Reason for a jedi doudle-bladed saber?

[Lord Revan]

Well all my KOTOR (and KOTOR2) chracters end up double-bladed lightsaber (the kind Darth Maul used in TPM), so are there any reason why a Jedi would chose such a weapon, especially those who follow a non-combat path for a Jedi(the consulars in KOTOR and RPG).

[Elheru Aran]

Showing off, pretty much. While it has some combat applications, it's not really that useful and is extremely dangerous. The ability to successfully use such a weapon requires excellent control of the Force, or excellent fighting skills with those specific weapons, which don't necessarily go together. Maul had fighting skills, not necessarily great Force skill. I don't know about other Jedi... though Exar Kun had one, I got the impression it was more a way to flaunt his Sith power rather than a display of his fighting skill-- Vodo-Siosk Baas was able to combat him with but a wooden staff.

[Lord Revan]

sure it's show-off (what would the poor (non-jedi) guy think if after his macho taunt replicate Maul's start move from TPM), but I thinking is there any other reason for that kind of weapon.

[Spanky The Dolphin]

I don't think so, since it seems like an extremely dangeous weapon, even for a lightsabre.

[Slartibartfast]

Well all my KOTOR (and KOTOR2) chracters end up double-bladed lightsaber (the kind Darth Maul used in TPM), so are there any reason why a Jedi would chose such a weapon, especially those who follow a non-combat path for a Jedi(the consulars in KOTOR and RPG).

I think non-combat Jedi should specialize in single lightsaber combat (or whatever it's called) 'cause it increases your AC, or something.

[Lord Revan]

Leaving game mechanics aside, I think the fact that double-bladed saber extremly dangerous (even for a Jedi) and requires great saber skills, control of the Force or both, could be reason for using such a thing (it forces you to master the combat use of the Force as any missteap could be leathal).

EDIT:we're talking about people who's idea for anger managent leason is a duel.

[Slartibartfast]

Maul and his double-blade was supposed to be some kind of cool gimmick that made him scarier or something and showed off how much better he was than anyone else at fighting, but now everybody and his dog uses a double-bladed lightsaber...

[Illuminatus Primus]

Its nothing but an ostentatious show-off piece. It has all the limitations of a polearm without any of the advantages. Its a highly dangerous accident waiting to happen and justificable only in demonstrating the sheer contempt for one's opponents' apparently poorer skill by intentionally using a dangerous and difficult-to-wield weapon.

[Nick Lancaster]

As far as my tabletop group goes, I merely established that the 'double-bladed saber' is 'too aggressive a weapon' to be used by Jedi, though this is refuted by KOTOR/KOTOR II/Jedi Academy.

It beats the D20 silliness where, if you give Darth Maul all the necessary feats and skills, he's still fighting at a -4/-2 or some oddball combination, which means regardless of prowess, the best you can hope for is a negative modifier on your attack? Why would anyone learn the weapon?

[Jason von Evil]

Chicks dig double bladed sabres.

Other than that, I don't really know.

Edit: Don't double blades increase the chance to hit, in KOTR 1&2?

[Slartibartfast]

As far as my tabletop group goes, I merely established that the 'double-bladed saber' is 'too aggressive a weapon' to be used by Jedi, though this is refuted by KOTOR/KOTOR II/Jedi Academy.

It beats the D20 silliness where, if you give Darth Maul all the necessary feats and skills, he's still fighting at a -4/-2 or some oddball combination, which means regardless of prowess, the best you can hope for is a negative modifier on your attack? Why would anyone learn the weapon?

Ruleswise, because you swing twice instead of once. Therefore your odds actually increase at higher levels.

[neoolong]

Chicks dig double bladed sabres.

Other than that, I don't really know.

Edit: Don't double blades increase the chance to hit, in KOTR 1&2?

I think the advantages are the same as for weilding two light sabers. However, since you get more crystal slots with two sabers, there's no point in having the double bladed saber rather than just having two sabers.

[Ghost Rider]

Chicks dig double bladed sabres.

Other than that, I don't really know.

