What are everyone's prefered forms of Saber Combat?

[Darth Nonymous]

 Juyo via Shien.

[Oramac]

Not that I'd go out of my way to injure an attacker, but yeah, a re-examination of these self-defense laws are in order.

Forgive my asking, but why bother training any weapons or martial arts at all, if you wouldn't harm someone who means to do you harm (or death)?  Even the Dalai Lama and Ghandi have said they believe it's reasonable to cause harm to another in self-defense. 

Disclaimer:  I'm not suggesting you go out looking for a fight. 

[Daven Vash]

Yup!  Ten years of fencing means I pretty much use Makashi by default.  If I had to use another style though, I'd go with Djem So.

I thought I remembered that, from the Symposium. : )

One of our members actually has several years of formal Fencing experience. So he naturally has the same tendency to default to Makashi as his preferred style. Whereas, in shaolin, I've learned a bit on how to use the Chinese Dao, which emphasizes bodily motion. Lots of spinning, and jumping type motions to carry your momentum through the strikes. That's, no doubt, a big part of why I prefer Ataru. : )

Just keep in mind that Makashi isn't the only Form to use a single hand.  You could essentially perform any of them with a single hand

I completely agree with this. Though, I would also say that you should never look at Makashi as a solely single-handed style. Doing so, I feel, adds mental limitations to your own application of the form.

Juyo via Shien.

I'm actually really curious about this. I'm not really sure what you mean, especially so considering my very limited understanding of Juyo's application to combat... And even more so because of the fact that I've never seen a solid set of techniques for Juyo; only interpretations the vary widely from person to person.

I guess what I'm saying is that I'm having a hard time visualizing that combination.

[Thonolan]

Forgive my asking, but why bother training any weapons or martial arts at all, if you wouldn't harm someone who means to do you harm (or death)?  Even the Dalai Lama and Ghandi have said they believe it's reasonable to cause harm to another in self-defense.  

Disclaimer:  I'm not suggesting you go out looking for a fight.  

the laws are pretty silly. you can defend yourself, but there is an unknown limit to "how far" you can go.

you can hit someone back, and defend yourself, but you cannot incapacitate someone. If you are a trained martial artist, you also have a hard time proving the you didn't use "excessive force".



To answer the original question - Preferred form is Makashi, slowly working my way toward a heavy spanish fencing influence.
Shien is my second choice.

[Daven Vash]

the laws are pretty silly. you can defend yourself, but there is an unknown limit to "how far" you can go.

you can hit someone back, and defend yourself, but you cannot incapacitate someone. If you are a trained martial artist, you also have a hard time proving the you didn't use "excessive force".

It sounds like the law is just vague enough to be unjust... Those are the worst kinds of laws... Doing more harm than good. Though, these are my opinions, and I feel they are probably best left at the door.

[Solinus]

When I first started my training, I started with Shii-Cho. I dove right in and absorbed and devoured everything I could find on the Form. Then I saw an application of Soresu and immediately knew that I wanted to learn this Form. I have delved into the Cannon uses of the Form, along with the practical uses, both theoretical and physical. I am still very much wanting to continue training in this form.

I am making a personal journey through each of the 7 Forms. Learning the basics behind each, and applying what I learn to theoretical and practical uses. I have learned a lot about myself along the way. Certain views that I had about myself have given way to new outlooks. As a saber enthusiast, I am growing, and with that growth comes change.

I have taken an unusual liking to the Makashi Form. There's something about it's style that stand out. Is it the regal bearing that it's users typically display? Is it the sophisticated and precise strikes that come with the Form? You control the strikes. When. Where. How. With that control comes a sense of power. "See what I can do to you with little effort?"

This may change as I move into the different Forms. How can I call one my favorite, or my preferred, if I am not yet tested them all?

And Daven... there's a reason why you haven't seen anything on Juyo. The preferred style of the Sith, you won't find too many who know it's secrets.  

That said, enough rambling.

TL;DR: I always fall back on Shii-Cho. It's where I am comfortable.

[Darth Nonymous]

Forgive my asking, but why bother training any weapons or martial arts at all, if you wouldn't harm someone who means to do you harm (or death)?  Even the Dalai Lama and Ghandi have said they believe it's reasonable to cause harm to another in self-defense. 
 

There are higher pursuits and goals to martial art beyond hurting people who want to hurt you. That there are extreme cases where there is no other choice but to hurt some one, it is hardly the case in most self defense situation where the prime goal is escape. You don't need to hurt them to get away, and hurting them doesn't even guarantee they will stop.

Martial art is about overcoming your own limitations. Cultivating yourself.

