[3] Combat

[Lief]

[2] - [4]​

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Many may wonder why I chose to present combat after ethics.

Our previous three lessons all spoke of the lead up to engaging in combat: How a Jedi views the Force, and their Lightsabers. The intricacies of Form Zero. The Rules of Engagement.

There is more to it than simple flow, however. Self-Discipline is a pinnacle cornerstone on your path toward becoming a Jedi. I find that more martial pursuits provide a safe means of learning this discipline, they test strength of character, allow for the Ethics you just learned to be put into play within a controlled environment.

Some Jedi would frown upon the route I chose to take with this compendium of knowledge... But this isn't for them.

It's for you.

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Contents:

1. ​Form I: Shii-Cho
2. Form II: Makashi
3. Form III: Soresu
4. Form IV: Ataru
5. Form V: Shien / Djem So
6. Form VI: Niman
7. Form VII: Juyo / Vaapad
8. Marks of Contact
9. Moves and Maneuvers

 

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Form I: Shii-Cho​

The Way of the Sarlacc - The Determination Form​

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The first of seven forms, Shii-Cho is largely regarded upon as wild and raw; initiates who use it are often rather clumsy. It focuses upon basic motions and the targeting of specific areas, such as arms and legs. Shii Cho relies upon deliberate tactics and aims to disarm opponents rather than injuring them - in keeping with the Jedi way. However, it was deemed ineffective and was quickly replaced - yet it is still taught to all initiates. Some Jedi Masters choose to utilize Shii-Cho above all other forms, harnessing the unpredictability it could provide to their advantage.

> The first developed Form
> Derived from sword fighting, many of the moves, parries, etc are similar to those used prior to the lightsaber's creation
> Lacks precision, deemed "raw" and "wild"
> Useful against multiple opponents
> Did not solve the issue of lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat
> In the hands of a master it's unpredictable
> All Jedi should have an understanding of Shii-Cho
> It is the first form a Jedi learns

Attack and Parry Zones:

Zone 1: Head. Attack: Overhead Strike. Parry: Overhead Horizontal Block
Zone 2: Right Arm and Side. Attack: Horizontal Sweeping Slash. Parry: Either Vertical Block or Drop Parry
Zone 3: Left Arm and Side. Attack: Horizontal Sweeping Slash. Parry: Either Vertical Block or Drop Parry
Zone 4: Back. Attack: Shiak (Mark of Contact - Stab) Parry: Drop Parry Down Your Back
Zone 5: Right Leg. Attack: Low Horizontal Sweeping Slash. Parry: Drop Parry
Zone 6: Left Leg. Attack: Low Horizontal Sweeping Slash. Parry: Drop Parry

Shii-Cho focuses on the mark of contact: Sun Djem [Disarming]

Notable Practitioners:

Yoda
Luke Skywalker
Kit Fisto

Notable Maneuvers:

Opening Stance

Lightsaber held in both hands - Feet shoulder width apart - Blade at a 45 degree angle.

Disarming Slash

A strike directed at the opponent's weapon in an attempt to rip it out of their grasp or destroy it.

Sarlacc Sweep

A wide sweeping attack in which the duelist struck against multiple enemies.

 

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Form II: Makashi​

The Way of the Ysalamiri - The Contention Form​

The second form, Makashi, relies on precision and efficiency. It allows the practitioner to easily defend against an opponent whilst placing heavy focus on avoiding disarmament. Makashi is based on balance and footwork with the aim of out manoeuvring opponents. It utilizes light cuts and jabs rather than hack and slash movements, and is required to be fluid rather than strong. However, it was deemed ineffective against multiple opponents and blaster attacks.

Notable Practitioners:

Count Dooku
Meetra Surik
Shaak Ti

Notable Maneuvers:

Contentious Opportunity

A tactic based upon recognizing and exploiting an opening in the opponent's defence before swiftly moving to strike the exposed enemy.

Makashi Riposte

A defensive technique where the duelist slightly alters the angle of an opponent's attack before quickly retaliating with a counter strike.

 

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Form III - Soresu​

The Way of the Mynock - The Resilience Form​

Soresu is the most defense based of all the seven forms. It relies upon tight bladework and subtle dodges to provide maximum defense coverage, minimizing exposure to ranged weaponry, Soresu came to be considered the ultimate expression of non-aggressive Jedi philosophy. Practitioners of Soresu kept up constant blade movement to create and build up momentum and thus minimizing energy expenditure. Soresu focuses on strong defense techniques with the aim of outlasting an opponent and waiting for them to make a fatigue or frustration caused mistake before they finally countered their opponent. However, Soresu was criticized for lacking offensive capabilities because the practitioner focused solely on the defense. Many also put it down because it facilitated the survival of the practitioner instead of victory over their opponent.

