The Lightsaber is one of the most iconic weapons in science-fiction and fantasy. The weapon of choice for Force-users like Jedi and Sith, lightsabers have been a part of Star Wars since the very first film. These laser swords use a Kyber crystal, a Force-rich stone, as their core and source of power, creating a high density blade of plasma. They can cut through nearly anything, and their connection to the mystical Force gives them an almost mythical quality in the Galaxy Far, Far Away. The lightsaber has been at the center of the greatest battles in the franchise, and with the release of Maul: Shadow Lord, we have had the opportunity to see them come to life in new and exciting ways.
Originally, there were only three separate types of the lightsaber: green blades, blue blades, and red blades. However, as Star Wars has expanded over the last five decades across film, television, books, comics, and video games, new and more interesting variations have appeared. Some of these are simply new colors of blade, while others have shifted our understanding of what lightsabers actually can be. This list seeks to explore the ten most unique lightsabers in Star Wars canon. While the Legends continuity has plenty of unique lightsabers of its own, this list is more tailored toward the casual or new fan that may not know much about the different sides of canon. Also, note that there will be minor spoilers throughout this list.
Ahsoka’s Twin White Lightsabers
Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker’s padawan in The Clone Wars, famously wields two lightsabers for her quick, acrobatic fighting style. During the Clone Wars, Ahsoka wielded two separate pairs, first with green and then blue blades. When she made her return as the Rebel leader Fulcrum in Rebels, she wielded a weapon never seen before: twin lightsabers with white blades. During her time in hiding from the Empire, Ahsoka took an Inquisitor’s saber. Red Kyber Crystals aren’t natural. The Dark Side wounds them, corrupting or “bleeding” other colored crystals. However, Ahsoka found a way to reverse this process. Using the Force, Ahsoka removed the corruption from the Kyber, allowing them to glow a distinct, pure white.
Ahsoka’s twin white-bladed sabers made waves when they first appeared in Star Wars Rebels. They not only added a new saber color to the spectrum but a whole slew of new lore implications to Kyber Crystals. A white kyber crystal only forms through the “healing” of a red crystal, so it stands as a metaphor for Ahsoka’s journey. She is the padawan of a fallen Jedi. With everything she experienced with the Jedi, the Purge, and the subsequent years with the Rebellion, she could easily have joined her master on the path to the Dark Side. Instead, she chose to move past her pain. To heal. To continue fighting the good fight despite the challenges. The white sabers represent everything fans love about her, the resilience at her core, and that makes them a perfect addition to this list.
Vernestra Rwoh’s Lightsaber Whip
Living during the High Republic era, set hundreds of years before the Skywalker Saga, Vernestra Rwoh was a talented young Jedi. So talented, in fact, that she became one of the youngest knighted members of the Order at only fifteen. One night, the Force granted Vernestra a vision of a new lightsaber design in her dreams. By adding a dial to her hilt, Vernestra gained the ability to manipulate the elasticity of her weapon’s blade from a rigid single blade to a deadly lightsaber whip. Given its similarities to those used by the Nightsisters, Vernestra trained with it in secret. She only revealed its unique function when forced into battle with the Nihil space pirates. The lightsaber whip became her greatest tool through her journey as a Wayseeker and eventually a Jedi Master.
There have been several iterations of the lightwhip, especially in the Legends continuity, but Vernestra Rwoh’s lightsaber variation has brought the concept into the modern day. The High Republic timeline has allowed writers and artists to play with what’s possible in Star Wars. This is the golden era for the Jedi, and the designs and concepts are unlike anything else. Vernestra Rwoh’s weapon is just one example, but even amidst a sea of interesting weapons, hers stands out. She can fight in ways that no other Jedi can. Her weapon’s range and flexibility make her a deeply unpredictable opponent. We do not know if or when we will see this weapon or another like it again. Lucasfilm has decided to move away from the High Republic in its storytelling. However, it definitely stands as one of the most memorable aspects of this era.
Kylo Ren’s Crossguard Lightsaber
As mentioned earlier, red Kyber Crystals don’t form naturally. It takes great power in the Dark Side of the Force to corrupt a crystal’s energy. After the Knights of Ren took Ben Solo into their fold, Ben sought to perform this process. Betrayed and angry, Ben took his own Kyber crystal and attempted to bleed it, but the process went wrong due to the good still in the boy. The crystal did bleed, but it cracked, unleashing an immense, uncontrollable power. In order to use this unstable crystal, the now-named Kylo Ren was forced to build a lightsaber using old techniques. Adding on an exhaust vent for the crystal’s excess power, Kylo Ren built an extremely powerful crossguard lightsaber, crackling with untempered power.
Kylo Ren’s crossguard lightsaber has become a Star Wars icon. While crossguard lightsabers had made appearances in earlier series, Kylo’s saber brought the style to the mainstream. What’s interesting about this particular lightsaber isn’t its combat potential, but the way it ties into Kylo’s story. The Kyber crystals seem to have a sort of sentience, representing their owners’ character and journey. The crackling, overpowered energy seeping from this blade thoroughly illustrates Kylo’s imperfect fall to the Dark Side and the rage that drives him. This type of parallel is exactly why I love this franchise. It blends design and storytelling brilliantly. With Kylo’s backstory now being explored through the Marvel comics, we will thankfully get to see more of this weapon’s unique backstory and capabilities.
