Last year, an article appeared in the magazine; Star Wars Insider, about the Jedi fighting arts. It was an interesting read, if only a basic treatise on Lightsabre combat. I've done my best to reproduce this via the Hero System 5E martial arts system. This will be a multiple part post as I don't have enough time to post it all at once (i.e. big post)
The Lightsabre is an ancient weapon by the time of TPM. Its use has been documented and refined for millenia by Jedi and as with all martial systems, several substyles have emerged.
FORM I
Form 1 is the most basic form of Lightsabre martial arts. It is taught to all Jedi initiates when they first come to the Jedi temple on Coruscant (by Yoda, in the films) and is designed not only to teach them the basic use of their primary weapon of defense, but to refine their ability to sense the world around them via The Force.
Form 1 students are taught the rudiments of blade dueling. It is a cautious style given more toward defense than offense. It is here also that the student is taught to catch and deflect blaster bolts (and other projectiles) by sensing them with The Force and allowing The Force to guide one's hand.
Form I:
Maneuvers:
Basic Strike (3) Cut
Offensive Strike (5) Slash
Martial Block (4) Parry
Martial Dodge (4) Evade
Skills:
WF: Lightsabre (1)*
Breakfall (3)
Defense Maneuver II (5)*
Fast Draw (3)
Talents:
Combat Sense (3)*
Missile Deflection (20)*
Skill Levels:
CSL's are usually kept on DCV. Shift to OCV when facing unskilled opponents.
Form I teaches basic fighting maneuvers with the sword. It also teaches the student the basic skills necessary to facilitate combat against heavily armed opponents (usually a Blaster). Note that any skill with an "*" is required of the student to learn. Obviously, one must have the WF with Lightsabre to even begin learning the artform. Jedi are also taught to fight defensively in a 360^ arc around them (Defense Maneuver) and to sense opponents they can't see (Combat Sense). The Missile Deflection allows them to defend themselves against Blaster-armed opponents...since this is the weapon that Jedi Knights are most likely to be facing in the current age.
Form I is the most basic form of Lightsabre combat. They are taught this form when they are an initiate, usually by several masters. When an initiate is chosen as a Padawan, he/she usually begins instruction in their Master's Lightsabre Form, advancing beyond Form I into more advanced styles.
(Note all students learn Form I and gain the maneuvers/skills listed. The maneuvers from additional Forms will add to this list to fill out the Jedi's list of Lightsabre maneuvers)
FORM II:
Maneuvers:
Counterstrike (4) Riposte
Martial Disarm (4) Disarm
Bind (4) Lock
Escape (3) Disengage
Skills:
Sleigh of Hand (3)*
Tactics (3)
Talents:
Ambidexterity
Skill Levels:
CSL's are shifted between OCV and DCV to keep the opponent guessing. Shift to +DC to ensure a kill when necessary.
Form II is the dueling form. It is an ancient form no longer practiced among the Jedi because it is designed mostly for use against other blade wielders, which Jedi rarely face in the modern age.
Form II is one of the forms of choice for Sith who plan to face Jedi in duels for this purpose. Form II is a very precise, flowing form which looks similar to European fencing. It emphasizes parry's, counterattacks and disarms. The Bind maneuver is a favorite tactic of Sith so that they can take the time to subvert the Jedi's confidence with dark words.
This is the Form Count Dooku used in Episode II.
FORM III:
Maneuvers:
Defensive Strike (5): Slice
Defensive Block (5): Deflect
Counterstrike (4): Riposte
Skills:
Defense Maneuver IV (+5)
Talents:
Unbreakable Defense: Missile Deflection/Uncontrolled/Adjecent(+20)
Skill Levels:
Active Defense (3pt skill levels usable with Block and Missile Deflection)
Defensive Levels (5)
Expert Defense: PSL vs block/missile deflect penalties (4pts/+2lvls)
Form III was designed in response to the rise of the blaster as the main weapon of choice in the galaxy. It is a highly defensive artform. It is said that masters of Form III are invincible.
As mentioned, the style concentrates on defensive moves and counterstrikes. Practitioners of Form III expand greatly on the ability to deflect blaster bolts taught through Form I to the point that deflection becomes an instinctual reation (Uncontrolled Missile Deflection) and can even protect others from random blaster fire (Adjecent Missile Deflection).
