The Most Deadly and Elusive Lightsaber Form: Unveiling the Secrets of Juyo/Vaapad in Star Wars

Highlights

The Ferocity Form, also known as Juyo, is a formidable lightsaber combat style renowned for its potent and aggressive attacks. However, Jedi practitioners must exercise caution as its utilization entails a significant connection to the dark side, thereby jeopardizing their own spiritual harmony.

Jedi Master Mace Windu created Vaapad, a modified version of Form VII that was approved by the Jedi Council for its combination of aggression and enlightenment. Both the Juyo and Vaapad variations of Form VII require intense energy and are particularly adept in individual lightsaber duels due to their forceful and straightforward movements.

Form VII: Juyo, a renowned lightsaber combat style in the Star Wars universe, is often hailed as "the Ferocity Form" due to its innovative techniques. This form enables its wielder to launch an intense and almost wrathful assault on their enemies. While this makes it highly effective in battle, it also presents a dangerous aspect for Jedi practitioners. Mastery of this form requires a close interaction with the dark side, posing a significant threat to those who embrace it.

To address the risks associated with Form VII, the Jedi Council imposed a ban on its usage. However, Jedi Master Mace Windu, known for wielding a unique purple lightsaber, took it upon himself to explore this form in a transformative way. With his expertise, he introduced modifications that aligned the form with the fundamental principles of the Jedi. This concerted effort earned Windu the Council's approval and resulted in a revised version of Form VII called Vaapad. Windu's innovative adaptation blended ferocity with enlightenment, forever connecting his name to this balanced legacy.

Origin of Form VII: Juyo/Vaapad

Form VII, also known as the Way of the Vornskr, holds the seventh and final position among the official forms of lightsaber combat in the Star Wars universe. It has garnered a distinct reputation for itself. This particular combat style is characterized by bold and straightforward movements. The records of the New Jedi Order indicate that mastering Form VII requires a greater expenditure of energy due to its wider range and deep connection to emotions.

One variation of Form VII is called Juyo, which is considered to be the most brutal style of lightsaber combat. It combines fluid movements with a sense of malevolence and "malignant grace." Juyo is widely regarded as the most demanding and challenging form of all lightsaber combat disciplines. Skilled practitioners of Juyo are said to have the ability to defeat a single opponent effortlessly; this form appears to be specifically designed for one-on-one lightsaber duels.

The integration of Juyo into Jedi training created controversy and disagreement among members of the Jedi Order. Critics argued that it contradicted the fundamental Jedi Code principle of suppressing emotions in favor of peace, as it encouraged combat driven by controlled yet passionate emotions. In contrast, the Sith had no reservations about Juyo, with Darth Sidious even considering it a "Sith style."

During the declining years of the Republic, Jedi Master Mace Windu embarked on the creation of Vaapad, collaborating with fellow master Sora Bulq. This variant originated from studying the movements of the Vaapad creature indigenous to Sarapin. Practitioners of Vaapad displayed an awe-inspiring speed, appearing as if wielding multiple lightsabers at once, mimicking the relentless assault of the Vaapad creature's numerous tentacles that moved too rapidly to be counted.

Vaapad went beyond being a simple combat technique; it was seen as a state of mind that delved into the depths of the dark side. Practitioners were encouraged to find pleasure in battle and relish in the taste of victory. The Vaapad expert would absorb their opponent's anger, transforming themselves into one half of a powerful loop, with the other half being the darkness that resided within their foe.

However, the Jedi proceeded with caution and warned against the use of Vaapad, as it came dangerously close to the dark side due to its focus on physical confrontation. Utilizing Vaapad required a constant and substantial connection with the Force, combined with a controlled release of Force power—an essential requirement shared by all variations of Form VII.

Famous Practitioners

The expertise of Jedi Battlemaster Cin Drallig and Grand Master Yoda revealed the profound world of lightsaber combat. Both masters displayed a complete mastery of all seven forms, including the daunting Juyo. Drallig, in his role as the Jedi Temple's lightsaber combat instructor, perfectly complemented Yoda's reputation for excelling in every aspect of lightsaber artistry.

