Han Solo uses the Lightsaber (Empire)

**alvarado52** · 10-12-2009, 09:28 PM

So im watching Star Wars on Spike, and during Empire, when Han puts Luke in the dead Taun Taun got me thinking. In any of the Star Wars movies (or anything Star Wars television related), has a 'civilian' been able to use a lightsaber? Can anyone use one? Or does it take someone in tune with the force to operate one?

Was Han a potential Jedi?

**Jon Kano** · 10-12-2009, 09:30 PM

No.

He flicked a switch/button and activated it.

**alvarado52** · 10-12-2009, 09:48 PM

So i mean, why doesnt everyone use 'em? I understand it was considered 'old world' in the first trilogy, but episodes 1-3 was set during the time of the Jedi...so why didnt Clone Troopers have this as standard equipment?

I mean, i know Gen. Grevious could use 'em, but he was 'trained' in it.

G · 10-12-2009, 10:14 PM

I caught the end of Empire and it made me think of how "epic" and crazy it must've been to learn he was his father. I bet people were talking about it for months.

**Jon Kano** · 10-12-2009, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvarado52

So i mean, why doesnt everyone use 'em? I understand it was considered 'old world' in the first trilogy, but episodes 1-3 was set during the time of the Jedi...so why didnt Clone Troopers have this as standard equipment?

I mean, i know Gen. Grevious could use 'em, but he was 'trained' in it.

I dunno, I guess it's like certain tribes/clans/armies of our recent times, they have like a standard weapon that they mainly use and train with. I guess it's like a sign/representation of where you belong.

Plus, if were talking SW logic, I guess it's because it would take a fuckin long time to train with it to the standard of a Jedi, so people would just think, 'fuck it, I can't be arsed to train with the for years and go up against the pros, I'll stick with a blaster and shoot them', least that's what I would think. That and, 'I better get kitted up with that Boba/Jango Fett armour'.

**Kane Knight** · 10-12-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvarado52

So i mean, why doesnt everyone use 'em? I understand it was considered 'old world' in the first trilogy, but episodes 1-3 was set during the time of the Jedi...so why didnt Clone Troopers have this as standard equipment?

I mean, i know Gen. Grevious could use 'em, but he was 'trained' in it.

Star Wars is, at its very core, a Samurai flick. There's probably some in-Universe reasons to justify it, but since the Jedi are a Samurai analogue, it makes sense that the use of the Katana analogue would be similar. It's worth noting that a Katana takes specific training to wield effectively, so this may be the "in universe" reason as well. Though a blade made of pure light wouldn't really need special training to sever an arm at the joint like the real-world equivalent does.

**LuigiD** · 10-12-2009, 10:52 PM

Well..think of it this way...
Anyone in our age can pick up a sword..does that mean that we can use it properly? we would just swing around like morons..the same thing Han would do if he used the saber.

G · 10-12-2009, 11:58 PM

Vader just killed the Emperor. I bet the people in the theaters cheered.

**Nowhere Man** · 10-13-2009, 12:20 AM

If I remember correctly, one of the main in-universe reasons that lightsabers are really only used by Jedi is because they're so freaking hard to make. You have to get certain crystals that are only found on certain planets, put the circuitry together just right so you don't end up with it exploding in your face, etc. That's why Darth Vader was impressed that Luke was able to make one on his own.

That, and you'd have to have supernatural abilities to be all that useful with them in a battle where everyone else has laser guns (although considering that blaster bolts don't seem to go much faster than a little league pitcher's fastball, that's kind of debatable)

**alvarado52** · 10-13-2009, 01:45 AM

so essentially, anyone can use a saber...they just arent trained to use it in combat scenerios. So its just looking into the movies too much to ask why you never see normal ol' folk use 'em (except Han in Empire).

**Requiem** · 10-13-2009, 03:45 AM

The things are extremely light with no weighted blade. All the weight is in the part you hold. If someone picked one up and started swinging it, odds are they would chop off one of their own body parts.

It takes someone sensitive with the force just to be able to properly control the thing and be aware of its position at all times, and to be able to block/parry with it well enough against something equally fast. (another lightsaber for instance).

Also for the reasons Nowhere Man stated. But really, think about a lightsaber's construction and how jedi use them, and then imagine training someone who is not force sensitive. It would be useless because those people wouldn't be able to defend themselves as well against blasters, etc..

**The Mackem** · 10-13-2009, 04:58 AM

Han almost poked his eye out with it. He was very lucky on Hoth.

**The Mask** · 10-13-2009, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Requiem

The things are extremely light with no weighted blade. All the weight is in the part you hold. If someone picked one up and started swinging it, odds are they would chop off one of their own body parts.

