Darksaber
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Darksaber
Production information
Model
Type
Culture
Creators
Physical and technical specifications
Hilt shape
Crystal
Blade type
Blade length
Range
Usage and history
Succeeding lightsaber(s)
Purpose
- "What do you know of this blade?"
"I am told it is the Darksaber."
"Indeed. Do you understand its significance?"
"Whoever wields it can rule all of Mandalore." - ―The Armorer and Din Djarin[11]
TheDarksaber was an ancient and uniqueblack-bladedlightsaber created byTarre Vizsla, the firstMandalorian ever inducted into theJedi Order, around1050 BBY. The weapon was kept in theJedi Temple after Vizsla's passing, but members ofHouse Vizslastole the saber in a conflict with theJedi during thefall of theOld Republic. The Darksaber was passed down, generation to generation, by the ancestors ofPre Vizsla, who held onto the weapon even after the pacifist ideals of theNew Mandalorians replaced the warrior ways ofMandalore.
By21 BBY, the Darksaber was in the possession of Pre Vizsla, the leader ofDeath Watch and House Vizsla during theClone Wars. He used the blade during his conflicts with the New Mandalorians, including his successfultakeover of Mandalore. After the coup, renegadeSith LordMaul killed Vizsla in aduel and took the Darksaber as his own, becoming the leader of Death Watch. However, Maul's oldmaster,Darth Sidious, soon arrived on Mandalore toconfront his formerapprentice. Maul used the Darksaber to fight him but was ultimately bested in combat, takenprisoner and held at aSeparatistprison, theSpire, onStygeon Prime.
Maul was soonrescued from the Spire at the behest ofPrime MinisterAlmec, whom Maul had chosen as the public leader of Mandalore. After being freed, Maul returned toZanbar, the location of aDeath Watch camp, and was given back the Darksaber, which had been recovered from theSundari Royal Palace, the site of Maul's duel with Sidious. Shortly after his return, Zanbar wasattacked by theSeparatist Droid Army, led byGeneralGrievous, and Maul made use of the Darksaber against thecyborg general, although he was forced to retreat. Maul continued to use the Darksaber in several subsequent battles, such as thebattle onOrd Mantell, theassault onVizsla Keep 09, and theSecond Battle ofDathomir.
During theImperial Era, the Mandalorian weapons expert and rebelSabine Wrenretrieved the Darksaber from theNightsister lair on Dathomir. At the urging ofMandalorian ProtectorFenn Rau and her fellowSpectres, Sabine agreed to undergo training with the Darksaber under the tutelage ofJedi KnightKanan Jarrus. Later, Sabine brought the Darksaber along with her rebel companions during a mission toKrownest, where she sought the support of herfamily for the rebellion. Sabine became the rightful wielder of the Darksaber after defeating ImperialViceroyGar Saxon in aduel.
Afterrescuing herfather fromImperial custody and destroying thesuperweapon she had built while anImperial cadet, Sabine offered the Darksaber over toLadyBo-Katan Kryze, the sister of the former Duchess, whom she deemed to be the rightful person to lead the Mandalorians against the Empire. Bo-Katan was reluctant to accept the mantle of leader, but with the support of the other clans, agreed and accepted the Darksaber.
After theNight of a Thousand Tears, the Empire desecrated Mandalore and Bo-Katan surrendered the Darksaber toMoffGideon, hoping that the Empire would stop theGreat Purge of Mandalore. However, the Empire continued with the Purge. She fled the planet, but continued to lead theNite Owls and was intent on eventuallyreclaiming the Darksaber and Mandalore. By circa9 ABY, after the fall of the Empire, Gideon still possessed the Darksaber, and was the leader of anImperial remnant on the planet ofNevarro. During hisrescue of theForce-sensitivefoundlingGrogu from Gideon, the MandalorianDin Djarin won the Darksaber from Gideon in combat. He attempted to pass the Darksaber on to Bo-Katan, but she declined, knowing that being once more gifted the Darksaber would make her claim to the throne illegitimate. Later, Djarin waschallenged for the right to wield the weapon byPaz Vizsla, a descendant of Tarre Vizsla, onGlavis Ringworld. Djarin won the fight but was formally expelled from theChildren of the Watch following the duel. Djarin continued to wield the Darksaber as his own.
