Using a shield and saber

[Kyle Arcaina]

So curious about the styles and still unsure which style I would like to work towards. I also considered doing something slightly different as this character has a robotic right arm I was considering a sort of deployable shield in his right arm and wielding a single saber in his other. Imagines being of a sword and shield type of fighting style and a friend jokingly said to use a saber pike and go all spartan spear and shield.

My question would be if going with this shield idea which of the forms would it qualify as. Or if it would be a unique style of its own.

 

[Julius Sedaire]

My natural inclination is to say a more defensive form like Form III, the problem with lightsaber combat and shield work is *so much* of the forms, unless using jar'kai, are two handed and relyin on that to work. It wouldn't translate well unless you basically hybridized/made your own

 

[Darth Ferus]

[member="Kyle Arcaina"]


It would probably end up following real life sword forms, rather than saber forms. I've been interested in the idea myself, but I can't imagine any of the saber forms being easily translated into sword and board.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

The problem with a shield is that it's solid, it's heavy...compared with a lightsabre anyway.

However, for the Eldorai I devised a style of combat which used blade and shield. They didn't use lightsabres, but it's close.
http://starwarsrp.net/topic/21284-taegis-battle-shield/

Later for the elites we devised a cortosis one:
http://starwarsrp.net/topic/35341-seraph-battle-shield/

Now naturally those are just examples, but it can be done, but you need solid armour as well.

 

[Tarek'Gor]

[member="Kyle Arcaina"]

Hmm. I think it would be reasonable to create a custom lightsaber that took on the shape of a buckler. Or use somthing like the deathwatch shields. With two lightweight "weapons" Jar'Kai would be the natural choice, though your style would be more defensive.

 

[Darth Kentarch]

a friend jokingly said to use a saber pike and go all spartan spear and shield.

THIS IS SPARTA! Just kidding

Honestly the shield is kind of an area I would steer clear away from 'Because Reasons'

 

[Kyle Arcaina]

Darth Kentarchhttp://starwarsrp.net/user/2624-darth-kentarch/

Can you elaborate on the "Because Reasons?"

 

[Vrag]

[member="Kyle Arcaina"]

If you want to go shield + lightsaber, sword&buckler is probably your best friend. Jar'kai could work, *I guess*, but the style was designed with two blades in mind... we're talking extensive adaptation here, I'd say.

Honestly if you want a shield + sword fighting style, it'd be your best bet to stick to a solid blade. Having a "lightsaber" shield as well would render many usages of said shield unavailable and/or extremely dangerous, since your fighter couldn't touch it, which kinda defeats the purpose of a shield, imho.

The thing with sword and shield fighting style is that you'd have a hard time finding a Form that'd go well with it. Even the more defensive Form III is defensive with a blade only, which means it uses very different techniques than what you'd use with a shield.

The other problem I see with this is that the only truly one-handed Form is II, Makashi, which would pair poorly with a shield.

Anyhow, that's just my two cents.

 

[huggin_munnin]

Shii-Cho.

It's based off of older sword techniques, metal swords. That probably implies a shield or buckler. It behooves you to look up some HEMA stuff for reference, btw. It's a unique style as others have said.

 

[Kyle Arcaina]

I figured Shi-cho would play into it. Though ultimately I am feeling like it will need a unique style of its own. Grateful for all the feedback this generated

 

[Kei Amadis]

Makashi might work in this case, it'd unbalance your movements in any form, so you'd need to adapt your own imho.

[member="Vrag"]

That's how I pictured it, buckled to the wrist or back.

[member="Kyle Arcaina"]

You could make a big deal about making your own style, or you could reserve the use of second beam/blade/weapon to be purely defensive in nature, and have that act as a shield.

 

[Kyle Arcaina]

The shield idea i had would be actually built into the arm itself. Based off the omni tool arm he already has. The variation I'm thinking could have the shield tucked into the forearm in a folded state and when activated deploys out. Leaning towards it being a solid shield but there are plenty of options for that.

Still on the fence about the sword or saber. But then again a very finely made sword if imbued with the force can have the same cutting power as a saber.

 

[Kian Karr]

[member="Kyle Arcaina"]

A single Lightsaber Form would probably not work, with perhaps the exception of Shii-Cho. However, I believe the best combatants blend styles. To quote Wookiepedia:

However, Vader was able to overcome this limitation fairly quickly, developing a refined version of Djem So that continued to include Ataru and Soresu elements, but also added Makashi[16] and Juyo[265] to the mix. In fact, by the time of his first visit to Kashyyyk, Vader had incorporated aspects of all combat forms into his fighting style - even the highest and most dangerous ones. Rather than attempting to fight through the bulky and heavy armor, Vader fought with it, utilizing the armor's weight and his powerful prosthetics to provide his blows with incredible force, while relying on the main articulation points at the elbows and wrists for precision.[168]

By blending styles you could adapt a shield variant of lightsaber combat. I would think that Makashi would definitely need to be a focus, as has been pointed out, it is the only one handed form. Additionally, Shien or Djem So would likely be promising. The mentality of the forms being to defend and counter. A shield would put you in a good position to do just that.

 

[Kyle Arcaina]

I am liking a blend of Makashi and Shi cho the principles when considering going on offense. Since it will need to be the principles of the styles rather then the actual moves within them. And I can see how ideals of Soresu and Shien could be put in for defense. Soresu seems like it could be adapted for shield as it focuses on defense and wearing out your opponent through that defense which as shield would really allow for.

 

[Ignatius]

[member="Kyle Arcaina"], Blend the lightsaber forms. Or just use normal fighting styles.

If you want a shield that it light, and provides good protection, look up dueling shields. I know the Echani made one, and there is what is called a "Lightshield" which is a canon form of the shield you said you wanted to make earlier. Both of those would be nice and easy to work with.

I have an alt that uses an Echani Dueling shield all the time. *had it since her creation* so she is very proficient in it's use. She uses no real forms but fights more along the lines of Instint. Forms can be predictible, so if you attack almost at random, it's harder for your opponent to block and defend.