Notable Practitioners:

Obi-Wan Kenobi
Luke Skywalker
Darth Zannah

Notable Maneuvers:

Circle of Shelter

A technique where the duelist creates a protected area around themselves and their allies, making it difficult for enemies to penetrate.

Deflecting Slash
A technique where the duelist redirects the momentum generated by deflecting an enemy projectile into a slashing attack at an adjacent target.

 

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Form IV - Ataru​

The Way of the Hawk-Bat - The Aggression Form​

Ataru is an aggressive and fast paced form that used force assisted acrobatics such as somersaults and leaping strikes both for attack and defense. Ataru is considered to be effective against single opponents, yet not for prolonged lengths of time, but it was near-ineffective when used in confined places. Ataru is not recommended against blaster fire. It consists of fast and powerful attacks from multiple directions.

Notable Practitioners:

Yoda
Kyle Katarn
Qui-Gon Jinn

Notable Maneuvers:

Opening Stance

Hilt held vertically. Feet shoulder width apart.

Hawk-Bat Swoop

Was intended to allow a combatant to quickly strike their opponent without giving them a chance to react.

Saber Swarm

Numerous short strikes were aimed at the adversary.

 

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Form V - Shien / Djem So​

The Way of the Krayt Dragon - The Perseverance Form​

Shien was developed by Soresu practitioners who felt that the defensive-minded form would unnecessarily extend time spent in combat by waiting for an opportunity instead of creating one. Shien was characterised by power attacks and defence quickly followed by a counter strike. Shien was also adept at blocking blaster bolts and was even able to return them to their source of origin. Shien was designed to use an opponents attack against them, yet many Jedi felt that it encouraged aggression and domination in a fight - all though such statements did not stop many Jedi from practising it.

Shien was adapted slightly into Djem So, which defended well against both melee and ranged, whilst instantly following through with an attack. Djem So practitioners press their assaults with force-enhanced strength to overwhelm their opponent. The characteristic attack of a Djem So practitioner was for the user to lift their lightsaber high over their heads before bringing it crashing down on their opponent.

Notable Practitioners:

Anakin Skywalker
Plo Koon
Darth Bane

Notable Maneuvers:

Barrier of Blades

Defended the user from blasterfire and redirected some of the incoming blasts.

Falling Avalanche

An overhand power blow that crashed down upon an opponent with incredible force.

Fluid Riposte

A smooth transition from parrying an attack to a counterstrike.

Shien Deflection

Simultaneously deflect weapons fire and leap towards an opponent.

 

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Form VI - Niman​

The Way of the Rancor - The Moderation/Diplomats Form​

Niman combines aspects from all previous forms so that it lacks any serious advantages over the other forms but also lacked any major disadvantages or drawbacks that the others had. Niman has a fairly relaxed focus on bladework but is still deemed deadly in the hands of a skilled practitioner. Niman encourages the use of force based attacks, such as telekinetic pushes and pulls, in synchronisation with with lightsaber attacks. Niman's success is dependant on the practitioners intention and creativity in combat. Niman provides a firm foundation for its practitioners to study Jar'Kai, a style of swordsplay that utilizes dual blades.

Notable Practitioners:

General Grievous
Rachi Sitra
Exar Kun

Notable Maneuvers:

Draw Closer

It consisted of the duelist telekinetically seizing an opponent and pulling the enemy into the path of his/her blade.

Pushing Slash

The duelist would slash an opponent before blasting him aside with a Force push.

Niman/Jar'Kai

Twin Strike

A duel-wielding strike that the character simultaneously swings both lightsabers to act as a strong-attack. Both lightsabers meet the target or object.

Rising Whirlwhind

A duelist swings his lightsabers about his body, creating a brilliant whirlwind.

 

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Form VII - Juyo / Vaapad​

The Way of the Vornskr - The Ferocity Form​

Juyo is deemed the most vicious form of lightsaber combat, filled with both fury and malignant grace. It is said to be chaotic and erratic, with a heavy focus of offence. Many believe Juyo to be the most demanding of all the forms, and the most difficult, and is said to violate the 'there is no emotion, there is peace' tenant of the code. Juyo became a highly restricted form among the Jedi out of fear that it led the practitioner to the dark side.

