COMBAT FORMS, LIGHTSABER CRYSTALS, MODIFICATIONS

[ALMIGHTY ALICE]

The famous weapon of the Jedi, forever immortalized as a symbol of their power. The weapon came a long way from its origins as a dangerous, difficult to control beam consuming so much power it had to have a battery pack connected to it. Ironically, despite its association to with the Jedi, the Sith were actually the first to really pioneer this as a viable weapon. It has ever remained an important tool and weapon to the Sith, despite being usurped by their enemies.

The Seven Forms of the Jedi Order

Generally speaking, most Sith were taught some combination of the Seven Forms of the Jedi Order before having the opportunity to branch out into something more specialized, such as the Sith Forms or one of the more unorthodox ones. Only the actual Sith Lords would learn more than these seven forms, and only the ones that put a higher priority upon their Lightsaber combat than normal.

Form I: Shii-Cho

Developed during the earliest days of Lightsaber combat, Shii-Cho is the most basic form of combat. One that all Jedi begin learning, and one that all other forms are based upon in some manner. It teaches the fundamentals of dueling one on one. When used by a Master, its simplicity is its strength, with one move always following into another in continuous motion. It's wide arcs and defensive sweeps make it ideal for combat against multiple foes, allowing one to keep them at bay. Shii-Cho was the basis upon which many Jedi learn to trust their feelings and use the Force in combat, rather than over thinking.

Form I focuses upon deflection and disarming.

Form II: Makashi

Makashi was developed to be an offensive counter to Shii-Cho. It excelled in one-to-one combat with Lightsabers, with a more aggressive approach than Shii-Cho. Good timing, accuracy, and skill were the basis of this form, opposing the more strength based forms. Practitioners of this form were often elegant and calm, even during combat. In fact, they typically appeared so relaxed during an engagement, that their movements felt more like a well orchestrated dance than fighting maneuvers.

Form II focuses on precision, avoiding being disarmed, and avoiding pattern or prediction.

Form III: Soresu

Soresu was developed to counter an age seeing rapid expansion of Blaster and alike technology. As the forms before it focused on dueling, and defending against Lightsabers specifically, this form was very useful. Its teachings could be used for more than just Blaster fire however; it taught to minimize the effort of a defensive move and maximize its effect. A Master of Soresu was very hard to successfully strike, for there were often no gaps left in their defenses. And through strong defensive prowess, a practitioner of Soresu aimed to gain advantage of a confrontation, and often settle the confrontation through non-lethal means. However, many training in Soresu find bridging the gap betweem defense and counter attack to be incredibly difficult, and consequently cannot win a confrontation on this form alone.

Soresu focuses on a tight defense, reflex, maintaining options and victory without a lethality.

Form IV: Ataru

Ataru was a very aggressive form relying on strength, momentum and speed to beleaguer opponents. This form often demanded the aid of the Force for movement, allowing the Force to raise them to acrobatic heights one otherwise couldn't achieve. Specifically used by those with some sort of limitation such as age or size to overcome it. Acrobatics are commonplace with this form, with elaborate flips, tumbles, jumps and twists making up much of the movement. Ataru was also one of the more quicker forms; when performed properly, the practitioner could often appear to be in many places at once - as did their weapon. Its weakness was the exhaustion that came along with using the Force to such a degree coupled with the constant movement, making it a poor choice for prolonged engagements.

Ataru focuses on agility, acrobatics and freedom of movement.

Form V: Shien/ Djem So

Form V traces its origins to Form III, originally created by Masters of Soresu who wished a more balanced approach. As a result, this Form became a combination of Form III and II. Shien was the first variation of this form produced, created with the ability to retain incredible defense without limiting the ability to counter attack. It specialized upon protecting from Blaster fire, as well as protecting against multiple foes. However, it was lacking when it came to one-to-one combat. Djem So came after, bringing with it a balance between the defense of Lightsabers and Blasters. However, rather than preparing for counter attacks, Djem So allows for an actual offense of sheer power. It wasn't unheard of for Djem So practitioners to be able to knock foes to the ground, even if the foe was parrying, just with the force of the impact.

Shien focuses on total defense and the riposte.
Djem So focuses on total defense and brute strength.

Form VI: Niman

Originally a Dark Sider craft, Niman was created through careful blending of most of the forms that came before it (I, III, IV, V). With its blending, many of the strengths were able to cross over, and many of the weaknesses cancel out. This left the success of the Form much more in the hands of the practitioners intuition, improvisation and creativity in combat. It was selected by those who sought to be able to cover as much ground as possible in their foes selected forms, as well as by those who preferred to spend their time upon matters other than training, as it relied less on the form itself.

