The Seven Forms

[Bren]

OK, VII as a mish mash of V, II, and IV with a heavy dose of agression (which may or may not be well controlled) and if VII is abruptly switching from Form to Form it would end up looking syncopated, choppy, and unpredictable rather than smooth and flowing like the other forms. I can work with that.

Form I kind of like kendo with a deliberate style suited more for non-energy weapons. I think I can work with that.

Form VI, still just seems like a stew. A bit of this and a bit of that. That's both hard to describe and too much like form VII. Still need help with this one.

A related tangent, is that in the back of my head is a notion that the Forms should somehow match up to styles of music. Maybe form VII is like a baroque fugue with a complex polyphony of forms V, II, and IV - whereas form V might be a Wagnerian romantic piece, but that's as far as I get. It would probably help if I was actually a composer and understood various musical forms.

[CRMcNeill]

[CRMcNeill]

Another important thing to remember is that the various Forms were also expressions of various facets of Jedi philosophy. Kit Fisto might've stuck to Form I's simplicity as a personal expression of belief, regardless of the coolness factor.
_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[CRMcNeill]

On a related note, should it be possible to custom build a lightsaber hilt that is specifically designed to complement a specific form, not just in the hilt, but in the blade generation as well? We already know Dooku's curved hilt saber was specially designed for Form II; what would be some modifications that would be appropriate for other Forms?
_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[Bren]

[atgxtg]

[CRMcNeill]

[Naaman]

[Naaman]

[Bren]

[Bren]

[Naaman]

Interesting to think of them like separate martial arts styles. I've always thought of them as one form of combat as a whole, with each form emphasizing one or two specific features of the lightsaber itself.

So, in my mind, all Jedi use "lightsaber combat" to fight with their lightsaber, but a form 5 guy, for example, is particularly fond of redirecting blaster fire, so he trains that aspect to a higher degree than other Jedi. A form 3 guy likes the idea of using the Force to foresee dangers and strategies, so he practices using the Force for that specific application in combat, etc.

Rather than being completely separate disciplines, I just think of them as little branches on the same tree.

[Bren]

[Bren]

I've tried to combine some of the comments with my prior postings. How does this description fit with what we know of the forms and with what might look and feel interesting?

• Form I: Shii-Cho – The first of the forms and the first that a Jedi studies, Form I focuses on simplicity and fundamentals. Shii-Cho favors deliberate motion and looks like the somewhat stylized movements of formal kendo.

• Form II: Makashi – The duelist’s form - values precision, elegance, and economy of motion. Form II looks a like a cross between Spanish rapier and European saber fencing.

• Form III: Soresu – The ultimate combat expression of the Jedi's belief in non-aggression, using the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack, Form III values defense, the first rule is: don't let them hit you. It was designed for protection from blaster fire and expanded to be a complete defensive form. Because it focuses on defense, it is essentially more reactive and less aggressive than the other forms. Soresu looks somewhat like the circular movements of akido with both close-in and extended defensive circles.

• Form IV: Ataru - Values unpredictable motion: be where you enemy does not expect you to be (this works for both attack and defense). Ataru makes extensive use of rapid spins, flips, and jumps which may make it difficult to use in a confined space such as defending a doorway. Classic example is Yoda in AotC and RotS.

• Form V: Shien / Djem So - values attack: take the battle to your opponent. An aggressive form using strong attacks and wide blows, turning even blaster parries into an attack via reflection. The classic example of Form V is Anakin in RotS.

• Form VI: Niman – The moderation form or balance form, also sometimes called the diplomat’s form. Niman is based on Form I combined with a mix of the easier elements of the other earlier forms in an attempt to balance attack, defense, and movement with diplomacy. Form VI tends to look like the smooth, flowing, circular movements of tai chi, but practitioners often seem to lack precision and speed compared to the other forms. Niman is often favored by less combat oriented Jedi.

• Form VII: Juyo/Vaapad – Even more aggressive than Form V, Form VI blends aspects of forms II, IV, and V. Juyo’s motto is: do whatever it takes to win and it harnesses the combatant’s anger to power his moves, but because of this it balances on a knife edge as the practitioner risks succumbing to the Dark Side. Because of Juyo’s rapid and unpredictable style changes; direct, straightforward movements; and a belief in minimal movement with maximum effect and extreme speed Juyo look less smooth and more staccato and choppy than the other six forms.

[CRMcNeill]