How to combat a whip?

[Darth Eyece]

As I have wished to battle someone with a lightwhip as well, I have pondered these scenarios before.  To be honest, the whip is such a chaotic weapon, it's hard to 'set' a strategy to work with.  But, two things I would like to mention:  I am saberstaff fighter.  I have been using staves my whole life, and swords came later.  I feel more confident with a sword, but I'm getting much more fluid about my saberstaff fighting.

So that's my first recommendation:  Saberstaff.  You need length, right?  Gripping the saberstaff as far away from the opposite emitter will give you a SERIOUS length unachievable with a standard long lightsaber.  Reach, would help a great deal, I imagine.  But, you'll need to know what to do with that once you get it.

My second recommendation:  45 degree angle parries.  These are the parries used for deflecting a downward (sword) strike that deflect (the blade) to the left, or right, at defendants discretion.  You can do these 45 degree angle parries, or deflections from attacks from every angle; paramount for dealing with the serpentine attacks coming from a flexible whip.

Oh yeah... PRACTICE.  Get another friend to swing a whip at you, slow, and non-threatening, a safe, controlled environ.  Then try these deflections, try a saberstaff, try a longsword, and a shortsword.  One will feel superior to the others for you.  Then, once you have the 8 basic attacks (top strike to down, upper left strike to lower right, left to right, lower left to upper right, bottom to top, lower right to upper left, right to left, and upper right to lower left), figure out which weapon would suit you best for getting those disarm attacks in, or wrist cuts, or leg cuts, or decapitations. 

If I was truly a Sith, and I was truly fighting a Jedi wielding a lightwhip for my life, flashy or no, my goal is to kill that Jedi.  Force chokes, lightning, projectiles, and as a last resort, my saberstaff.  I dont even want to get close to a saberstaff wielder, I want to take advantage of the moments they choke wielding that chaotic weapon.

Hope this helps... anyone...

[Master Lucien Kane]

never tried that, but it might be a neat mix if you can pull it off.

The whip has drawbacks because it does take a lot of telegraphing to generate a strike. Best thing to do is break up their rhythm and try and tangle their whip. Maybe use your terrain to take the whip out of commission. I.E. If you have woods choose woods to fight against a whip wielder.

[Jammo]

I wouldn't want to try my luck against a whip, but in universe a short saber in the off hand is the recommended counter.

[SOTJ]

I shall practice again with my apprentice later. He has a large variety of weapons that I can try. The problem I'm having more often than I would like is the flexible nature of the whip on offense - it can attack one way, then completely change velocity with a twitch of the wrist. Such a dark side weapon.

[Yega]

Ill run some tests with my friends and update you guys on the results (Ive got a whip we can use)

From the vid, I think I would try ducking and blocking at the same time for the high strikes, and the low ones.....well, Ill figure something out, jumping over them doesn't seem so easy (in the vid, most of the strikes were low, aiming at the legs, or waist.). Im excited now!




First test: Is it possible to battle a lightwhip user effectively without getting hit?

[Master Lucien Kane]

My prediction is yes... you can do it!

[SOTJ]

I like the idea of jumping over the strikes  I use Ataru. Jumping is my THING!

[Master Lucien Kane]

Go for it, just work your timing right and remember the whip is deceptive. Feel, don't think... Use your instincts.

[ed_ification]

The thing that struck me in watching the video is that it's mostly Master NovaStar approaching in line to the whip wielder.  Master NovaStar's approach is more what might be seen in competitive fencing (not surprising, given his background).  I would think that one would attempt to feint and move in order to draw the lightwhip out of position more, likely in a body-crossing strike.

Also, since the lightwhip is made of some sort of flexible plastic (and happy to admit I'm wrong there), what is its grip like?  Rather than a regular leather bullwhip, where friction of the material can help one to pull a wrapped weapon, I would think the nature of the plastic would cause it not to wrap and grip like a whip, which also prevents a saber wielder from being able to jerk the whip away from a loose grip.

Best trick might be to try to find Master NovaStar and ask his opinion...

[SOTJ]

I might try using one - learn its strengths and weaknesses before taking it on for real. The one I'll have to combat is rather longer than the others I've seen, maybe 12' or more. She keeps trying different lengths and even duel-wielding, although that was far too hard to control. Switching weapons is about the best idea she's ever had: I trained her to use a saber, so I know her strikes before they come.

[Master BStone]

alright. who's down for a road-trip to whip and saber practice?

I would tend to agree with ed, non-linear closing steps followed by a body cross.  used with timing to draw the strike too early, and that might be a winner. but...its all just talk. *wants to spar*

[Master Artorius Vidnyl]

alright. who's down for a road-trip to whip and saber practice?

I would tend to agree with ed, non-linear closing steps followed by a body cross.  used with timing to draw the strike too early, and that might be a winner. but...its all just talk. *wants to spar*

*Also wants to spar*  Why can non of you live near me and have a similar insane schedule!  jk.  But really I'd love to try out some ideas against a whip.

[Master Nero Attoru]

*Also wants to spar*  Why can non of you live near me and have a similar insane schedule!  jk.  But really I'd love to try out some ideas against a whip.

Let's give it a try Sunday.  I have a jump rope we can try using...

[Master Lucien Kane]

Aww I want to spar too! Darn where I live.

[SOTJ]

Luckily, I have many SW and saber fans near me so I get to spar frequently. The unfortunate thing is that they can very rarely even make it competitive. Stingere and her apprentice are by far the closest to my level. And my apprentice can at least make it worth the effort (and is seemingly capable of defeating me with a whip...). Tomorrow I shall make a whip to practice with and I will post my thoughts on its strengths/weaknesses.