A Guide to all 21 Types of Light Sabers in the Star Wars Universe
In the Star Wars Saga, each lightsaber tells its own unique story.
In Episode IV - A New Hope (1977), Obi-Wan Kenobi uttered the iconic line while passing Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber to Luke, "This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster. An elegant weapon, for a more... civilized age".
The power of a blade comes from the rare kyber crystal contained within it. George Lucas, the creator and director of the original film, described a lightsaber as a sort of laser sword.
Different blades are associated with different characters, explaining the power of the blade and the side of the wielder. Let's understand all 21 major types of lightsabers from the Saga universe.
01. The Protosaber
| Featured in: Vader Immortal VR game |
Protosaber might be the first known design of a lightsaber. It also goes by its traditional name ‘Archaic lightsabers’.
The Protosaber had extremely limited operational time due to its power back, which holds relatively less energy. Its model was discontinued in favor of modern saber designs.
Protosabers were used during the Hundred-Year Darkness and Great Hyperspace War by Jedi, Dark Jedi, and Sith alike. During these conflicts, they clashed with Force weapons, conventional weapons, and exotic weapons such as those made of Mandalorian iron.
It is speculated that the upcoming James Mangold Star Wars film will tell the story of the dawn of the Jedi and may reveal more facts about Protosaber.
02. The Lightspear
| Mentioned in Star Wars: The High Republic |
Lightspear was supposedly a weapon used by ancient Sith.
During the era of the High Republic, Jedi Master Jora Malli obtained a cyber crystal lightsaber from an ancient Sith lightsaber.
Malli was healed with the lightsaber as a thought exercise to understand how the procedure was done, but the original owner filled the crystal with anger and pain, causing it to glow blood red.
Only mentioned once in the entire Saga universe in Charles Soule's Book Light of the Jedi, making this blade extremely secretive in Galaxy far, far, away.
03. Ezra Bridger's Light Saber
| Appearance in Star Wars: Rebels |
Ezra constructed his lightsaber by fashioning it on his blaster. This blade was powered by a blue kyber crystal, allowing him to switch between blaster shots and the traditional melee weapon i.e., lightsaber.
This lightsaber was later destroyed in a duel with Darth Vader during the mission to Malachor. Bridger later replaced his saber with a Green-bladed one, symbolizing his growing confidence and proficiency with the weapon.
04. Light Saber Pikes
| Appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars |
This blade also goes by the name of the Jedi Temple Guard lightsaber, which was a variant similar to the double-bladed lightsaber.
Used by Jedi Temple Guards, they feature two yellow plasma blades on each side of the staff. Members of the Knights of Zakuul from the Eternal Empire also used this sophisticated weapon.
This lightsaber has become synonymous with justice and protection in the Jedi Order.
05. Double-Bladed Light Sabers
| First appeared in Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace |
Saberstaff and Lightstaff are another name for this iconic blade. Both sides of the lightsaber have a blade, thus justifying its name. Multiple variants exist for this lightsaber:
- Hinged double-bladed saber
- The split saber
According to the mythical Qel-Droma Epics, this blade dates back to a Sith Lord named Exar Kun. Incorporating multiple kyber crystals, this lightsaber has an extra-long hilt, which is an advantage and a disadvantage for the wielder.
Obi-Wan simply sliced Darth Maul’s blade down the middle, cutting the hilt apart in Season 3, Episode 20 of Star Wars: Rebels. This may have led to the discontinuation of the use of double-bladed lightsabers by Sith in ancient times.
06. Training Light Sabers
| Multiple Jedi Younglings held Training Lightsabers in Star Wars Episode II - Attack of the Clones |
As the name suggested, these lightsabers are specially designed for training. The length is relatively small and the power of the blade is comparatively very low.
However, according to the book Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection, a strong hit is enough to temporarily numb muscles.
Lost Tribe of Sith from the planet Kesh also used these training blades. In Young Jedi Adventures, it's revealed that Master Yoda kept his first training lightsaber suggesting they might be common for the last 200 years only.
07. Mace Windu's Light Sabers
| First appeared in Star Wars Episode II - Attack of the Clones |
This blade is unique among Jedi as it produces an amethyst blade when activated as opposed to the more common blue or green.
After being appointed as a senior member of the Jedi High Council, he constructed this weapon which he would carry into battle on multiple occasions during the Clone Wars.
The blade fell out of the window and was lost during a confrontation between Windu and the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, who then killed the Jedi Order's champion through the use of Force lightning.
Over the period, this blade became a symbol of resistance in Saga lore.
08. Starkiller's Light Sabers
| First appearance in the game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed |
Subject 1138 "Starkiller", was a clone of Darth Vader's secret apprentice who had two lightsabers that were created to serve as his weapons.
