The crossguard lightsaber was a type of lightsaber that utilized either a metallic crossguard or emitted one or two additional, smaller blades on the sides of the primary blade. Variants of the crossguard lightsaber design included the forked lightsaber and the vented lightsaber.^[3] They were often the preferred hilt for practitioners of Makashi, the second form of lightsaber combat.^[2]

Design[]

A weapon primarily used by duelists among the Jedi Order, the crossguard lightsaber resembled the standard lightsaber hilt but possessed quillons, either consisting of a metallic material^[4] or secondary emitters. The blades of the secondary emitters were produced by a specialized power modulator that utilized a splitter to produce two very short blades. The purpose of these blades was to shunt power away from the main blade and to block and catch an opponent's blade. Some variants of the crossguard had only one secondary emitter, at varying angles.^[2]

Variations[]

Forked lightsaber[]

The forked lightsaber was a variant with only one smaller blade. One such lightsaber was utilized by Jedi Master and General Roblio Darté, whose weapon had two blue blades. With only one secondary blade, the secondary emitter was angled at 45-degrees from the main blade.^[5] Another wielder of this variant was a Gran Jedi.

Physical crossguard[]

During the Battle of Galidraan, one of the Jedi in Dooku's Jedi task force wielded a lightsaber with a physical crossguard. Later, this lightsaber was stored in Dooku's castle on Kohlma.^[6]

Vented lightsaber[]

The vented lightsaber was a variant that emitted three blades – a primary blade and two power vents on its sides. Two such lightsabers were utilized by Jedi Master Dazh Ranos during the war against Zakuul.^[7] These types were commonly used by Makashi duelists.^[2]

Similar lightsabers, all with red blades, were used by a group of Nightsisters in league with Sai Sircu during the Clone Wars.^[8]

Vented dualsaber[]

This was a variant with four blades total – it consisted of a double-bladed lightsaber with power vents forming smaller blades on its sides.

Behind the scenes[]

A crossguard lightsaber with metal quillons first appeared in Star Wars Legends sources in the 2002 comic Jango Fett: Open Seasons 3, and a two-blade forked lightsaber would appear in the 2004 comic Republic 61. Following this, the 2014 Patch 2.6.0 update for the Star Wars: The Old Republic video game added the "Dauntless Avenger's" and "Indomitable Vanquisher's" lightsabers to the Cartel Market, which featured short metallic quillons. Later, two versions with lightsaber blade quillons called the "Defiant Vented Lightsaber" and "Defiant Vented Dualsaber" were added to Star Wars: The Old Republic in patch 4.5.0 in 2016, and the crossguard lightsaber with bladed quillons was introduced in the Endless Vigil RPG sourcebook, both appearing after the design had already appeared in the canon film Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens. Given that The Old Republic and the Fantasy Flight Games role-playing game are the only Legends lines that continue beyond the Disney acquisition of LucasFilm, this marks one of the few cases of elements of the post-2014 canon being incorporated into the Legends continuity.

Appearances[]

• Star Wars: The Old Republic: Galactic Starfighter
• Star Wars: The Old Republic: Knights of the Fallen Empire (First identified as vented lightsaber)
• Star Wars: The Old Republic: Knights of the Eternal Throne
• Star Wars: The Old Republic: Legacy of the Sith
• Jango Fett: Open Seasons 3 (First appearance)
• Republic 61 (In flashback(s))
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Jedi Alliance
• Purge

Sources[]

• Jedi Academy Training Manual (First identified as crossguard lightsaber)
• "Launch Pad" — Star Wars Insider 155
• Endless Vigil
• May the 4th Hits the Cartel Market on The Old Republic's official website (backup link)
• 'A Traitor Among the Chiss' Update: Now Live on The Old Republic's official website (backup link) (Picture only)
• #SWTOR Cartel Market Newest Additions: Week of September 11 on The Old Republic's official website (backup link)

Notes and references[]

Lightsabers
Combat: Duel · Jar'Kai · Form "Zero" · Whirlwind of Destiny Forms: I (Shii-Cho) · II (Makashi) · III (Soresu) · IV (Ataru) · V (Shien/Djem So) · VI (Niman) · VII (Juyo/Vaapad) Techniques Cho mai · Chi mak · Cho sun · Dulon · Dun Möch · Jedi ready · Mou kei · Sai cha · Sai tok · Shiak · Shiim · Sun djem · Tràkata · Velocities Lightsaber variations: Crossguard lightsaber · Curved-hilt lightsaber · Darksaber · Double-bladed lightsaber · Dual-phase lightsaber · Forcesaber · Guard shoto · Interlocking hilt · Lightclub · Lightfoil · Lightsaber-baton · Lightsaber gauntlet · Lightsaber pike · Lightsaber shoto · Lightwhip · Long-handle lightsaber · Protosaber · Sabercane · Sith lightsaber · Training lightsaber Technology: Blade emitter · Diatium power cell · Emitter matrix · Focusing lens · Inert power insulator · Lightsaber crystal · Lightsaber hilt · Pommel cap · Stabilizing ring Lightsaber-resistant materials: Armorweave · Cortosis · Durasteel · Mandalorian iron · Phrik · Zillo Beast
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