Edit: Don't double blades increase the chance to hit, in KOTR 1&2?

I think the advantages are the same as for weilding two light sabers. However, since you get more crystal slots with two sabers, there's no point in having the double bladed saber rather than just having two sabers.

The only slight difference is the power is same with a dual bladed vs two single. Since while different Crystals, you don't always have same damage or Hit levels.

Mind you this is so minsicule a problem, it's pointless. Using two has always been more advantageous with the only thought that a dual to some looks better.

[Thirdfain]

Ruleswise, because you swing twice instead of once. Therefore your odds actually increase at higher levels.

That makes no sense. It would take less time to swing twice with a single-bladed lightsaber than it would with a double-bladed lightsaber, seeing as that with a single-bladed lightsaber, you don't need to avoid stabbing yourself in the chest.

[Nick Lancaster]

Ruleswise, because you swing twice instead of once. Therefore your odds actually increase at higher levels.

Multiple attacks only accrue when you attain the appropriate level, but you are nonethelss being penalized for both attacks, so you're not really gaining anything over a single-weapon/multiple-attack opponent.

Personally, I think it says something when there's enough material for a weekly rules interpretation column on D20 games.

[Vympel]

One only needs to look at how utterly more dangerous Darth Maul got when Obi-Wan cut his lightsabre in two to see how the double-blade was holding him back ...

[ANGELUS]

is there any other reason for that kind of weapon.

Training.

[Spanky The Dolphin]

is there any other reason for that kind of weapon.

Training.

That's possibly one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.

[SPOOFE]

The only advantage I can see to using a double-bladed weapon is to distract your opponent, make him defend against attacks he's not accustomed to defending against. This sorta makes sense in light of Jedi battles being mostly Force vs. Force, anyway... constant mental battles of prediction, countering, and counter-countering, etc. Add in a completely different fighting style, and weapon, and that can be enough of an edge.

A weak and flimsy explanation, but it's certainly a lot more satisfying than "'Cuz Lucas's kids thought it'd be cool!"

[Stofsk]

What if the hilt itself had been longer? I'm thinking something of hanbo size (1 meter), or if you want the polearm motif, actually make a lightsaber polearm. Grab a staff of about 2 meters in length, stick a lightsaber on the end. You've got yourself a spear/polearm weapon.

[ANGELUS]

is there any other reason for that kind of weapon.

Training.

That's possibly one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.

mmm.... how can I say it?....

Maul's Lightsaber

Pushing his physical and Force-assisted abilities to the utmost, Darth Maul built and uses a double-bladed lightsaber as his primary weapon. Traditionally used only as a training device, the double-ended saber can be much more dangerous to its wielder than an enemy. In the hands of Darth Maul, however, it becomes a whirling vortex of lethal energy.

Besides, think of it, if you master something as difficult as a double-bladed saber then wielding a regular one will be much easier. And if you accidentally kill yourself while training with it, well, I guess that means you were not worthy of beign a Sith Lord.

[SpacedTeddyBear]

Having a double-bladed sabre doubles the amount of "whooshing" sound it makes when you twirl it.

[SPOOFE]

I know the real reason. One word: "Compensating".

[Petrosjko]

What if the hilt itself had been longer? I'm thinking something of hanbo size (1 meter), or if you want the polearm motif, actually make a lightsaber polearm. Grab a staff of about 2 meters in length, stick a lightsaber on the end. You've got yourself a spear/polearm weapon.

I'd have a couple of problems with that. With the meter-length variant, that's a meter of choppable surface you're exposing to your opponent. Sure, it makes the weapon more usable, but it also makes it more vulnerable.

As for the polearm variant, the problem for Jedi would involve the varied situations they get into. Polearms and suchlike kick ass in the open field, but they're a bit of a detriment when engaging multiple opponents in confined spaces, especially when compared to the classical lightsaber.

Furthermore, I don't see how well blaster deflection would work with a polearm.

[Petrosjko]

I know the real reason. One word: "Compensating".

SPOOFE!

Sometimes a lightsaber is just a lightsaber.