Exploring the Unique Design of Satele Shan's Lightsaber

Usually, Star Wars characters wield only one lightsaber during their lifetime. Young Jedi get their unique Kyber crystals for their first lightsaber from Ilum or Jedha while Siths corrupt the Kyber crystals for their saber through the process called bleeding. Overtime, the characters develop a strong connection with their weapon of choice. All in all, the lightsabers are one of the most prized possessions for a Jedi or a Sith. 

But, have you heard about a Jedi in the galaxy who wielded five lightsabers in her life? Yes, we are talking about the Grand Master of the Jedi Order, Satele Shan! She was a Star Wars Legends character from the Old Republic Era, some 3,600 years away from the Skywalker Saga. Shan was the Grand Master of the Jedi Order during the Cold War and Galactic War between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire.

Satele Shan comes from a Force-sensitive family legacy. She was the daughter of Jedi Knight Tasiele Shan, who happened to be the offspring of two of the greatest legendary Jedi Knights: Revan and Bastila Shan. She was born on the planet Brentaal IV.

Starting as a young Jedi Padawan to ultimately becoming the Grand Master of the Jedi Order, which is the highest rank in the Jedi Order. In the Old Republic Era, she was a Force to be reckoned with! In this blog, we are discussing all about her five lightsabers, the stories behind crafting each one of them and her lightsaber skills on the battlefield. So without further ado, let's get into it!

Stories Behind Satele Shan's Five Lightsabers

Satele Shan's Lightsaber

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During her lifetime, Satele Shan owned and wielded five lightsabers. The first three looked all the same. They were double-bladed lightsabers with the same cylindrical and straight spiral look, and had the traditional Jedi blue blade. 

Shan used her first saberstaff years before the Great Galactic War, though it was lost when the Jedi Battlemaster Kao Cen Darach used it and his own lightsaber to fight Vindican and Darth Malgus. 

In 3667 BBY, during the Great Galactic War, Satele Shan constructed her second saberstaff during the Battle of Alderaan, though she lost it when Malgus severed the saber in two.

This led her to then building herself a third saberstaff quickly. But, she eventually traded that in for a green single-bladed lightsaber sometime during the Cold War and used that weapon during the Sebaddon affair in 3643 BBY. 

However, Satele Shan traded that in for a fourth saberstaff which was a single green bladed lightsaber by the time of the conflict with the Flesh Raiders not long afterwards.

At some point during the Cold War and the Galactic War, Satele Shan also used a sparring lightsaber that shared the same spiral design as her saberstaffs. This was her fifth saber and had a yellow blade just like her ancestor, Bastila Shan.

Satele Shan's Fourth Lightsaber - From Blue To Green

During the Cold War between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire, Jedi Knight Satele Shan transitioned to a green-bladed single lightsaber, which replaced the blue double-bladed sabers she predominantly used during the Great Galactic War. It was the fourth lightsaber that she owned and the only one of her lightsabers she wielded with a single blade. She made it from silver-colored metal, and its construction featured a thin cylinder complemented by a gold-colored pommel and blade emitter shroud. It had a green lightsaber crystal which emitted a green blade.

After the Battle of Rhen Var towards the end of the Great Galactic War, Satele Shan traded in this single bladed lightsaber, taking it to Alderaan with her when she was sent as part of a peace conference delegation in 3653 BBY. However, when the conference proved to be a trap, and the Sith had taken Coruscant hostage, Satele Shan drew her lightsaber and assaulted the Sith negotiator, Darth Baras.

She later also used it to repel Imperial attackers during an incident surrounding the Treaty of Coruscant. The weapon remained in Satele Shan's possession as she continued to engage in battle, including with Darth Baras during an encounter on Dantooine, which killed her former master, Dar'Nala.

By 3643 BBY, Satele Shan was still utilizing the green lightsaber, and was still the Grand Master of the Jedi Order. At that time, Shigar Konshi, her Padawan, temporarily utilized it to rescue Satele Shan from the remains of a destroyed vessel above Sebaddon. Later, Satele Shan fought several hex droids on Sebaddon as part of an operation aimed at preventing the galaxy-wide proliferation of the hexes. But she returned to a double-bladed lightsaber for the remainder of the Cold War and into the Galactic War with the Sith Empire.

