Darth Vader: Lightsaber Info & Lore
One of the most terrifyingly recognizable weapons in Star Wars is the lightsaber that Darth Vader wields. Darth Vader is the epitome of Sith's skill, holding a lightsaber and glaring off his helmet with a crimson glow that creates dark shadows. We're here to go over every aspect of Darth Vader's lightsaber, including how it looks and its on-screen history.
As a young Jedi named Anakin Skywalker, Darth Vader utilized a blue lightsaber, which is technically the first one he holds. During his Jedi training, he experimented with a number of lightsabers before crafting his renowned Graflex lightsaber, which he uses to battle his former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, on Must-afar and kill younglings following his switch to the Dark Side in Episode III. The same sabre that Obi-Wan seizes and then hands over to Luke Skywalker, which ultimately finds its way into Rey's hands.
We're not here to discuss that "elegant weapon," even if it is unquestionably significant in Star Wars history. We're examining the red lightsaber that was initially seen in the original trilogy, Darth Vader's lightsaber, in all its Sith grandeur. While the extended universe Legends canon is quite clear on this issue, we concentrate on the present canon. Explore the depths of Darth Vader's lightsaber's Holocron.
Darth Vader's Lightsaber: Hilt, Color & More
The flash tube of an MPP Microflash camera was used to create the initial prop for the Darth Vader lightsaber hilt in A New Hope (previously simply known as Star Wars). It was later modified for Return of the Jedi using a Graflex tube similar to the one used for Luke's first lightsaber, also known as Anakin's.
It is no accident that the two are similar. Darth Vader's lightsaber hilt purposefully mimics the one he used as Anakin in Star Wars mythology, including its:
- 28-centimeter hilt length
- Alloy metal and carbon composite materials
- Black-ridged grip
- Power cell chamber
- Adjustment knobs
- Rounded emitter shroud
Nevertheless, Vader's crimson sabre features two kyber crystals for better control over the blade's length and additional black ornamentation. This has a practical component as well; Vader gains tactical mastery through familiarity with a similar hilt. The Sith lord has not let the past die as much as he or his master Darth Sidious would like to think, though, as one could interpret this as a visual metaphor.
What Color Lightsaber Does Darth Vader Have?
The color of Darth Vader's lightsaber is red. From Count Dooku to Kylo Ren, the Sith and other followers of the evil side of the Force all wield crimson lightsabers.
How & When Does Darth Vader Get His Red Lightsaber?
Technically, Darth Vader's initial red lightsaber isn't the one from the first three films. Emperor Palpatine gives Darth Vader the task of tracking down Kirak Infil'a, a Jedi Master who is hiding and obtaining his lightsaber shortly after he becomes a Sith Lord during the height of the Great Jedi Purge. The Sith's habit of pouring those negative emotions, their source of power, into the kyber crystal to corrupt and turn it crimson is what he does after that. He then takes the saber to Must-afar, a site that symbolizes his rage, hatred, and suffering, to bleed its kyber crystal.
During a battle with bounty hunters, Kirak Infil'a's hilt is damaged, but Vader manages to save the bleed kyber crystal. This is the inspiration behind the new hilt he designs, which is the traditional Darth Vader lightsaber hilt that we are concentrating on. Charles Soule's 2017 Darth Vader comic book, which Marvel published, revealed the backstory behind Vader's lightsaber.
Major Appearances of Darth Vader's Lightsaber On Screen
Darth Vader's lightsaber has appeared numerous times in media, such as video games like Jedi: Fallen Order, novels, comic books, television series, and films. Let's examine the most noteworthy instances of Darth Vader wielding his lightsaber in both live-action and animated films. These are not listed in release order but rather in temporal order.
The Clone Wars
Even though it doesn't have much screen time, its presence has a big influence on the entire Star Wars mythology. In the flash-forward epilogue of the Clone Wars series finale, "Victory and Death," Darth Vader, holding a lightsaber, finds the remains of the Tribunal and the abandoned lightsaber of his former Padawan Ahsoka Tano.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Darth Vader's lightsaber makes multiple appearances in the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi, which center's on Obi-Wan's life between Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV: A New Hope. This is especially true during the duel between Vader and his old master.
Rebels
The series includes various notable Darth Vader lightsaber duels, like As versus Kanan Jarrus and, in the epic Duel on Malachor, both Ahsoka and Ezra Bridger. Vader's presence hangs over Rebels.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
For good reason, fans like Darth Vader's appearance in Rogue One. During the Battle of Scarif, Vader's lightsaber slashes through a bunch of "Rebel scum" with sly precision, resulting in some of the most fantastic lightsaber movements ever seen on film.
Episode IV – A New Hope
The first time Darth Vader's lightsaber appears in the film is during the Death Star Duel in A New Hope, which features the last encounter between Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi. It was unlike anything viewers had ever seen in 1977, and Vader's death at the hands of the Sith Lord solidified his status as one of the greatest villains in movie history.
Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
One of the most iconic pictures in Star Wars is the silhouette of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader engaged in a fierce battle on Cloud City. Just before chopping off Luke's hand and saying the most heartbreaking words, "I am your father," we see Vader battling Luke with his red lightsaber as Luke uses his old blue one. Even though Vader's lightsaber is incredibly intimidating in this scene, Luke is defeated by his words.
Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
The last Darth Vader lightsaber battle takes place in the Emperor's throne room on the second Death Star during the Battle of Endor with Luke, who is now a Jedi and has a green lightsaber with an Obi-Wan-style hilt. Vader tries to entice Luke to the dark side once more as he tries to murder Palpatine, but Luke resists, and Vader ultimately turns, destroying the Emperor and reverting to his previous form of Anakin Skywalker just before his death.
What Happened to Darth Vader's Lightsaber?
In their last encounter, Luke knocks Darth Vader to the ground and slashes off his lightsaber-wielding hand. Darth Vader's lightsaber and severed hand tumble into the second Death Star's reactor shaft.
What Lightsaber Form Does Darth Vader Use?
Another important topic of debate about Darth Vader is the lightsaber shape. Vader uses Form V, which comes in two varieties: Djem So and Shien. Both are regarded as aggressive lightsaber combat styles that emphasize utilizing the attacks of their opponents against them, swiftly switching between attack and defense. As Vader, Anakin created his kind of kind V by fusing aspects of other forms to create something even more viciously violent than Shien.
