Star Wars: Every Lightsaber Type & How They Function | ScreenRant - Screen Rant

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Lightsabers are so closely linked to the Star Wars franchise that to separate them would no doubt cause irreparable damage to our spacetime continuum. This elegant weapon for a "more civilized age" was a symbol of the stature and prowess of the Jedi Order, as well as the malevolence and aggression of their arch-enemies, the Sith.

Most Star Wars fans are familiar with only a handful of Lightsabers, but there are others which have been wielded throughout the centuries which are far more unique. The following is a list of every lightsaber type, and how each one functions within its respective designs.

10 Training Sabers

Jedi younglings who lack proficiency in the Force are typically given Training Sabers as a means to develop basic lightsaber combat techniques without the risk of losing a limb. Though they are non-lethal, that doesn't mean they aren't capable of inflicting minor damage such as a mild burn.

With no such Training Saber available to him, Luke Skywalker was given his father's saber to practice with. With the blast shield down on Luke's helmet, Obi-Wan Kenobi took a risk when allowing him to practice against a target droid after his sight had been robbed.

9 Standard Sabers

Standard Lighstabers are instantly recognizable as the Jedi's main weapon for both defense and a strong offense. These sabers can come in a multitude of distinct aesthetic styles and blade colors, but the basic makeup remains the same - a straight hilt with an emitter on one end.

The only real differences within this class of saber center around ignition methods and hilt styles that each Jedi must decide for themselves upon building. Certain sabers like the one wielded by Kylo Ren have been heavily modified to produce a different energy output, but the premise remains largely the same.

8 Double-Bladed Sabers

Only the most technically proficient Force users can hope to wield a Double-Bladed Lightsaber and emerge with all their limbs intact. In the hands of a trained expert like Darth Maul or Satele Shan, they can quickly overwhelm less skilled opponents, while providing challenge against seasoned opponents.

Double-Bladed Sabers come in different styles, but the most prominent features an elongated hilt with an emitter on either end. Feared Sith Lord Exar Kun wielded a specialized version of the saber with a hilt that was closer in length to a Standard Saber - a testament to his frightening skill.

7 Tonfa Sabers

Classic blade masters prefer Standard Sabers as their weapon of choice, but Tonfa-based variants have emerged over the centuries for Jedi who wish to utilize them. The unique style of the weapon allows the user to focus primarily on speed and mobility as opposed to wind-up strikes.

It also allows for greater defense against skilled opponents, thanks to the extra emphasis on blocking patterns. Proficient users can quickly turn a parry into a killing blow with speed-based cross-slashes or stabs.

6 Wrist Hilt Sabers

Wrist Hilt Saber variants are considered taboo by the Jedi Order thanks to their clandestine nature. As such, the weapon was primarily used by assassins who wished to keep a low profile and strike quickly from the shadows.

Dark side practitioners found the weapon especially attractive since it could be hidden in the cuff and switched on for a killing blow. Shorter than a conventional lightsaber, the Wrist Hilt variant was the perfect weapon for those involved in subterfuge and black ops missions.

5 Electrum Sabers

Particular lightsabers are crafted from an exotic premium material known as electrum which gave them a shimmering gold color. High ranking members of the Jedi Council were privileged to carry these luxurious weapons as a statement of their stature.

Darth Sidious also possessed an Electrum Saber which he used to slay several Jedi in the waning days of the Clone Wars. Aside from the premium appearance, Electrum Sabers functioned the same as Standard Sabers, though they typically had a shorter hilt.

4 Curved-Hilt Sabers

Count Dooku was highly proficient in the use of Curved-Hilt Sabers which he used to overcome all but the absolute best sword fighters in the galaxy. It was designed primarily to compliment Form II (Makashi), a style of lightsaber combat that prioritizes an elegant dance-like structure designed to overcome opposition with precision strikes.

The curved hilt design forces the user to apply more of the palm when wielding the blade, which further increases its striking power whilst allowing the wielder to vary up his or her technique on the fly to confuse and overwhelm an opponent.

3 Dual-Phase Sabers

Not all Lightsabers utilize a fixed blade length. Dual-Phase Sabers were designed specifically to allow the wielder to toggle between two selective blade lengths for different purposes. Its primary function was designed for combat to catch opponents off guard by elongating the blade up to twice its normal length.

In battle, this technique could be used to stab an unwary opponent, or increase the striking radius of the Saber to distance an opponent and increase user safety. Darth Vader was one Force user to wield just such a blade.

2 Elemental Sabers

Certain environments can render Lightsabers inoperative or inefficient, such as underwater. To compensate, Jedi have concocted blades that employ two focusing crystals at once to maintain a lightsaber blade in deep waters.

Fire Sabers employ splash damage to hurt opponents by flecking lightsaber energy outwards upon impact. These weapons, while highly effective in combat, are notoriously unstable and have been known to explode in mid-combat.

1 Dark Saber

The Dark Saber was the brainchild of the Mandalorian known as Tarre Vizsla, the first ever to be inducted into the Jedi Order. It was so named due to its black blade which seems to defy the laws of physics, altogether.

The blade itself is Mandalorian in both aesthetic and function. Vizsla designed the weapon to be capable of channeling a wielder's Force energies through the length of the blade, which increased its offensive capabilities. It was also one of the few Sabers in existence that could be wielded by non-Force users, provided they were careful.

NEXT: Star Wars: 10 Best Color Types Of Lightsabers

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Derek Draven (166 Articles Published)

Derek's been a pop culture nut since he was a wee lad. When it's time to yell "Get off my lawn," he'll be dressed up like Kratos until the cops arrive. Derek loves contributing to both ScreenRant and TheGamer.