Lightsaber duelling is a fun and exciting activity that allows Star Wars fans to come together and re-live favourite duelling scenes from the franchise. However, the stimulating world of lightsaber duelling is one that is quite serious and complex. It demands a lot of training, discipline, and commitment.
If you’re a lightsaber duelling enthusiast looking to take your duelling skills to the next level, here are some replica lightsaber duelling secrets that will have you besting your opponents.
Arming Yourself With the Right Weapon
If a truly immersive and realistic duelling experience is what you are looking for, then you need to trade in your plastic low-grade replica lightsaber for a high-quality combat-ready lightsaber. Combat-ready replica lightsabers come fully equipped with all the features you need to make lightsaber duelling more immersive and fun.
They typically feature strong and sturdy metal hilts and heavy-grade polycarbonate blades that are capable of withstanding the intensity of lightsaber duelling. Many custom lightsabers also come with high-end features (blade lights, colour-changing features, visual effects, and motion-sensitive sound effects) that make for a better duelling experience.
With a good quality custom lightsaber, you won’t have to worry about your weapon getting damaged mid-battle, so you can focus all your attention on the opponent in front of you.
Learning the Basics of Lightsaber Duelling
In order to duel like an expert, you will first need to master all the basics of lightsaber duelling. This means that you will need to learn how to hold your saber’s hilt securely and correctly. You will also need to learn all the proper stances and footwork required for the different styles of lightsaber combat.
Breathing is another important aspect of lightsaber duelling you need to learn. Proper breathing is what helps you maintain posture and boosts endurance during combat.
Learning Some Lightsaber Tricks
You can gain the upper hand in a duel by learning some lightsaber tricks, such as;
Lightsaber Spinning – The art of spinning your lightsaber during duels serves a number of purposes. First, it helps improve your dexterity and control over the weapon. It can also serve as a way to intimidate your opponent.
To perform a basic lightsaber spin, begin by holding your saber’s hilt slightly in front of you at waist level. This should position the blade so that its tip faces upward at a 45-degree angle. Proceed to slowly swing the blade downward by rotating your wrist and hand away from your body.
As the blade changes orientation (the tip now facing downward), open your hand to grip the hilt between your forefinger and thumb, and continue rotating your wrist till the saber makes a full 360-degree swing. To stop the saber’s movement, tightly grip the hilt in the same manner you did at the starting position.
To help you visualize the movements of a basic lightsaber spin, you can watch YouTube videos on lightsaber spinning. To master the basic spin, you will need to practice constantly, and don’t forget to also train with your non-dominant hand.
Another spinning technique you can learn is “The Senseless Spin” which is a variation of the basic spin. The move involves a basic spin that starts out in front of your body and then moves in a continuous motion to behind your back before coming back to your front.
Lightsaber Throwing – To learn the basic lightsaber throw technique, start by holding your lightsaber at waist level with the saber’s blade pointed up diagonally. Then, proceed to bring the hilt upward while simultaneously letting the blade dip downward. The moment the blade points at the floor, release the saber’s hilt. If executed properly, this move should have your lightsaber’s blade doing a 360-degree rotation in the air while the hilt remains in the same space where you released it. Once the saber has completed a full rotation, grab its hilt to stop the movement. Like all other lightsaber tricks, this throwing trick requires a lot of practice.
Getting in Your Opponent’s Head
As much as lightsaber combat involves physical movements and skill, there is a psychological aspect to it. Sometimes, your ability to get into your opponent’s head is what gives you the upper hand during lightsaber duelling. Some of the ways you can have an edge over your opponent include;
- Showing off some fancy lightsaber tricks and moves prior to combat. This gives your opponent the impression that you know your stuff.
- Being mindful of your body language, as you do not want to come off as nervous and jittery. Maintaining a cool and calm exterior exudes confidence, and it can psych out your opponent.
- Although it is not easy, try not to let setbacks rattle you. Taking a few hits during combat is normal, so try to keep your composure at all times (even when your opponent seems to be gaining the upper hand). This will give off the air that you are in command.
Prioritizing Safety
Lightsaber duelling is a very physical activity, so it is important that you prioritize the safety of you and your opponent. Before you begin duelling, make sure to establish some safety rules and follow them. Duelling should be done in a safe and open space. Dressing the part (helmets, eye protection, protective gloves, comfortable shoes and clothes, body armour), is also very important.
Conclusion
Lightsaber duelling is an incredibly fun and thrilling activity for Star Wars fans and lightsaber enthusiasts. If you are looking to take your duelling skills to the next level, the above are some of the winning secrets you need to know.
