Post by fishyahoo on Jun 1, 2005 18:57:08 GMT 8
Some interesting posts through myscififan@yahoogroups.com recently on Lightsaber forms/techniques, thought worth sharing:
Andrew Tham wrote:
The Seven Forms
Since the dawn of Jedi History, seven fighting disciplines have arisen, known as the Seven Forms. The Forms represent differing styles and philosophies of combat. Each Form has its respective merits and flaws.
Form I
Form I is based on ancient sword-fighting traditions, since the principles of blade combat has remained much the same. The basics of attack, parry, body target zones, and the practice drills called cadences are all here. Nearly all Jedi padawans are trained in Form I; it is the foundation upon which all other paths are based.
Form II
The ultimate refinement of weapon to weapon combat became Form II, advancing the precision of blade manipulation to its finest possible degree and producing the greatest dueling masters the Galaxy has ever seen. Count Dooku was considered one of the greatest masters of Form II in the history of the Jedi Order.
Form III
The third great discipline focuses on deflection and defense as arts alone. It is a highly refined expression of non-aggressive Jedi philosophy. Form III maximizes defensive protection in a style characterized by tight, efficient movements that expose minimal target area compared to the relatively open style of some of the other forms. While offensively this form can be lacking, Form III Masters are considered invulnerable to attack. Obi-Wan Kenobi in his prime was a highly advanced student of this discipline.
Form IV
Form IV is the most acrobatic Form, heavily emphasizing Jedi abilities to run, jump, and spin in phenomenal ways by using the Force. Masters of Form IV incorporate all the ways in which the Force can help them go beyond what is normally possible for a person to do. Their combat is astonishing to watch, filled with elaborate moves in the center of which a Jedi may be all but a blur.
Jedi Master Yoda found this style particularly to his liking.
Form V
Form V arose to address a need for greater power among the Jedi. Jedi who feel that Form III could be too passive train in Form V. A Form III master might be undefeatable, but neither could he necessarily overcome his enemy. Form V focuses on strength and attack moves. A dedication to the power and strength necessary to defeat an enemy characterizes the philosophy of Form V, which some Jedi describe by the maxim "peace through superior firepower." To some Jedi Knights, Form V represents a worthy discipline prepared for any threat; to others Form V seems to foster an inappropriate focus on dominating others. Anakin Skywalker remained fond of this form throughout his life, and made great use of it as Darth Vader.
Form VI
This Form balances the emphases of other forms with overall moderation, in keeping with the Jedi quest to achieve true harmony and justice without resorting to the rule of power. It is considered the "diplomat's form" because it is less intensive in its demands than other disciplines, allowing Jedi to spend more time developing their skills in perception, political strategy, and negotiation. In practice, Form VI is a combination of Forms I, III, IV, and V. Young Jedi spend their first few years studying Form I and then a year or two with each additional Form before completing their training. By comparison, a master of any other Form will spend at least ten years studying only that form after completing the basic Form I training. Form VI well suits the modern day Jedi' role in society, in which a knight overly trained in martial combat might be at a loss to resolve a complex political conflict between others, however full masters of other Forms sometimes consider Form VI to be insufficiently demanding. Qui-Gon Jinn studied this discipline, and was very fond of its balanced theme.
Form VII
Only high-level masters of multiple Forms can achieve and control the ultimate discipline known as Form VII. This is the most difficult and demanding of all the Forms, but it can eventually lead to fantastic power and skill. Form VII employs bold, direct movements, more open and kinetic then Form V but not so elaborate in appearance as Form IV. In addition to very advanced Force-assisted jumps and movements, Form VII tactics overwhelm opponents with seemingly unconnected staccato sequences, making the Form highly unpredictable in battle. This trait makes for a much more difficult execution than the graceful, linked move sequences of Form IV. Form VII requires the intensity of Form V, but much greater energy since that focus is wielded more broadly. Form VII draws upon a deeper well of emotion then even Form V, yet masters it more fully. Jedi Master Mace Windu is the Jedi Order's senior instructor, and as such is the only one qualified other than Master Yoda himself to teach this discipline. Many in the Order believe that this form's open aggressiveness and efficiency in killing brings it dangerously close to the Dark Side; prospective
students of this Form are screened rigorously.