Dark Lord gave him this lightsaber during his training on the planet Kamino and was used during his escape attempt immediately after Vader deemed Starkiller to be another failure in a long line of imperfect clones.
Nevertheless, this blade is strongly associated with dark force now.
09. Battle Light Sabers
| Seen multiple times in the Star Wars: Original Trilogy |
This is the most standard blade in the Saga. Also known as The Skywalker Lightsaber, it is used by the likes of Luke, Anakin, Rey, and even Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Constructed by the Jedi Order in the Jedi Temple armory, these sabers are made to be used during galactic emergencies.
A lot of them were made during the Nihil threat in the High Republic Era. Jedi Order were the guardian angels during the threat from Nihil and after the destruction of Starlight Beacon, they instructed Jedi Master Govena to help others in constructing Battle sabers.
Many customizations were added as time goes, from blade color to intensity. Battle lightsabers are the ultimate iconic weapons in the Saga.
10. The Inquisitors' Light Sabers
| First introduced in Star Wars: Rebels |
This specially designed lightsaber also known as double-bladed spinning lightsaber, was a model used by the Inquisitorius. They are a group of dark-side adepts who enforced the will of the Galactic Empire.
Their mission is to hunt down Force-sensitives. The Inquistors’ lightsabers are a symbol of intimidation in combats. Holds the capability of single, double as well spinning blades in a circular motion.
Most popular wielders are the Grand Inquisitor, the Second Sister, the Third Sister, the Fourth Sister, the Fifth Brother, the Sixth Brother, the Seventh Sister, the Eighth Brother, the Ninth Sister, the Thirteenth Sister, Tualon Yaluna, Marrok, a masked Inquisitor, Jerserra and her Imperial master.
Although not shown multiple times in canon, the spark of interest surrounding the blade is still alive in the Saga fans.
11. Dual-Phase Light Sabers
| Iconic Darth Vader’s lightsaber |
It’s fair enough to say that not only the lightsaber's catalog but the entire Saga universe would be incomplete without this exquisite weapon. It combined two or more kyber crystals to fuel its energy and power.
This artifact belongs to a more violent time and became the symbol of evil in the hands of Darth Vader. Only a true master of the Dark side of the Force would be able to wield this blade.
Darth Vader manipulated his opponent several times during combat to take advantage of a lightsaber's ability to be turned on and off. This blade combat technique is called ‘Tràkata’.
This was only possible because of the Dual-Phase lightsaber. This blade made Darth Vader even more powerful and dangerous in the Galaxy far, far, away.
12. Light Sabers Whip
| Mentioned in Star Wars: The High Republic |
This highly modified lightsaber is also simply known as Lightwhip.
They are heavily modified saber variants with multiple plasma blades in flexible containment shields. Flexibility constricts its cutting power and thus requires more care.
It dates back to Sith Wars and is typically associated with Nightsisters of Dathomir, although some Jedi warriors had been known to use them as well. They are highly effective against Forbidden forms of Sith.
After learning the design in a Force vision, High Republic Era Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh was able to modify her blade to have an additional whip mode.
This additional feature makes this one highly versatile as compared to other lightsabers.
13. Kanan Jarrus' Light Sabers
| Appeared in Star Wars: Rebels |
Kanan Jarrus's two-piece lightsaber with blue hues helped him survive the destruction of the Jedi Order during the reign of the Galactic Empire.
This young Padawan eventually served in the Rebellion against the Empire and was also the mentor of Ezra Bridger.
While studying under the guidance of Jedi Master Depa Billaba, Jarrus, then named Caleb Dume, built his own lightsaber under the guidance of Huyang, a droid professor.
He crossed blades with many opponents including Darth Vader, the Seventh Sister, the Fifth Brother, the Eighth Brother, and former Sith Lord Maul during the early days of the rebellion.
After his death, the spare emitter from his lightsaber was used by his disciple Ezra Bridger to create his third saber. This iconic tale of persistence made Kanan Jarrus’ lightsaber a weapon of elegance and a symbol of a rebel in the Saga canon.
14. The Lightfoil
| Seen in Disney+ Ashoka |
This blade is believed to have been created by the early Sith and arose alongside Makashi's form of saber combat.
Lightfoils are small-sized blades that boast a one-handed hilt to generate a slim plasma blade. Initially used among Jedi but later discontinued as they were only effective in swift duels.
However, they were still common among the so-called saber rakes of the Tapani sector. Shin Hati, a character from the Disney+ series Ashoka was shown holding this artifact.
15. The Darksaber
| Appeared in Disney+ The Mandalorian |
The Darksaber symbolizes leadership to the Mandalorians. This black-energy blade is lined with a crackling white edge making it a unique weapon in the Saga lore.
