Curved bladed lightsabers?

[DarthRondoudou]

The problem with the darksaber is it was never meant to be a lightsaber...it was supposed to be an ancient Vibro Blade.  But Lucas did not like the idea of something other than a lightsaber going against a lightsaber...even though EP III had the magma guards using electro staffs but whatever.  But most of the initial Animation had been done so they had to come up with the Darksaber to still use the animations.  Now they have had to retroactively figure out a history and function.  I do have a theory and this is coming from someone with no science or engineering background so it may just sound like bullcrap.  Sabers are plasma contained in an electromagnetic field which seems to take the shape of the emitter.  Round hilts with round holes produce rounded blades...so maybe the flatter angled emitter creates the flat angled blade.  But again, just a dumb dumbs theory.

Yeah... I've heard about that Lucas thing before... This is sad really. Since it is the case in most video games... AND, as you said, in EP3. But whatever. That way, the Darksaber is easier to carry around than a real sword =D

[DarthProdigal]

Yeah... I've heard about that Lucas thing before... This is sad really. Since it is the case in most video games... AND, as you said, in EP3. But whatever. That way, the Darksaber is easier to carry around than a real sword =D

I know, I loved vibroswords and vibroblades in games... I remember the first time I faced someone wielding one while I had a lightsaber I thought "sure you clown, do you know what you're doing? Lightsaber trumps ALL punk! You are about to get messed up! I'ma cut through your little knife like butter and you with it." Then I proceeded to be horribly wrong, get stabbed and cut repeatedly, and reload my save file with a dumbfounded look on my face... I was in shock, and my arrogance/feeling of advantage in the situation proved to be my undoing when they could keep up with my strikes and parry them. Lightsaber resistant materials do break your mind at times, but dang if it can't be effective against a Jedi or Sith who is unaware or overconfident for sure. I loved echani vibroblades, and their culture... but can't cry over that spilt milk I suppose, EU lore still floats around out there. I guess nothing is ever really off the table till it is ruled so these days... Final say rests in those hands, and even then Legends will remain as what they will.

I mean it's hard to say a weapon called a Lightsaber can't bend or have a curve when light by definition does or can be made to. I mean we're talking a theoretical level of tech beyond our level of reasoning in several respects at many times. So if they can create functional plasma blade, I don't think it's impossible or multitudes harder possibly to make one curve. Although true, one could easily ask why... People do some ludicrous things with their lightsabers anyway. Part of me really loves that, some of the "innovations" are just cool. Even if some fall flat, others make kids or adults go "OH, oh that I like, I want THAT now." So it isn't all bad. Though even I now and again go "no, oh no!" The design concept with side emitters that created a cross guard were seemingly ludicrous and wild at one point, but also addresses many duelists' desire/necessity for a hand guard IRL let alone dealing with an incoming blade that can instantly take away appendages with no real force in theory. So I guess I mostly now want to see or test out the practicality of various designs now before final judgement. Since if I can shred with it, it tends to get a higher approval rating.

[Taegin Roan]

The problem with the darksaber is it was never meant to be a lightsaber...it was supposed to be an ancient Vibro Blade.  But Lucas did not like the idea of something other than a lightsaber going against a lightsaber...even though EP III had the magma guards using electro staffs but whatever.  But most of the initial Animation had been done so they had to come up with the Darksaber to still use the animations.  Now they have had to retroactively figure out a history and function.  I do have a theory and this is coming from someone with no science or engineering background so it may just sound like bullcrap.  Sabers are plasma contained in an electromagnetic field which seems to take the shape of the emitter.  Round hilts with round holes produce rounded blades...so maybe the flatter angled emitter creates the flat angled blade.  But again, just a dumb dumbs theory.

From a Star Wars magicky perspective, that would work. However, if Logos were here he'd tell you all the reasons why that isn't how it works.

[Darth Tepes]

From a Star Wars magicky perspective, that would work. However, if Logos were here he'd tell you all the reasons why that isn't how it works.

Yea..we've gone around the bush on this subject.  The science of Star Wars I never cared about....its the mysticism.  Without the Jedi,Sith, Force I really wouldn't care about Star Wars to be honest.  That's why everyone now wanting "regular" characters to take the spotlight irks me.

[Hulk10]

Oh yeah the Jedi and the Force are the best parts of the series.

[SirLiftaLot]

Yea..we've gone around the bush on this subject.  The science of Star Wars I never cared about....its the mysticism.  Without the Jedi,Sith, Force I really wouldn't care about Star Wars to be honest.  That's why everyone now wanting "regular" characters to take the spotlight irks me.

True. I think the science isn’t exactly “hard science” either, as we don’t truly know the rules and limitations of the universe, only what has been shown to be possible, which varies from era to era and from canon to EU/legends. Maybe something hasn’t been done not because it’s impossible but because no one wanted to, or saw any need to. Until we saw the Darksaber, would we have thought that shape of lightsaber blade was possible? Or a lightwhip before it was revealed? Even in a non-saber capacity, the Star Forge’s capability vs what we saw in the canon OT movies is vastly different. We don’t know that most things are actually impossible, only that we have never seen them for whatever reason, for most things anyway, IMO. The writers could introduce anything tomorrow and it’s canon, and they can give a new explanation, expand on old info, or even just ignore or handwave away an explanation. It’s not like actual hard science. Just my $0.02 from an engineering background perspective.