While exploring the ruins ofMandalore in search of theMines of Mandalore, in order to bathe in theLiving Waters and be redeemed from his exile, Djarin was ambushed, rendered unconscious, and captured. Grogu obtained the assistance of Bo-Katan in rescuing Djarin, during which she engaged and defeated his attacker using the Darksaber while he was restrained. Upon Djarin regaining consciousness, he continued to wear the Darksaber on his belt, using it on a few subsequent occasions, such as to engage a rogue forensic droid onPlazir-15. Following Bo-Katan's defeat ofAxe Woves in a formal challenge for leadership of the Mandalorian force serving as mercenary security on Plazir-15, Axe objected to her claim to leadership of all Mandalorians, on the grounds that only the wielder of the Darksaber could fill that role. Djarin presented the Darksaber to Bo-Katan, who initially rejected it, saying that the Darksaber could not simply be given, but Djarin recounted the events on Mandalore to the assembled Mandalorians, and they accepted that Bo-Katan was the rightful owner due to having defeated the foe who had defeated Djarin. Djarin asserted he was returning it to its rightful owner, and she reluctantly took it, igniting the blade as the assembled forces accepted her leadership.
Shortly afterward, it was discovered thatMoffGideon had constructed a secret base beneath the surface of Mandalore where he was conducting experiments in cloning a body for himself with Force potential, as well as mining beskar to construct armor for a new version of Dark Troopers, along with a suit of powered armor for himself. When the combined Mandalorian forces launched an attack on Gideon's base, Bo-Katan engaged Gideon in combat, pitting the Darksaber against hiselectrostaff. Though she fought valiantly, Gideon's new armor gave him a physical edge that she could not overcome, and he ended their fight by crushing the Darksaber's hilt as she grasped it, breaking her hand in the process.
Description
- "Anyone can hold the Darksaber. The trick is keeping it, along with your head."
- ―Ursa Wren to Sabine Wren[15]
The Darksaber was a unique black-bladed lightsaber with a beskar hilt.
The Darksaber was an ancientblack-bladedlightsaber.[16] It had a unique blade that was shorter than that of most lightsabers, and shaped like a traditionalsword. Its overall profile was distinctly Mandalorian with an angular pommel, hand guard, and slit-shapedblade emitter, all of which was made out ofbeskar.[11] The sound emitted by its blade was also higher pitched than other lightsabers when ignited or swung, sounding more like a screech than a hum. The Darksaber had acrystal which served as a conduit forForce energy. The wielder's thoughts and actions guided the blade's current of power, with the blade often producing an electrical effect in response to a heightened emotional state.[3] The Darksaber would attempt to connect with its wielder on a subconscious level, with the blade feeling proportionately heavier or lighter depending on the wielder resisting or embracing the connection.[3][11]The Darksaber was also capable of parrying a blow from a lightsaber, with the blades being drawn to each other in an almost magnetic pull.[17] Like other typical lightsabers, the Darksaber could not cut through pure beskar, however, it was capable of heating it to the point of turning red.[10] Also, it could not penetrate aPersonal Combat Shield, though it could overwhelm and dissipate it with prolonged contact[11] and adeflector shield used by aScorpenek annihilator droid.[18]
It was respected by theMandalorians as a symbol for the leadership ofHouse Vizsla, and laterDeath Watch.[15] According to the ways of theNite Owls and theMandalorian fleet, the ruler of Mandalore must possess the Darksaber.[19] According to Mandalorian custom, one could only obtain the Darksaber by defeating the previous owner in combat. Should they have claimed it any other way, their claim was considered illegitimate.[15][10] However, when Bo-Katan received the Darksaber from Sabine Wren without the fight, she was accepted by other clans—an act that she would later be shunned for after the events of theGreat Purge of Mandalore. At least one element of Mandalorian society, theChildren of the Watch, believed that the Darksaber carried a terrible curse that would lead to the destruction of Mandalore and its people if it was acquired outside of combat.[11] The Children of the Watch also did not follow the wielder of the Darksaber, even if it was won by combat.[20]
History
Old Republic
- "Legend tells that it was created over a thousand years ago by Tarre Vizsla, the first Mandalorian ever inducted into the Jedi Order. After his passing, the Jedi kept the saber in their temple. That was, until members of House Vizsla snuck in and liberated it. They used the saber to unify the people and strike down those who would oppose them. One time, they ruled all of Mandalore wielding this blade."