Eventually Vaapad was created to go alongside Juyo. It allowed the wielder to channel their own inner darkness into the duel and thus was explained more as a state of mind than a fighting style. Vaapad requires its practitioners to enjoy fighting and relish the feel of winning. They must accept the fury of their opponent and understand the requirement of a constant stream of force usage during combat. A barely contained explosion of force power is deemed essential. Vaapad practitioners demonstrate seemingly unconnected attacks and appear to wield many lightsabers at once due to the quickness of their movements. Like Juyo this is restricted and rarely practiced among Jedi.

Notable Practitioners:

Mace Windu
Darth Maul
Sora Bulq

Notable Maneuvers:

Assured Strike

Trading sheer power for a near-certainty of landing a hit.

Vornskr's Ferocity

Involved "ferocious" attacking of an opponent.

Swift Flank

The user leaped or dashed around an opponent to make a quick strike. The speed of the maneuver was intended to catch opponents off guard.

Tempered Aggression

Used to describe the ferocity of the Vaapad form, but with more control against succumbing to the dark side even in the heat of battle.

 

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Marks of Contact​

Sun Djem

The sun djem was the act of disarming the opponent, the objective usually being not to physically harm him/her. The classic Shii-Cho move, the Disarming Slash, was specialized towards executing the sun djem.

Shiim

The shiim was a more minute wound to an opponent by the edge of a lightsaber's blade. The shiim could be applied anywhere on the body, and was not specific to any zone.

Cho Mai

The cho mai was the amputation an opponent's weapon-hand.

Cho Sun

The cho sun was the amputation an opponent's weapon-arm.

Cho Mok

The cho mok was the amputation an opponent's limb, such as a humanoid's arm or leg.

Shiak

The shiak was the act of stabbing an opponent.

Sai Cha

The sai cha was the decapitation of the opponent. Being a sideswipe at an opponents side and neck, the sai cha corresponded with Zone 2 and 3 attacks.

Sai Tok

The sai tok was the act of cutting an opponent in half, usually separating his or her legs from the torso at the waist, but vertical bisections corresponding with Zone 1 attacks were not unheard of.

Mou Kei

The mou kei was an attack that dismembered an opponent through a circular motion of the lightsaber, aimed at the major limbs. The mou kei, being aimed at all major limbs, lashed out at multiple body zones. Darth Vader's dismemberment on Mustafar could be considered a triple cho mok, as it amputated both of his legs (zone 5/ 6) and his left arm (zone 3).

 

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Moves and Maneuvers​

Jung

The Jung was a 180 degree turn.

Jung Ma

The Jung ma was a 360 degree spin, used to build momentum for an attack.

Shun

The Shun was a 360 degree spin, during which the lightsaber was held one-handed.

Sai

The Sai was the act of overleaping an attack at the legs.

Flowing Water

The Flowing Water cut was a technique based on the principle of using the space created when the opponent withdrew their lightsaber offensively to one's own advantage. As the opponent pulled their lightsaber back from a bind, the user would follow it with their blade, in effect causing the opponent to pull the user's blade into themselves.

Falling Leaf

The Falling Leaf cut was an ancient move that involved the user spinning and making a fast slash at an opponent standing behind them and then return to face the way they were before the maneuver. It was described as spinning one's feet to "slash from the sky".

Dulon

The Dulon was a lightsaber move where the hilt's pommel would be held at one's midsection with the blade thirty degrees up, and would be slashed at high velocity. The name dulon also referred to a solo lightsaber training.

Kai-kan

The Kai-kan was not a maneuver per se, but rather a reenactment of a prior lightsaber duel.

Tràkata:

- Pass The Blade

The duelist deactivated his blade as he attacks, bypassing the opponent's block before igniting it into the hapless foe.

- Unbalancing Block

The duelist caught the opponent's blade with his own before momentarily deactivating it, causing the opponent to stumble and leave himself open.

Trispzest

Spinning attack: The flying duelist would hover in one spot and spin wildly, lashing out at multiple opponents.

Sokan:

- High Ground Defense

Usually involves environment, combatants made use of large amounts of terrain, trying to maneuver their opponents into vulnerable areas during the course of battles that involved Sokan techniques.

- Unhindered Charge

Rapid movement towards the opponent, ignoring difficult terrain and obstacles.