Why Lightsabers Are Jedi Weapons When Anyone Can Use Them

Why Lightsabers Are Jedi Weapons When Anyone Can Use Them

Lightsabers are the traditional weapons of the Jedi Knights and Sith Lords, yet how can ordinary beings use them without special training?

Lightsabers are the signature weapons of Jedi Knights and Sith Lords in the Star Wars galaxy, yet ordinary beings can use them too. While they appear to be little more than swords with laser-like blades, lightsabers are mystical weapons developed and used by both the Jedi and their ancient enemies, the Sith. Constructing a lightsaber can only be done by someone trained to use the Force (or its dark side), but a non-Force-sensitive can wield a lightsaber, though it’s not quite the same as using an ordinary sword.

At the heart of every lightsaber is a Force-imbued crystal. In Legends, there are many varieties of lightsaber crystals, including ones synthesized with a combination of the Force (or its dark side) and ordinary technology. This gives Jedi and Sith more choice in their lightsaber blade color. In canon, there are only Kyber crystals, which are intrinsically tied to the Force and take on a color upon bonding with a Force-user, but turn red when corrupted by the dark side in a process called “bleeding.”

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Unlike ordinary swords, lightsabers are intrinsically tied to the Force and their blades will cut through almost any material with ease. Due to their crystals being Force-powered objects that form bonds with their wielders, Jedi, Sith, and other trained Force-users have an intrinsic affinity for the weapon. As shown in Star Wars Rebels and The Book of Boba Fett, non-Force-sensitives often find lightsabers heavy and unwieldy, only mastering them with a significant amount of effort and training, often overseen by a Force-user.

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Lightsabers were invented by the Jedi, becoming their signature weapons, while the Sith, whose first Dark Lords were former Jedi, use unique lightsaber variants (typically with red blades). Most other Force-using religions use their own signature weaponry, but some Sith splinter groups, like the Profits of the Dark Side, and dark side groups with no initial affiliation with the Sith, like the Knights of Ren, use lightsabers as well. The Star Wars franchise includes several instances of non-Force-sensitives using lightsabers, however, such as Han Solo, General Grievous, Orman Tagge, Moff Gideon, and numerous Mandalorians. Since they are conduits of Force energy, using a lightsaber is difficult for non-Force-sensitives, but not impossible.

Considering their connection to the Force, lightsabers might seem almost impossible for non-Force-sensitives to use, but the Force is omnipresent in the Star Wars galaxy. While some beings are more naturally strong in the Force than others, any being can technically learn to use the Force or its dark side with proper training. This applies to lightsabers as well, which can be used by anybody but are easier for some than others.

Thanks to specialized training, non-Force-sensitives like General Grievous and generations of Mandalorians have used lightsabers almost as effectively as Jedi and Sith. Mastering one’s emotions and honing their skills with a lightsaber doesn’t give ordinary beings every ability, however, as Jedi and Sith have reflexes that allow them to deflect blaster bolts and Force-based attacks like lightning, for instance. Due to the Force existing in all life, anybody can learn to wield a lightsaber, but the classic Star Wars weapon will, ultimately, be primarily associated with Jedi and Sith.

Next: Star Wars: How A Jedi Gets Their Lightsaber Color

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David Miller
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David Miller is a staff writer for Screen Rant, indie comic writer, and life-long lover of all things Star Wars, Marvel, and DC. He was born and raised in New York and has a degree in English from Rider University. He relates to Peter Parker maybe a little too much.

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