The wielder has the right to declare himself or herself as the ruler of the Mandalorians. Around 1050 BBY, this lightsaber was created by Tarre Vizsla, the first Mandalorian ever inducted into the Jedi Order.
Since then, it has been passed down through generations of the Vizsla clan and became the symbol of authority during the foundation of the radical Mandalorian splinter group known as the Death Watch.
By the end of season 03 of “The Mandalorian”, the Darksaber was destroyed leaving a cliffhanger regarding the fate of this exceptional blade in future Projects.
16. Shoto Light Sabers
| First appeared in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones |
These are special kinds of lightsabers mainly due to their appearance. The blade length is considerably shorter than the normal blades.
Usually wielded by smaller combatants like Yoda, Yaddle, or Even Piell as their stature made them hard to wield a full-sized blade.
They also serve as off-hand weapons for duelists who employed twin-bladed techniques as part of Jar'Kai, like Ahsoka Tano and the Tenth Brother.
In the latest Disney+ show Ashoka, she abandons her original pair of lightsabers after the execution of Order 66 to fake her death to the Galactic Empire. She constructed a second pair of lightsabers just a year later during the uprising on Raada. This Shoto saber was the perfect weapon for the aggressive Jedi warrior ‘Ashoka’.
17. Kit Fisto's Light Sabers
| Appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars |
Nautolan Jedi Master Kit Fisto used a green-bladed lightsaber both before and during the Clone Wars against the Confederacy of Independent Systems.
Fisto altered his lightsaber by utilizing two crystals that were split into two currents after being charged by an ignition pulse. This allowed the beam to energize while completely submerged in water.
His assignment to the wet battlefronts of Kamino and Mon Cala made good use of this adaptation, thus making a great blade in Saga lore.
18. Cal Kestis’ Light Sabers
| First seen in the video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order |
Jedi Padawan Cal Kestis made this lightsaber on his trip to Ilum after breaking his previous one.
Parts of Cere Junda's lightsaber and those of his late master Jaro Tapal were combined to make the weapon. The original appearance of Cal Kestis' second lightsaber was in the 2019 video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
The weapon's kyber crystal can be customized with any of the following colors: green, orange, purple, yellow, indigo, cyan, and magenta. However, the weapon's blade is mostly available in blue, making it an iconic weapon in the Saga Franchise.
19. The Great Light Sabers
| Appeared in the 1997 video game Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II |
This weapon is the ultimate destructive artifact from the Saga. Also known as The Lightclub or Greatsaber have special focusing crystals and power systems that enable this rare lightsaber to project a blade up to three meters in length.
Immense-stature individuals like Gorc, a mutated Gamorrean Dark Jedi, used such a weapon. In Disney+ Ashoka, a character named ‘Baylan Skoll’ also appears to use a Great Lightsaber.
20. Switch Blade
| Seen in Star Wars Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker |
This is an unusual Saber in the Saga as it’s both blades can be folded up and come together side-by-side, thus making this blade even more lethal.
Jedi Wayseeker Orla Jareni, Jedi General Pong Krell, and some Jedi Temple Guards wielded a Switchblade.
In the latest movie installment “The Rise of Skywalker”, Rey fought a vision of herself as a Sith while searching for the Wayfinder on Kef Bir. In the vision, her dark counterpart was wielding a Switchblade suggesting the Dark side of Force is strongly aligned with it.
21. Crossguard Light Sabers
| Introduced in Star Wars Episode VII - The Force Awakens |
This legendary blade from ancient times is the culmination of three blades - a primary blade and two vents just below it called quillons.
During the time of the Great Scourge of Malachor, it was quite common among Makashi practitioners. The Sith Lord Darth Atrius wielded a pair of such blades filled with his anger. Another Jedi Master Stellan Gios wielded a crossguard lightsaber during the High Republic Era.
It first appeared in Saga in Episode VII - The Force Awakens where First Order warlord and later Supreme Leader Kylo Ren wielded a Crossguard lightsaber.
Blades’ quillons served an additional function as vents to balance out an unstable and cracked kyber crystal. This lightsaber has become a symbol of destruction in the Saga universe.
Conclusion
From the early Protosaber to Kylo Ren's menacing crossguard lightsaber, the Star Wars galaxy brims with unique lightsabers!
Each blade tells a story, reflecting its wielder's power and allegiance.
Explore the intricacies of these weapons by browsing through the collection of lightsabers at ARTSABERS. These sabers are inspired by the same blades mentioned in this guide.
We here at ARTSABERS offer in-depth guides, custom designs, and everything a lightsaber enthusiast craves. Ignite the passion for your journey through the Galaxy far, far, away.
May the Force be with you!