(Notes: The Uncontrolled Missile Deflection works thusly; At the beginning of combat, the character must spend a phase to activate the missile deflection. From that point on during the fight, the character can use Missile Deflection without sacrificing one of his phases to do so. Note that penalties for multiple deflection attempts within a phase accrue as normal, and a missed deflection attempt ends the Missile Deflection power, in which case it must be activated again. Note also that a character cannot attempt to deflect an attack they cannot percieve. However, Form III masters have Defense Maneuver at the full 10pt cost, thus it is very difficult to surprise them!
Note2: Expert Defense is bought as Penalty Skill Levels vs Block and Missile Deflection penalties. These skill levels will allow multiple block and MD attempts at no penalty. Example: Obi-Wan has Expert Defense: +4 (8pts). This allows him to deflect up to 3 blaster bolts or Block 3 melee attacks at no penalty. They do not add to OCV, merely reduce the penalty for multiple block/MD attempts as normal for PSL's)
FORM IV:
Maneuvers:
Fast Strike (4): Lighting Strike
Passing Strike (5) Running Slash
Flying Dodge (5) Spinning Dodge
Skills:
Acrobatics (3)*
Defense Maneuver III (+3)
Rapid Attack-Hand to Hand (5)
Two Weapon Combat (10)
Talents:
Lighting Reflexes (3+)
Skill Levels:
Skill levels with Sweep are most common.
During combat, skill levels should be shifted more toward DCV than OCV to represent their acrobatic style. Acrobatics skill can be used to generate OCV bonues.
Form IV is a flashy, highly acrobatic form. It emphasises quick movements and attacks which include many spinning, leaping and twirling maneuvers. The training in Form IV concentrates on the Jedi using The Force to augment his body's movement. These attacks are often unpredictable and lethal. However, many Jedi feel that Form IV is too flashy and flamboyant for the order, but that doesn't stop it from being a popular form, nonetheless.
Qui-Gon Jin and Obi-Wan both use Form IV in episode I. However, by Ep-2, Obi-Wan switches to Form III. Yoda is a master of Form IV and he shows it in his duel with Dooku in AotC.
Form IV masters should normally spend their CSL's on DCV, to represent the difficulty in hitting a Jedi moving at such speed, but can occasionaly shift them to OCV to represent an unpredictable move, or to DC to represent a high-velocity spinning attack. Even though most skill levels will be shifted to DCV (under normal circumstances) the Jedi can still generate decent OCV bonuses by using Acrobatic attack maneuvers as outlined in the Acrobatics skill description.
Form IV masters make frequent use of Sweep attacks, often purchasing 2pts +OCV skill levels with Sweep to reduce the penalty for multiple attacks. Jedi who use two Lightsabres at once are normally Form IV masters. The skill Rapid Attack is essential for Form IV masters, as it allows them to perform acrobatic half moves while still allowing multiple attacks to wear down opponents or clear a crowd.
FORM V:
Manuevers:
Sacrifice Strike(5) Reverse Slash
Sacrifice Disarm(4) Aggressive Disarm
Sacrifice Lunge(4) Lunge
Skills:
Analyze: Fighting Style(3)*
Talents:
Aggressive Negotiations: Add Missile Reflection (+20)
Skill Levels:
2pt lvls with Missile Reflection.
Form V was developed alongside Form IV during an era when Jedi were asked to take a more active role in maintaining peace throughout the galaxy. It addressed a need for greater power amongst the Jedi. Masters who felt that form III was too passive developed this form. Their philosophy was that while a Form III master might be unbeatable, neither could he necessarily overcome his opponent.
Form V focuses on strong and powerful lightsabre attack moves. A Form V master will observe his enemy for a short time to analyze his fighting technique, then will take advantage of any weaknesses in his opponents style.
Form V masters also exploit the ability of the Lightsabre to deflect blaster bolts, turning this highly defensive capability into an offensive attack. They use the force to control the angle of deflection so the bolt is reflected back at the attacker! True masters are able to reflect bolts in any direction they desire, as accurrately as any expert sniper can bullseye a target. Many Jedi find this use of their traditional weapon to be borderline in the Jedi Code of not using The Force for attack, but only for Knowledge and Defense. However, Form V masters often counter by saying that the Force enhanced accuracy necessary to perform such maneuvers requires a level of calm and immersion in The Force that excludes emotions which are normally associated with Dark Side behavior.....
