Swordsmanship,+Djem-So

Sub-Form V Djem-So "Way of the Krayt Dragon" or "Perseverance Form" (By Sam)(ael) (Return to Swordsmanship)

Noteable Practitioners : Luke Skywalker Anakin Skywalker Cin Drallig Aayla Secura Darth Vader/Anakin

Philosophy and History : " Master of understatement ." ―Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi ||
 * **Quote:** ||
 * " I prefer more straightforward tactics ."

It was developed by practitioners of Form III: Soresu, who felt that the defensively-minded form would unnecessarily extend time spent in combat by forcing its users to wait for an opportunity to strike, rather than creating their own openings.

Shien, considered the classical Form V, was more adept at blocking blaster bolts, whereas Djem So, developed later, was designed for lightsaber combat. Both Shien and Djem So were designed to use the opponent's attack against them, as evidenced by Shien's focus on returning blaster bolts to their origin.

―Zez-Kai Ell ||
 * **Quote:** ||
 * " You will find it easier to deflect blaster fire with this form—and it shall also guard you against critical strikes by your opponents ."

Form V was created by Form III masters who preferred a more offensive style, since the defensive nature of Form III could lead to prolonged combat. It evolved into an accepted style by combining the defensive maneuvers of Form III with the more aggressive philosophy and tactics of Form II. Form V also required a higher level of physical strength than the other lightsaber forms, due to its focus on complete domination of opponents. The form was developed alongside Form IV at a time when the Jedi were increasingly called upon to actively keep the peace.

Some Jedi, noting its dedication to domination and strength, felt that Form V encouraged an inappropriate focus on controlling others. Others, including noted lightsaber combat instructor Cin Drallig, were cautiously neutral about the form. However, its proponents maintained that Form V was an effective and powerful tool for the Jedi Order.

Form V had two distinct variations: Shien and Djem So. Djem-so Is considered the base form, and Shien is the sub-form built upon it's basic principles.

Cin Drallig ||
 * **Quote:** ||
 * " Form V's Djem So variation is devoted specifically to lightsaber dueling ."

Djem So was the creation of a group of Form III masters who felt that Soresu was too passive. It addressed the shortcomings of Form III, in which a Jedi Master may have proved to be unbeatable but was likewise unable to overcome a skilled opponent. Utilizing a combination of blocks and parries, a Djem So user maintained a proper foundation in terms of defense against both ranged and melee attacks. While a Soresu user stayed on the defensive, however, and only counterattacked when necessary or when an opening appeared in his opponent's defense, a Djem So practitioner was not nearly so passive. Immediately after defending against an opponent's strike, a Djem So stylist would follow with an attack of their own, bringing the force of the opponent's own blow against them and seeking to dominate the duel. Djem So placed a heavy focus on brute strength and pure power, with wide, powerful strikes and parries followed immediately by counterattack. One of the characteristic moves of Djem So was an overhand power blow downward upon an opponent, the lightsaber held firmly in both hands.

―Jedi maxim on Form V ||
 * **Quote:** ||
 * " Peace through superior firepower "

Switching Between the Two :

―Kavar ||
 * **Quote:** ||
 * " You will doubtless encounter many situations with multiple assailants. To better protect yourself from blaster fire without compromising your offensive capabilities, use the Shien form ."

More History : Despite its metaphorical and literal strength, Form V was not without its weaknesses. Shien was particularly weak against a single opponent and Djem So was known for having a lack of mobility. However, a skilled duelist in Form V was capable of compensating for these weaknesses and employing the form effectively in combat.

By the time of the Ruusan campaign, the Djem So variant of Form V had been developed. Djem So had an emphasis on strength and power, allowing a user to make good use of his or her own physical size and strength. It was for this reason that Sith blademaster Kas'im advised the fledgling Darth Bane to learn Djem So; Bane's imposing size and strength would serve to compliment Form V. Power attacks from a Djem So user could even knock an opponent back just through sheer kinetic force, throwing them off balance and leaving them vulnerable to further brute force strikes and power blows that sought not just to penetrate an opponent's defense, but push them back and leave them unable to counter blows.

Unlike Soresu or Ataru, Djem So required the user to not only counterattack, but press the assault, combining Force-enhanced strength with powerful blade combinations to overpower and overwhelm an opponent's defenses. Djem So's sheer power, when combined with physical and Force-imbued strength, was capable of defeating a user of Makashi, a lightsaber form focused on dueling, finesse, and elegance, when employed by a skilled practitioner. Anakin Skywalker initially employed Shien in his defeat against Dooku on Geonosis, but throughout the Clone Wars, he developed his practice of both Shien and Djem So. The many engagements of the Clone Wars, against both mechanical opponents and against lightsaber wielding Dark Jedi honed his skills. On the Invisible Hand, he deceived Dooku with a Shien opening stance and Ataru acrobatics, but partially through the duel, he returned to his own preferred Djem So strokes. The Sith was barely able to deflect his blows and eventually was scorched by his own blade being forced back onto his own shoulder. Using Form V, Anakin pushed Dooku back with power blows, bolstered by use of rage in the fight, until he eventually disarmed and killed the Sith Lord.

After losing to Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mustafar, Darth Vader continued to employ a new variant of Form V, even more focused on sheer power, in his service to the dark side and quest to destroy the Jedi. Vader again employed Form V on the Death Star versus his former master in their final duel—rather than continue to fight, Kenobi sacrificed himself. Ironically, the same techniques used by him against his former master would be mirrored and used against him by his son, Luke Skywalker.

