Lightsabre Forms

[GM Craig]

Like any other true form of martial arts that deserves to be called like that, the art of lightsaber fighting has seen many styles and variants over the millennia. Some were common and widespread, others were rare and known by only a few Jedi at all.

Lightsabre forms work as independent skills, like Lore or Knowledge. Additionally they are similar to advanced skills in that a character needs 5D in Lightsaber before being able to learn a form, with the Exception of Form I, which is the basic Lightsabre style and its manoeuvres can be used by any character with Jedi training and the lightsabre skill (only with the basic skill not the dice in other forms). To learn any form of lightsabre fighting art a character has to have a teacher, or other medium that can show the moves and principles of that form.

Note 1: that changing forms is an action.

Note 2: Ch'lana is only proficient in forms I, II and III.

[GM Craig]

Form I: Shii-Cho "Determination" (Way of the Sarlaac)

This form is the most basic form of lightsaber combat. Its first moves are not so much intended for combat but more to learn body control. Later teachings provide the student with rudimentary fighting moves, while training and especially mastery in that basic form can prove to be very powerful in duels.

It is an ancient form, dating back millenia when force-sensitives were first transitioning from metal weapons to lightsabres, and pre-dates dark jedi and sith lords. It is the default form taught to all practitioners, and is represented by the base "Lightsabre" skill.

Requirements: none

Action	Difficulty	Effect
Heavy Strike	+5	A two-handed strike that hits the opponent hard, and therefore deals +1D damage
Swing Attack	+1	The Jedi moves the blade in a wide circle and is able to strike two opponents at once without penalty. However the opponents have to be within 180 degree in front of the striking character and only receive ?1D damage, since the hit is fast and slighter than when hit directly. Additionally the character receives ?2D to parry or dodge rolls towards these two opponents, since the move makes the combatant open to attacks.
Quick Parry	+10	The fighter parries an incoming attack and moves in a way that blocks the enemy?s movement. The two characters have to make an opposing dexterity roll or the attacker falls to the ground.

[GM Craig]

Form II: Makashi "Contention" (The Way of the Ysalamiri)

An elegant and stylized form of lightsabre combat, Makashi does not so much concentrate on strength but on finesse and skill. It needs wits and a quick mind. Makashi includes many thrusts, ruses, and fast attacks, not so much cutting. It is very efficient against other lightsabers and therefore a wielder of this form receives +1D to attack and parry-rolls against other lightsabres. However due to the concentration in melee-combat it lacks in the ability of ranged defence. Therefore a Jedi using Form II receives -1D to attempts of blocking or redirecting ranged attacks.

Makashi is elegant and focused, and was based on balance and footwork to outmanoeuvre opponents. Fluidity, precision, and economy of motion were relied on, rather than strength, with Form II blade work heavily utilizing jabs and light cuts rather than hack and slash movements. Overall, the form was at its fore when engaged in combat against a single enemy duellist.

Requirements: Dexterity 3D

Action	Difficulty	Effect
Quick thrust	+5	The attacker moves quickly forward with the lightsaber, which is difficult to parry. Any attempt to do so is  done with a ?1D penalty. However due to the quickness of the thrust it deals ?1D damage.
Ruse	+10	The wielder makes the defender think he is attacking and therefore misguides his parry, opening him for a real attack. The parry roll of the defender is reduced by 2D for the next attack of the Jedi.
Heavy Thrust	+5	Attacker moves a minimum of 1 and a maximum of five metres and thrusts the blade into the defender, dealing +1D damage
Disarm/Dismember	+10	The attacker strikes either the weapon hand, or a limb, to disarm or immobilize the defender. Add +1D damage, armor does only apply if that body parts contain armor.

[GM Craig]

Form III: Soresu "Resillience" (Way of the Mynock)

First developed to counter the development of blaster weapons with parries, Soresu is the most defensive style of the Jedi Order and it is said that a true master of that form cannot be overcome. The practitioner combines Force senses with agility to block any attacks directed at him. As a result the wielder receives +2D to any defensive rolls with that form. However there are almost no real offensive strikes in that form, i.e. the wielder receives -2D to any attacks, including redirected (not blocked) blaster bolts. Soresu duels tend to last long and usually end when the attacker begins to make mistakes due to fatigue or frustration. Then is the time to strike for the Soresu practitioner.

