Difference between revisions of "Lightsabre"

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[[Image:Obi-Wan.jpg|thumb|right|[[Obi-Wan Kenobi]] wields the traditional weapon of a [[Jedi|Jedi Knight]]]]
[[Image:Obi-Wan.jpg|thumb|right|[[Obi-Wan Kenobi]] wields the traditional weapon of a [[Jedi|Jedi Knight]]]]
'''Lightsabres''' are close combat weapons used by the [[Jedi]] and [[Sith]] in ''[[Star Wars]]''.
'''Lightsabers''' are close combat weapons used by the [[Jedi]] and [[Sith]] in ''[[Star Wars]]''.


A lightsabre consists of a handle that produces an energy blade when activated. Lightsabres are individually crafted, and the size of the handle varies according to the user, with Yoda's lightsabre hilt being less than 20 cm in length, while Darth Maul's double lightsabre hilt was over 60 cm in length.  Similarly, the length of a lightsabre's blade varies depending on the needs of the user.
==Specifications==
A lightsaber consists of a handle that produces an energy blade when activated. Lightsabers are individually crafted, and the size of the handle varies according to the user, with [[Yoda|Yoda's]] lightsaber hilt being less than 20 cm in length, while [[Darth Maul|Darth Maul's]] double-lightsaber hilt was over 60 cm in length.  Similarly, the length of a lightsaber's blade varies depending on the needs of the user.


When activated, the lightsabre blade is rigid and "solid", allowing it to interact with solid objects and other forms of energy without noticeably bending.  Lightsabres are capable of cutting through most materials without significant resistance.  Dense materials and massive objects, like blast doors<ref>''[[Star Wars: The Phantom Menace]]''</ref> respectively, will slow them down, but not stop them completely.  Lightsabre blades have not demonstrated any ability to "cut" through energy fields, such as other lightsabre blades or the [[force field]]s in the facilities beneath the royal palace at [[Theed]]<ref>''[[Star Wars: The Phantom Menace]]''</ref>. Lightsabers' blades generate a considerable amount of heat, when used to cut through a blast door in The Phantom menace, they were seen melting the metal. Similarly, there's rarely every any blood, or even reaction to pain from someone cut with a lightsaber, indicating that the heat they generate typically cauterize a wound.
When activated, the lightsaber blade is rigid and "solid", allowing it to interact with solid objects and other forms of energy without noticeably bending.  Lightsabers are capable of cutting through most materials without significant resistance.  Dense materials and massive objects, like blast doors<ref>''[[Star Wars: The Phantom Menace]]''</ref>, will slow them down, but not stop them completely.  The rare metal [[beskar]] resists lightsaber cuts, although it does become visibly hot at the point of contact, indicating that even beskar may yield if exposed long enough.
 
Lightsabre blades have not demonstrated any ability to "cut" through energy fields, such as other lightsabre blades or the [[force field]]s in the facilities beneath the royal palace at [[Theed]]<ref>''[[Star Wars: The Phantom Menace]]''</ref>.  
 
Interaction between a lightsabre blade and solid matter generates substantial heat: they typically cauterize wounds they inflict, and [[Qui-Gon Jinn]]'s lightsabre melted a substantial portion of a blast door on a [[Trade Federation]] [[Lucrehulk-class battleship|battleship]].


Lightsabres are effective at deflecting other energy weapons, be they lightsabres or [[blaster]] bolts. The incredible reflexes needed to block blaster fire, however, mean that only [[The Force|Force]] users are generally capable of this feat.
Lightsabres are effective at deflecting other energy weapons, be they lightsabres or [[blaster]] bolts. The incredible reflexes needed to block blaster fire, however, mean that only [[The Force|Force]] users are generally capable of this feat.


Generally, a Jedi's lightsabre will be blue, yellow, or green, but [[Mace Windu]] wielded a purple blade.  Sith lightsabres are consistently red.
Generally, a Jedi's lightsabre will be blue, yellow, or green, but [[Mace Windu]] wielded a purple blade.  Sith lightsabres are consistently red. Color is determined by the nature of the focusing crystal.
 
[[File:Crossguard-Lightsaber.jpg|thumb|right|Crossguard lightsabre]]
 
==Alternate Designs==
*''[[Star Wars: The Phantom Menace]]'' shows the first double-bladed lightsabre in use by [[Darth Maul]]. It wields more like a staff than a sword, albeit a staff that can only be gripped by a limited section in the middle and can't be rested against the wielder's body.
*''[[Star Wars: Attack of the Clones]]'' has [[Count Dooku|Count Dooku's]] lightsabre with a curved hilt, which is apparently customized for his one-handed fighting style.
*''[[Star Wars: Rebels]]'': Ezra Bridger constructs an unorthodox lightsaber which has a built in stun blaster. Imperial Inquisitors also typically have unusual features on their lightsabers.
*''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens]]'' introduces a lightsabre with a crossguard. This seems impractical at a glance, as there are gaps between the main blade and the perpendicular guard blades, but Jedi and Sith have supernatural fighting skills, so they may be able to manipulate this design quickly and precisely enough to use the crossguard without the opposing blade sliding into the corner and destroying the weapon. According to the Episode VII ''Visual Dictionary'', the crossguard exists more to vent extra plasma from an unstable design than to protect the wielder's hands.


