Crossguard lightsaber


Description


The extra vents of a crossguard lightsaber released additional energy

The extra vents of a crossguard lightsaber released additional energy

Crossguard lightsabers were similar in size to normal single-bladed lightsabers, but possessed two small vents below the primary blade, positioned opposite each other on the hilt. These vents, called quillons, projected two smaller blades and thus could be used to vent out additional energy. The smaller blades were tributaries of the main blade. Quillons vented out the energy using an array of focusing crystal activators to split the energy from the kyber crystal inside. Emitter shrouds were used to protect the wielder's hands from injury or being cut off from battle.

An ancient design, it was once common among practitioners of the lightsaber combat Form II, also known as Makashi. During the High Republic Era, another type of crossguard lightsaber was popular among the Jedi Order. These lightsabers featured a physical crossguard made from metal without having any additional energy blades. Known users include Avar Kriss, Burryaga Agaburry, and Creighton Sun.

The crossguard lightsaber was often wielded as a heavier alternative to the single-bladed lightsaber, with users such as Cal Kestis or Kylo Ren opting to wield it with both hands while attacking in some circumstances. This technique allowed the wielder to break an opponent's guard with ease, or inflict far more grievous wounds in comparison to the more balanced single-bladed lightsaber.

History


During the High Republic Era, Jedi Master Stellan Gios utilized a crossguard lightsaber.

During the High Republic Era, Jedi Master Stellan Gios utilized a crossguard lightsaber.

The crossguard lightsaber was an ancient lightsaber variant. It proved especially popular among practitioners of the lightsaber combat style known as Makashi, or Form II, and many of them fought at the Great Scourge of Malachor.

Darth Atrius owned a pair of crossguard lightsabers during a time when the Sith were plentiful and powerful. Imbued with the Sith Lord's anger, the lightsabers survived long after the perceived downfall of the Sith, capable of driving their wielders insane with anger. They were eventually destroyed by Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader during the Imperial Era.

During the High Republic Era, Jedi Master Creighton Sun utilized a blue-bladed lightsaber. Later, Jedi Master Stellan Gios owned a lightsaber with a retractable physical crossguard, the arms of which would fold up when the weapon was inactive. When the lightsaber was ignited, the arms would fold out and support the two quillon beams, providing an additional layer of hand protection.

The Jedi Padawan Burryaga Agaburry had a blue lightsaber with the lightsaber's hilt was plated in meryx, the amber of the white wroshyr tree which had been extinct for millennia, and was finished off with an electrum crosspiece.

Cal Kestis modified his second lightsaber with a crossguard design.

Cal Kestis modified his second lightsaber with a crossguard design.

During his crusade against the Galactic Empire, Jedi Knight Cal Kestis fought against several lieutenants of the Bedlam Raiders, several of whom—among them Drya Thornne—wielded crossguard lightsabers that had been taken from dead Jedi by Rayvis. Kestis later added a crossguard feature to his blue-bladed lightsaber, using parts salvaged from Thornne's lightsaber.

During the Galactic Civil War, Ezra Bridger found an ancient green-bladed crossguard lightsaber on Malachor. When he picked it up and activated it, it almost immediately broke and deactivated itself.

Kylo Ren wielded a crossguard lightsaber due to his cracked kyber crystal.

Kylo Ren wielded a crossguard lightsaber due to his cracked kyber crystal.

Modifying his Jedi lightsaber and bleeding his kyber crystal, Kylo Ren built his own crossguard blade because his kyber crystal had cracked in the process. With the extra vents providing an outlet, Ren's blade was unstable but functional. Ren was one of the few wielders of a lightsaber at that time. Ren's light side counterpart, Rey, briefly claimed the lightsaber while confronting Supreme Leader Snoke during the Battle of Oetchi. At the end of his time as a Knight of Ren, Kylo flung his weapon into the sea on the moon Kef Bir as a sign of renunciation of his commitment to the dark side of the Force.

Behind the scenes


A crossguard lightsaber first appeared in Star Wars canon in the 2015 film Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens. The concept of a crossguard lightsaber was first introduced in Star Wars Legends. The lightsaber, which had two beams rather than three, made its first appearance in the 2004 comic book Republic 61. Crossguard hilted lightsabers with metallic quillons first appeared in Jango Fett: Open Seasons Issue #3.

Non-canon appearances


  • Disney Infinity 3.0
  • LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  • LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
  • Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes
  • Disney Magic Kingdoms
  • The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special

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