Soresu was developed during the widespread emergence of blasters as an offensive weapon. Essentially a development on Form I blast-deflect training, Soresu relied on tight bladework and subtle dodges to provide maximum defensive coverage, minimizing exposure to ranged weaponry. Over time, Soresu transcended this basic origin, and came to be considered the ultimate expression of non-aggressive Jedi philosophy.

Requirements: Dexterity 3D+1, Stamina 4D

Action	Difficulty	Effect
Sweeping Block	+5	A circling move with the lightsaber forces the opponent back. Therefore his next attack is done with a ?2D penalty. This works for multiple attackers, add +2 to the difficulty for each that is to be affected. However due to the fast move any attack the defender wants to make is reduced by ?2D as well.
Quick Parry	+5	The fighter parries an incoming attack and moves in a way that blocks the enemy?s movement. The two characters have to make an opposing dexterity roll or the attacker falls to the ground.
Circle Attack	+10	This only works as a parry to an attack, so the Soresu fighter has to successfully parry that attack (with the +10 difficulty). The combatants have to make an opposed Stamina roll. If the Soresu fighter is successful, he is not only able to block the attack but moves in a circling turn around to the back of the attacker. He gets a free attack without a penalty for an additional action and only a ?1D penalty for using Soresu for an attack.

[GM Craig]

Form IV: Ataru "Aggression" (Way of the Hawk-Bat)

An aggressive style, Form IV was fast-paced and effective against single opponents, though weaker in prolonged combat and confined spaces. Also, it was not recommended for use against opponents wielding blasters. Ataru was characterized by Force-assisted acrobatics, such as somersaults and leaping strikes, both for attack and defence. Another characteristic of the form was its fast, powerful strikes from multiple directions.

Ataru is an acrobatic form of fighting, there are many jumps and quick manoeuvres in it, intended to attack the opponent from as many angles as possible. It is fast, exhausting and agile. Since Ataru combines acrobatics with offensive manoeuvres , a Jedi using this form may perform one acrobatic manoeuvre or may move up to four meters and attack once without the penalty for an additional manoeuvre. However if restricted in movement (due to space, wounds, etc.) any actions done with Ataru receive a -1D penalty.

The history of Ataru stretched back through the Old Republic, to at least as early as the Mandalorian Wars, where it was commonly employed by Jedi of that day. Ataru continued to be a common form among the Jedi in the latter stages of the Republic, and was also known to be employed by the Sith.

Requirements: Strength 3D, Acrobatics 5D

Action	Difficulty	Effect
Double attack	+5	The Jedi attacks two times with quick strikes from different angles. Any attempt to parry these strikes has to be done with a -1D penalty each. However due to the quickness of the attacks, they deal -1D damage.
Tumble Strike	+10	The character has to pass a moderate Acrobatics roll. If successful, the attacker is able to somersault over the defender and strike while above him. This makes it difficult to parry or dodge. Any attempt to do this receives -2D.
Spinning Attack	+10	After passing a moderate Acrobatics roll, the attacker spins around his own axis and by that gains extra power for an attack. Then the attack roll is done (without a penalty for an additional action) and when successful add +2D to the damage.

[GM Craig]

Form V: Djem So "Perseverance" (The Way of the Krayt Dragon)

Djem So is an offensive form of Soresu and is almost as effective against blaster weapons. However it does not stick to defense but concentrates on redirecting attacks and moving into an offensive position making counterattack easier. Some warn that this form is very close to the dark side. Whenever a Form V user attacks after he has parried or blocked an attack, he receives a +2D modifier to the attack roll (this includes redirecting blaster bolts). However any attack rolls not countering a first attack are done with a -2D penalty, the legacy of its Soresu origin.