- ―Fenn Rau, to Kanan Jarrus[3]
Tarre Vizsla wielding the Darksaber
Around1050 BBY,[4] the Darksaber was created byTarre Vizsla, the first Mandalorian ever inducted into theJedi Order. After hispassing it was kept at theJedi Temple. However, during the Old Republic'sfall, it was taken by Mandalorians ofHouse Vizsla, whoraided theJediTemple.[3] Descendants of House Vizsla used it to murder many Jedi[2] and rule all ofMandalore for manyyears.[3]
Clone Wars
In the hands of Pre Vizsla
By thetime of theClone Wars, the Darksaber had come into the possession ofPre Vizsla,Governor ofConcordia and leader of Death Watch. Vizsla kept it onhis back when he wore hisarmor.[2]
Vizsla wielding the Darksaber against Kenobi
During the Clone Wars,Obi-Wan Kenobi of theJedi High Council discovered Death Watch'scamp near theplanet'smines. Using the Darksaber, Vizslafought Kenobi as histroops evacuated. Though he boasted some skill incombat, Vizsla was unable to defeat Kenobi or prevent his escape withDuchessSatine Kryze.[2]
Vizsla using the Darksaber against Tano
Following Vizsla's fallout with theSeparatists andCountDooku, Vizsla and his fellow Death Watch troops madecamp onCarlac. After the arrival ofSenatorLux Bonteri, Vizsla attempted to murderChieftainPieter with the Darksaber but instead struck down hisgranddaughter when she threw herself in front of him as his mendestroyedMing Po Town. After Bonteri's friend,PadawanAhsoka Tano, revealed herself as a Jedi and tried to defend theMing Po, she was subdued and Vizsla intended to murder her with the Darksaber, citing it as "justice" for the Jedi's past "crimes" against Mandalore. However, Tano freed herself with the help of herastromechdroid,R2-D2. She then slew multiple Mandalorian warriors anddueled Vizsla until she slashed hisjetpack, allowing her and Bonteri to make their escape.[21]
Following the discovery of the rogue Sith Lord Maul and his brotherSavage Opress near theircamp onZanbar, Vizsla agreed to an alliance between Death Watch and Maul'sShadow Collective. Vizsla used the Darksaber onNal Huttaagainst theHutt Clans'Grand Council'sNikto guards, cutting down all in his way. Vizsla thenled the Council's leader,Jabba, to agree to join their alliance.[22]
Pre Vizsla wielded the Darksaber with skill.
On Mandalore, following the Shadow Collective'sattacks on thepolice inSundari, Vizsla and hisDeath Watch Warriors stepped in to "protect" against the Collective's forces. However, this was actually staged with the intention of overthrowing Duchess Satine's government. Vizsla used the Darksaber in a staged duel against Opress and then arrested him. Thanks to his efforts, Vizsla and the Death Watch were hailed as heroes in the eyes of the Mandalorian populace.[7]
Vizsla then betrayed Maul and Opress and had themimprisoned. After their escape, Maul challenged Vizsla for leadership of Death Watch. Vizsla used the Darksaber against Maul. Despite putting up an impressive fight with the use of both the Darksaber and hisarmor's numerous weapons, Vizsla was disarmed, defeated, and summarily executed by Maul with the Darksaber. Maul then claimed the Darksaber and leadership of Death Watch, much to the chagrin of Vizsla'slieutenant,Nite OwlBo-Katan Kryze, who refused to follow a leader who was not a Mandalorian despite him winning the fabled blade fairly in combat.[7]
The blade of Maul
Maul using his own lightsaber and the Darksaber against Sidious
After Maul lured Kenobi back to Mandalore, Maul used the Darksaber to kill Duchess Satine in front of Kenobi as part of his revenge against theJedi Master. After Kenobi made his escape thanks to Bo-Katan, Maul and Opress were confronted by Maul's formermaster,Darth Sidious, who came to eliminate his former apprentice before he grew even more powerful. Together, Maul and Opressfought Sidious, but they were no match against the Sith Lord. After Opress was killed, Maul drew the Darksaber and wielded it intandem with hisred blade against his former master, but was unable to defeat him. Sidious tossed aside the Darksaber as he subdued and tortured Maul withForce lightning. As his former apprentice begged for mercy, Sidious simply replied that there was no mercy as he continued to torture him.[17]
Maul used the Darksaber to cut down battle droids during the battle of Zanbar.