Andrew Tham wrote:
The Seven Forms
Since the dawn of Jedi History, seven fighting disciplines have arisen, known as the Seven Forms. The Forms represent differing styles and philosophies of combat. Each Form has its respective merits and flaws.
Form I
Form I is based on ancient sword-fighting traditions, since the principles of blade combat has remained much the same. The basics of attack, parry, body target zones, and the practice drills called cadences are all here. Nearly all Jedi padawans are trained in Form I; it is the foundation upon which all other paths are based.
Form II
The ultimate refinement of weapon to weapon combat became Form II, advancing the precision of blade manipulation to its finest possible degree and producing the greatest dueling masters the Galaxy has ever seen. Count Dooku was considered one of the greatest masters of Form II in the history of the Jedi Order.
Form III
The third great discipline focuses on deflection and defense as arts alone. It is a highly refined expression of non-aggressive Jedi philosophy. Form III maximizes defensive protection in a style characterized by tight, efficient movements that expose minimal target area compared to the relatively open style of some of the other forms. While offensively this form can be lacking, Form III Masters are considered invulnerable to attack. Obi-Wan Kenobi in his prime was a highly advanced student of this discipline.
Form IV
Form IV is the most acrobatic Form, heavily emphasizing Jedi abilities to run, jump, and spin in phenomenal ways by using the Force. Masters of Form IV incorporate all the ways in which the Force can help them go beyond what is normally possible for a person to do. Their combat is astonishing to watch, filled with elaborate moves in the center of which a Jedi may be all but a blur.
Jedi Master Yoda found this style particularly to his liking.
Form V
Form V arose to address a need for greater power among the Jedi. Jedi who feel that Form III could be too passive train in Form V. A Form III master might be undefeatable, but neither could he necessarily overcome his enemy. Form V focuses on strength and attack moves. A dedication to the power and strength necessary to defeat an enemy characterizes the philosophy of Form V, which some Jedi describe by the maxim "peace through superior firepower." To some Jedi Knights, Form V represents a worthy discipline prepared for any threat; to others Form V seems to foster an inappropriate focus on dominating others. Anakin Skywalker remained fond of this form throughout his life, and made great use of it as Darth Vader.
Form VI
This Form balances the emphases of other forms with overall moderation, in keeping with the Jedi quest to achieve true harmony and justice without resorting to the rule of power. It is considered the "diplomat's form" because it is less intensive in its demands than other disciplines, allowing Jedi to spend more time developing their skills in perception, political strategy, and negotiation. In practice, Form VI is a combination of Forms I, III, IV, and V. Young Jedi spend their first few years studying Form I and then a year or two with each additional Form before completing their training. By comparison, a master of any other Form will spend at least ten years studying only that form after completing the basic Form I training. Form VI well suits the modern day Jedi' role in society, in which a knight overly trained in martial combat might be at a loss to resolve a complex political conflict between others, however full masters of other Forms sometimes consider Form VI to be insufficiently demanding. Qui-Gon Jinn studied this discipline, and was very fond of its balanced theme.
Form VII
Only high-level masters of multiple Forms can achieve and control the ultimate discipline known as Form VII. This is the most difficult and demanding of all the Forms, but it can eventually lead to fantastic power and skill. Form VII employs bold, direct movements, more open and kinetic then Form V but not so elaborate in appearance as Form IV. In addition to very advanced Force-assisted jumps and movements, Form VII tactics overwhelm opponents with seemingly unconnected staccato sequences, making the Form highly unpredictable in battle. This trait makes for a much more difficult execution than the graceful, linked move sequences of Form IV. Form VII requires the intensity of Form V, but much greater energy since that focus is wielded more broadly. Form VII draws upon a deeper well of emotion then even Form V, yet masters it more fully. Jedi Master Mace Windu is the Jedi Order's senior instructor, and as such is the only one qualified other than Master Yoda himself to teach this discipline. Many in the Order believe that this form's open aggressiveness and efficiency in killing brings it dangerously close to the Dark Side; prospective
students of this Form are screened rigorously.
