'Star Wars': How Exactly Is The Darksaber Different Than a Lightsaber?

Lightsabers are the most iconic part of Star Wars. They are the signature weapon of both Jedi and Sith, and they are tailored to the Jedi or Sith who wield them. However, none are as instantly recognizable or unique as the Darksaber. The Darksaber is a lightsaber, unlike any other lightsaber we have seen in Star Wars. With the popularity of The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, the Darksaber is introduced to a host of new fans. As I said, it is instantly recognizable and visually distinct from other lightsabers. However, newer fans may not be as familiar with what makes the Darksaber unique. Not only is there a lot of history behind the Darksaber, but there is also a lot to set it apart from standard lightsabers.

The first and most obvious difference between the Darksaber and lightsabers is its appearance. Most lightsabers have blades that appear more cylindrical and closely reminiscent of our real-world short swords and long swords. Lightsaber hilts also tend to be cylindrical as well. Their colors also tend to be either red, green, or blue (although there have been rare cases of purple, yellow, and white blades). However, the Darksaber's blade resembles a katana more than a short or long sword. It has a curved edge on one side, and the other side is straight. Of course, unlike a katana, the Darksaber is plenty capable of cutting from either side since it is a lightsaber. The Darksaber's hilt is also more rectangular in design which bears more of a resemblance to the hilt of a traditional sword. Last, and perhaps most apparent, the Darksaber has an entirely black blade rather than the brighter colors seen in regular lightsabers.

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The Darksabers color is due to how it was created. Without being too repetitive or getting into too much detail, the Darksaber was created by the first Mandalorian inducted into the Jedi Order, Tarre Vizsla. The color of a lightsaber's blade results from the user's connection to the Force and the color of the kyber crystal used to power the saber. Tarre Vizsla must have had an incredibly unique and powerful relationship to the Force for his lightsaber to take on the dark color, and it may have even contributed to its unique shape as well.

The Darksaber also has several unique quirks that aren't seen with other lightsabers. For example, it was shown in Star Wars: Rebels and The Clone Wars to emit and crackle with electricity when the user's emotions are heightened. Also, the blade seems to change weight based on the user's emotional state. Users under tremendous stress, guilt, anger, or fear feel that the blade is heavier than usual. In The Mandalorian, we hear Din say, "The blade gets heavier with every swing." Neither of these features of the Darksaber is seen with other lightsabers used by Jedi or Sith. It is possible that this blade may have a deeper connection to the Force than other lightsabers, thanks to Tarre Vizsla.

There is definitely a lot of unknowns about the Darksaber. Its origin is still mostly shrouded in mystery in canon. There is also little canon information on Tarre Vizsla, which makes it even harder to speculate on the blade. One thing is sure, the Darksaber is easily one of the most unique lightsabers we have encountered in Star Wars. It may also be one of the most powerful as well. With all the story plots forming around the blade in The Mandalorian, I expect we will get more information on the Darksaber soon, and it will probably be a staple of The Mandalorian in the seasons to come.

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Written by Alex Lenzini

Source(s): CBR

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