Form V masters often use their skill levels to augment their OCV or DC rather than DCV. They attempt to overwhelm their opponents with big-damaging maneuvers and ending the fight as quickly as possible. Sith lords find Form V to complement them very well, as its emphasis on strength and attack goes hand in hand with their very nature. Anakin Skywalker dedicates himself to Form V after suffering a defeat at the hands of the Sith Tyranus during the opening battles of The Clone Wars. Later, Darth Vader continues to use Form V when he faces his own son, Luke at Bespin.
Note: Many Jedi develop the ability to use Missile Reflection with their Lightsabres even though they do not study Form V. This is merely indicative of a higher level of Force Enhanced skill with their weapon. However, most Jedi will not use this ability unless they absolutely have to (or against Droids and non-living opponents). Form V masters, however, specifically develop this ability to its fullest and they are generally the only Jedi who develop skill levels with this ability.
FORM VI
Maneuvers
Martial Strike (4) Slice
Counterstrike (4) Riposte
Fast Strike (5) Lighting Slash
Sacrifice Disarm (4) Deprive
Skills:
Tactics (3)
Talents:
Sentinal Adjecent Missile Deflection (10)
Skill Levels:
Lightsabre (3pt) and Defensive (5pt) are most common.
During combat, most practitioners of Form VI keep their skill levels balanced between attack and defense, shifting them around as necessary in responce to the situation.
Form VI is called the "Diplomat's Form" because it was adopted by most Jedi who wanted to concentrate more on the diplomatic duties of the Jedi rather than their martial side. A student of Form VI generaly spends a year or two with a master of forms III, IV and V after mastering the basics of Form I. This allows the practitioner of Form VI quite a bit of leeway in personal style as Form VI adopts moves from the other forms mentioned, rather than developing its own unique style. At the time of TPM and AotC, it is the most common style.
Many masters of other more disciplined Forms feel that Form VI is an incomplete form, and that practitioners of that form are vulnerable to a truly skilled opponent. Perhaps this is true, because all of the Form VI practitioners who fought at The Battle of Geonosis died in the arena fight.
FORM VII
Maneuvers
Fast Strike(4) Lighting Strike
Counterstrike(4) Riposte
Charge(4) Flying Slash
Martial Strike(4) Slice
Skills
Acrobatics(3)
Defense Manuever III (+3)
Analyze: Fighting Technique(3)
Sleight of Hand(3)
Rapid Attack(5)
Talents
Lightning Reflexes(3)
Sentinal Adjecent Missile Deflection (+10)
Avenging Angel Missile Reflection(+20)
Skill Levels
CSL w/Lightsabre(3) and Sweep(2) are most common. Defensive skill levels as well.
PSL or CSL w/block and Missile Deflection complete the package.
Form VII is the most difficult and demanding of all the Jedi Combat Forms, but it can lead to fantastic power and skill. Form VII employs bold, direct movments, more open and kinetic than Form V but not as elaborate in appearance as Form IV.
Form VII attempts to overwhelm opponents with series of unconnected attack maneuvers, making the form highly unpredictable in combat. Form VII draws from a deeper well of emotion than Form V, yet masters it more fully. The outward bearing of a Form VII practitioner is one of calm, but the inner pressure verges on explosion. Only high level masters of multiple Forms can achieve and controle the ultimate discipline known as Form VII.
NOTES:Generaly, a master of Form VII will have fully mastered one or two of the above listed Forms before beginning study of Form VII. This means that the Jedi will already have access to many of the maneuvers and skills in the Form VII list. He merely need purchase the one's he's missing to complete the package. Note however that the Flying Slash maneuver (Charge in the UMA) is unique to Form VII
Form VII masters use a very kinetic fighting style, but more direct than Form IV. Skill levels are normally shifted between OCV and DCV but will be shifted to DC when a strike is assured to achieve maximum damage. They use multiple attacks to wear down opponents, but seek to end the battle quickly, much like a master of Form V. Form VII masters are fond of using their Force-enhanced leaping and running bonuses to add damage to their Flying Slash maneuver, which is usually sufficient to finish off a tough opponent for good.
Mace Windu and Darth Maul were both Form VII masters.
There they are! All 7 Lightsabre Forms from Star Wars: Insider Oct-2002.
Enjoy!
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