The Complete Guide To Every Kind Of Lightsaber In The Star Wars Universe
Jedi and Sith use lightsabers, but Star Wars has many types.
Lightsabers are prized in Star Wars for many reasons. Obi-Wan Kenobi called Anakin’s lightsaber “an elegant weapon for a more civilized time” when Luke Skywalker first held it. Since then, the lightsaber has symbolized Star Wars, with its brilliant blues and greens symbolizing hope and the blood-red Sith lightsabers instilling fear across the galaxy.
Though elegant, lightsabers are complex. Lightsabers are simple to build, but their power comes from the rare kyber crystal inside. Jedi bond with the crystal, which “focuses the light inside the Jedi.” According to Secrets of the Jedi, a lightsaber is more like directing power than a sword. Because of the Jedi’s bond with the lightsaber, Anakin and Luke Skywalker’s blades are prized.
After Disney acquired Star Wars Legends in 2012, most of its lightsabers became non-canon. Lucasfilm has since released many new lightsabers. Star Wars lightsabers explained.
The Standard Lightsaber
Standard lightsabers are the most popular. Luke and Anakin use this tool. Because swords have been ritualistic, mystical, or proof of birthright, George Lucas gave Jedi lightsabers. This history makes Anakin’s lightsaber’s passing to Luke so important and explains Kylo Ren’s outrage at Rey using his grandfather’s blade. Non-Jedi can use all lightsabers because the kyber crystal focuses plasma, but only Force users can maximize their potential.
Aayla Secura used a durasteel blade, while Rey’s new lightsaber at the end of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was partially made from her old staff. Some lightsabers have bent hilts to improve dueling, some have different nozzles to shape the blade, and of course, they come in all sizes. All lightsabers reflect their owners. Since Star Wars’ High Republic Era, Jedi have embellished and decorated their lightsabers, adapting them to galactic fashion.
Dual-Phase Lightsaber
Darth Vader used all lightsabers, but he preferred the dual-phase model. Dual-phase lightsabers have two kyber crystals and are relics of a more violent time. Vader can lengthen his blade by rotating the kyber crystals with a switch. This can surprise an opponent, but the different lengths require different combat techniques, so only a master of combat should use a dual-phase lightsaber. All lightsabers are dangerous, but the dual-phase lightsaber may be the most dangerous to Forceless users.
Training Lightsaber
Younglings trained with lightsabers in the prequel trilogy. These were training lightsabers. These blades are shorter than typical lightsabers to fit young hands and have low energy to prevent injury. In Lucasfilm’s book Star Wars: The Replica lightsaber Collection, a solid hit still numbs muscles.
Protosaber
Vader Immortal VR’s protostar was intriguing. Its blue energy blade had corkscrew prongs and a fan-like structure connecting the crossguard to the hilt. The kyber crystal was exposed on an ignition ring, indicating the Force relic’s extreme age.
Shoto Blades
Ahsoka Tano’s two lightsabers have shoto blades. Showrunner Dave Filoni wanted Ahsoka’s shorter lightsaber to show Anakin’s influence. Her off-hand Shoto blade made her a fierce fighter. Guard Shotos have been mentioned in sourcebooks. This helps Jedi switch between attack and defense with a 90-degree hilt.
Double-Bladed Lightsabers
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace introduced Darth Maul’s unique weapon. This double-bladed lightsaber has a long hilt and multiple kyber crystals. Maul discovered this by studying ancient Sith records, according to Star Wars: The Orange lightsaber Collection.
Switchblade
Switchblades are double-bladed lightsabers. Here, the blades can be folded up side-by-side or down into the traditional double-bladed configuration. In Star Wars: The Clone Wars, treacherous Jedi Master Pong Krell used a switchblade. In Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Rey used a live-action version. Dark Rey used the switchblade to trap Rey’s lightsaber between her blades, suggesting this could be used in a duel. She could have disarmed her opponent with a wrist flick.
Lightsaber Pikes
Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels feature lightsaber pikes, not double-bladed ones. The Coruscant temple guards used it, and the yellow lightsaber blades symbolize the Jedi Order’s eternal flame and vigilance. Luke Skywalker found a single-bladed lightsaber pike in the comics, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge sold one.
Crossguard Lightsabers
Three-bladed crossguard lightsabers are intriguing. Kylo Ren liked the sinister crackling of his unstable crossguard lightsaber. Stellan Gios used a crossguard lightsaber in the High Republic Era. This appears to be a refinement of Kylo Ren’s crossguard design, with physical quillons to direct energy streams at the sides. The sabre rests in a special holster with these pointing forward.
The Inquisitors’ Lightsabers
Star Wars Rebels introduced Darth Vader’s Inquisitors.
As Obi-Wan Kenobi showed, their lightsabers could spin like helicopters. Spinning lightsaber blades can intimidate and give Inquisitors a tactical advantage in lightsaber duels. The Eighth Brother’s sabre has extra buzz-saw teeth for combat and intimidation.
