Baylan's Mastery of Lightsaber Form: A Terrifying Force of Darkness
Beware Baylan, the formidable Dark Jedi! His mastery of a unique lightsaber form makes him a force to be reckoned with Don't underestimate his lethal skills!
Summary
Baylan Skoll is introduced as a powerful and dangerous Dark Jedi in Star Wars. He taps into the dark side of the Force without becoming a Sith.
Baylan possesses a one-of-a-kind lightsaber, distinguished by its vibrant orange blade and a weight that enables him to handle it much like a broadsword. This distinctive feature necessitates Baylan's adaptation in his lightsaber techniques, empowering him as a physical force to be reckoned with.
Ahsoka, a highly proficient combatant honed by the teachings of Anakin Skywalker, finds herself grappling to overcome Baylan's exceptional lightsaber and his modified form. Baylan's technique effectively thwarts Ahsoka's reliance on her instinctive counters and telekinetic skills, rendering him an immensely formidable adversary to subdue.
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Introducing Baylan Skoll, Ahsoka presents a formidable opponent: a Dark Jedi of unparalleled power. Portrayed by the late Ray Stevenson, Baylan Skoll is the first canonical Dark Jedi in the Star Wars universe, embodying the unique distinction of being a Jedi who has not succumbed to the Sith, yet willingly draws upon the dark side of the Force. While Dark Jedi have been explored in Star Wars Legends, Baylan surpasses any adversaries encountered thus far.
Baylan's skill is exemplified by his ability to best even Ahsoka Tano. Ahsoka, an accomplished warrior herself, received training directly from Anakin Skywalker and emerged victorious against Darth Maul during the infamous Siege of Mandalore. However, Baylan posed a grave threat to Ahsoka's life during their initial encounter in Ahsoka episode 4, and their subsequent rematch in episode 7 had to be abandoned by Ahsoka. The mastery of Baylan's lightsaber form serves as a testament to his unparalleled danger, as he stands apart from any Jedi or Dark Jedi witnessed before.
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Baylan's Lightsaber Is Unique - & His Form Has Adapted To Benefit From It
Baylan possesses a rather extraordinary lightsaber, characterized by its distinct orange blade - a color rarely observed in Star Wars mythology. This unique hue suggests a potential divergence from the conventionally employed kyber crystals, opting instead for a more uncommon energy source. Consequently, Baylan's lightsaber exhibits peculiar attributes that distinguish it from the blades of both Jedi and Sith; it carries an unusual weight, prompting Baylan to employ it akin to a broadsword. Evidently, this weight necessitates the elongated hilt design, specially crafted to accommodate a two-handed grip.
How Jedi Learn To Defeat Different Lightsaber Forms
Baylan's lightsaber form closely mirrors Anakin Skywalker's utilization of Form V, Shien, an assertive technique that many Jedi believed teetered on the edge of the dark side. However, Baylan's refined style deviates subtly from Anakin's due to his need to adapt it to accommodate his lightsaber's weight. Consequently, he wields the lightsaber in broad, sweeping arcs, forcefully bringing it down upon his opponents. Regularly maneuvering this weight has honed Baylan's muscles, elucidating his ability to effortlessly drive Ahsoka back during their blade engagements. He has cultivated a form that has transformed him into a formidable physical presence.
Understanding the mechanics of lightsaber forms is crucial. Each Jedi develops their own personalized sequences, seamlessly transitioning between them with lightning-fast speed. As a Jedi hones their skills, their movements become second nature, allowing them to concentrate solely on harnessing the power of the Force. The most awe-inspiring lightsaber duels occur when opponents effortlessly shift from one sequence to another, swiftly analyzing their adversary's vulnerabilities and adeptly blocking incoming attacks. Victory in these battles is only achieved when a Jedi either misjudges an opponent's strategy or encounters difficulty in transitioning between specific sequences.
Ahsoka ranked among the top duelist in the Jedi Order due to her master, Anakin Skywalker, insisting she learn Djem So. This lightsaber form, a variant of Form V, proved highly effective in duels. Anakin specifically chose Djem So for Ahsoka, recognizing her potential to contend against formidable opponents like General Grievous, Asajj Ventress, and possibly Count Dooku. Practitioners of Djem So become skilled at identifying and countering their adversaries' preferred forms.
However, Djem So practitioners appear susceptible when facing adversaries who employ forceful attacks. Ahsoka encountered her second Form V user in Baylan, who successfully matched her skills. Even Darth Vader himself ultimately surpassed her in combat.
Baylan's Lightsaber Form Makes Him Incredibly Difficult To Defat
But this presents a significant challenge for Ahsoka as she has never encountered an adversary like Baylan before. He has skillfully customized Form V to align with his distinctive lightsaber blade, thereby preventing Ahsoka from relying on her usual instinctual responses and tapping into the power of the Force. This might explain why, in Ahsoka episode 5, she refrains from utilizing telekinesis to manipulate the starmap and instead makes a desperate attempt to physically snatch it, resulting in a disastrous outcome. Baylan's lightsaber form keeps Ahsoka from truly relaxing and allowing the Force to flow effortlessly through her.
Throughout Star Wars lore, numerous Dark Jedi have emerged, particularly in the Legends canon. However, Baylan stands apart as the first one to wield a lightsaber with unconventional attributes, marking him as a formidable presence to be reckoned with. Ahsoka's encounter with him showcased his immense danger, given that he was able to confront and triumph over Anakin Skywalker's Padawan. Undoubtedly, Baylan represents the most perilous Dark Jedi in the history of the franchise.
