not fully understand.

Training ("Form 0"): Banlanth

A training lightsabre combat program specifically designed for the Dark Brotherhood which derives it's name from the Cerean word "to learn". A lightsaber is a deceptive item. To the average person, they see a weapon that anyone can press a button and whirl around with ease. The truth is far more complex. So complex, in fact, that the Jedi, both light and dark, utilize a training tool called a 'training saber'.

A training lightsaber is made using a mass-produced hilt and a low-quality Adegan crystal. The result is a weapon that produces a blue blade that, while painful to touch against flesh, is not nearly strong enough to cut. The sensation of being hit with a training saber is a burning pain that goes away after a day or so. Training sabers allow for students to learn how to handle a lightsaber. When activated, the power cells charge the Adegan crystal, creating the 'arc-wave' of energy that comprises the blade. This also has the unfortunate effect of generating a gyroscopic effect, which makes the hilt resist any movement whatsoever. It takes long hours of training to learn to overcome this issue in order to utilize this weapon with any level of proficiency.

Training sabers have sometimes been used by cocky Journeymen against more experienced Jedi. Those that survived learned several important lessons. Chief among these is that while the Training saber can parry and block other training sabers, they do not fare so well against regular lightsabers. A regular lightsaber's blade is far more focused and intense and will disrupt a training saber's blade on all but the slightest of blows. Another unfortunate student discovered that a training saber could not be used to absorb the energy of an Elder's Force Lightning. Another found that while the training saber was able to deflect the bolts of a relatively weak blaster pistol, it did not hold up against a disruptor.

It is important to realize that while a training saber looks like a lightsaber, and acts like a lightsaber, it is not nearly the equivalent of one. It is, in the end, a training tool more than a weapon.

• Two handed grip, ignition, and maintenance
• Vertical movement, horizontal movement
• Slow strike, slow jab, slow block
• Basic Velocity, Single handed grip, strike
• Defensive velocity, Offensive velocity, block, jab

To attain your training sabre, you must complete the following: Take the Training Saber Test Gain the rank of Guardian <for displaying on dossier>

Training sabers can not cut. They singe, sting, and otherwise annoy, but they cannot cut anything. Training sabres cannot 'kill' based on the strike of the blade. Training Saber blades can be cut by regular lightsabers. The unfocused power beam of a training saber is vastly inferior to the intense power beam of a *regular* lightsaber. Training saber can parry and block other training sabers, they will not be successful against regular lightsabers. If by some sick twist of fate one gets used against an elder, they can not block Force Lightning [FL]. Training saber *can* block regular weapons, like swords. However, prolonged exposure may see the sabre blade's disruption. Training sabres may only be used when they are awarded and added to the combatant's dossier as well as allocated on the CS.

The Core Forms

The core forms consist of Forms I, II and III. In many ways they are the simplest of the seven forms and the easier to master which makes them common among most Dark Jedi Knights. Irrespective of their age and simplicity they should by no means be dismissed as inferior to the more difficult forms. Both Forms I and II are of particular interest to those wishing to become experts with a lightsaber.

Many people rush to associate the age and simplicity of Form I with weakness when in fact Shii-Cho is one of the most aggressive of the seven Jedi Arts. What Form I lacks in style and artistry it more than makes up in brute force and power. It is because it resembles ordinary sword fighting so closely that Shii-Cho is so easy to learn and, indeed, master, however this is far from a weakness and most masters of Form I will tell how they believe this is its greatest strength. Form I is particularly effective when faced with multiple adversaries at once.

This style utilizes relatively basic maneuvers with very little flash. It is the easiest of all styles to start as many of the maneuvers are rather intuitive but true mastery requires dedication and practice. Form I is a hard art, preferring strong but sudden attacks, and has no parries but several blocks.

Form II lightsaber combat is a rarely seen fencing style that emphasizes both finesse and speed. Count Dooku mastered Form II and brought the once-archaic style back into practical use at the dawn of the Clone Wars. It is mainly designed for lightsaber-on-lightsaber dueling and a favorite of master duelists. While it may not be as good against ranged weaponry or multiple opponents it is virtually unstoppable against a single duelist. Like Shii-Cho its age and simplicity have no reflection on its elegance and efficiency in a true lightsaber duel.

This quintessential dueling style was developed over generations of Jedi training and was popular during the ancient Sith Wars when Jedi were required to fight Sith in direct one-on-one combat. Eventually Form II rose to the forefront as one of the most elegant methods to defeat the opponent. However with the advent of blaster technology most followers abandoned Makashi in favor of Form III.

While the form praises dexterity over strength it is a very compact and trim form with almost no flourishes and no unnecessary motions. This style is to the point and considered a hard style. The strikes of Makashi rely more upon the inherent damage of the lightsaber over the adherent’s strength.