Prime MinisterAlmec and theMandalorian super commandos recovered the Darksaber following Maul's capture by Sidious. After being freed from the prison known as theSpire byGar Saxon andRook Kast, Maul reclaimed the Darksaber and used the weapon againstGeneralGrievous'sforces andMagnaGuards when they came to Zanbar toattack their base. Maul fought Grievous until his forces were forced to retreat.[23]
Maul again used the Darksaber when he boarded Grievous'sdreadnought to keep him in check during thebattle onOrd Mantell.[24] Maul then threatened to kill Dooku with the Darksaber as a means of revenge against Sidious. However, Maul freed Dooku and the two used their weapons against Kenobi,Mace Windu,Aayla Secura,Tiplee, and theirforces as theybattled at Maul's secretasteroid outpostVizsla Keep 09. He then used the Darksaber against Secura and Windu whilst Dooku killed Tiplee.[25]
Maul wielded the Darksaber on Dathomir.
After Maul returned toDathomir to helpMotherTalzin regain her physical form, Maul wasconfronted by Sidious and Grievous at theNightbrothers'village. He, along with Talzin, who had possessed Dooku, fought Sidious and Grievous. Maul used the Darksaber in the battle until he and Talzin were overwhelmed. He fled the battle as Talzin sacrificed herself and was killed by Grievous.[26]
Age of the Empire
- "Is that a lightsaber?"
"Indeed, yes, but not like any you would know. If your Mandalorian friend was here, she could explain it to you." - ―Ezra Bridger and Maul discussing the Darksaber[27]
The Darksaber on Dathomir
The Darksaber was still on Dathomir during thereign of theGalactic Empire, kept by Maul in theNightsister lair.Sabine Wren used it againstEzra Bridger while she was possessed by aNightsister spirit. Ezra usedhis lightsaber and the Darksaber to destroy the altar from which the spirits rose. Sabine then picked up the Darksaber as she, Ezra, andKanan Jarrus left the planet.[27] Upon their return to theirbase on the planetAtollon, Sabine gave the lightsaber to Kanan for safekeeping because she was hesitant to use it herself.[3]
Later, Kanan showed the saber toFenn Rau, suspecting that theMandalorian Protector knew something about it, as Sabine had refused to speak of the weapon since their return from Dathomir. Rau told Kanan the legend of the saber's creation, as well as how it was used to unite House Vizsla and, eventually, all of Mandalore. Rau andHera Syndulla convinced a reluctant Sabine to learn how to use the saber so she could attempt to use it to unite Clan Wren and form an alliance with the rebellion. Sabine was willing to try, but was unsure she would be successful, due to her estranged relationship withher family. Kanan, Ezra, and Sabine traveled to a secluded location on the planet Atollon to train. Ezra taught Sabine the basic lightsaber forms using woodentraining sabers, and after several days, Kanan allowed Sabine to wield the Darksaber. During the duel, Kanan was able to convince Sabine to talk about why she left Mandalore. Sabine revealed she left to fight the Empire and save her planet. She felt responsible for weapons the Empire used to enslave her people. In doing this, Sabine was able to process her emotions, which allowed her to decide that she was worthy of wielding the saber.[3]
Sabine Wren wielding the Darksaber.
