Backwards Lightsaber

[TKA-001]

That's what I said. People may have some thing holding and shaking the remote the way the Apprentice does.

That would be even more absurd than holding it "normally".

[PoiuyWired]

Originally Posted by Lord Foley

It doesn't bother me, but I do wonder: What possible advantage is there to holding your lightsaber like that? I mean, yeah, you can hold your lightsaber any way you want and call it a new form, but how exactly is that helping?

Well, since he is obviously a force user he is never unarmed even without his lightsaber, as in the saber being his secondary weapon. So how he "holds" the saber is not too important then, as long as it provides easy access.

If he likes to swing the blade two-handed then the reverse grip is of no good/ill effect, one simply revert to normal two-handed grip during a swing.

Now for MY OWN OPINION, WHICH PROBABLY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DEV'S MARGINAL UNDERSTANDING OF BLADE COMBAT:

Well, a two-handed grip on a (short) staff type sometimes uses a reverse grip, so that both your thumbs are pointing at each other (well not really, but you get the picture) like the tusken raiders. Since you would hold the 1/3-1/4 of the staff only (if you don't want to switch tips) it is quite usable for lightsaber styles.

Remember that lightsaber is more like a staff (that cut things) than a sword in many says. You never have to worry about the cutting edge, blade direction and such, allowing you to do many things impossable with a regular vibro sword.

Obviously there are disadvantages also for the omni direction supper cutter. The lack of a non-cutting blade means parrying can be hard, as well as super close range encounters. The super cutting ability definitely helps here in really close range, but there are enough stuff in this universe that can at least withstand the "hot blade through butter" cutting speed by slowing it down significantly (ignoring those that can actually parry or disable lightsabers) Your weapon being stuck (or even slowed) for a moment spells big trouble. Hack, even an armor that can take an extra whacking would spell trouble also. Force power helps, but at this range sharp pointy things poses almost as big a danger, if not more.

[Thrawn]

I think it lends itself to the way the apprentice character is supposed to act. He is a human weapon, and the behind lightsaber pose looks more aggressive. The traditional jedi stance makes for easier defense.

[Ryazan]

I always laugh when I think about how some people are so neurotic that they get upset because of how someone holds something.

[Tomak Ta-Zak]

Well in an interview with Hayden during E3. They stated he holds his lightsaber behind him because of all the intense force powers he is using. Having the blade infront of him might disrupt some of the force using supposedly and it lets you see the lightsaber. Imagine having that shiny red beam of death infront of you while channeling a lightning attack haha.

[LordSerion]

Yeah, it'd seriously disturb the sight of the screaming enemies.

[TimbukTurnip]

It's a gimick, plain and simple

[Jacob Nion]

I think they way he holds his lightsaber backwards like that is actualy really cool. I heard it was to defeclt lazer fire from behind.

[Da_Man_2423]

Originally Posted by Tomak Ta-Zak

Well in an interview with Hayden during E3. They stated he holds his lightsaber behind him because of all the intense force powers he is using. Having the blade infront of him might disrupt some of the force using supposedly and it lets you see the lightsaber. Imagine having that shiny red beam of death infront of you while channeling a lightning attack haha.

Mumbo jumbo. It's just to make it him look cool, there's nothing else to it, like others have said.

[tk102]

What's wrong with looking cool? I do it all the time.

[Da_Man_2423]

Originally Posted by tk102

What's wrong with looking cool? I do it all the time.

Perhaps LucasArts should model you as a downloadable character to replace Starkiller in the game then.

[GeneralPloKoon]

I like how he holds it makes him seem more unique!

[Ratmjedi]

As long as he's able to kick some major a$$ does it really matter how he holds it? Each character has there unique features and it's being shown in the game so I think it's cool.

Shien was a form of Jedi lightsaber combat. Followers of this form practiced an unorthodox method of holding the lightsaber to perform long, sweeping strikes to take down several enemies at a time.

I think for being a secret apprentice who was gonna encounter alot of enemies on his missions it's the most effecient style so it makes sense.

[Da_Man_2423]

Originally Posted by Ratmjedi

As long as he's able to kick some major a$$ does it really matter how he holds it?

Not really, since it's purely aesthetic anyway.

[LordOfTheFish]

Originally Posted by Ratmjedi

As long as he's able to kick some major a$$ does it really matter how he holds it? Each character has there unique features and it's being shown in the game so I think it's cool.



I think for being a secret apprentice who was gonna encounter alot of enemies on his missions it's the most effecient style so it makes sense.

Agreed. What is the big deal with the reverse grip? It's not the end of the world

[PoiuyWired]

Originally Posted by M@RS

Yeah, it's new, it's cool, it's different, it's Vader's Secret Aprentice...

... Anakin's first padawan holds it that way also...

[KyoteOne]

Different Jedi and Sith have their preferences for how they hold their sabers.
I thinks it's because he is a speedy attacker and backwards blades seem to be associated with speed and/or ninja style characters.
And I think they felt it was just more sinister looking

[Drunkside]

Originally Posted by Fortune Hunter

Am I the only one who is bothered by the fact that the Apprentice holds his lightsaber backwards? I really wish he would hold it normally because it looks better that way.

I dont really care becouse its a game, but i tell you, if someone actually wielded a weapon that way and just stand casually he would get grinded to bits by the first guy he meets with any combat skill... That kind of a stance is a suicide! And even though i always dual wield when its possible, the lack of that doesnt bother me at all, becouse here i play Starkiller, not the most powerful being in the universe, ME...