[Taegin Roan]

Yea..we've gone around the bush on this subject.  The science of Star Wars I never cared about....its the mysticism.  Without the Jedi,Sith, Force I really wouldn't care about Star Wars to be honest.  That's why everyone now wanting "regular" characters to take the spotlight irks me.

While I like seeing stories from the POV of "normies", they really aren't terribly interesting if the Force is not somehow a part of the story, and not just in some overarching "the Force is everywhere" kinda thing, but directly influencing things. Jedi, Sith, Force Users who are neither, but have access to the Force even if they don't understand it, that is the kind of thing I want. I didn't hate Solo, but that was really its biggest issue. Star Wars has never been Science Fiction, it has always been Science Fantasy, and that is an important distinction. You can't have fantasy without magic. That being said, I'm actually really excited for the Cassian Andor show. I'm more excited for that than Ahsoka, and most the others in all honesty.

[DarthProdigal]

True. I think the science isn’t exactly “hard science” either, as we don’t truly know the rules and limitations of the universe, only what has been shown to be possible, which varies from era to era and from canon to EU/legends. Maybe something hasn’t been done not because it’s impossible but because no one wanted to, or saw any need to. Until we saw the Darksaber, would we have thought that shape of lightsaber blade was possible? Or a lightwhip before it was revealed? Even in a non-saber capacity, the Star Forge’s capability vs what we saw in the canon OT movies is vastly different. We don’t know that most things are actually impossible, only that we have never seen them for whatever reason, for most things anyway, IMO. The writers could introduce anything tomorrow and it’s canon, and they can give a new explanation, expand on old info, or even just ignore or handwave away an explanation. It’s not like actual hard science. Just my $0.02 from an engineering background perspective.

Very well said. Some great writers have really delivered in the interesting idea department for sure. That's what makes the Legends so great IMO. Not simply trying to "make a hit" or cash in on profitability, but fleshing out an amazing concept or story in a fantastic telling; that then becomes film worthy or spawns a game worth playing. Give me a game with Githany and a lightwhip and I'm saying I'll play it to see the mechanics, and go through the story. Or a dang book with backstory... but that's all for another time and topic I suppose.

I also agree with the "why focus on 'normal' people if it's SW..." mentality. To an extent yes, it's interesting seeing how normal people can still effect the story, influence the outcome (even surrounded by Titans or supremely powerful individuals) it's noteworthy at times to view their courage, bravery, sacrifice, and so on... but yes, it's the "real battle" or serious Force users that carry the day or make it more often than not intriguing. True, seeing how some droids can change the galaxy, or a "common smuggler" can change or effect change can be interesting. But the Force, and the more epic moments tend to sell it overall with the rest being subplot or side arcs, and I tend to agree it should stay that way as well. Without that it's more a SW spinoff or something.

[SirLiftaLot]

Very well said. Some great writers have really delivered in the interesting idea department for sure. That's what makes the Legends so great IMO. Not simply trying to "make a hit" or cash in on profitability, but fleshing out an amazing concept or story in a fantastic telling; that then becomes film worthy or spawns a game worth playing. Give me a game with Githany and a lightwhip and I'm saying I'll play it to see the mechanics, and go through the story. Or a dang book with backstory... but that's all for another time and topic I suppose.

I also agree with the "why focus on 'normal' people if it's SW..." mentality. To an extent yes, it's interesting seeing how normal people can still effect the story, influence the outcome (even surrounded by Titans or supremely powerful individuals) it's noteworthy at times to view their courage, bravery, sacrifice, and so on... but yes, it's the "real battle" or serious Force users that carry the day or make it more often than not intriguing. True, seeing how some droids can change the galaxy, or a "common smuggler" can change or effect change can be interesting. But the Force, and the more epic moments tend to sell it overall with the rest being subplot or side arcs, and I tend to agree it should stay that way as well. Without that it's more a SW spinoff or something.

Thanks. I do suppose even a non-force user could end up playing an important role in major events through the will of the force pushing them into the right place at the right time, but they really should, and usually do, end up teaming up with, and facing off against, people who do use the force, which keeps it grounded in the Star Wars universe, and, as has been said, science fantasy, not just science fiction. It can be argued that the Mandalorians are interesting because of their conflicts with the Jedi, and their contrast to force users. It's their contrast to the Jedi and even the Sith that makes them interesting in the Star Wars universe. Same with the bounty hunters. Seeing them compete with Jedi and Sith, powerful force users, though technology, skill, and cunning. Sci-fi bounty hunters are cool, sure, but sci-fi bounty hunters fighting warrior monks is even cooler.

[Hulk10]

We got the Mandalorian so the creators are listening to the fans.

[DarthRondoudou]

Yea..we've gone around the bush on this subject.  The science of Star Wars I never cared about....its the mysticism.  Without the Jedi,Sith, Force I really wouldn't care about Star Wars to be honest.  That's why everyone now wanting "regular" characters to take the spotlight irks me.

Agreed. If you want regular characters, go watch another space opera thingy. Like Star Trek.

[Hulk10]

Agreed. If you want regular characters, go watch another space opera thingy. Like Star Trek.

I agree. StarWars is about the Force and Lightsabers, Jedi and Sith.