Following her trials, Sabine, along with Kanan, Ezra, Chopper, and Rau, traveled with the Darksaber to Clan Wren's domain onKrownest. Their mission was to solicit Clan Wren's support for the rebellion. After crash landing on the planet, Sabine, Kanan, and Ezra sought an audience with Sabine's motherUrsa Wren, the leader of Clan Wren. While Ursa was shocked that her daughter had obtained the Mandalorian weapon, she later disputed Sabine's claim to the weapon since she had not wrested it from Maul in single combat. Later, Ursa tried to trade the Darksaber, along with Kanan and Ezra, toViceroyGar Saxon, theEmperor's Hand and the puppet ruler of Mandalore, in exchange for Sabine's safety. Saxon had no intention of keeping his word and ignited the Darksaber as a signal to his men to massacre Clan Wren. While the Super Commandos fought with the Clan Wren warriors and the Jedi, Saxon tried to murder Ursa with the Darksaber from behind but Sabine, wielding Ezra's lightsaber, intercepted the blow. The two then engaged in a fierceduel outside theWren Stronghold. Although Saxon nearly overpowered Sabine with sheer force, Sabine managed to use her newfound skills to wound him and recover the Darksaber, holding both the black and green blades to his throat and demanding he yield. After Ursa killed Saxon, Sabine became the rightful new owner of the Darksaber. She stayed behind with her family and Rau to reunify the Mandalorian people and find the true leader of Mandalore.[15]
Backed by Clan Wren and the Nite Owls, Kryze claims the Darksaber and title of Mand'alor.
Sabine eventually led amission to Mandalore to rescue her father,Alrich Wren, from Imperial custody. She wielded the Darksaber during the fighting, first at aremote prison and later attacking theconvoy taking her father back to Sundari. During the mission, Sabine met Bo-Katan and offered her the sword, but Bo-Katan turned it down as she felt she was unworthy and had already had her chance to rule. Later, Sabine and Bo-Katan led a raid on then-Mandalorian governorTiber Saxon'sStar Destroyer in order to destroy theDuchess, thesuperweapon Sabine had built during her days as an Imperial cadet. Sabine used the Darksaber to breach the Duchess' core, causing a chain reaction that led to theStar Destroyer's destruction and Tiber's death. After the raid, she finally persuaded Bo-Katan to accept the weapon by showing her that other clans were willing to follow her and stating that the Force had brought the saber to her so she in turn could pass it on to Bo-Katan. Bo-Katan accepted the sword in memory of her sister, Satine, and for the honor of her clan and Mandalore itself.[8]
Some time after Kryze claimed the Darksaber, the Empire set out to annihilate the Mandalorians, enacting a genocide that would become known as the Great Purge of Mandalore. After theNight of a Thousand Tears, most of Mandalore's forces were defeated. Bo-Katan was contacted by theImperial Security Bureau. She met withGideon and surrendered the Darksaber, in return for the Empire stopping the Purge. The Empire broke the promise and continued killing Mandalorians.[20]
After the Empire
In the hands of Gideon
- "Where is it?"
"Where's what?"
"The Darksaber. Does he have it?" - ―Bo-Katan Kryze and an Imperial captain[28]
Gideon acquired the weapon by 9 ABY.