[LordOfTheFish]

Originally Posted by Tomak Ta-Zak

Well in an interview with Hayden during E3. They stated he holds his lightsaber behind him because of all the intense force powers he is using. Having the blade infront of him might disrupt some of the force using supposedly and it lets you see the lightsaber. Imagine having that shiny red beam of death infront of you while channeling a lightning attack haha.

Really though, it's a game...it doesn't really have to make sense.

[Astor]

Originally Posted by Tomak Ta-Zak

Well in an interview with Hayden during E3. They stated he holds his lightsaber behind him because of all the intense force powers he is using. Having the blade infront of him might disrupt some of the force using supposedly and it lets you see the lightsaber. Imagine having that shiny red beam of death infront of you while channeling a lightning attack haha.

That's the most ludicrous thing i've heard. It's simple because it looks cool, and people kept moaning that they couldn't see the lightsaber.

[LordOfTheFish]

It's no more then an attraction to raise sale counts.

[Astor]

Originally Posted by LordOfTheFish

It's no more then an attraction to raise sale counts.

Which I can't see it doing. I'm far more interested in Unleashing the Force than I am about how he holds his lightsaber.

[LordOfTheFish]

Point proven.

[Dominicomucci]

I love the way he holds the sabre, its cool. But its very impractical in real combat.

In fact i think even in game you can see this, he is so slow to get his guard up when you block (tell me its not my reactions) youhave to be ready before hte enemies swing for starkiller to get his guard up!!!

Other than that it does look very japanese cool though.

On the point of styles i loved Count Dokus style, swashbuckling fencer. I think that is one of the coolest styles in film because the guy is professionally trained in it (and yes i know a lot of it is a stunt guy, but for an old dude that guy can still look smart)

[Cru3lty]

I think a lot of the inspiration for using the reverse grip might have come from a really cool japanese film about a blind masseur called Zatoichi who held his cane-katana like that. The reverse grip is used occasionally in japanese fencing but usually (like the Apprentice) mixed with the conventional grip. I agree that it does give him a bit more character.

[Darca Lar]

It doesn't bother me, and the fact that he was powerful enough to beat Vader and the Emperor is reason enough to allow it.

[Kalonus]

Doesn’t he use that style because he is often faced with multiple attackers and it allows him to have wide swings of his blade…I thought that was what the form was used for.

[SW01]

Gimmick. Plain and simple. Just something to make him different from the other sabre-users in Star Wars.

It's been done before - think double-bladed Maul. Or quad-wielding Grievous.

Personally, I don't like it. Maybe it's because I prefer the dueling style. Perhaps it is appropriate for a Sith, as it has little defensive value and perhaps more offensive value.

[Darca Lar]

I wouldn't consider Starkiller a Sith considering the story. Rather he used powers of the darkside. Besides, its not how good it is, its how well you use it.

[PoiuyWired]

Originally Posted by SW01

Gimmick. Plain and simple. Just something to make him different from the other sabre-users in Star Wars.

It's been done before - think double-bladed Maul. Or quad-wielding Grievous.

Personally, I don't like it. Maybe it's because I prefer the dueling style. Perhaps it is appropriate for a Sith, as it has little defensive value and perhaps more offensive value.

Unfortunately backhand stance is not unique anymore...

Plus, Maul's saber is not unique, just a dim copy of the true master...

The Quad Wield is pretty special though, I wish there is a true 4 handed sith.

[Xbx_Inthusiast]

Well Shien (Backhand) has been used by Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, Starkiller, Jedi Snipers, Quinlan Vos, and Ronhar Kim. It's very useful in throwing your opponents off guard and striking from strange angles. Also, when fighting a double-bladed opponent, it's the best form to use because of it's wide defensive range.

(Also, I guess Maris Brood would have use a variant of Shien, due to her Tonfa's being backwards)

[SW01]

I've just noted though that when Starkiller attacks, he twirls the saber to the 'normal' position to strike, then twirls it back when comig out of the attack stance.

Not sure if that reduces the utility of the form or not.

[NEOxSNIPER]

Originally Posted by Lord Foley

It doesn't bother me, but I do wonder: What possible advantage is there to holding your lightsaber like that? I mean, yeah, you can hold your lightsaber any way you want and call it a new form, but how exactly is that helping?

that back handed stance is geared more toward defense, where as holding it normally is offensive.

[M@RS]

^ It's a mix really, if you're good at it, like I assume Galen is... The form is called Shien... Link...

[csneo23]

Every character in the star wars universe has their own lightsaber stance and I think it is important that they do. Some are more noticeable then others. Revan, Starkiller, Darth Vader, Malak, Obi- wan, Palpatine, yoda, Darth Maul, and Dooku. All of them have very different styles and I think it is important that they do. Personally I love the fact that Starkiller's stance is so different and of his own.

[Lord Foley]

Aesthetic choice or not, I think his stance is awesome.

[Darth Eclipse]

I love Shien. I don't see why so many people have problems with it. It's rediculous!

[LukeDavis93]

Originally Posted by Gurges-Ahter

but I do not understand why this bothers people.

because its differrent

[GwannaSauna]

Maybe he just had a wrist surgery, hmm?

Nah, but that is pretty damn annoying. Although when you're attacked by eight stormtroopers and holding down the B button ready to unleash a wave of destruction, I don't think you're gonna care the way he holds his lightsabre

[Endorenna]

Somewhere I heard that the backwards style helps weaker fighters (aka women) have greater leverage during clenches. Don't know if that's true in the real world or not, but I certainly know it's true at my house.

And, of course, it looks cool.