It takes someone sensitive with the force just to be able to properly control the thing and be aware of its position at all times, and to be able to block/parry with it well enough against something equally fast. (another lightsaber for instance).

Also for the reasons Nowhere Man stated. But really, think about a lightsaber's construction and how jedi use them, and then imagine training someone who is not force sensitive. It would be useless because those people wouldn't be able to defend themselves as well against blasters, etc..

NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERD

**Hanso Amore** · 10-13-2009, 09:51 AM

Plus you would have people shooting at you, and you lack the jedi power to deflect lasers (Aint no way you are hitting those fuckers) so would you really run into battle to get mowed the fuck down?

**The Mackem** · 10-13-2009, 10:22 AM

Hansolo

**Rammsteinmad** · 10-13-2009, 12:24 PM

Like Requiem said, it's all to do with the Force. But in theory, anyone can switch it on and swing it around. Only it wouldn't look anywhere as good.

**Hanso Amore** · 10-13-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Mackem

Hansolo

I should perhaps make a name change in honor of this thread.

**Kalyx triaD** · 10-13-2009, 06:49 PM

I had a looooong reply to this but that would be so 'Kalyx'.

**Sovereigntywillpr** · 10-17-2009, 12:42 AM

Doesn't Luke seem familiar with them in the first one when Old Ben Canoby shows him his on Tatwin?

**Kalyx triaD** · 10-17-2009, 01:29 PM

The Force is strong with him. Haven't you heard?

**Kane Knight** · 10-17-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Requiem

The things are extremely light with no weighted blade. All the weight is in the part you hold. If someone picked one up and started swinging it, odds are they would chop off one of their own body parts.

LAWL. is that the real answer? That is such a ridiculous justification.

**Requiem** · 10-19-2009, 05:00 PM

How is that ridiculous? I had a thing typed out, but I found this on a comprehensive Star Wars wikia page about the lightsaber that explained it much clearer.

Lightsaber combat was difficult to master for a number of reasons, one of them being that all of the weight a lightsaber had was in its hilt, and the gyroscopic effect caused resistance to changes in motion, or built up momentum so quickly than an untrained wielder could lose control of the weapon. The gyroscopic effects were easily controlled by a trained force user, but could become problematic for lay person.

Although the blade was weightless, two-handed slashes were the most common movement. This was because inertia was still needed to cut through solid objects. Solid objects were repelled by the blade arc until they were changed to gas or plasma. Therefore, inertia was required to counteract the initial repelling force. The stronger the swing, the faster and easier the blade would cut. If little force was applied to the swing, the repelling force of the blade arc would leave shallow cuts. When two lightsaber blades came in contact with each other, the two repelling forces made the blade appear to be solid. If the lightsaber is dropped, the blade will retract automatically, so the user will not be injured.

**Nowhere Man** · 10-19-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvarado52

so essentially, anyone can use a saber...they just arent trained to use it in combat scenerios. So its just looking into the movies too much to ask why you never see normal ol' folk use 'em (except Han in Empire).

Pretty much. There are a couple of non-Force sensitive folks who have them in the expanded universe (I believe Boba Fett had one at some point), but they use them more as just a means of showing off. They're just really really impractical weapons unless you have the precognative powers to block lasers and stuff, so unless you're a Jedi, you're better off just shooting from behind cover.

**Kane Knight** · 10-19-2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Requiem

How is that ridiculous? I had a thing typed out, but I found this on a comprehensive Star Wars wikia page about the lightsaber that explained it much clearer.

Lightsaber combat was difficult to master for a number of reasons, one of them being that all of the weight a lightsaber had was in its hilt, and the gyroscopic effect caused resistance to changes in motion, or built up momentum so quickly than an untrained wielder could lose control of the weapon. The gyroscopic effects were easily controlled by a trained force user, but could become problematic for lay person.

Although the blade was weightless, two-handed slashes were the most common movement. This was because inertia was still needed to cut through solid objects. Solid objects were repelled by the blade arc until they were changed to gas or plasma. Therefore, inertia was required to counteract the initial repelling force. The stronger the swing, the faster and easier the blade would cut. If little force was applied to the swing, the repelling force of the blade arc would leave shallow cuts. When two lightsaber blades came in contact with each other, the two repelling forces made the blade appear to be solid. If the lightsaber is dropped, the blade will retract automatically, so the user will not be injured.

So your explanation is Canon Treknobabble. That's fine. I thought you were making a serious argument about why it would be problematic. That is some grade A pseudoscience, but since this is a space fantasy, I don't suppose it really matters.