In9 ABY,[29]Moff Gideon still possessed the Darksaber. He later used it to escape from the wreckage of hisOutland TIE fighter after aconfrontation withDin Djarin on the planet ofNevarro.[9]
Bo-Katan continued to lead theNite Owls and remained focused on eventuallyreclaiming her homeworldas well as the fabled weapon that signified her leadership. She was hunting for Gideon. Aboard anImperialGozanti-class cruiser, Kryze, accompanied byAxe Woves,Koska Reeves, and Djarin, threatened anImperial captain and demanded to know the location of the Darksaber. The captain bit asuicide shocker, killing him. This move left Kryze clueless about its whereabouts, but sharpened her will to earn back what was rightfully hers.[28]
Following theBattle of Tython, the Mandalorian foundlingGrogu was captured by Gideon and brought to hiscommand ship. While visiting the child in his cell, Gideon ignited the Darksaber, and asked him if he remembered other weapons of its kind from his past. When Grogu reached towards the saber's blade, Gideon pulled it away, telling him that he was not yet ready to play with such things.[30]
Gideon wields the darksaber in battle aboard his crusier
After Grogu's capture, Djarin located Kryze and Reeves and recruited them to helprescue him. Kryze agreed to help after Djarin promised her the Darksaber. After a successful raid of Gideon's cruiser by Djarin, Kryze, and their associates, Djarin encountered Gideon in Grogu's cell, holding the ignited Darksaber over the helpless youngling. After giving a brief exposition on the weapon's history and significance in Mandalorian culture and seemingly agreeing to let Djarin take Grogu in exchange for never crossing paths again, Gideon attempted to strike him down from behind with the Darksaber but was foiled by the Mandalorian's beskar-plated jetpack which the blade could not cut through. He then engaged Djarin in a duel, Gideon's Darksaber against Djarin'sbeskar spear, but was defeated and disarmed.[10]
In the hands of Din Djarin
- "It is said, one warrior will defeat 20, and the multitudes will fall before it. If, however, it is not won in combat and falls into the hands of the undeserving, it will be a curse unto the nation. Mandalore will be laid to waste and its people scattered to the four winds."
- ―The Armorer to Din Djarin[11]
Din Djarin unknowingly secured control of the Darksaber in defeating Gideon.
Djarin brought the captured moff to the bridge and tried to give the weapon to Kryze, but she refused to take it. Gideon laughed at Djarin's ignorance as Kryze explained that she had to win it in battle. Djarin attempted to yield, intending to make good on his promise and wanting to avoid trouble, but Kryze only stared at him coldly and yet again refused. However, before their conflict could continue, the group was forced to arm themselves to repel Gideon'sdark troopers. Eventually, theJediLuke Skywalker arrived to save them, taking Grogu with him to be trained in the ways of the Force.[10]
After successfully delivering Grogu to Skywalker, Djarin kept the Darksaber, continuing to utilize it in his bounty hunting activities. Eventually, he began searching for the newcovert of hisTribe on theGlavis Ringworld, where he used the Darksaber to collect the bounty ofKaba Baiz for information on their whereabouts. Due to his lack of familiarity and training with the weapon, Djarin accidentally slashed his own thigh with the Darksaber whilst battling Baiz's thugs. After locating the covert,the Armorer explained the past of the weapon to Djarin, as well as Kryze's failure to follow Mandalorian traditions and Mandalore's downfall under her rule during the Night of a Thousand Tears. The Armorer also trained Djarin in using the weapon, telling him that he was fighting against the Darksaber rather than his opponent, making the weapon seem heavier in nature the more he swung it.[11]
Djarin duels Vizsla.
After training with the Armorer, Djarin waschallenged for the Darksaber byPaz Vizsla, who viewed the weapon as rightfully his birthright due to its origins within his own clan. Djarin narrowly defeated Vizsla in single combat, but was soon ostracized by the Armorer, who learned that he had removed his helmet during his mission with Grogu. Following his unceremonious ex-communication, Djarin left the covert, taking the Darksaber with him unhindered. When departing toTatooine, Djarin was temporarily separated from the weapon when it was placed in luggage, as he was unable to take it on board the transport ship he had boarded.[11] After being called upon by his friendBoba Fett, Djarin used the Darksaber inbattle against Scorpenek droids inMos Espa. Though the saber was unable to pierce the droids' energy shields, coordination between Djarin and Fett allowed the former to sneak within shield range of a Scorpenek and severly damage it with the Darksaber.[18]
Return to Bo-Katan
- "But according to our ways the ruler of Mandalore must possess the Darksaber."
"Then she shall have it. This belongs to you."
"It's not a gift to be given, no matter how well intended."
"It's not a gift. While exploring Mandalore, I was captured. And this blade was taken from me. Bo-Katan rescued me and slayed my captor. She defeated the enemy that defeated me. Would this blade then not belong to her?" - ―Axe Woves, Din Djarin, and Bo-Katan Kryze[20]
Bo-Katan Kryze wields the Darksaber.