==Extended Universe==
==Extended Universe==
[[Cortosis]] is an exotic material described in EU publications. It can survive prolonged exposure and can sometimes destroy a 'blade' completely.  It exists as a plot device to allow melee combat against Jedi that does not require another lightsabre.  Phrik is a similar exotic material.
[[Cortosis]] is another exotic material described in EU publications. Like beskar, it can survive prolonged exposure to lightsabre blades and can sometimes destroy a 'blade' completely.  It exists as a plot device to allow melee combat against Jedi that does not require another lightsabre.  Phrik is a similar exotic material.


According to secondary sources, the color of a Jedi's lightsabre blade indicates his or her role in the Order.
According to secondary sources, the color of a Jedi's lightsabre blade indicates his or her role in the Order.
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* Green: Jedi Consular - primarily diplomats
* Green: Jedi Consular - primarily diplomats
* Yellow: Jedi Sentinel - primarily scouts, explorers, or investigators
* Yellow: Jedi Sentinel - primarily scouts, explorers, or investigators
Red Lightsabers have a synthetic crystal in place of a natural one. Such lightsabers are prefered by the sith.


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 17:48, 14 November 2023

Obi-Wan Kenobi wields the traditional weapon of a Jedi Knight

Lightsabers are close combat weapons used by the Jedi and Sith in Star Wars.

Specifications

A lightsaber consists of a handle that produces an energy blade when activated. Lightsabers are individually crafted, and the size of the handle varies according to the user, with Yoda's lightsaber hilt being less than 20 cm in length, while Darth Maul's double-lightsaber hilt was over 60 cm in length. Similarly, the length of a lightsaber's blade varies depending on the needs of the user.

When activated, the lightsaber blade is rigid and "solid", allowing it to interact with solid objects and other forms of energy without noticeably bending. Lightsabers are capable of cutting through most materials without significant resistance. Dense materials and massive objects, like blast doors[1], will slow them down, but not stop them completely. The rare metal beskar resists lightsaber cuts, although it does become visibly hot at the point of contact, indicating that even beskar may yield if exposed long enough.

Lightsabre blades have not demonstrated any ability to "cut" through energy fields, such as other lightsabre blades or the force fields in the facilities beneath the royal palace at Theed[2].

Interaction between a lightsabre blade and solid matter generates substantial heat: they typically cauterize wounds they inflict, and Qui-Gon Jinn's lightsabre melted a substantial portion of a blast door on a Trade Federation battleship.

Lightsabres are effective at deflecting other energy weapons, be they lightsabres or blaster bolts. The incredible reflexes needed to block blaster fire, however, mean that only Force users are generally capable of this feat.

Generally, a Jedi's lightsabre will be blue, yellow, or green, but Mace Windu wielded a purple blade. Sith lightsabres are consistently red. Color is determined by the nature of the focusing crystal.

Crossguard lightsabre

Alternate Designs

  • Star Wars: The Phantom Menace shows the first double-bladed lightsabre in use by Darth Maul. It wields more like a staff than a sword, albeit a staff that can only be gripped by a limited section in the middle and can't be rested against the wielder's body.
  • Star Wars: Attack of the Clones has Count Dooku's lightsabre with a curved hilt, which is apparently customized for his one-handed fighting style.
  • Star Wars: Rebels: Ezra Bridger constructs an unorthodox lightsaber which has a built in stun blaster. Imperial Inquisitors also typically have unusual features on their lightsabers.
  • Star Wars: The Force Awakens introduces a lightsabre with a crossguard. This seems impractical at a glance, as there are gaps between the main blade and the perpendicular guard blades, but Jedi and Sith have supernatural fighting skills, so they may be able to manipulate this design quickly and precisely enough to use the crossguard without the opposing blade sliding into the corner and destroying the weapon. According to the Episode VII Visual Dictionary, the crossguard exists more to vent extra plasma from an unstable design than to protect the wielder's hands.

Extended Universe

Cortosis is another exotic material described in EU publications. Like beskar, it can survive prolonged exposure to lightsabre blades and can sometimes destroy a 'blade' completely. It exists as a plot device to allow melee combat against Jedi that does not require another lightsabre. Phrik is a similar exotic material.

According to secondary sources, the color of a Jedi's lightsabre blade indicates his or her role in the Order.

  • Blue: Jedi Guardian - primarily combatants
  • Green: Jedi Consular - primarily diplomats
  • Yellow: Jedi Sentinel - primarily scouts, explorers, or investigators

Red Lightsabers have a synthetic crystal in place of a natural one. Such lightsabers are prefered by the sith.

References