Niman focuses on balance, improvisation, and creativity.

Form VII: Juyo / Vapaad

Juyo was a vicious form of combat that excelled in one-to-one combat. Because of its incredibly aggressive nature, it was considered to be the most demanding upon the practitioner not only physically, but mentally, as its usage brought one dangerously close the to Dark side. It was regarded as being as strong as Form V, but more precise than Form IV. It often appears to be a mess of unrelated, focused blows. Vapaad was a form partially pioneered by Mace Windu (though he'd tell you it was all him). It was described as more than a form, but a mentality in which the user would accept their fury and actually enjoy the fight, and the prospect of victory. Combining this with a constant feed from the Force made it remarkably deadly. It was warned, however, that this would take the user dangerously close to the Dark side, riskier than Juyo itself.

Juyo focuses on sheer power, precision and unpredictability.
Vapaad focuses on sheer power, aggression and unpredictability.

Form VII is a restricted form. Please PM an Admin if you wish to learn it.

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Sith Forms[/color][/size]

Dun Möch

Dun Möch was a Sith form of combat that required incredible patience as the user would attempt to erode their foes will to fight, as well as their focus, through use of distractions, insults and taunts. In doing so, a foe would lose some, if not all, their will to fight, and be much easier to defeat. Practitioners of this form were often very talented with their wordplay, and very capable of keeping up with a prolonged engagement without falling victim to fatigue. Often, this form would be used to accomplish more than simply winning, such as using it to entice a foe to join your side, or using their despair to encourage them to divulge information.

Dun Möch focuses on indirect influence, damaging morale, and prolonged engagements.

Atra-Manua

Atra-Manua, more commonly referred to as Atra, was a very obscure form regarded as one of the most potent for raw physical combat, as well as one of the most difficult to learn. Though its wild, aggressive appearance seemed to make this form an offensive one, its primary focus was actually upon defense. The perception that it was an eccentric, offensively based form was in its affinity for aiming for the neck and limbs; however, the form emphasized a non-lethal end to the engagement rather than a traditional Sith coup de grace.

Atra-Manua focuses on creating a defensive through an intimidating offense, a quick end to an engagement, and a non-lethal end to one.


Unorthodox Forms[/color][/size]

Trispzest

A combination of Juyo and S'kytri aerial combat techniques, Trispzest was a form dedicated to attacking ground based foes from the air. Employed almost exclusively by winged species, the form had many advantages to be gained over grounded foes. Swings from an aerial foe have the height advantage, able to use gravity to aid them in their swings. Similarly, grounded foes are always fighting upwards, which is both exhausting and difficult. Aerial combatants also have the advantage of being on level with an opponents head - if they have one - making it that much easier to swing for the vital areas of a foe.

Trispzest focuses on using gravity, the high ground, and fatigue to the users advantage.

Sokan

Sokan wasn't so much a form as it was a state of awareness and mentality. Sokan taught practitioners to use their surroundings to their own advantage, often leading to such individuals leading foes over vast amounts of terrain until they reached a prime location from which to stage an offense or defense. Sokan generally goes hand in hand with Form IV: Ataru, as Sokan relies on great speed, agility, and acrobatics to reach these prime locations as quickly and safely as possible, as well as maximizing the effectiveness of this location through use of unorthodox swings and lunges.

Sokan focuses on agility, acrobatics, and insightful use of terrain to gain an advantage.

Mounted Lightsaber Combat

Mounted Lightsaber Combat functioned very much like Trispzest, in that it focused on swinging downward at the more difficult to defend vitals of a foe through use of the high ground and gravity. However, a practitioner of this was very much limited in their mobility thanks to their mount; be it a mounted animal or a vehicle. Often, this meant keeping one hand on the mount at all times, as well having ones legs wrapped around the mount, effectively confining one to the mount.

Mounted Lightsaber Combat focuses on the high ground, gravity assisted blows, and the speed of the mount.

Telekinetic Lightsaber Combat

This form of combat was among the most difficult to Master, as it demanded an incredible amount of focus for the entire length of the engagement. Practitioners would have their Lightsaber hover about them and function as if they were being wielded by a real person - with the limitations of ones reach. Because of this constant demand, coupled with the ever changing dynamics of a battle, the concentration required for this form was incredible. Masters of this form were capable of using more than one blade at once with the form.

Telekinetic Lightsaber Combat focuses on excessive range, maneuverability of a weapon, overcoming physical limitations, and a shock factor.