Satele Shan’s Sparring Lightsaber

Satele Shan's Lightsaber

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The fifth and last lightsaber wielded by Satele Shan was yellow-bladed, used in the Cold War and the Galactic War. The hilt resembled her second double-bladed lightsaber that she lost during the Battle of Alderaan. It was silver-plated, spirally designed with a sleek grip that was balanced and neat in design.

Satele’s Preferred Lightsaber Forms

Satele Shan was exceptional at Form IV: Ataru, which was characterized by quick and acrobatic strikes. Ataru relies more on agility and powerful strikes rather than quick strikes, making it the perfect way for Satele Shan, especially when fighting with her dual-bladed lightsaber. The style applies here to fast-attack flipping and swirling against the enemy, so they get overwhelmed with the speed and precision.

Besides this, Satele Shan was also trained in Form VI: Niman. It was a more balanced style mixing lightsaber combat with the use of the Force. Niman emphasizes versatility and, in this way, Satele uses it to fit the case at any particular time. Her special bond to the Force lets her employ Niman in a unique mix of offense, defense, and the use of the Force, thus helping her both dominate lightsaber combat and the use of the Force. She flows the energy of the Force to fuel her combat skills through telekinesis, mind tricks, and healing so that she might execute a tactical edge in her fighting.

Satele Shan's Exceptional Lightsaber Skills

Satele Shan's Lightsaber

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Satele Shan was trained by the Order's Battlemaster, Kao Cen Darach. She proved to be excellent in the handling of a standard lightsaber and was an exceptionally good double-bladed lightsaber user. As an acrobat, in combat she would use agility in the form of mostly acrobatic maneuvers to dodge opponents while at the same time rapidly striking them down. 

During the battle of Alderaan, Shan easily sliced down four Sith Warriors and demonstrated that she could hold her own against the powerful Darth Malgus, who killed Satele Shan's own master. While Satele Shan fought well, the Sith Lord Darth Malgus proved to be the superior lightsaber duelist, dismembering her double-bladed lightsaber before being caught off guard by Jace Malcome and overwhelmed by Satele Shan's remarkable Force powers.

FAQ's

Why did Satele Shan use so many personal lightsabers as a Jedi?

Satele Shan wielded five different lightsabers because she had met numerous really tough challenges when she became a Jedi. Some of her lightsabers were lost while fighting, and others were made when she needed a new one. One time, for instance, when her double-bladed lightsaber got destroyed in battle, she quickly constructed another. All the lightsabers show how she adapted to new situations, and having the appropriate weapon was important for her as the leader of the Jedi Order at such times.

Why is Satele Shan's fourth lightsaber unusual?

The fourth was unique because it had a single blade instead of the double-bladed lightsabers she used previously. The blade emitted a green bright hue unlike the Jedi's other previous blue blades. This finally was an expression of how Satele's fighting style and principles changed, reflecting wisdom as it reflected new challenges.

What makes Satele Shan's sparring lightsaber special?

Satele Shan's sparring lightsaber was different from others because its color was yellow which was different from her previous blue double bladed lightsaber or the green single bladed one. This also shows her growth as a Jedi as a yellow blade represents discipline, balance and striving for peace and stability in the galaxy. 

Which lightsaber forms is Satele Shan good at?

There were two lightsaber forms which Satele Shan was really good at. First was Form IV: Ataru, a fast, acrobatic style that allows her to produce fast powerful moves to whelm an enemy, especially when she uses her double-bladed lightsaber. Second style was Form VI: Niman, a balanced style that mixes lightsaber combat with the Force. Niman allowed Satele to use both her lightsaber and the Force, which made her an excellent and adaptable fighter.

What skills did Satele Shan demonstrate at the Battle of Alderaan?

As Satele Shan fights at the Battle of Alderaan, she showed her remarkable lightsaber techniques by defeating several Sith warriors almost in almost no time, which depicts her speed and strength. However, fighting against one of the most powerful Sith Lords, Darth Malgus, was more challenging for her. While Darth Malgus broke her lightsaber, Satele Shan's remarkable Force abilities together with Jace Malcolm overpowered Darth Malgus. 

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