DescriptionMakashi is the most dueling-centric of the seven forms, developed during an era where engagements with Darksiders and rogue Jedi became an almost routine activity. Form II's primary purpose is to serve as a counter to the first form; Shii-Cho. Makashi relies on precision swordplay to counter the sweeping movements demonstrated by Shii-Cho, and a heavy focus on protecting one's weapon to avoid being disarmed, the primary goal of Form I. The early levels of Makashi focus on providing defense against an opponent's blade, allowing a practitioner to defend himself with minimal effort, but needing to be paired with a more offensive style to score a winning blow.
The higher levels of the form prove considerably more effective. Form II bladework encourages precision and efficiency over power, using jabs, parries and light cuts rather than slashes, blocks and chops. The blade manipulation requires for this form is very refined, requiring intense focus, and is described as elegant, powerful and precise, relying on feints to confuse and trap opponents. All of this is to allow the user to attack and defend with minimal effort, while opponents simply tire themselves out. Makashi also places considerable emphasis on footwork, using it to maintain a proper distance from the opponent during defense and when moving in for an attack. The footwork of Makashi practitioners commonly follow a single line, front and back, shifting the feet to keep in perfect balance as the practitioner attacks and retreats. Makashi is a style based on balance, on back-and-forth charges, thrusts, and sudden retreats.
Form II emphasizes fluid movement and anticipation of a weapon being swung at its target, and so requires very smooth motion of both the blade and the body,and practitioners often wield the blade one-handed for a greater range of movement. Timing and accuracy, rather than strength, are relied-upon to defeat one's opponent. With a skilled practitioner, the results are deadly. Makashi users are often elegant, precise, and calm, demonstrating confidence to the point of arrogance in their chances for victory (as befit Dooku's personality). In fact, they often look so relaxed when fighting that they appear to be dancing. Makashi duelists also train themselves to avoid enslavement to form, as such devotion opens the practitioner to defeat by unpredictable tactics; the unforeseen.
However, for all its effectiveness, Form II is not without its weaknesses. As it was designed to combat enemy duelists rather than enemy shooters, it provides poor blast-deflect training and skills. While this is ultimately the reason for the style's decline, it can be overcome through skill and practice. Also, Makashi is most potent when used against a single opponent, and therefore is reduced in strength when fighting groups of adversaries. However, skilled practitioners can still fare very well against multiple foes; Dooku could engage up to four opponents with little difficulty, relying on his footwork to outmaneuver them and take them one at a time; while Asajj Ventress compensated by wielding multiple blades.
However, the greatest flaw of the Makashi system of combat is its lack of kinetic force; the focus on precision and blade control hampers the ability to generate momentum in both its offensive and defensive maneuvers, leaving the attacks easily shunted aside and its parries easily battered aside. This lack of physical energy left Makashi practitioners vulnerable to duelists utilizing more recently developed forms, which emphasize power and brute force.
Known Moves and ManeuversOpening stance: The opening stance is a single handed low guard. The saber will be held in the strong hand of the user, and held at his side, the blade pointed down, and the feet would be shoulder width apart. Some face their opponent side on, so the blade is pointed in their direction. The lightsaber hilt will be held with the thumb pointing down the length of the blade to allow for smaller, tighter, more accurate movements of the saber. The rest of the fingers wrap around the hilt holding it tightly, but not so tight as to limit the fluidity of the movements.
Makashi flourish: The flourish consists of rapidly drawing an 'X' in the air with the tip of the blade. It often follows the Makashi salute.
Makashi salute: The salute is not an attack or maneuver but a challenge to an opponent. The saber is held in one hand, brought up vertical directly in front of the practitioner's face, then swung down in a Makashi flourish.
Contentious Opportunity: A tactic based upon recognizing and exploiting an opening in the opponent's defense, before swiftly moving to strike the exposed enemy.
Makashi Riposte: A defensive technique where the duelist slightly alters the angle of an opponent's attack before quickly retaliating with a counter strike.
Makashi Weapon SpecificationsDue to Form II's emphasis on blade manipulation, and its many fluid one-handed moves, Makashi practitioners often wield lightsabers that are specialized for such use. The most prominent weapon for this purpose was the curved-hilted lightsaber. These weapons are used because the curved hilt fit better into the palm, granting better blade control and allowing for greater precision and strength. In addition to this, wielders often create highly decorated weapons, and occasionally included blade-guards, as shown with Dooku's lightsaber.
