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The SaberStaff (aka "Lightstaff","Double Bladed Lightsaber")

The Saberstaff is an unconventional weapon even among the ancient traditions of the Jedi. Its use has been primarily limited to wild and legendary figures (often followers of the Sith cult) such as Exar Kun, and Darth Maul. Whatever its origins, it takes a different kind of mastery to use it effectively in battle.

While it is fun to use, and definately powerful and versatile (when combined with the Force), I do not consider it the ultimate weapon for all situations. In fact, I consider it folly to use it in certain situations when better weapons are available. Still, some players swear by it as their sole weapon of honor, so do what you feel is best, according to your own playing style. However, our strategies are designed to optimize your chances of winning the game, if you take them to heart, so bear that in mind.

This section will take you through the basics of the saberstaff, various special abilities you gain when using the weapon, and on to more advanced strategies and techniques.

There are three types of Lightsaber weapons in the game. Skip ahead to a section below:

Players new to JKA should realize that the Multiplayer mode is substantially different from the Single Player mode. In particular, the weapons, items, power-ups, and other features are different in many ways from their offline counterpart. We strongly recommend playing against Bots (AI simulated multiplayer opponents) as training for internet or LAN games, as they represent the type of gameplay you will experience online. However, there is no substitute for the unpredictability and inventiveness of human opponents, so eventually you must venture out if you expect to master the game! Players migrating over from other FPS games will have many new challenges ahead, including learning Force Powers, the Lightsaber, as well as the different nuances of the game. Even veteran players of other Dark Forces series games (JK, MotS, etc) will have many new things to learn. In short, you must "unlearn what you have learned," to quote a wise Jedi Master. ; )

The site will be presented with the assumption that players have already read over the official JKA manual (that comes with every legitimate copy of the game), readme documentation and the in-game help ("Rules"). Some material from these sources may be covered in more detail however.

By default, six colors can be chosen for the Saberstaff's energy blades:

Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Purple (actually Pink/Violet), and Red. There are also five hilt design choices.

The colors and hilts have no affect on the actual performance of the saber, and depend solely on player preference. In team games, players will be forced to use a saber color that matches their team color (red or blue).

The Saberstaff is a very dangerous weapon. A mere touch of the swinging blade can cause damage to enemies it touches. Normally in JKA, a touch of an ignited blade does no damage if an attack is not in progress. In most team games, your saber cannot damage your allies, but it is considered rude and is counter-productive to go about playfully striking your teammates.

A single well placed hit can kill even the most heavily shielded foes, and fast, repeated blows can whittle down your enemies in seconds. Powerful hits can send an opponent reeling. The blade itself can block blaster shots and small projectiles, even sending them back towards the player who fired them (this skill varies depending on the angle of the shots and level of Saber Defense that is assigned).

To block shots with the Saberstaff, simply "aim" at the enemy doing the firing, while not attacking. Focusing on the head (with your crosshair) of the person firing helps increase the chance that you'll get a good angle on them. But don't relax however, as your opponent will try to vary the angle of their shots and aim for your vulnerable areas (your non-saber side, your back, and below the belt). An overconfident Saber-user is an easy target for experienced gunners, so watch out! Close the distance and slash your opponent down, disarming them if possible (with Force Pull) and using your other Force powers to augment the Saberstaff's strengths. Similar techniques are employed in blocking other Saber blades. If someone throws their blade at you, don't panic, this too can be blocked.

The saber can be turned off (hit the "select saber" key a second time) for purposes of stealth (since the Saber gives off a bright colored glow around your character and an audible hum, giving away your position). It will flare up again if thrown or swung, ready for action.

First Person Lightsaber (almost!):

It is possible to use the Saberstaff in Pseudo Person POV in multiplayer (by default you are limited to Third Person only). However, since there is no semi-transparent skin, your characters head still partially obscures the action. Go to the console and type in this command:

CG_fpls 1

Now the Saberstaff will default to a Pseudo-First Person viewpoint when used. Type the command again with a 0 instead of a 1 and it will default back to normal. You can also bind the command to a key or put it into a CFG file for easy access. Decide for yourself if it's easier for you.

I find that blocking blaster shots is somewhat easier to do in this mode.

A mod that makes true First Person Lightsaber possible in Multiplayer is OJP mod, Check it out!

It has often been said that any Lightsaber in the hands of a beginner can be laughable, but in the hands of a master, something to be feared. To help work your way from the former to the latter, I advise reviewing and practicing the following techniques:

The Saberstaff possesses one unique stance from all the others. If one blade is turned off, the Saberstaff reverts to a specified stance, until the blade is turned back on.

Medium speed swings do medium damage and have less spins and chainable combos than Fast stance. More effective at blocking against Strong stance.

The official documentation recommends this stance for battling multiple saber wielding opponents (though I've found it can be useful in dueling as well).

Lacks the Flipping Slash ("Yellow DFA") and the Medium Attack Kata of the Single Saber Medium Stance.

Medium:

Lacks the Flipping Slash ("Yellow DFA") move and Medium Attack Kata. Other moves are identical to the Single Saber Medium Stance.