It was developed by practitioners of Form III who felt that the defensively-minded form would unnecessarily extend time spent in combat by forcing its users to wait for an opportunity to strike rather than create their own openings. Form V combat was characterized by power attacks and defence immediately followed by a counter-strike.

Requirements: Strength 3D+2

Action	Difficulty	Effect
Heavy Parry	+5	The Form V user parries a melee attack with a heavy Strike. Make an opposing Strength test. If successful the Form V user is pushing the opponents weapon aside. If the next action is another attack of the opponent it is done with a -1D penalty. If the next action is an attack of the Form V user, any attempts to parry it are done with a -1D penalty.
Two Hand Thrust	+10	During this manoeuvre the Form V user grabs the hilt of the weapon with two hands and thrusts sideways at the opponent. It deals +1D+1 damage and any attempts to parry it are done with a 1D penalty.
Jump Strike	+15	After passing a moderate Jumping test, the attacker jumps up and grabs the hilt with two hands, strikes as he comes down again, thus adding the speed of the "fall" to the strike. Difficult to block, any attempts to parry are done with a -1D penalty, while the attacker receives +2D to the damage. However since changing course in mid-air is difficult, if not impossible, it is quite easy to dodge that attack. Add +2D to any dodge rolls against this manoeuvre

[GM Craig]

Form VI: Niman "Moderation" (Way of the Rancor, The Diplomat's form)

Form VI is a conjunction of the Forms I, III, IV and V. It is popular with most non-combat Jedi's, diplomats or teachers who want a broad training in lightsaber combat, without concentrating on one aspect of that art. Form VI also includes stares, postures and screams that draw upon the diplomatic skills of a Jedi enabling him to "persuade" opponents that surrender would be the best solution. Due to the rather defensive nature of Form VI users of that power gain +2 to defence rolls, while attack rolls suffer a -2 penalty. Additionally the Niman user receives a number of character-points-like pips equal to one pip per Persuasion or Intimidation die (that has to be chosen when the Form is learned first). These bonuses may be distributed to attack or parry rolls during the course of one combat (with a maximum of four pips per roll).

Example: Jedi Knight Deck Star-Karian has a skill of Persuasion 4D+2 and Intimidation 5D. He decides to base his Niman-style on a more peaceful approach, thus he will use the Persuasion skill and therefore gets 4 bonus points. Later he enters a combat with four Gamorrean mercenaries. He parries an attack and takes two of the bonus points and then attacks two of the mercs, each with a +1 bonus.

Overall, Niman had a fairly relaxed focus on bladework, designed as a simple, easily mastered fighting form for Jedi who preferred to devote most of their time to study and diplomacy. Despite this, it could be absolutely deadly in the hands of a skilled practitioner.

Requirements: Persuasion 4D or Intimidation 4D

Action	Difficulty	Effect
Heavy Parry	+6	The Form VI user parries a melee attack with a heavy strike. Make an opposing Strength test. If successful the Form VI user is pushing the opponents weapon aside. If the next action is another attack of the opponent it is done with a -1D penalty. If the next action is an attack of the Form VI user, any attempts to parry it are done with a -1D penalty.
Double attack	+6	The Jedi attacks two times with quick strikes from different angles. Any attempt to parry these strikes has to be done with a -1D penalty each. However due to the quickness of the attacks, they deal -1D damage.
Vicious stare	0	The Form VI user and one opponent have to pass an opposing test. The Form VI user may use either Persuasion or Intimidation for that purpose (whichever their form is based on), while the opponent has to do a Willpower test. The base difficulty for the Form VI user is moderate, however with a +2 for every further opponent that is to be affected. If successful apply the difference of the rolls of any aggressive actions done by that opponent. The opponent cannot gain a positive modifier by that however.

