Form I top

When lightsabers first replaced the older, traditional swords of metal this form was created. It is based on the ancient sword-fighting traditions and the basics remain much the same. Attack, parry, body target zones and practice drills, all stay almost exactly the same.

Form I is the first form a Padawan must study. Around the time of the Clone Wars Jedi Master Yoda teached the young clans this first form.

Form I
Jedi Master Yoda teaches the Bear Clan the first form.


Form II top

With this second form, the art of lightsaber fighting was refined. The precision of blade manipulation was advanced to its finest possible degree. The greatest swordsmasters in the galaxy were trained in this form.

But the form became less current, because fighting an opponent with a lightsaber was not common for a Jedi.
On the other hand Sith Knights, who expect to battle the Jedi with their saber, train intensively in this form and find it a powerful technique.

Form II
Count Dooku handles his lightsaber in the exact ways of Form II.


Form III top

Form III is based on the laserblast deflection. When blasters became the most common weapon in the hand of evildoers, Jedi developed new means of defending themself. This form became a refined expression of their non-aggressive philosophy.

Form III uses tight, efficient moves, leaving no target areas exposed compared to other, more open forms of wielding a saber.
True form III masters are believed almost invincible. But as a side effect, this form isn't useful in attack.

Form III
Obi-Wan Kenobi is a Form III master, and only yields voluntarily to Darth Vader.


Form IV top

Form IV is the most acrobatic form ever developed. In this form the Jedi uses the Force to go beyond what is physically possible. Jumps, spins and runs.
The form is filled with elaborate moves in which the Jedi stands as the center of the blur formed by his lightsaber.

Form IV
Jedi Master Yoda is a true Form IV master.


Form V top

This form is a developed by Jedi masters who found form III too passive. They turned the first only-defensive lightsaber moves into block and attack moves.
The form focusses on strength and lightsaber moves. It turns the deflecting of a blaster bolt into an attack, by deliberately sending it back to the opponent.
To many Jedi it represents the philosophy of "peace through superior firepower", and might seem a worthy discipline, prepared for any threath. Others think it is focussed on dominating other beings.

Form V
Darth Vader has always been a Form V practitioner.


Form VI top

This form is a combination of form I, III, IV and V. Young Jedi spend their first years studying Form I and after that they learn the other forms in small periods. A true Form VI master studies at least ten years this form after completing the first one.

At the beginning of the Clone Wars, Form VI is the current standard for Jedi. It is the least intensive of all forms. It keeps the balance between true harmony and justice without resorting to the rule of power. It is seen as "the diplomat's form", because it allows Jedi to further develop their skills in perception, political strategy and negotiation.

On Geonosis, most of the Form VI users were killed in battle...

Form VI
Form VI is the most common, but least effective. The Diplomat's form.


Form VII top

Only the highest skilled Jedi Masters ever reach form VII. It is the most difficult of all forms, but leads to fantastic skill and power.
This form uses wide and open lightsaber moves, combined with Force-assisted jumps and movements. The unrelated, staccato swings make the form highly unpredictable in battle. But this is also what makes it a lot more difficult to execute, than the linked move sequences of Form IV.
This form has the intensity of Form V, but uses more energy because of the wider moves. The outward bearing of a Form VII practitioner is calm, but the inner is extremely focussed, drawing upon a deeper well of emotion.

This form is at the time of the Clone Wars still under development, as few Jedi have mastered it fully.

Jedi Masters Mace Windu and Sora Bulq developed this style together. It is also known as Vaapad. Named after a predator of Sarapin. This form is rather dangerous, when used by untrained and unfocussed minds. The deep well of emotions can lead to the release of anger. And trigger temptations towards the Dark Side.
Jedi Master Depa Billaba was the first ever to master the form under the tutelage of Mace Windu. In the case of Sora Bulq it was the other way around: Vaapad mastered him. He fell to the Dark Side and joined Count Dooku.

Form VII
Mace Windu is one of the few Form VII masters.