The Saberstaff has a variety of different attack swings. Think of each "stance" as a seperate weapon. As with every saber type and stance, memorize what each swing looks like (noting its speed and damage), and how it hits a target (practice on a wall or other object where you can see it hit and make marks). As in many fighting games, this technique for learning the saber will make each move more automatic, and may help you anticipate the moves of your opponent in order to better counter them (in a saber duel for example). Keep in mind that the same moves vary in strength, speed, and range as well as animation depending on your Saber Stance (see that section for details).

Back+Attack

This fabled move has the air of "coolness" about it. Your character leans back with a slash directed behind him with the saber, hacking through anyone foolish enough to be in the way. To do this move, press Back+Attack while the enemy is directly behind you. It is somewhat slow and can be dodged, but is seemingly impossible to block and can be deadly in one hit if successful. A good surprise move, especially when being "snuck up on" during a saber fight. The backslash is usable with either stance of the Saberstaff though varies slightly in its animation/speed.

Reportedly, some players adopt the tactic of, for lack of a better term "ass fighting" which is to say, they have their back to their opponent for the majority of the battle, and continually attempt to execute this move. I do not recommend this tactic, as it makes your actions very predictable to your opponent, and leaves you totally open to attack, while your back is unprotected.

Forward+Attack OR Backward+Attack

A quick top-down slash that can be good for hitting enemies that are higher or lower than you.

Strafe Left/Right+Attack

If you strafe to the right while swinging, you'll swing from the opposite direction. Great for hitting a forward (and moving) target. I find that sometimes it helps to rapidly strafe back and forth while tapping the key (especially while using Force Dark Rage or Force Speed) resulting in rapid sweeps back and forth if your time is right, which can wear down an opponent fast.

Be careful however, since the big sweeps can be slow, leaving an opening for your opponent to counter-attack.

With Fast stance, holding strafe and the attack button can result in your character spinning round and round with the saber (which may or may not be useful, depending on the situation).

Strafe Left/Right+Forward+Attack

Great for hitting a stationary target, this slash has limited range, but is fast.

Strafe Left/Right+Backward+Attack

The opposite of the above move, it can be excellent against crouching or jumping foes.

Back+Attack+Jump

A simple "backflip" with a twirl of the saber as you go. Slow, but uses no mana, and may be the edge you need when hitting somebody who's jumping towards you from behind or landing behind you. A possible escape tactic as well.

Crouch, then press Forward+Attack

Using 25 force mana points, this move does a rapid pattern of "twirls" (in a 'figure' 8 pattern) with the two ignited blades in front of you, slicing and dicing any opponents in its path. Once the move has begun, it cannot be stopped by the user and you cannot move until it has completed (thus you are vulnerable from the back and an opponent can easily dodge it).

Attack + Alt Attack

By pressing Primary and Secondary fire firmly together, this move uses 50 force mana points and does a spectacular mix of spinning kicks and saber slashes. The kicks leave you vulnerable to attack but are unblockable and can knock an opponent's body backward or onto the ground. Once the move starts, it cannot be stopped by the user.

You can "turn" with the mouse during the move, which may or may not help you hit your foes better.

Hold Forward + Attack (near fallen enemy body)

This is a "finishing move" which uses no mana, causing you to leap into the air and land with downward stab through the fallen opponent's body. Most of the time it is fatal, considering the person is not blocking, however it is also easily dodged.

A fallen opponent can hold jump to get up quickly before the move hits (in time to block), roll away using the strafing keys or tap jump rapidly to "kick up" and knock back the would-be ground stabber.

The move also has the tendency to "miss" if you're not lined up with the body properly.

Hold direction + Alt Attack

A slow move that is unblockable and has the capability to toss an opponents body back or onto the ground (to set them up for a killing blow). Kicks do little damage, but this knock down ability makes them very useful as a surprise move to turn the tide of battle.

Note that during a kick you are vulnerable yourself. While it uses no mana, kicks can only be performed when you have both blades ignited (if you try to Kick while your Saberstaff is off, it will automatically ignite). Front, Back, and Side kicks (using the strafe keys) are possible.

You can "turn" while kicking with the mouse, but it doesn't seem to make landing the move any easier.

Note that players using "Melee" mode with g_debugmelee 1 command on (on the server) can also perform kicks.

While in mid-air, hold direction + Alt Attack

This is identical to Kick, except it occurs in mid-air. Once you land from the move, there is a slight pause as you get your bearings, thus leaving you momentarily vulnerable. Can be done forward, left or right (using the strafe keys).

Strafe Left/Right+Attack

Uses 25 force mana points, doing a spinning half-cartwheel kick and saber attack. You can "turn" with the mouse partway through the move (practice to see what you can come up with). The move sends your body "forward" continuously however, so be careful not to fall off a cliff. Kicks are unblockable, but leave you vulnerable at those points.

Crouch+Forward then attack (as roll completes)

Uses 25 force mana points, thrusting your blade forward after a roll. Can be dodged, but is difficult (if not impossible) to block. Without sufficient mana, the move cannot be performed.