**Kane Knight** · 10-19-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Mackem

Hansolo

Is Leia a Tranny?

Also, I kind of agree with what Avacado was getting at. It's just looking at the movies too damn much. That may not have been his intent, but the idea is that these blades are an exotic tool used by space ninja. Why don't other people use them? They're not space ninja. It's not even that logically inconsistent. While there might be places your Space Wizard Laser Sword would be useful, unless you have Ninja Powers, you're still bringing a sword to a knife fight. And how often to the other characters start whipping out blades in those movies? Actually, do they ever?

**parkmania** · 10-19-2009, 08:49 PM

For all you tauntaun lovers out there:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/plush/bb2e/

**Kalyx triaD** · 10-19-2009, 10:25 PM

And the fucker's all smiling and shit.

**Kane Knight** · 10-19-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalyx triaD

And the fucker's all smiling and shit.

Apparently, the smell is nothing compared to the toxic crap that comes out of a baby.

G · 10-19-2009, 10:32 PM

So is he supposed to be sleeping while wearing a helmet and goggles

**Kalyx triaD** · 10-19-2009, 10:39 PM

Seriously that's a grotesque idea. You are sleeping in the innards of an animal.

**Kane Knight** · 10-19-2009, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalyx triaD

Seriously that's a grotesque idea. You are sleeping in the innards of an animal.

I love the fact that the zipper has a lightsaber on it. So you're gutting it to put yoru kid in it.

**Fignuts** · 10-20-2009, 12:18 AM

Kinda hope they make those in an adult size.

**Reavant** · 10-20-2009, 12:24 AM

you guys realize general grevous had no force powers at all and he used them to actually fight.

**Reavant** · 10-20-2009, 12:25 AM

bah nevermind someone said it

G · 10-20-2009, 12:25 AM

oh shit swerve

**Fignuts** · 10-20-2009, 12:27 AM

Also, grievous was mostly a droid, so it was prolly easier.

**Fignuts** · 10-20-2009, 12:28 AM

Also, how can han solo say that the jedi are just a folk tale, when there were thousands fighting a war all over the galaxy when he was a kid.

**parkmania** · 10-20-2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fignuts

Also, how can han solo say that the jedi are just a folk tale, when there were thousands fighting a war all over the galaxy when he was a kid.

Propaganda machine, ENGAGE!

**Reavant** · 10-20-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fignuts

Also, how can han solo say that the jedi are just a folk tale, when there were thousands fighting a war all over the galaxy when he was a kid.

It depends how much older he was than Luke. Also like 90% of them were wiped out when the emperor gave the order and after that any left went into hiding.

10-19-2009, 10:32 PM	#29
G Selectively Social Posts: 16,336	So is he supposed to be sleeping while wearing a helmet and goggles Last edited by G; 10-19-2009 at 10:47 PM.

10-12-2009, 09:30 PM	#2
Jon Kano Posts: 10,638	No. He flicked a switch/button and activated it.

10-12-2009, 09:48 PM	#3
alvarado52 Two weeks. Posts: 6,406	So i mean, why doesnt everyone use 'em? I understand it was considered 'old world' in the first trilogy, but episodes 1-3 was set during the time of the Jedi...so why didnt Clone Troopers have this as standard equipment? I mean, i know Gen. Grevious could use 'em, but he was 'trained' in it.

10-12-2009, 10:14 PM	#4
G Selectively Social Posts: 16,336	I caught the end of Empire and it made me think of how "epic" and crazy it must've been to learn he was his father. I bet people were talking about it for months.

10-12-2009, 10:52 PM	#7
LuigiD Posts: 1,920	Well..think of it this way... Anyone in our age can pick up a sword..does that mean that we can use it properly? we would just swing around like morons..the same thing Han would do if he used the saber.

10-12-2009, 11:58 PM	#8
G Selectively Social Posts: 16,336	Vader just killed the Emperor. I bet the people in the theaters cheered.

10-13-2009, 12:20 AM	#9
Nowhere Man Now. Here. Man. Posts: 8,370	If I remember correctly, one of the main in-universe reasons that lightsabers are really only used by Jedi is because they're so freaking hard to make. You have to get certain crystals that are only found on certain planets, put the circuitry together just right so you don't end up with it exploding in your face, etc. That's why Darth Vader was impressed that Luke was able to make one on his own. That, and you'd have to have supernatural abilities to be all that useful with them in a battle where everyone else has laser guns (although considering that blaster bolts don't seem to go much faster than a little league pitcher's fastball, that's kind of debatable)

10-13-2009, 01:45 AM	#10
alvarado52 Two weeks. Posts: 6,406	so essentially, anyone can use a saber...they just arent trained to use it in combat scenerios. So its just looking into the movies too much to ask why you never see normal ol' folk use 'em (except Han in Empire).