(Requires Mastered Core Powers)


Weapon Specific Forms[/color][/size]

Jar'Kai

Jar'kai was more a style of fighting, focusing on the use of two Lightsabers, one in each hand. With the obvious presence of another weapon, the Jar'kai form was one that taught an unrelenting assault through use of repeated, quick attacks against a foe aimed to overwhelm their defenses, or even just put them on the defensive. Another common practice was to have one weapon available for an almost strictly guarding purpose, with the other serving to assail the foe. Jar'kai was easily applied to other forms, allowing one to take the teaching of a more traditional form and apply it to the use of two sabers. In this respect, it could become as versatile as the practitioner required. Each method proved very useful against single Lightsaber users.

Jar'Kai focuses on a relentless offense, a versatile defense, and a constant motion.[/blockquote][/color][/font][/size][/justify]

[ALMIGHTY ALICE]

Crystals

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Lightsaber crystals come in many shapes, sizes and colors. Each has a different effect upon the blade of the weapon, altering its shape, length, consistency and color. It's difficult to explain just how rare most crystals are to come by; most bore deep underground in the most remote of systems, were few could ever reach, let alone have the means (or reasons) to search for them. Because of this, all Lightsabers will be equipped with an Ilum crystal, in addition to a synthetic color crystal. For all Sith, this is red unless there is a very specific reason not to have red.[/blockquote][/size][/color][/font][/justify]

[ALMIGHTY ALICE]

Customizations

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Unlike the Jedi, who couldn't customize their Lightsaber unless neccisary as it lead to attachment, Sith were more than welcome to customize their blades however they desired, providing they had the resources to do so. This may be as simple as customizing the hand groves for a personal fit, or augmenting the shape or color of the hilt, to something much more extreme like enabling the weapon to function underwater, or allowing for dual phase.

This is a list of a few possible modifications. Be sure to check with your Sith Moderator to confirm anything unusual you wish to have.

Double Bladed Lightsaber

Also called a "Saber Staff", a double bladed Lightsaber projected the blade out from both ends, creating double weapon. While these weapons are very unwieldy, they do very well at throwing an opponent off their game as there are two blades to watch out for. Those inexperienced with fighting this style of Lightsaber may be very unnerved, enough so to exploit. Such a weapon could also be fashioned to be split into two should the need be, another surprise for potential combatants. This modification was not all that uncommon, and does not require staff approval.

Guard Shoto[/color]

Also called a "Lightsaber Tonfa", the weapon possessed a second hilt protruding on a ninety degree angle from the original. From this position, the blade could be held in a more defensive position, allowing for easier thrusting attacks rather than slashing types. Because of the defensive nature of this modification, the hilt was often made of a Lightsaber resistant allow such as Phrik.

Curved-Hilt Lightsaber

Designed so that the hilt could fit better in ones hand, these were intended to maximize the efficiency of one handed styles of fighting such as Makashi, and allow for unique angles to strike at. This modification was not all that uncommon, and does not require staff approval.

Dual Phase Lightsaber[/color]

A dual phase Lightsaber could adjust itself rapidly to two different present lengths with the press of a button. Thus, the weapon could be a shorter one for precision, or a longer one for dueling, as required.

Shoto

A Shoto was essentially a Lightsaber built smaller; with a smaller grip and a much smaller blade. If a Lightsaber were a traditional one-handed weapon, the Shoto would be a light weapon. It was ideal for use in ones off-hand, as its reduced size and weight made it usable without much drawback. Similarly, it was useful for smaller species who could not wield a regular Lightsaber properly.

Waterproof

A waterproof modification would allow the weapon to ignite underwater. Only aquatic species would go to the trouble of allowing their Lightsabers to do this, as regular humanoids do not possess the underwater mobility to use such a weapon properly. A weapon must be built this way, and can not be modded later on to be waterproof.

Water Resistant
The casing of a Lightsaber could be made to resist certain degrees of moister and liquid. Though it couldn't really be submerged in water, this modification did allow it to be used on planets known for moisture or rain, so long as it was kept in good repair. A weapon must be built this way, and can not be modded later on to be water resistant.


Disguised Weapon

All sorts of cylindrical objects exist in the Galaxy, and a Sith needing to conceal his status as a Sith would often go to lengths to conceal this weapon as something else. This was not an uncommon thing, and does not require staff approval (though do explain what it is disguised as).

Force Activiated Switch[/color]

A Lightsaber equipped with a Force activated switch could only be turned on by feeling the weapon with the Force, and activating a switch within the hilt. This primarily prevented the weapon from being used if it fell into the wrong hands. This was not an uncommon thing, and does not require staff approval.

Silenced[/color]

Lightsabers aren't exactly the quietest. Some sought to eliminate the low hum that follows with the blade wherever it goes, making it a very stealthy weapon. This modification is easily one of the most complicated and expensive modifications, however.[/blockquote][/color][/font][/size][/justify]