Darth Maul’s Double-Bladed Lightsaber
The boy who would become Darth Maul was born on Dathomir to Mother Talzin, leader of the Nightsister coven. At an early age, he showed signs of Force sensitivity, drawing the attention of Sith Lord Darth Sidious. Sidious took the boy in, training him in the Dark Side and molding him into the ultimate weapon. During Maul’s training, Sidious discovered a lost Sith holocron, detailing plans for an ancient lightsaber design. Known as the Double-Bladed Lightsaber or the Saberstaff, this weapon saw two lightsabers fused together. The unique weapon took years to master, but it eventually became Maul’s greatest asset. With his intense rage and the double-bladed lightsaber, Maul became one of the most ruthless warriors in the galaxy. His skill led to him serving as Sidious’ assassin, leader of Mandalore, and crime lord throughout his life.
Admittedly, there’s nothing all that unique about Darth Maul’s patented lightsaber. It is simply two hilts mashed together, so it doesn’t stand out all that much from other weapons here. However, when it debuted in The Phantom Menace, fans had never seen anything like it before. Now, dozens of examples of this type of weapon exist. Characters like Pong Krell and Asajj Ventress even changed up the formula, adding exciting twists to the design. However, Maul introduced it first. His double-bladed lightsaber acts as the basis for all that came after. It has become an icon of the franchise, standing out as one of the most unique weapons introduced into canon. Maul has become a mainstay, appearing in nearly every animated outing, which showcases the impact that his design and lightsaber have made on the series.
Stellan Gios’ Crossguard Lightsaber
Jedi Master Stellan Gios acted as one of the main characters of the High Republic era. A stoic and devoted Jedi, Stellan served faithfully throughout the High Republic’s greatest tragedies, including the Great Hyperspace Disaster, the attacks of the Nihil and Nameless, and the fall of Starlight Beacon. Throughout his many years of service, Stellan wielded a standard crossguard lightsaber with an irregular design. At the base of the blade, where the quillon beams emitted, a physical crossguard was installed. This gave the beams a thinner, more precise appearance unlike other crossguard sabers. Stellan also wielded the lightsaber of his former master, Rana Kant, after her death. However, the crossguard saber stands as the most recognizable piece of his equipment and of the era as a whole.
For the most part, Stellan Gios’ lightsaber makes this list for cool factor alone. By the time it debuted in the High Republic stories, we’d already seen several examples of the crossguard lightsaber throughout Star Wars media. The type of lightsaber isn’t all that unique, but its individual design is. It perfectly represents the design sensibilities of the High Republic, showcasing an almost art nouveau elegance throughout its many small details. The inclusion of a physical crossguard is an interesting choice, as it makes the lightsaber feel more like a realistic longsword. It is an iconic representation of the High Republic era. It may not add any new lore or functional elements, but it is still one of the coolest weapons introduced during that period.
Maris Brood’s Guard Shoto
A Jedi padawan, Maris Brood survived Order 66 alongside Jedi Master Shaak Ti. Hiding on the forest planet Felucia, the Master attempted to help the girl control her darker impulses which had grown more intense since the fall of the Order. However, her efforts would fail. Vader’s secret apprentice, codenamed Starkiller, came to Felucia on orders from his master, seeking the head of Shaak Ti. With the Master dead, Starkiller turned his attention to Brood, whose grief fully twisted her to the Dark Side. Using twin Guard Shoto, tonfa-like lightsabers, Maris proved an effective match for the Sith apprentice. Her nontraditional weapons and fighting style couldn’t defeat Starkiller, but the man showed her mercy, letting her flee back into hiding.
Honestly, I don’t know how Maris Brood doesn’t suffer from severe burns every time she uses these tonfa sabers. They shouldn’t feasibly work, but I almost think that’s the point. They aren’t meant to be functional, realistic weapons but fun, outlandish, video-gamey nonsense. In terms of functionality, tonfa are a legitimate martial arts tool. They give the user a defensive advantage on more traditional weapons while providing a nontraditional and agile offense with which many combatants have little experience. This fits Maris’ combat style perfectly, shaped by her needs in her hunt for revenge. Especially facing other Force-sensitives like Starkiller, she can’t simply rely on brute strength. These guard shoto allow her to outthink and outmaneuver more powerful opponents, giving her a great advantage on the battlefield.
The Stranger’s Split Lightsaber
The Stranger, the mysterious Sith Lord that debuted in The Acolyte, is a mystery. We know that he trained under Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh during his time with the Jedi. We know he hides his true identity under the name and lackadaisical personality of Qimir. More than anything, though, we know that he has incredible skill with the Force and as a duelist. The Stranger utilized an unusual variation on the Split Lightsaber to take his foes by surprise. Starting the battle with what appeared to be a single-bladed lightsaber, the Stranger would soon reveal that the weapon could separate into two: a traditional lightsaber blade and a shorter, defensive shoto. Using the two blades in tandem, the Stranger nearly wiped out an entire unit of Jedi Knights single-handedly on the forest planet of Khofar.