Form III, the chosen form of Obi-Wan Kenobi, originated as a set of stances and maneuvers designed to counter incoming blaster fire. As the form developed into a more mainstream combat style it became more popular and eventually progressed into the defensive form it is today. Unlike most other forms Soresu focuses almost exclusively on defense and parries with few attack actions. It has been said that a true master of Soresu would be virtually invincible.

While a master of Soresu might never be able to win against a superior duelist they would almost never lose. It has been said that the only reason any Jedi survived the Clone Wars at all was due to Soresu. They certainly did not win but the impossibly strong defensive styles of Form III meant many evaded defeat.

Soresu is considered a hard form as regards its staccato motions.

The Advanced Forms

The composite forms represent the evolution of lightsaber combat. They involve various aspects from the core forms and, in the case of Vapaad, even aspects of some of the Variant forms. Many still believe it unnecessary to pursue any of the composite forms and prefer to completely master one of the core styles. However in practice the specializations of the composite forms prove highly effective.

Form IV is an acrobatic style that allows the combatant to draw upon his or her athletic prowess to out maneuver an opponent. Though more aggressive than most styles, Form IV was common in the galaxy’s more dangerous days. A successful master of Ataru relies on his or her dexterity and speed and a master almost never stops moving during battle.

Though there are no fatal blows available to practitioners of Ataru, Form IV forgoes power in favor of wearing an opponent down gradually with a barrage of high speed, rapid attacks.

Ataru is considered a soft art due to its flowing and flexible nature.

Form V also stems from a desire for more power when dueling with a lightsaber but its origins can actually be traced to the Form III style rather than the physical strength of Form I. The style is based on a philosophy of peace through superior strength. Form V focuses on turning an enemy’s own strength against him and then following with overwhelming force.

Instead of merely learning to deflect an enemy’s attacks at odd angles, Djem So students learn how to reflect an opponent’s attacks back at them. It is especially effective when used against multiple opponents, particularly when they are using blaster weaponry. Djem So is an efficient all round form with few weaknesses.

Form VI is a consolidation of many of the lessons taught by Forms I, III, IV and V. It was the most common style in use during the early days of the Clone Wars. Form VI does not require the intensity of many other forms but rather seeks to create harmony between all the other styles. It was sometimes referred to as the “diplomat’s form” because its study allowed time for the pursuit of other fields such as politics, negotiation, and diplomacy.

The history of Niman is unusual given its origins in a dual wielded variant that continued to be practiced remotely into the last days of the Jedi Order. With time the Jedi abandoned the aggressive practices of the older variant of Niman. In many ways modern Form VI is ideal for any situation because its diversity allows a master the freedom to adapt. In the recent past many Jedi chose Form VI because it did not require the rigorous training regime to master as many of the other forms.  This did not serve them well throughout the Clone Wars, as every Jedi practitioner of Form VI present at the Battle of Geonosis was slain. 

Today, those who prefer to avoid combat, and feel that their time is best spent in learning other aspects of the Force besides combat are encouraged to learn Niman.

Niman is a less intensive art with many of its skills devoted to incorporating Force training into lightsaber combat.

Form VII is among the most difficult styles to master. It is one of unpredictable movements and direct assaults, constantly throwing opponents off guard thanks to continual and seemingly unconnected movements. Still being developed by the style’s masters, Form VII is composed of many paradoxes and other difficult concepts for students to grasp, and as a result, it has many fewer students than other styles.

Vapaad focuses almost exclusively on combat maneuvers and wavers dangerously close to the dark side, for Jedi practitioners. The key to Form VII is speed and a true master can move so fast they virtually become a blur.

Vapaad has its roots in Juyo (variant Form VII) which filled the role of Form VII during the ancient Sith Wars. When peace was restored many deemed Juyo too violent to remain a part of the Jedi Arts permanently and it was forgotten. Vapaad was developed as the new Form VII during the twilight of the Jedi Order to counter the increasing instability of the ailing Republic.

Form VII is a difficult path to tread for even the most powerful Force users.

Dun Moch is more a state of mind than a complete form of lightsaber combat. Its name roughly translates from ancient Sith into “domination of the mind” and, for obvious reasons, was never used by members of the Jedi Order. Rumour has it Dun Moch was the chosen form of both Darth Tyrannus and Darth Vader.

The basis of Dun Moch is to break an opponent. It incorporates a number of taunts and gestures, and particular applications of the Force are also built in to some of the maneuvers. Like most Sith practices it relies heavily on the dark side and is far more Force heavy than any of the basic Jedi Arts, except perhaps Vapaad.

