A Brief History of Star Wars’ Lightwhip

In the twirl of a lightsaber hilt and the flick of a wristonThe Acolytelast week , Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh land to screen aStar Warsidea well-nigh 40 class in the qualification : the Lightwhip . It ’s far fromStar Wars ‘ weirdest lightsaber , and even with itssurprising on - CRT screen coming into court , it ’s not an entirely new one either .

How Does a Lightwhip Work?

In current continuity , we only have one example of a Lightwhip : Vernestra ’s lightsaber , where it is deliver as a modification to her traditional lightsaber rather than its own explicit weapon . Little is known how Vernestra ’s whip work in current continuity , but in the Expanded Universe , Lightwhips operated by using a series of low emitters and crystallization that featured no cells around the plasma vitality they formed , let for a flexible beam of vim that could be operated like a traditional whiplash , over a prospicient range than a standard lightsaber . trade in some of the coherent light beam long suit of a traditional lightsaber for that flexibleness and reach , lightwhips typically lacked some of the cutting potency of a lightsaber , capable to be rebuffed by more form of armour that a lightsaber would otherwise cut . They could also be damage more easily , and due to the explosive nature of the blade , were prostrate to short-change out .

The unconventional nature of the lightwhip was as much an asset as its flexible blade . Rare and hard to master compare to a lightsaber ( also one of the arm ’s downsides , leading to its tenuity ) , the lightwhip preyed on an opponent ’s unfamiliarity — especially Jedi , who were in the first place prepare in combat against traditional warlike weapon . Lightwhips could assault a lightsaber wielder from a longer range , flex around block and parries another lightsaber could n’t , and in some contour with multiple tassels , could overwhelm an opponent with strike from multiple angle at once .

Where Did the Lightwhip Come From?

In the Expanded Universe , the Lightwhip was usher in as the weapon system of the Dark Lady Lumiya , a Sith and one of the Emperor ’s Hands ( an elect order of the Empire ’s top agents and private operatives ) from Marvel ’s ongoingStar Warscomic . First appear in 1985’sStar Wars#95 , Lumiya ’s lightwhip operated slightly differently to what the weapon system would ultimately become in further interpretation — as well as a singular form , extended energy beam , Lumiya ’s whip had several extra tassel made from leather and studded with lightsaber - resistant Mandalorian Iron ( better known in both current continuity and the EU by its name in the Mandalorian nomenclature , beskar ) .

Lumiya ’s weapon lead to Luke Skywalker crafting another type of Lightsaber that would go on to have its own storied history in the expand Universe and beyond : the Shoto Lightsaber , a petty weapon with a telescoped blade that could counter the lightwhip ’s multiple tassels , wrap them up around his primary saber ’s blade while using the shoto to sever the physical extensions .

After Lumiya ’s weapon birth the cosmos of the Lightwhip , more traditional kind were codified as ancient and extremely uncommon weapons handle by the Sith during the time of the New Sith Wars , grand of years before the outcome of the moving picture . Unlike Lumiya ’s weapon system however , more often than not earlier lightwhips had a rum Department of Energy beam , like the lightwhip exert by the Sith Lord Githany .

© Lucasfilm

Was the Lightwhip Canon BeforeThe Acolyte?

As is the character inThe Acolyteitself , Vernestra is the only make love wielder of a lightwhip in currentStar Warscontinuity . Her sabre ’s alternate form was introduced in the 2021High Republicmiddle form novelA Test of Courage . There , the lightwhip modifcation came to Vernestra as a vision in the Force while she was still a comparatively fresh Jedi Knight . Once complete , she save the modification a enigma from her former master and other elderly Jedi , fearing that the Lightwhip ’s history as an maverick weapon — and their historical association with the Nightsisters of Dathomir — could be looked down upon .

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