Breaking Down the Design of the Inquisitor's Double-Bladed Lightsaber

The double-bladed Inquisitorius lightsaber, or simply the Inquisitor lightsaber, was the lightsaber used by the Inquisitors. These were dark side users who were trained to enforce the will of the Galactic Empire and eliminate any Jedi who came in their way. It primarily had two modes—single blade and double blade. It could also spin in a circular motion when two blades were emitted. 

Unlike Siths, who valued their individuality and made their customized lightsabers with innovation, all Inquisitors use the same lightsaber design produced in bulk. This assures that they were mere enforcers of the Galactic Republic and not Siths. 

Although the Inquisitor's lightsaber design itself was innovative, it had a particular weakness. The spinning design was a good, intimidating feature about the lightsaber, but it was also a known weakness. Skilled Jedi Kanan Jarrus and Ahsoka Tano even exploited this and were able to either break the saber or disable it's functioning during the combat. 

In this blog, we will talk all about this mass-produced intimidating weapon of Star Wars. From its design to numerous wielders and weaknesses, we will discuss it all. So without further ado, let's get started!

The Spinning Lightsaber’s Design

The Inquisitor's lightsaber was sleek, cylindrical, and straight in design. It was easy to maneuver even with its intricate mechanics. It was crafted from certain metallic components hence, it was both light and strong. This made it easy for Inquisitors to use it with precision and agility.

At the center, the weapon contained two kyber crystals, which activated its lethal red blades. Fully extended in crescent mode, the lightsaber was approximately one meter long. It provided its wielder with an impressive reach during combat. Yet its most unique aspect was the extendable handguard, which could spin around the central hilt in disc mode. This facilitated the weapon's notorious spinning capability. This overwhelmed opponents with lightning-fast and unpredictable attacks.

For defense, the lightsaber had a big circular handguard that provided both defensive protection and a fearsome look. The mix of offense and defense made it a lethal weapon. This made it an ideal weapon for the merciless Inquisitorius.

Rare Lightsaber Features in the Galaxy

The Inquisitor's lightsaber was surprisingly compact and only a little bigger than a standard one-bladed saber. This is quite different from the large two-bladed sabers wielded by fighters such as Darth Maul. One of the most distinctive features of the saber was its spin mechanism. In this, the emitters of the blade traveled on a circular rail, and the hilt itself did not move. This provided a more controlled yet aggressive attack pattern.

A few Inquisitors, such as the Third Sister and the Sixth Brother, used a bifurcated version of the weapon that could be split into two separate lightsabers. Others, such as the Eighth Brother, possessed an even more lethal variation. His Inquisitor saber had a spinning saw-blade function. This was not merely for show; it was an actual combat feature that almost cut off Ezra Bridger's hand in a battle. Unlike other Inquisitor sabers, the Eighth Brother's did not have foldable hinges, so his blade guard could not fold into a crescent.

Arguably, the most notorious aspect of these sabers was that they flew. With the help of internal micro repulsorlifts and the blade's spinning motion, Inquisitors were able to leave the ground. This was used as an impromptu escape method. Unfortunately, this mechanism only functioned for users attuned to the Force, which restricted its use among members of the Inquisitorius.

Though all Inquisitor lightsabers were based on the same fundamental design, they weren't exactly alike. There were differences in the emitter ring shape, and some even bore Aurebesh text. This minimal personalization kept their weapons outwardly unique yet with the same lethal effectiveness.

Weaknesses of the Mass-produced Lightsaber

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Despite its formidable appearance, the Inquisitor's lightsaber had a few fatal flaws. One of the largest weaknesses of the saber was the spinning disc. If an adversary could hit the disc, whether from the interior or exterior, the whole assembly could shatter in the middle of a duel. This made the weapon useless as it would no longer continue to function. 

The ringed emitter itself was another large concern. Although it provided the unique appearance of the saber, it also presented itself as an open target during combat. Where the emitter was damaged, the lightsaber's effectiveness might be drastically hindered. Its vulnerability was truly revealed at the Malachor battle when Ahsoka Tano, Kanan Jarrus, and ex-Sith Lord Darth Maul all took advantage of it against the Fifth and Eighth Brothers. Inquisitors alike lost control over their weapons and were quickly defeated and eventually killed. 

FAQs

Was the Inquisitor's lightsaber double-bladed?

Yes, the default Inquisitor lightsaber was double-bladed. It had a ring emitter that enabled both blades to rotate. This makes for a quick and unpredictable attack pattern. Some models, such as those of the Third Sister and Sixth Brother, were able to split into two single-bladed sabers.

Who wielded the Inquisitor's lightsaber?

The Inquisitor lightsaber was used by the members of the Inquisitorius, such as the Grand Inquisitor, Second Sister, Third Sister, Fourth Sister, Fifth Brother, Sixth Brother, Seventh Sister, Eighth Brother, Ninth Sister, Eleventh Brother, Thirteenth Sister, Tualon Yaluna, Reyna Oskure, and Marrok. Some forms were also employed by Darth Maul and Jerserra.

Was it a customizable lightsaber?

Yes, although all Inquisitor lightsabers had a common design, some wielders still modified them. For example, the Seventh Sister's lightsaber contained curved hooks and engravings, while the Eighth Brother's was able to expand into a buzzsaw. The Third Sister and Sixth Brother's sabers were able to be bisected into two. This allowed them to fight in different ways.