Form V: Shien / Djem So

From the Encyclopedia of Speculative Fiction - http://encyclopedia.wizards.pro

Form V: Djem So was the fifth form of the seven forms of lightsaber combat.

Form V or the Way of the Krayt Dragon was a powerful style developed by Form III practitioners that preferred a more offensive style, since the defensive nature of Form III often led to dangerously prolonged combat. Djem So came about from combining Forms II and III. Anakin Skywalker, both as himself and as Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, and Jedi Master Plo Koon were all practitioners of Form V.

Form V came into existence by taking the defensive skills derived from Form III and channeling some of the defense into offense. A common example used to illustrate the difference is that that while Form III combatants effortlessly deflected blaster bolts, Form V practitioners exceled at redirecting the blaster fire back toward the opponent. This action simultaneously defended the user and efficiently injured the enemy. Form V also utilized Form II's parries, allowing the user to parry and counter attempted attacks. Because Form V made Form II more intimidating and fierce and turned Form III's purely defensive moves into an offensive defense many Jedi disapproved of the aggressive philosophy.

Whereas Form II concentrated on precise and elegant parries, Djem So permitted the user to actually block and repel attacks, since it called for the use of more brute, Force-enhanced strength. Practictioners of Djem So would often press an assault, using wide, sweeping blows in an attempt to overwhelm the opponent with brute strength. This was evident when Count Dooku fought against Anakin Skywalker. When Dooku swung at Anakin, Anakin not only blocked the attack but pushed Dooku backwards with his overwhelming strength. Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker also demonstrated how Djem So could be used to physically bully an opponent. During their first battle, Vader used his rage to continuously lock sabers with Luke, only to throw him back and press his assault. In the second duel, Luke turned the tables and forced Vader back with his onslaught of physical strength and sweeping attacks.

Vader created his own variant of Form V, where he would use only one hand to strike and defend, and hold the other casually by his side. This was the case during his duel with his son on Bespin.

With the offensive and refined movements of Form II and the highly defensive postures of Form III, Djem So was proven to be a highly effective style. Of all the Forms, it was probably the only one capable of matching Mace Windu's Vaapad. Vaapad and Djem So were very similar forms of combat; they were in fact virtually identical save for one crucial element: whereas Vaapad called for its user to maintain strict control of their emotions during the fight, Djem So had no such restriction. Both Djem So and Vaapad called for its user to use emotion to enhance their strength. Vaapad's control permitted its user greater power, however, because they had the presence of mind to use that strength, whereas a Djem So user would sometimes lose themselves in their emotion. Djem So users could best be described as bold, powerful, fearless and confident. They were unafraid to let their emotions rule them and contribute to the fight, though they were wary of falling to the dark side. Though a master Djem So stylist would be able to pull back from the abyss of the dark side, as Luke Skywalker did when he defeated Vader, someone less trained would not always be able to resist.

For more Information on lightsaber combat, and a list of Sources see lightsaber combat.