Because of the wide-spread popularity of the Lucasians, many people think that there are only seven styles of lightsabre combat. However, this is simply not true. The Lucasians themselves have only seven styles, i.e., the well-known seven forms. But there are more Jedi clans and disciplines than the Lucasian order, and each has its own styles, forms, and techniques. Jedi lightsabre styles number well into the hundreds, if not the thousands. Sith styles are also as varied as the practitioners. Also do not forget about the bladesmen of Zanshin district, considered by many to be the mecca, if not the wellspring, of lightsabre combat.

As there are so many styles in existance, it would be foolish to attempt to list them all here. I will, therefore, list the more prominent and interesting ones, as well as the legendary ones that have been known throughout history.

One might notice that quite a few of the styles that I list come from one particular Jedi order, the Order of the Black Phoenix. This is because no other clan contributed so greatly to the art of lightsabre combat. Every member in this mysterious order was a master swordsman. Almost all of them contributed in a significant way to the order's vast library of lightsabre knowledge. Other Jedi and lightsabre stylists constantly sought out the clan members in hopes that the members would share this knowledge. However, only a select few were ever deemed worthy of posessing a small share of this knowledge, and most seekers were turned away, dejected. Later, when the clan had chosen to disband, for the safety of the members and their families, their combat knowledge was lost, cast into oblivion, creating what some term a "void in the lightsabre world". Jedi scholars, knights, and swordsmen, among others, are still searching to this day for the lost Phoenix library.

It is my sincere hope that this short listing and studies of the more well-known styles will spark a resurgence in developments in lightsabre combat. I've been studying lightsabre arts and their development for 107 years now, and I have noticed a decline in creativity in these days and times. While there are still a great deal of excellent swordsmanship in existance, there is not as much development and research as there used to be. The reason may be that we are no longer engaged in major warcraft. However, I would dislike very much to see the arts fall into mediocrity and contempt. While I do not see this happening any time soon, the up-and-coming Jedi need role models to learn to appreiciate the history and elegance of lightsabre play. I trust that my humble work will help the budding knight catch a glimpse of the splendor with which I myself am so enthralled.

Signed,
Lanker Villetes
Jedi Historian and Combat Scholar
The year 2463