🔴All 17 Lightsaber Types In Star Wars Canon Explained🔴
0All 17 Lightsaber Types In Star Wars Canon Explained
In the Star Wars universe, all lightsabers are highly coveted weapons for several reasons. When Luke Skywalker first held Anakin'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. According to various projects from Star Wars canon, wielding a lightsaber is less like holding a sword than it is directing a current of power. This bond between Jedi and lightsaber explains why specific blades have become venerated. Many lightsabers are customized to serve the strengths (and limitations) of their wielders, and are best used with specific lightsaber combat forms. Here is every canon lightsaber model in Star Wars.
The most famous lightsaber type is the standard blade. This is the stance used by the likes of Luke, Anakin, and Rey Skywalker to name but a few. 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 birthright. That makes this lack of customization seem rather odd.
This is explained in Star Wars The High Republic: Shadows of Starlight #1, by Charles Soule, Ibraim Roberson, and Phil Noto. This reveals Huyang, a droid created 25,000 years ago to help Jedi construct their lightsabers, established guidance on constructing quick, efficient "Battle Sabers" in times of crisis. These Battle Sabers were built in the field, and they required minimal effort, meaning their loss in battle wouldn't be so distressing. Obi-Wan may have insisted Anakin's Battle Saber was his life, but Anakin can be forgiven for not having that kind of emotional attachment to his lightsaber.
Some lightsabers have bent hilts, helping to improve the design for dueling; some have different nozzles to give the blade a slightly different shape; and, of course, lightsabers come in all sorts of different sizes. No doubt these customizations were added with time, as a Jedi bonded to the kyber within their blade and began to adapt it to their own purpose. All lightsabers are in some way or another reflections of their respective users, down to Star Wars' many lightsaber colors.
Darth Vader was proficient with all lightsabers, but he personally wielded the unusual and highly versatile dual-phase model. 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 lengths require different combat techniques – meaning only a true master of combat should attempt to use a dual-phase lightsaber.
The crossguard lightsaber is an interesting design incorporating three blade emitters. 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 of the older crossguard design Kylo Ren developed, with physical quillons to control and direct the energy streams at the sides. These quillons point forward toward the emitter when the saber is not in use, and the weapon rests in a specially designed holster.
As seen in the High Republic Era, the crossguard lightsaber was very popular when the Jedi were at the peak of their power. Many High Republic Jedi have been revealed as crossguard wielders. Similarly, the recent video game Star Wars Jedi: Survivor introduced the crossguard variation as a stance Cal Kestis can use during combat. The stance was utilized in-game as a more power-based stance, with heavy, crushing blows being used to break opponents' defenses.