[GM Craig]

Form VII: Juyo "Ferocity" (the Way of the Vornskr)

Unlike the rhythmic and partly almost dance-like maneuvers of other forms, Juyo is the exact opposite. It breaks the rhythm and therefore surprises any defender. The break of rhythm is accomplished by intuitive action, guided by the force. As a consequence it can be dangerous to use this form, since it may lead to the dark side. Very few Jedi usually are able to master this form. Any attack done with Form VII can only be parried or dodged with a -2D penalty and due to the close connection with the Force, the character receives a bonus to initiative rolls (for combat using Form VII) equal to the dice in Sense, to a maximum of 4D. Additionally the Juyo artist receives a +1 bonus to attacks for each dark side point (for each +3 make it 1D and add the rest, e.g. 5 DS Point give a +1D+2 modifier). This makes Juyo very attractive for Dark Side users and tempts others to give in to the Dark Side. However since the Dark Side leans more towards aggression it gives a -2 penalty to defensive rolls for each DS Point (2 DS would give -1D-1 of any roll to parry), but at least -1D.

In use millennia prior to the Battle of Yavin, the Juyo incarnation of Form VII was described as the most vicious form of lightsaber combat and was said to involve significant internal focus on the part of the user. As time passed, knowledge of Form VII became restricted among the Jedi Order, whose members were worried that its precepts would lead practitioners toward the dark side.

Note: Galen Marek employs this form. Your characters would have no knowledge of this form, but would recognize it as something new if you ever encounter it.

Requirements: Strength 3D, Sense 2D

Action	Difficulty	Effect
Circling Thrust	+5	The Jedi attacks in what appears to be a strike from an upper direction but at the last moment twists the hand to make it a thrust instead. This makes it difficult to block. Any attempt to do so is done with an additional -1D penalty.
Back-Thrust	+10	After passing a moderate Sense Life test, the Jedi is able to sense an enemy behind him (this may be covered up by Force skills) and thrusts backwards, taking the hilt in both hands. The strength of it give it a +1D modifier to the damage roll. The sense test does not count as an additional action to the attack (therefore no MAP penalties apply).
Swing Strike	+10	The Jedi grabs the lightsaber upside down ( the blade is at the lower end of the hand ). He then performs a swinging move like a pendulum, which appears to be of defensive nature. With a sudden lift of the arm and a back swing however the blade strikes at the opponent. This is difficult to block, any attempt to do so is done with a -1D penalty, while the extensive movement adds +1D to the damage.

[Niil Spaar]

So, in game terms, how long would it be before Niil would be considered proficient enough to try Makashi?  He already has a Lightsaber skill of 5D+ (he already had 5D at the start of the game).

[GM Craig]

Ok I wasn't getting that from your RP.

At 5D, eh can start to learn the other forms. They are treated like separate skills.

If I let you earn a pip in Lightsabre, you can put it into base lightsabre, or in one of the specializations.

Ch'lana can teach you forms I through III, so those are freely available to you.

Let me know what you want to learn, and I'll start a thread.

[Niil Spaar]

Heh . . . I didn't know exactly how advanced a 5D skill in lightsaber was prior to this, so I just RP'ed the Jedi apprentice obeying the teacher's instructions.  To Niil, Ch'lana's been a Jedi for a number of decades, and he knows best about Force and lightsaber training.  I tried to RP Niil having an edge over Collan regarding lightsabers, and taking on a bit of a senior student role, but I was paranoid of coming across as an Ed Gruberman (ie, Tae Kwon Leep sketch). 

So . . . if it's allowed, I'd like Niil to train in Soresu next.  Unless Ch'lana thinks I should go with Makashi first, that is.

[GM Craig]

he's all about defence for young students, so given the choice, he'd do Soresu.

[Niil Spaar]

Just to be clear:  When you said these forms are similar to advanced skills, is that strictly only in regard to the forms' prerequisites (ie. STR 3D,  Stamina 4D, etc.)?

And are these forms treated as specializations as in 1/2 the CP cost of "regular" skills?

[GM Craig]

You bump them up like any other skill (for the same cost as regular skills), but they are gated in that they have stat and skill pre-requisites.

[Niil Spaar]

Gotcha.  Sorry, I sorta got tripped up there when I saw the words "advanced" and "specialization".  I automatically thought of the sourcebook rules.