In order to develop the best lightsaber form possible with no restrictions or drawbacks, the Jedi Order constructed six different lightsaber forms one after the other. The Light Side of the Force was needed for all six of the seven lightsaber forms. The Jedi code was followed by these forms.
These six lightsaber forms were insufficient due to their weaknesses. A Millennium before the battle of Yavin, the Jedi Order created lightsaber form vii. The seventh form was different from other lightsaber forms in many aspects. This form did not exactly follow the Jedi code of peace and harmony.
Let’s have a look at lightsaber form vii, form vii users, and everything else related.
Lightsaber Form VII – Juyo & Vaapad
Form vii is known as Juyo, also known as Ferocity form, or the way of the Vornskr. The Jedi Order used form vii in the early days of its creation. Later, they began to consider this form as a vicious form. A variation of lightsaber form vii came into existence much later. One of the last Jedi Master of the Old Republic, Mace Windu, created this form. He called it Vaapad, after a creature native to Sarapin planet. Let’s talk about both forms in detail.
Juyo Lightsaber Form
Juyo is the initial iteration of form vii. Of all the lightsaber forms, this one is thought to be the most vicious. It is also the lightsaber shape that uses the most energy. Juyo is a combative version. It demands a laser-like focus on offensive. It entails aggressive assaults and direct motions.
Juyo consumes too much energy because this form relies more on emotions than movements. A Juyo user lets his emotions flow through him without keeping them under control. According to Jedi Master Cin Dralling, Juyo was a more kinetic form than form V, it was equally offensive but less apparent than form iv, Ataru. He also called Juyo the most unpredictable form of all the seven lightsaber forms. The unpredictability of this form is considered the biggest strength of Juyo.
Juyo can even destroy the defense of Soresu users. It is also highly effective against armed and armored enemies.
Despite its strengths, many Jedi Masters criticized this form. It was also unpopular among the young students due to the complexity and mix of emotions of this form. Only the Jedi masters who mastered other lightsaber forms could use this form effectively.
As we know, the Jedi Order prohibited Form vii because of this reason. The Juyo users had to let their emotions flow. When they let their emotions flow, the chances of falling into the Dark Side got high. Many Jedis went totally savage during the battles while using this form. The brutal killing of an enemy was against the Jedi Fallen Order. So, the Juyo form was banned from the Jedi Order.
Vaapad Lightsaber Form
Vaapad is the second variation of lightsaber form vii. This form was created much later than its first counterpart. Before the Clone Wars, a powerful Jedi Master, Mace Windu, created this lightsaber form. According to him, it was the best lightsaber form of all the lightsaber forms.
There was a good reason why Mace Windu, and his fellow Jedi Master, Sora Bulq, created this form. The Jedi Order stopped the Jedis from using the first variant of form vii, but it did not stop Sith Lords from using it. Juyo was a powerful form that benefitted the Dark Sider users even more. Darth Sidious even called it a “Sith Style.” He considered it the best lightsaber form.
To counter Juyo, Sora Bulq and Mace Windu Modified this form and created Vaapad. This variant was like a controlled form of Juyo and was one of the best lightsaber forms. Sora Bulq was the finest practitioner of this form, and he helped Mace Windu to perfect it as well. Mace Windu let his negative emotions flow through his body but did not lose control. He learned how to benefit from the Dark emotions without falling into the Dark Side. Its first practitioner, Sora Bulq, fell to the Dark Side, but Mace Windu mastered it while staying as a Jedi.
Like Juyo, Vaapad also relied more on emotions than its physical movements. Vaapad was unique in one aspect. The Vaapad user was able to accept the fury and energy of Dark Force users and use this fury as his own against the opponent. It helped the form vii users to economize their own energy. Form vii requires the user to always focus on his emotions to draw enough Force energy for the battle.
Like Juyo, Vaapad is also an unpredictable form. Vaapad appears to have unreadable attacks and non-understandable emotional energy. Mace Windu was famous for his attack known as “an oblate sphere of purple fire.” It involved his purple lightsaber coming with lightning speed from all angles. Mace Windu derived this form from Vaapad’s blade work.
Juyo & Vaapad Weaknesses (Form VII Weaknesses)
Apparently, form vii looks like it has no weaknesses. Both these forms required the use of the Dark Side, and this Side is powerful. But, even form vii is not the perfect lightsaber form. The weaknesses may be insignificant, but even this best lightsaber form has shortcomings.
We know that Juyo is powerful enough to break down even a Soresu defense. It is also effective against armored enemies. That is because of its brutal strength and focus on aggression. The Jedi Order found that Juyo is not a very effective form against Force-based lightsaber attacks. The Force abilities were also highly effective against Juyo.
Juyo users focus too much on fury and aggression that they can let their guards down. The defensive form like Soresu is effective against Juyo. A Soresu user awaits an opportunity to come out of its defense when he finds an opening and attacks. Similarly, a Makashi user who efficiently makes precise attacks after finding an opening is very effective against Juyo.
All these weaknesses also exist in Vaapad form. Juyo and Vaapad are pretty much the same. The only difference is that Vaapad is a Jedi variant. Jedis can use the Dark Force the same way Sith lords use in Juyo. Both these variants share the same strengths and same weaknesses.
Juyo & Vaapad Users
The Jedi Order banned Juyo in ancient times. So, the only Jedis who practiced this form were from those times. During the Jedi Civil Wars, some famous Jedi masters like Vrook Lamar, Zez-Kai Ell, and Kavar were proficient in form vii, Juyo.
The Sith blade master Kas’im was an instructor at Sith academy before the “rule of two.” He was a skilled master of Juyo, and he taught many Sith lords how to use form vii. Some Other famous Juyo users from the past are Darth Bane, Sith lord Scourge, Jedi Master Atris, Jaric Kaedan, Search Vaunk, etc. These Juyo users lived during different times and made an impact with the Juyo form.
During the Clone Wars, Darth Sidious used Juyo form. It was also his apprentice’s Darth Maul’s lightsaber form. Master Yoda also learned this form as he learned all the lightsaber forms.
After Mace Windu created the other variant, Vaapad, many people wanted to learn this best lightsaber form, including Obi-Wan Kenobi. His master Qui-Gon prohibited Obi-Wan from learning this form, which comes with great risk. So, the only known users of Vaapad are Mace Windu and Sora Bulq. As the Clone Wars resulted in the demise of the Jedi Order, Vaapad also disappeared, and no one got to learn it.
FAQs
What is Vaapad Form VII?
Vaapad Form VII is an aggressive and advanced lightsaber combat technique that channels deep emotions.
Who created Vaapad?
Mace Windu is credited with the creation of the Vaapad lightsaber form.
Why is Vaapad considered dangerous?
Vaapad is risky because it verges on using dark side emotions, requiring exceptional self-control.
Can any Jedi learn Vaapad?
Only highly skilled and mentally disciplined Jedi are advised to learn Vaapad due to its complexities.
What makes Vaapad different from other forms?
Vaapad is unique for its use of dynamic, unpredictable movements and emotional depth.
Conclusion
The Vaapad form VII of lightsaber combat is an advanced and aggressive style. It draws on deep emotions, making it unique and powerful. This form requires immense control and clarity of mind, as it borders on the dark side of the Force. Only the most skilled and disciplined Jedi can master it without falling prey to its inherent risks. Vaapad’s dynamic nature allows for a flowing and unpredictable battle technique. It symbolizes the thin line between light and darkness in the Star Wars universe.
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