Juyo, deeply rooted in combat history, emerged four millennia before the Battle of Yavin. Legendary Jedi Masters Vrook Lamar, Zez-Kai Ell, and Kavar skillfully exhibited their prowess and passed on their wisdom to the next generation.

Darth Sidious, a Sith within the order, showcased the impressive power of Juyo. This mastery extended to his apprentices, particularly Darth Maul, who embraced the form's demands and made it his primary technique. By tapping into the dark side's potent currents, Maul utilized the ferocity within him to overpower his enemies.

A significant moment occurred in 32 BBY when Maul faced off against Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi in Theed. It was during this encounter that Maul incorporated Juyo into the unique choreography of his double-bladed lightsaber. Despite Juyo's susceptibility to multiple opponents, Maul's skill allowed him to skillfully engage both Jedi at once, ultimately leading to the defeat of Qui-Gon Jinn.

Juyo's influence persisted even among the Sith, with Sith Blademaster Kas'im becoming a true master of all seven forms during the twilight of the New Sith Wars. Sirak, a skilled Sith apprentice stationed on Korriban at the time, incorporated Juyo's techniques into his own combat style. Darth Bane, another Sith Lord from that era, also displayed proficiency in the art of Juyo.

Darth Vader's apprentice, Galen Marek, was also adept in Juyo. His unwavering focus and unrestrained aggression translated into unwavering determination, allowing him to overcome adversaries with relentless resolve.

Mace Windu and Sora Bulq, who were instrumental in developing the Vaapad variant of Form VII, demonstrated exceptional skill in Juyo, which they refined into the intricate essence of Vaapad. Sora Bulq, a renowned Jedi Master in all seven forms, collaborated with Mace Windu to further enhance Vaapad during the later years of the Republic. However, Bulq's disillusionment with the Republic and the Jedi Order led him to the dark side following the Battle of Geonosis. Windu would later describe this transformation as Vaapad mastering Bulq, rather than the other way around.

The exclusive knowledge of Vaapad was passed on to Mace Windu's Padawan, Depa Billaba. Under Windu's guidance, Billaba became a master of Vaapad, establishing herself as nearly unbeatable in one-on-one combat—a testament to Windu's instruction and her own unwavering commitment.

Known Maneuvers

During the twilight era of the Old Republic, Jedi Battlemaster Cin Drallig provided valuable insights into Form VII, shedding light on its distinctive characteristics. According to Drallig, who served during the final days, Form VII required such precision that only accomplished masters, well-versed in multiple other forms, could effectively utilize it. He emphasized that mastery of Form VII was so demanding that only a select few were allowed to study it under his decree, excluding all others.

The defining posture of Form VII featured a one-handed high guard, with the blade held horizontally above the head and angled to the side. The body would adopt a half-twist, while the off-hand swept down and across. Practitioners of Juyo, the form associated with Form VII, employed a technique known as the "Assured Strike," wherein raw power was traded for a higher chance of a successful hit. Another technique, called "Vornskr's Ferocity," involved launching an aggressive assault against opponents. Notably, masterful practitioners of Juyo were able to execute this technique without succumbing to the corrupting influence of the dark side, demonstrating their ability to maintain control over their aggression.

In Vaapad, adepts were known for their skilled use of the "Swift Flank" maneuver, which involved swiftly leaping or dashing around opponents to deliver a quick strike. This maneuver's speed aimed to surprise opponents and catch them off guard. "Tempered Aggression" was another aspect of Vaapad mastery, referring to the form's fierce intensity balanced by an increased resistance to the dark side's tempting influence, even in the chaos of battle.

The evolution of Lightsaber Form VII: Juyo/Vaapad is a remarkable chapter in the Star Wars saga—an exceptional creation attributed to the ingenuity of an individual rather than a group effort. This unique story deserves closer examination, setting Form VII apart from the other seven lightsaber forms and their respective variations.