Lightsabers that can separate and combine are fairly common in Star Wars. Several characters have utilized these types of weapons, including Asajj Ventress, Cal Kestis, and some of the Inquisitors. The Stranger’s lightsaber stands apart because it hides this functionality. Other split sabers can shift into double-bladed weapons, adding versatility and flexibility in combat. The Stranger’s, though, seems to only have a single blade. The reveal of the defensive shoto lightsaber purposefully surprises the opponent, forcing them to shift tactics abruptly. While an effective dueling weapon, this lightsaber also mirrors the Stranger’s personality. The man keeps everything buried beneath the surface, revealing nothing. A lightsaber with hidden functionality is perfect for the Stranger, effectively combining character and design in a clever way.
The Inquisitorius Lightsaber
After the rise of the Empire and the execution of Order 66, several surviving Jedi went into hiding. Emperor Palpatine tasked his new apprentice, Darth Vader, to hunt them down, and to do this, Vader created the Inquisitorius. Personally trained and equipped by Vader, the Inquisitors struck out across the galaxy to haunt the nightmares of the survivors. Their greatest tool was a newly developed Double-Bladed Lightsaber. Built around a central hoop, the twin blades of the saber could be sent spinning at the press of a button, creating a nearly impenetrable defensive wall while also making any attack from the wielder highly unpredictable. The Inquistorius’ Lightsabers were a highly versatile weapon, allowing their wielders to outmaneuver and overpower highly trained Jedi remnants.
To kill a desperate Jedi in hiding, you need a weapon that can catch them off guard. The Inquistorius lightsaber is meant to do just that. It takes the unpredictability of Darth Maul’s double-bladed saber and adds technological advancements to make it even more effective. When this weapon debuted in Star Wars Rebels, fans were floored by its unique, spinning design, and it has only gotten more impressive with each subsequent appearance of the Inquisitors. Vader’s kill squad is one of the most effective tools of the Empire, and it is their mastery of this weapon that allows them to overpower their Force-sensitive opponents. It may look a little silly when they use it as a propeller to float with the Force, but these laser chakra/buzzsaws give their wielders enough advantages to make up for it.
Darksaber
The Mandalorians have long conflicted with the Jedi Order, so no one expected the Order to welcome one into their ranks. However, Tarre Vizsla became the first. During his time as a Knight, Vizsla built a lightsaber steeped in Mandalorian history, its hilt molded from Beskar steel and its blade a black void. The Darksaber became the symbol of Tarre Vizsla’s rule, but upon his death, the Order hid it in their temple on Coruscant. Outraged, the Mandalorian people raided the temple and stole it back. For generations, the weapon decided the ruler of this warrior people, granting the title of Manda’Lor to whoever won it in combat. A pacifist movement during the Clone Wars removed this custom, but after the Great Purge, it was believed that the Darksaber was the only way to restore peace to the fractured Mandalorian people.
On the surface, the Darksaber isn’t all that unique. It resembles a traditional lightsaber, outside of its katana-like shape and black color. However, its importance to modern lore cannot go unmentioned. The Darksaber represents the entirety of Mandalorian history. A Jedi’s lightsaber is a very personal thing. It is crafted by the wielder, and it is connected to them through the Force. The Darksaber began like this, but it became an artifact to be passed through the generations. It is the ultimate Mandalorian weapon, conferring total control of a civilization to its wielder. The Darksaber may not look all that different from other weapons in the Star Wars universe, but it acts as a key element in several major storylines in recent years, earning it a place on this list.
Cal Kestis’ Second Lightsaber
The star of the Star Wars: Jedi video game series, Cal Kestis was a former Jedi padawan that escaped Order 66 and went into hiding. After years working as a scrapper on the planet Bracca, Cal was forced to flee from the Inquisitors after saving a friend with the Force. During a battle with Vader’s executioners, Cal’s saber was destroyed, forcing him to visit the Jedi Temple on Ilum to find a new Kyber Crystal and construct a new saber. Utilizing two paired crystals, Cal Kestis’ Second Lightsaber was built with variability in mind. The twin crystals allowed him to give his saber two blades, which he could use connected like Darth Maul or split into two sabers. Over the years, Cal added other modes to its repertoire, including a crossguard mode for heavy attacks and a lighter, faster style for use alongside a blaster.
Cal Kestis’ lightsaber is meant to be very video-gamey. It can change modes to mirror the different playstyles preferred by the different players of these games, and this versatility makes it very interesting. All of its forms have appeared before, but the fact that they all exist in one weapon is an incredible feat of design. The ever-changing weapon gives Cal an edge, making him an unpredictable combatant, but more importantly for the players of these games, it feels intensely personal. This isn’t just Cal’s lightsaber. It is ours. We not only get to customize it aesthetically. We get to actively build this weapon, finding a new kyber crystal and adding upgrades with each new challenge. It is the only weapon on this list that grows alongside the player, and that alone makes it one of the most unique and satisfying weapons in the franchise.
Leave a Reply