Having existed for over 25,000 years, it’s no wonder that the Jedi Order developed multiple techniques for engaging in battle, both against other force users as well as against blaster fire.
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Each form was created and tweaked throughout millennia, and it took many intense battles to reach what we know today as the eleven forms and variants of lightsaber combat.
In this video I’ll break down the development of each form and show you how they differ from one another, so smash the subscribe button and let’s get into it.
Form I: Shii-cho
Being the first form to be developed, Shii-cho was naturally the simplest one. Based on moves from the Jedi’s initial days wielding swords, Shii-cho served as a beginning form for padawans and despite its simplicity proved deadly in the hands of a competent and experienced Jedi Master. Even for those who were proficient in other forms of combat, Shii-cho was often turned to as a dependable set of techniques when more complex ones failed.
Although practically all Jedi knew it, some of its best practitioners were Grandmaster Yoda, Mace Windu, and Kit Fisto, who used it often in everyday encounters due to his total mastery of the form.
It wasn’t long, however, before weaknesses were found in its techniques, and Shii-cho was used as the foundation for new and improved forms. The first of these being..
Form II: Makashi
Composed of a deeply refined and much more graceful set of moves, Makashi relied on precise strikes instead of raw strength to overcome an opponent. Such a step up from Shii-cho was Makashi that it became the most used form for the duelists in the order, staying this way until the very end of the Jedi Order. Its focus on fluid movement led to some Jedi and Sith developing lightsabers designed to allow them to carry a lighter and more agile blade. The infamous curved lightsaber as well as the lightfoil are two examples of this Makashi-based craftsmanship.
The most skilled and notable users of this form were Count Dooku, Asajj Ventress, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Jedi Battlemaster Cin Drallig.
As powerful as it may have been against bladed opponents, it was a highly technical form which was hard to master, leading to the development of alternative forms. That brings us to the first forbidden form ever conceived… Trakàta
The Forbidden Form: Tràkata
Trakàta was an interesting form, one which came about from desperation more than anything. It was created by an unknown Jedi Consular who found themselves too weak to overcome their opponent by ordinary means. The form is based on the concept of fully utilising the potential of the lightsaber, a weapon which, by its nature, could be turned on and off.
Although it had various moves, Trakàta can be summarised as luring the opponent into attacking or blocking, then taking them by surprise by switching off one’s lightsaber, sticking the hilt in front of them and then turning it back on.
This is extremely different to the traditional forms, and both the Jedi and Sith looked down upon it. The Sith considered it to be a sign of complete weakness and lack of power, both of which were essential to anybody worthy of following the dark side, while the Jedi considered it dishonourable and unsportsmanlike. This collective shunning led to the form fading into obscurity without anybody being bold enough to call themselves a user of it.
As time went by, blasters became a more common threat across the galaxy, and the need for a more defensive form arose. This brought about the creation of..
Form III: Soresu
Soresu is a highly defensive form that focuses on tight, efficient movements to minimize exposure to attacks. It required the lightsaber wielder to have incredible command over their blade and body to minimise their profile while offering maximum defensive capabilities. The defence was near flawless, with the blade moving constantly in each direction to provide almost complete protection from attacks, be they opposing blades or blaster fire.
The incredible defence provided by the form allowed for safety amidst chaos, as was seen in Obi-Wan Kenobi’s battle against the far stronger and aggressive Anakin Skywalker. This patience was one of the main rewards of using the form; the opponent was bound to exhaust themselves or their weapon, and a swift victory would soon follow for the Soresu user.
As the years went by, Jedi began to experiment with new techniques, utilising more than just their blade as a weapon. This led to the creation of the fourth form, Ataru…
Form IV: Ataru
Ataru is one of the most interesting forms to ever come out of the Jedi Order. Despite the fact that it is highly aggressive and requires a great deal of energy thanks to its strong strikes, it was something still used among the older members of the Order. This is due to them using the force to enhance their physical bodies, increase their stamina, and overall prevent themselves from getting easily tired.