Djarin later took the Darksaber with him to Mandalore on hismission to redeem himself by bathing in theLiving Waters in theMines of Mandalore. On his journey in the wreckage of theCivic Center ofSundari, he struggled to use the Darksaber while fightingAlamites that had attacked him, but eventually he was able to kill them. Later, acyborg trapped and captured Djarin. The being disarmed Djarin while showing no interest in the saber, taking and throwing it to the ground. Grogu was able to escape the ruins toKalevala, where he found Kryze. Grogu led Kryze to Djarin's location, so that she could save Djarin from the crisis. She grabbed the disregarded Darksaber with herwhipcord, using it to defeat one of the cyborg's forms. The cyborg was able to get out of the destroyed droid and crawl to aSpider Tank, but Kryze prevailed with the saber again, destroying the Tank and killing the cyborg. After freeing Djarin, she returned the saber to him.[31]
Following her time with the watch, Kryze and Djarinwent to the planetPlazir-15 in order to reclaim command of the Mandalorian fleet she had gathered fromAxe Woves. She had challenged Woves to duel for the leadership of the fleet, and defeated him in single combat. Although his defeat, Woves said that she would never be their true leader without the Darksaber. Djarin presented the blade to her, over her initial objections, asserting that her actions on Mandalore meant she was the rightful owner of the blade. The assembled Mandalorians accepted her ownership, recognizing her as the rightful wielder.[19]
The Darksaber is mangled.
During thereconquest of Mandalore launched as a joint operation between the Children of the Watch and Kryze's followers to reclaim Mandalore, Kryze wielded the Darksaber, coming to use it in battle once it was discovered Moff Gideon was using Mandalore as a base for his Imperial remnant. The Darksaber's hilt was heavily, if not irreparably, damaged by Gideon using the grip of hisstrength-enhancing armor, leaving it abandoned on the ground before the destruction of his base.[6]
Behind the scenes
- "I've gone through two, three? Three and a half, I think I've broken already. But I go at it. Like, I go at it. I've broken few of them to the point where the [prop] guys, they love me."
- ―Giancarlo Esposito on filming with the Darksaber forThe Mandalorian Season Two[32]
The hilt of the Darksaber
Though it had originally been intended for Pre Vizsla to fight using avibroblade, a familiar weapon in theStar WarsExpanded Universe, the weapon was later altered at the request ofGeorge Lucas who opposed to the idea that a non-lightsaber can block a lightsaber and came up with an archaic, one of a kind black-bladed saber called the Darksaber.[33][34]
The Darksaber first appeared in theStar Wars: The Clone Wars episode "The Mandalore Plot,"[2] which premiered onCartoon Network onJanuary 29,2010.[35]
In an interview withThe Star Wars Show,Sam Witwer explained that the production ofSolo: A Star Wars Story originally planned to reintroduce Maul'soriginal lightsaber during his scene withQi'ra. Witwer suggested using either the Darksaber or hisRebelslightsaber. Ultimately, the latter was chosen for the film.[36] The saber made its live-action debut in theeighth episode of the2019Disney+ television showStar Wars: The Mandalorian, wielded by the series' antagonist Moff Gideon played byGiancarlo Esposito.[9] ForThe Mandalorian Season Two, Esposito wielded the Darksaber in combat as Gideon and ended up breaking the props he was given several times.[32]
Appearances
Non-canon appearances
- Disney Magic Kingdoms
LEGO STAR WARS: Celebrate the Season — "Ghost Ship"- LEGO STAR WARS: Celebrate the Season — "Trick-or-Treat"
- LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga(DLC)
- LEGO STAR WARS: Celebrate the Season — "Happy Celebration 45th AnniversaryA New Hope"
- LEGO STAR WARS: Celebrate the Season — "Mandoween"
- LEGO STAR WARS: Celebrate the Season — "LEGO Star Wars - 25 Years"
- "The Raging Rancor" —LEGO Star Wars 126
Sources
Non-canon sources
- The Art of Star Wars: Visions
- LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy's Most Outrageous Character Mashups onStarWars.com(backup link)
Notes and references
External links
- Watch HowStar Wars Rebels Added to George Lucas' Lightsaber Mythology onio9 (backup link archived onAugust 26,2017)