Disney purchasedStar Wars12 years ago; since then, a staggering number of newlightsaber typeshave been added to the franchise. When George Lucas returned toStar Warsin 1999, he immediately signaled a desire to evolve the traditional lightsaber;Darth Maul’s double-bladed lightsabershocked and delighted viewers. Ever since then,Star Warshas worked hard to repeat the surprise of Darth Maul,introducing ever more unusual and remarkable lightsabers.
This has been particularly true of the Disney era. New lightsabers have appeared on the big screen, with Kylo Ren wielding a crossguard lightsaber, while Dark Rey used an even more unusual switchblade. Not all of these have technically been new to the franchise; the aforementioned switchblade technically made its debut under George Lucas inStar Wars: The Clone Wars, for example. Here, then, are all the brand new lightsaber types Disney canon has introduced.
10The Proto-saber
Vader Immortal
Let’s start with the Proto-saber, which made its debut in the VRVader Immortalgame back in 2019. This is believed to have been one of the oldest attempts at fashioning a lightsaber, although it’s better described as a “laser sword.” The proto-saber is noted for a unique design, with a beautiful fan and prongs that generated energy when it was activated. Energy surged up the prongs when activated, with these serving as a crude crossguard.
9The Inquisitors' lightsaber
Star Wars Rebels, Ahsoka, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi: Fallen Order, Jedi: Survivor, & More
TheImperial Inquisitorshave become key adversaries for the Jedi in Disney canon. Former Jedi turned to the dark side, they were sworn servants of Palpatine and Darth Vader, and traveled the galaxy hunting down Order 66 survivors and Force-sensitive children. The Inquisitors are noted for an unusual variant of the double-bladed lightsaber, one that they can spin at phenomenal speed. Some Inquisitors have even been able to use the Force to turn the blade into a sort of helicopter, propelling them in flight.
They may be intimidating, but the Inquisitors' double-bladed lightsabers aren’t massively practical. The hand-guard points to the fact they were less skilled combatants than the likes of Darth Maul, who used a more traditional double-bladed lightsaber. The spinning looked chilling, but Ahsoka Tano quickly learned it was easy to dodge, and she mastered the art of striking down the middle to kill Inquisitors.
8The Great Lightsaber
Ahsoka
Introduced inAhsoka, Baylan Skoll appears to use a lightsaber variant known as the Great Lightsaber. According to the lightsaber droid Huyang, this was an unusual design that has only been seen once in the last 500 years, and the way Baylan uses it corresponds to the Great Lightsaber mentioned in theStar Wars: Force & DestinysourcebookKnights of Fate. Designed for larger, more muscular beings, the Great Lightsaber is a heavier weapon with a powerful blade.
Baylan’s lightsaber design meant he had to modify his traditionallightsaber formto use it. He typically used a double-handed grip, and he swung it like a broadsword, striking at Ahsoka with enough force to leave her almost crushed beneath him. The Great Lightsaber is a truly chilling weapon.
7Lightfoil
Baylan’s apprentice Shin Hati also appears to use an unusual lightsaber type fromKnights of Fate. Hers corresponds with the lightfoil, noted for its slim hilt and narrow blade. It appears almost similar to the shoto, but there are some key differences; shotos are typically used as a secondary blade in a pair, but but the lightfoil is used alone. It’s designed for fencing, which explains Shin’s lightsaber form; she depends on swift, quick strikes and moved at speed.
6The Stranger’s Trick Lightsaber
The Acolyte
Set roughly a century beforeStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace,The Acolyteintroduced a mysterious new Sith Lord known as the Stranger. It’s currently unclear where the Stranger sits in terms of the Baneite lineage, and that may never be revealed afterThe Acolyte’s cancelation. Played by Manny Jacinto, the Stranger was a force to be reckoned with - in part because of his unusual trick lightsaber.
The Stranger’s lightsaber hilt was unusually long. This was because it contained a secondary hilt with something similar to a shoto blade inside it; if the Stranger was in trouble, he could snap out the second blade and use it like a dagger, taking enemies by surprise. This proved tragically effective when the Stranger neutralized Padawan Jecki Lon in battle.
5Ezra Bridger’s Lightsaber Blaser
Star Wars Rebels
A Lothal Jedi who joined the Rebel Alliance inStar Wars Rebels, Ezra’s first lightsaber was unlike any seen before. He modified his blaster, transforming it into a lightsaber hilt; he was able to alternate between using it as a blaster or a blade, giving him a real edge in battle. This would have been frowned upon by traditional Jedi - Obi-Wan Kenobi would have surely considered it uncivilized - but it reflected Ezra’s struggle to trust the Force.
It’s doubtful we’ll ever see a lightsaber blaster again, because even Ezra abandoned the design in the end. His second lightsaber was a more traditional one, and his latest is heavily influenced by the design of his own master, Kanan Jarrus. But that doesn’t mean Ezra has gone for a standard design, because Kanan was noted for a different kind of lightsaber too.
4A Collapsible Lightsaber
Kanan Jarrus' lightsaber looks like a normal one at first glance. According to theStar Wars Rebels Season 2 Sourcebook, though, it’s actually an unusual one;“the main body and grip of the hilt on the small of his back, and the top portion that produced the blade on his left side.” This lightsaber was perfect for concealment during the Dark Times of the Empire’s reign, but the components could be reattached at speed when Kanan needed his lightsaber at hand.
3Lightspear
Star Wars: The High Republic
We don’t actually know much about the lightspear. Apparently a traditional Sith weapon, an ancient lightspear was discovered by the High Republic Jedi named Orla Jareni. She took the kyber crystals from this weapon, purifying them and using them for her own lightsaber.
2Sickle-Bladed Lightsaber
Dark Legends, Shadow of the Sith
The mysterious sickle-bladed lightsaber of Darth Noctyss was first seen in artwork associated with George Mann’s phenomenal bookDark Legends. It resurfaced in Adam Christopher’sShadow of the Sith, gifted to a dark side acolyte by Palpatine; he tasked her with distracting Luke Skywalker, ensuring he never discovered the planet Exegol. It’s unclear how the sickle-bladed lightsaber was created, but it surely required a unique lightsaber form to use it effectively.
1Lightsaber canes
Star Wars Visions
TheStar Wars: Force & DestinysourcebookUnlimited Powerreveals that some older Jedi had taken to integrating their lightsabers into their canes. “If the blade is a Jedi’s life,” they had reasoned, “why shouldn’t it make things a little easier?” The idea had fallen out of fashion by the prequel era, but resurfaced during the Dark Times. SomeOrder 66survivors figured it was a good way of keeping their lightsabers at hand without drawing the attention ofStar Wars' Inquisitors.