In many ways Dun Moch resembles Makashi for it was developed primarily with the thought of dueling Jedi in mind. Dun Moch incorporates a number of different techniques but specializes in tricking an opponent into making fatal mistakes. A number of feints form a core part of the teachings of Dun Moch.

The Elite Forms

The Variants have their origins in the main seven forms of the Jedi Arts but for one reason or another fell out of widespread popularity. Each is built on the basic model of one of the composite forms. The Variants are mostly specialist making it difficult to say whether any one form is superior to the basic Jedi Arts. In practice they are considered more aggressive, understandable given that they date back to the ancient Sith Wars, but perhaps also why they were largely abandoned.

From the HRLD:

If a person has a single saber, they can not effectively do Juyo or Jar'Kai Niman.

If a person has two sabers (and uses them at the same time), they can not use any forms effectively except for Jar'Kai Niman, Shien, or Sokan.

If a person has a saber-staff (double-bladed lightsaber), they can not use any forms effectively except for Juyo and Shien.

The variant form known as Shien is a rarely seen style that, while effective, is almost a topic of controversy among lightsaber masters due to the drastically different grip taught by practitioners of the form. The style calls for the Jedi to hold the lightsaber horizontally with the tip of the blade out away from the body, and all strikes are made by sweeping the arm forward as though throwing a punch while whipping the blade forward quickly in a broad arc.

Another uncommon form called Jar'Kai Niman is a style often taught in the Jedi Order but rarely mastered by more than a few Jedi each generation. Jar'Kai Niman teaches the use of two lightsabers simultaneously, which can be used as a pair of offensive weapons, or as an offensive weapon and a parrying blade. Many Jedi study the basics of Jar'Kai Niman, and such rudimentary training has often been the edge needed to prevail over a foe.

Mention should be given to the difference between this form of Niman and the modern version of Form VI by the same name. The modern form has its origins rooted in this version of Niman but, after obtaining widespread popularity, the form began to become customized to the particular interests of the Jedi training in it. Unlike the modern form of Niman (Form VI), which was largely used by Jedi Knights during peacetime, the ancient form of Niman, detailed here, was developed with memories of the Sith Wars in mind.

Jar'Kai Niman was mostly popular among the true swordsmen of the Jedi Order. In its heyday weapon masters often obtained fame from their proficiency with such specialist forms.

Sokan is a style that focuses on mobility and evasion as a part of lightsaber dueling. Originating during the great wars with the Sith Empire, the style often led to lightsaber duels that spanned large amounts of terrain as they ran their course. In the time just before the Clone Wars, Sokan warriors integrated many elements of Form IV into their own ancient techniques to create a blend of styles that relies on mobility and agility.

The style encompasses everything from quick, darting movements to smooth tumbles and strikes that arc toward the vital areas of an opponent’s body.

Juyo was a popular form during the later days of the ancient Sith Wars and continued to gain popularity during the Jedi Civil War. It was one of the most aggressive forms used by the Jedi Order at the time and has only ever been surpassed in terms of brute force by Vapaad. It should be noted that Juyo was the basis for many of the techniques in modern Form VII.

This variant on Form VII obtained popularity with Sith. Those wishing to pursue the use of the double-bladed lightsaber would benefit from training in Juyo for there is no other style of lightsaber combat that accommodates the specialist weapon quite so directly.

The few members of the Jedi Order who chose to construct a double-bladed lightsaber often pursued the rarely studied art of Juyo. In practice however it was one of the rarest of both the Variants and the Jedi Arts.

This is a form of lightsaber combat unique to only one or two of the most powerful Jedi. The Jedi will keep the lightsaber in their grasp but will keep it turned off. The Jedi will then dodge or defend any attacks using the force. Some of the more skilled Jedi may launch attacks using the Force in between sweeps of the opponent's lightsaber. They will then wait to the right moment and swiftly turn the lightsaber on and off, sending the blade through the enemy's body. This will instantly wound or kill the apposing enemy. This technique is difficult to master and to use it the Jedi must be very powerful with the force. It is considered to be a dark form of combat as it takes the enemy by surprise and can be also used outside a lightsaber duel to dispose of somebody in close quarters. It is best used in lightsaber dueling but can also be used to avoid blaster fire.

The form currently known only as Lus-ma is one of those forgotten to the history books. The teachings of Lus-ma have been lost to time and at present there are none qualified to teach it. It is known that Lus-ma was a favorite of the leader of the Separatist armies during the Clone Wars, General Grievous, as is it known that he was trained by Count Dooku. Unfortunately this is as far as the bread trail goes and until more details are unearthed the secrets of Lus-ma remain hidden.

Lightsabre Terminology

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