Description of Form 1 Lightsaber Combat: Shii-Cho

The first form of lightsaber combat was Shii Cho, also known as the Determination Form, or the Way of the Sarlacc. Shii Cho was developed first out of the 7 forms we know today, and was developed to fit the ancient metal swords of the first Je’daii. Form 1 Lightsaber combat kept with Jedi philosophy, aimed at disarming rather than injuring or killing foes. In the hands of a master, Shii Cho allowed for unpredictability and fluidity.

Shii Cho was the most ancient style of lightsaber combat, developed during the transition period from swords to lightsabers. Even after the creation of the first lightsaber by the legendary Weapon Master of Tython, and the emergence of the Sith, Shii Cho 1 was the preferred form during lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat, simply because it was the only option. As lightsaber duels became more common, the second form of lightsaber combat, Makashi, was developed.

Despite the development of 6 other forms of lightsaber combat, all of which more fitting than the first, Shii Cho was not abandoned by the Jedi Order. Its basic focuses left the form ideally suited for initiate training, and it was effective as a fallback option when no other form would do. However, a true master could use Shii Cho during 1v1 lightsaber combat, and even in the battlefield. This was demonstrated several times by Kit Fisto, one of the most skilled practitioners of the form, during the Clone Wars and his confrontation with Palpatine. One of Fisto’s most notable opponents was General Grievous, whom Fisto proved able to not only hold his own against, but almost defeat, as Form 1’s specialization against multiple foes was a fitting counter to Grievous’s style of using four lightsabers. However, a disadvantage of Shii Cho laid in that it was not suited for 1v1 lightsaber combat. This proved to be the doom of Fisto, when his comparatively clumsy swordplay was outmatched and he was struck down by Palpatine.

Shii Cho swordplay was simplistic and raw, and was utilized with an emotionally-heated mindset. Because of this, prospective users of Form 1 were also practitioners of heavy self-restraint, rejecting the considerable temptation to use the form with lethal intent, and fighting with the purpose of disarming rather than injuring. Kit Fisto mentions this particular disadvantage to Obi-Wan Kenobi, where he states “I should have gone closer to the edge. Released myself into the Force, become more unpredictable, more random.” Obi-wan replies that doing as such would have been dangerous, to the spirit more than the body itself. To this, Kit Fisto simply states “It is the way of Form 1.”

When in the hands of a true Jedi blademaster, Shii Cho swordplay has been described as “like water flowing over the falls,” as its deliberate movements called for continuous, step by step advancement, and the cut off of an opponents angles one by one. Dooku himself described Shii Cho as “deliberate as a lumberdroid, moving step by step, cutting off angles, clumsy but relentlessly dogged.” Shii Cho was also essential to a Jedi’s training in that it contained the basic knowledge of both lightsaber fighting principles and the laser blast deflection skill that Jedi are often seen using when combatting blaster-wielding opponents, such as droids, clones, or Stormtroopers.

As mentioned before, Shii Cho sought for victory without injury, and held the objective of Sun Djem – disarming the opponent without causing injury. This was especially difficult, as later forms of lightsaber combat focused on the prevention of the lightsaber being taken or destroyed.

During the Duel of Tython, where Bane and Zannah faced off against a squad of Jedi, including Valenthyne Farfalla, At first, the Jedi seemed to be close to victory, fueled by the power of Master Worror’s battle meditation, and the massive physique of master Sarro Xaj and the expert bladework of master Raskta Lsu. However, when Bane targeted and killed Master Worror, the Jedi found themselves outmatched by the strength of Bane and the cunning and patience of his pupil, Zannah. Bane, powered by the orbalisks, was able to punch Farfalla’s golden lightsaber out of his hand before swiftly decapitating him. Masters Lsu and Xaj died amongst their companions, their throats slashed by Darth Bane’s lightsaber. During this battle, Bane executed Sun Djem through the use of brute physical force, but more experienced Force users were even able to disarm opponents telekinetically. Yoda managed this against Asajj Ventress, when Ventress had attempted to assassinate King Katuunko of the Toydarians.

Among the most famous Shii Cho users of the past were Lucien Draay and Meetra Surik, both of whom were formidable duelists. Shii Cho, along with the other 6 forms, were nearly lost when the Jedi were exterminated during the Great Jedi Purge. Thankfully, Luke Skywalker would receive basic instruction in Form 1 during his training under Obiwan, and the form would be rediscovered by the New Jedi Order.