Sun Lu Tang was asked once why anyone should practice MA in the age of the gun. He replied "A gun does not give you good health."

[Daven Vash]

And Daven... there's a reason why you haven't seen anything on Juyo. The preferred style of the Sith, you won't find too many who know it's secrets.  

I suppose that makes sense. As I understand it, Juyo requires a passion for battle from it's user. This sort of passion would be contradictory to the more widely accepted version of the Jedi Code, and most of the people I know fit more into the role of a Jedi than a "typical" Sith.

Martial art is about overcoming your own limitations. Cultivating yourself.

Very well said. : )

[Solinus]

I suppose that makes sense. As I understand it, Juyo requires a passion for battle from it's user. This sort of passion would be contradictory to the more widely accepted version of the Jedi Code, and most of the people I know fit more into the role of a Jedi than a "typical" Sith.

That is an EXCELLENT interpretation. For the Jedi, there is Vapaad.

[Kaiden Shardsbane]

Correction for Grey Jedi there is Vapaad.  Even Mace considered it to be walking the razor edge between light and dark at times.  Unlike it seems, Vapaad requires even more control over your emotions than the other forms.  Let me put it this way:  Walking along a cliff-top without falling is challenging.  Throwing yourself over the cliff to dangle by your fingertips is insane.

[Daven Vash]

For the Jedi, there is Vapaad.

I still feel that the same risk is there.

I see Juyo as "Unbridled Fury," and Vapaad as "Tempered Aggression."

Unbridled Fury meaning that you allow your passion for combat to fuel your techniques, much like wood in a fire to keep it burning.
Tempered Aggression meaning that you focus that passion into a finer, more manageable point, rather than a raging fire.

Both would require that passion for combat, but each would take an entirely different approach to how that passion is utilized. Though I have always thought that it would make sense for Jedi to be more inclined to use the Vapaad variant of Form VII, than the Juyo one.

Of course, I don't have a great understanding of Form VII. I'm just expressing what I do believe to understand about it at this point in my studying. : )

[Solinus]

There's an inherent risk in everything.

But you are correct. While Juyo is fueled by pure rage and emotion, Vapaad is more controlled. But it's the closest thing that a Jedi can come to Juyo while still holding true to their teachings.

But that is cannon, in a galaxy where the Force guides your actions.

In real life, here in our world, the two forms might almost be mirror images of each other. But as you say, there is very little to go on in the way of the forms.

[Master VorNach]

Hey, all! I'm just wondering what everyone's favorite forms of Saber Combat are, and why. I'm really excited to see what everyone else prefers!

My favorite? Lightsaber combat. 

Which is not as flippant an answer as it may seem.
I like a balance of options, being able to respond with alacrity to the dynamic changes that occur in a sword fight.
There is no single "best form". There is a collection of skills, techniques and principles that develop unto a whole.

[Faa-Yal Dragu]

a good question, one i have asked myself many times.

at first i thought,  'reverse grip shein sounds good, ill use that.'
then it turned out to be next to useless in combat with another lightsaber for me.
then, 'makashi. purely for saber vs saber. perfect.'
turned out i was pretty good, but my sparring partner was too aggressive, and i got hit. alot.
'soresu, then.'
im great at soresu, but i found i was dodging back too much, and kept tripping.
 most amusing to my sparring partner, im sure.

in the end, i realised there was niman.

 my idea of niman is to use soresu, makashi, reverse grip, shii cho, ataru or djem so at appropriate moments.
 it is mildly unpredictable and highly useful. and better than that, im good at it.

[Daven Vash]

I like a balance of options, being able to respond with alacrity to the dynamic changes that occur in a sword fight.
There is no single "best form". There is a collection of skills, techniques and principles that develop unto a whole.

I don't know... Sounds like Niman, to me. : p Just kidding. I completely understand.
When you focus solely on one style, one set of techniques, you limit yourself to that particular set of moves. You can stagnate as a martial artist. So, the same would apply to lightsaber combat.

my idea of niman is to use soresu, makashi, reverse grip, shii cho, ataru or djem so at appropriate moments.

My friend Khalis often argues that I'm a Niman practicioner, because I will use any of the first five forms based on what's appropriate to the situation. Though I disagree. I feel that because my philosophical approach to combat mostly resembles Ataru, I am an Ataru user. So, I would say what Form you "use" is more about how you approach combat, mentally, rather than the techniques you use. Though techniques definitely play a large role. : p

That being said, based on the way you've described how you came about using your style, it makes perfect sense that you consider yourself a Niman user.

If possible, I would very much like to see your version of Niman. : )