Lightsabers are easily the most recognizable and iconic weapon for the Jedi and Sith in Ezra Bridger’s handheld blaster/lightsaber combo. But there is one very unique lightsaber that exists in the comics.
For a young Jedi, crafting their first lightsabers is akin to a religious retreat and sacred experience. As shown in season 5, episode 6 of the animated series Star Wars: Clone Wars, entitled “The Gathering”, the young Padawans--when they are determined to be ready for the next step--are guided by Ahsoka to the planet Ilum to obtain kyber crystals to build their lightsabers.
Padawans must face personal fears and overcome them in order to find their crystal. Only then can a perfect weapon be made for the specific Padawan. But not everyone has a traditional lightsaber.
The Combination of a Lightsaber and a Rifle is One of the More Original Designs
The Rifle Lightsaber Belongs to Jocasta Nu
In issues #9-10 of the series, Darth Vader (2017)--written by Charles Soule with art by Giuseppe Camuncoli--Vader sets off on a mission to track down any remaining Jedi and comes across the chief librarian of the Jedi Archives, Jocasta Nu. As the comic is set directly after Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Pe's death and Vader's loss of his own identity as Anakin Skywalker are fresh, with guilt weighing him down. Pe’s death and making him even more unstable and volatile. When he goes up against Jocasta, she has a very powerful trick up her sleeve.
Jocasta reveals a lightsaber rifle, which is perhaps one of the most original and awesome variants of the classic weapon. In order to properly use the rifle, a lightsaber must be loaded into a slot on the top of the device. When it is fired, a powerful beam shoots from the lightsaber, taking out anyone it hits. Jocasta is able to shoot the weapon five times before the lightsaber loaded inside becomes useless. The rifle has one more setting, as it can be programmed to self-destruct almost like a bomb, creating an explosion large enough to do major damage.
Despite the Weapon's Power, It Was Useless Against Darth Vader
Other Unique Lightsabers Exist in Star Wars Lore
Unfortunately for Jocasta, once her rifle ran out of power, she was unable to use it to shoot. However, the self-destruct option was still active. When trying to use telekinesis to activate the rifle in the hopes of thwarting Vader, Jocasta’s telekinesis is overpowered by Vader’s, leading to an explosion that destroys a portion of the Jedi Temple wall. Jocasta’s attempts to protect the temple, while brave and irable, were ultimately no match for Vader’s superior powers.
How Star Wars' Imperial Jedi Change the True Purpose of Lightsabers... And What It Means for Ahsoka Tano
Star Wars is well on track to turn Ahsoka Tano into the first Imperial Knight, bringing this unique Jedi faction back into official continuity.
Some of the more unique variants of lightsabers are shown throughout lore, including the Inquisitors’ double-sided and rotating red blades. When they are activated, the double blades spin at a great rate, even allowing Inquisitors to take flight in a helicopter-like manner to escape from a losing battle and reach higher ground. Ahsoka’s paired lightsabers she uses when seen in Star Wars: Rebels are another unique form of the weapon, as no one else in canon wields white-bladed sabers. However, it is extremely hard to measure up to a lightsaber rifle combination.
- Created by
- George Lucas
- First Film
- Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
- Cast
- Pedro Pascal
- TV Show(s)
- Star Wars: Visions
