Lightsabers

"This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster; an elegant weapon for a more civilized age."

- Obi-Wan Kenobi

Lightsabers are weapons from the Star Wars franchise. They are plasma-bladed swords powered by kyber crystals that serve as the signature weapons of the Jedi, Dark Jedi, and Sith orders. Hundreds of different types of lightsaber exist, all with different colors, abilities, and styles.

Appearance
Lightsabers vary in appearance and color. Common traits involve straight or slightly curved cylindrical handles with grips and activation buttons. The materials and designs vary depending on builder and/or wielder, though common materials include metal, strong wood, or even bone, and asthetics include etchings, gems, and ornaments. Most also produce a cylindrical, glowing blade of energy.

Powers and Abilities
While various types of lightsabers exist, and each individual lightsaber possesses different powers, abilities, and functions. Common themes among the various types include manual activation and deactivation of the blade, energy absorption and deflection, heat emission, extreme cutting ability, durability, and extreme efficiency when used in conjunction with the Force.

Types

 * Double-bladed: Double-bladed lightsabers have two blades, one on each end of the handle. Some variations even have hinges, and a variation utilized by the Inquisitors allowed the blade to spin on a circular track.
 * Dual-phase: Lightsabers that use focusing crystals to allow adjustments to blade length
 * Broadsaber: Lightsabers with flatter, broader blades more akin to typical swords
 * Crossguard: Lightsabers that emit a primary blade, and two smaller blades to form a crossguard
 * Pistols: Lightsabers retrofitted with blasters
 * Rifles: Rifles that use lightsaber energy as ammunition
 * Sabercane: Lightsabers disguised as canes
 * Training: Low power, short lightsabers used for training
 * Shoto: Lightsabers with considerably smaller blade length, usually used as secondary weapons
 * Great: Large lightsabers for individuals with greater-than-human proportions
 * Lightwhip: Specially-designed lightsabers that use smaller emitters to create whip-like energy outputs

History
The invention of lightsabers remains mysterious, though Legends state that they were created by the Rakata species to channel the energy of the Dark Side of the Force. Jedi and Sith have been known to use lightsabers since the Great Scourge of Malachor.

During the era of the Galactic Republic, Jedi used lightsabers in their role as peacekeepers and soldiers. After the Jedi Purge and the rise of Emperor Palpatine, lightsabers became rare. After Palpatine's inital defeat, Luke Skywalker attempted to train a new generation of Jedi.