On Bespin, Luke revealed that he was a gifted duelist; after only one brief session with Obi-Wan Kenobi three years previously and a short period of study with Yoda, the inexperienced youth was able to hold his own against Darth Vader for a time. Ultimately, he was unable to stand against Vader's aggressive barrage, being driven back and disarmed, losing his hand. After that duel, Luke further studied lightsaber skills he'd found in a journal left to him by Obi-Wan Kenobi, and greatly advanced in his abilities.

Onboard the second Death Star, Luke was this time able to duel Vader on an even footing, mirroring Vader's Form V technique. When Vader attempted Dun Möch to weaken Luke by invoking his sister, the tactic backfired and provoked Luke into a fury, and in that state he was able to defeat the experienced Sith Lord.

Posture : -Sam)(ael- ||
 * **Quote:** ||
 * " Form V is based on Kendo in both the Shien and Djem-So variants and thus is very samurai-like ."

Opening posture : The opening stance for Djem-so was a high guard position, with the hilt held in a two-handed grip above the user's head, and the blade angled upwards and behind the user. The dominant leg would be back, enabling powerful step-through strikes to be utilized. For Djem-So the opening stance would be either the same as the Shien opening stance or a balanced stance much like Soresu.

General Posture : Once again Djem-So duelists usually maintain their high guard position. At any break in the duel they will likely return to this position because it allows them some advantages to range and a powerful opening. Since Djem-So emphasizes power and Kinetic energy attack 1 is used powerfully from a forward stance, and attacks 2 and 3 are done in a forward stance as well (usually while advancing and pressing the attack). Attacks 4 and 5 are used as well, but mostly to defend in this form. Though Anakin Skywalker eventually developed a one-handed varient of Djem-So this Form usually uses two hands. Djem-So uses all of the moves from Shii-Cho. There are few differences in posture. It does not always use the high guarding stance either. That is only used by those who prefer it and is not standard but personal preference. The difference is on the guard and attack strategy as well as footing. The attacks are powerful and meant to unbalance opponents, while the defense is also a classic soresu, using the slightest deviation of blocking aggressively. Added are the steps of Makashi and the distance. Djem-So is careful to keep track of distances because this affects the power of the attacks and allows a practitioner to stay safer by using distance. That way when using powerful blows they have a better chance to pull out of a mistake.

Tactics : Djem-So : Djem-So stylists are Duelists. Their form is designed to dominate and batter opponents with raw kinetic force throwing them off balance and (like Makashi) taking command of the situation. The form is very aggressive, however it is also somewhat limited when it comes to mobility. Each blow should accomplish several things.

-The heavy blows demand the opponent's attention. If they do not block they risk getting cut cleanly in half from head to foot. This allows the Djem-so stylist to take command because the opponent's first priority is to save their own skin. -Each blow takes ground and pushes the opponent where you want them. -Each blow tires the opponent out and saps their strength. -Each blow must also be aimed to unbalance the opponent. If they can be knocked off of their feet or trip backwards the duel can end.

When a Djem-So stylist is in Combat they can handle as many as four good melee opponents fairly easily or many weak opponents. Usually the tactic is to decimate one at a time while pushing the others back. A Djem-So stylist will likely crush one opponent (likely killing or knocking them over) and then make a sweep at another with turn-around force.

Djem-So stylists are also fond of turns. Since their blows usually rattle their opponents they are much safer bashing one opponent and using that momentum to whirl onto the next until they have all fallen.

Last of all Djem-So stylists have not Forgotten their Makashi roots. Djem-So stylists aim each powerful blow just as precisely as a Makashi stab. Right where the opponent is weak so that each powerful blow usually cripples or destroys the opponent. This is accomplished by striking the parts of the blade or the areas of the body that are physically difficult for the arms to counter. Each and every blow should be wisely directed so that it costs the opponent dearly to survive it. To do this Djem-So students study the weak points of defense. The parts of the sword where it is hard for an opponent to block a lot of power. In addition there are spots that are hard to block from so much power just because of how akward our arms can be sometimes.

(Blade and body weaknesses) -The foot or so of space at the tip of the opponent's blade -The area from an opponent's elbows and about two feet down

(Notes to remember) -When you attack do so in a weak area, with great force -Attack so that when the blades clash the pointof your blade comes close to pointing at your opponent. (for a possible stab) -Keep track of distance like in makashi, closer for your powerful attacks, further for blocking opponent's -Take command of the duel -Remember to counter with an attack to help you gain command.

Practice : Practicing Djem-So is a lot easier than Practicing Shien However for either form you will need practice swords that are hard enough to withstand your most powerful blows, and you need a partner or partners who you are confident you will not hurt when you succeed. unlike a Makashi stab these tactics can split a head open even without a real sword.

Step 1: Weaknesses You will practice hitting an opponent's block at medium power. You will look for the weak spots in each of the five common blocks and the two major weak spots until you can hit them every time.

Step 2: Defenses You will practice countering each attack with your own and gaining command through counter-attacks.

Step 3: Full command You will practice the two above at once to press an opponent back with sheer strength and form.

Step 4: Multiples You will practice your skills against multiple opponents so that you understand your weaknesses.

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