10-13-2009, 03:45 AM	#11
Requiem Posts: 19,294	The things are extremely light with no weighted blade. All the weight is in the part you hold. If someone picked one up and started swinging it, odds are they would chop off one of their own body parts. It takes someone sensitive with the force just to be able to properly control the thing and be aware of its position at all times, and to be able to block/parry with it well enough against something equally fast. (another lightsaber for instance). Also for the reasons Nowhere Man stated. But really, think about a lightsaber's construction and how jedi use them, and then imagine training someone who is not force sensitive. It would be useless because those people wouldn't be able to defend themselves as well against blasters, etc..

10-13-2009, 04:58 AM	#12
The Mackem VG + Q&A FORUM REPRESENT Posts: 38,940	Han almost poked his eye out with it. He was very lucky on Hoth.

10-13-2009, 09:51 AM	#14
Hanso Amore You can't teach that Posts: 19,337	Plus you would have people shooting at you, and you lack the jedi power to deflect lasers (Aint no way you are hitting those fuckers) so would you really run into battle to get mowed the fuck down?

10-13-2009, 10:22 AM	#15
The Mackem VG + Q&A FORUM REPRESENT Posts: 38,940	Hansolo

10-13-2009, 12:24 PM	#16
Rammsteinmad TPWW's #3 Peep Posts: 20,891	Like Requiem said, it's all to do with the Force. But in theory, anyone can switch it on and swing it around. Only it wouldn't look anywhere as good.

10-13-2009, 06:49 PM	#18
Kalyx triaD Raw Video Footage Posts: 45,950	I had a looooong reply to this but that would be so 'Kalyx'.

10-17-2009, 12:42 AM	#19
Sovereigntywillpr Member Posts: 465	Doesn't Luke seem familiar with them in the first one when Old Ben Canoby shows him his on Tatwin?

10-17-2009, 01:29 PM	#20
Kalyx triaD Raw Video Footage Posts: 45,950	The Force is strong with him. Haven't you heard?

10-19-2009, 05:00 PM	#22
Requiem Posts: 19,294	How is that ridiculous? I had a thing typed out, but I found this on a comprehensive Star Wars wikia page about the lightsaber that explained it much clearer. Lightsaber combat was difficult to master for a number of reasons, one of them being that all of the weight a lightsaber had was in its hilt, and the gyroscopic effect caused resistance to changes in motion, or built up momentum so quickly than an untrained wielder could lose control of the weapon. The gyroscopic effects were easily controlled by a trained force user, but could become problematic for lay person. Although the blade was weightless, two-handed slashes were the most common movement. This was because inertia was still needed to cut through solid objects. Solid objects were repelled by the blade arc until they were changed to gas or plasma. Therefore, inertia was required to counteract the initial repelling force. The stronger the swing, the faster and easier the blade would cut. If little force was applied to the swing, the repelling force of the blade arc would leave shallow cuts. When two lightsaber blades came in contact with each other, the two repelling forces made the blade appear to be solid. If the lightsaber is dropped, the blade will retract automatically, so the user will not be injured.

10-19-2009, 08:49 PM	#26
parkmania #BUCTOBER Posts: 6,461	For all you tauntaun lovers out there: http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/plush/bb2e/

10-19-2009, 10:25 PM	#27
Kalyx triaD Raw Video Footage Posts: 45,950	And the fucker's all smiling and shit.

10-19-2009, 10:39 PM	#30
Kalyx triaD Raw Video Footage Posts: 45,950	Seriously that's a grotesque idea. You are sleeping in the innards of an animal.

10-20-2009, 12:18 AM	#32
Fignuts Hey Mister! Posts: 54,947	Kinda hope they make those in an adult size.

10-20-2009, 12:24 AM	#33
Reavant Donkey Punch Elite Posts: 9,910	you guys realize general grevous had no force powers at all and he used them to actually fight.

10-20-2009, 12:25 AM	#34
Reavant Donkey Punch Elite Posts: 9,910	bah nevermind someone said it

10-20-2009, 12:27 AM	#36
Fignuts Hey Mister! Posts: 54,947	Also, grievous was mostly a droid, so it was prolly easier.

10-20-2009, 12:28 AM	#37
Fignuts Hey Mister! Posts: 54,947	Also, how can han solo say that the jedi are just a folk tale, when there were thousands fighting a war all over the galaxy when he was a kid.