DescriptionThere are two variations of Form VII, Juyo and Vaapad, but both utilize bold, direct movements. According to accounts compiled by the New Jedi Order, use of Form VII is more demanding in terms of energy used due to a broader focus and deeper utilization of emotion. A Form VII practitioner is said to maintain a calm exterior appearance, but they are also stated to experience significant internal pressure, while using the Ferocity Form. In addition, it is described as sometimes paradoxical and unpredictable, as well as filled with concepts that made the form too difficult and unattractive to many students.
JuyoJuyo is described as the most vicious form of lightsaber combat, and is said to be filled with both fury and "malignant grace." The form is given the title of the most difficult and demanding form in all of saber combat. Skilled combatants with Juyo are said by Jedi Master Vrook Lamar to be able to "eviscerate a lone enemy." According to the Sith Lord Darth Traya, the form is both chaotic and erratic, with a heavy focus on offense.
Jedi battlemaster Cin Drallig listed bold, direct motions as characteristics of Juyo, qualifying them as more open and kinetic than Form V, but with a less elaborate appearance than Ataru. Drallig contrasted the tactics of Juyo as not nearly as graceful or linked as those of Ataru, instead referring to them as "seemingly unconnected staccato sequences." He also listed one of the strengths of the form as its unpredictability. The form is said to necessitate greater energy than Form V, due to a broader wielding of a user's focus and a deeper emotional link. Despite the challenges inherent in the use of the form, it can serve as a pathway to considerable power.
VaapadVaapad is described as more than a fighting style; it is a state of mind that leads through the penumbra of the dark side, requiring the user to enjoy the fight, and relish the satisfaction of winning. The practitioner of Vaapad will accept the fury of their opponent, transforming them into one half of a superconducting loop, with the other half being the power of darkness inherent in the opponent. The form is also mentioned with a cautionary warning by the Jedi that use of Vaapad leads the user perilously close to the dark side due to its focus on physical combat. Vaapad requires a constant and sizable stream of Force use from the user, with a barely contained explosion of Force power essential to all variations of Form VII as another prerequisite for its use. The form's attacks appeare to be unconnected, its motions seemingly unpolished to an untrained observer.
During the latter years of the Republic, Jedi Master Mace Windu developed Vaapad with the aid of fellow master Sora Bulq, by drawing inspiration from the movements of a creature, known as both the Vaapad and the Juyo, native to the planet Sarapin. Vaapad users appear to wield many lightsabers at once, moving too fast to see, just as the vaapad creature will attack with blindingly fast tentacles that are impossible to count until the vaapad is dead. A Vaapad user's attacks will flow into each other with liquid precision, creating the constant near-invisible weave of energy which is the ready-stance of Vaapad. It is also possible to apply Vaapad in unarmed combat, with the user's arms becoming too fast to see, as well as in the use of dual lightsabers. While observing the duel between Darth Sidious and Mace Windu, Anakin Skywalker considered Windu's Vaapad bladework to be "an oblate sphere of purple fire" which contains dozens of blades attacking from every angle.
After his fall to the dark side prior to the Clone Wars, Count Dooku described the power of Vaapad as skirting the dark side of the Force, but stated during a duel with Sora Bulq that the form was bridled and weak without direct use of the dark side. Dooku later subverted Bulq to his cause. After Bulq fell to the dark side, he claimed that he had perfected the form, which Windu disputed while engaging Bulq in a lightsaber duel. While Bulq had previously practiced Vaapad with Windu, he was unable to defeat him in combat and their duel ended in a stalemate.
Known Moves and ManeuversJuyo users are proficient in a technique called
Assured Strike, wherein they trade sheer power for a near-certainty of landing a hit. Another technique they use is referred to as
Vornskr's Ferocity, which involves "ferocious" attacking of an opponent. Wielders of Juyo are capable of employing this move without allowing the influence of the dark side to pervade their aggression.
Those skilled in the Vaapad form are known for their use of the
Swift Flank technique, where they leap or dash around an opponent to make a quick strike. The speed of the maneuver is intended to catch opponents off guard. They are also skilled in
Tempered Aggression, a term used to describe the ferocity of the Vaapad form, but with more control against succumbing to the dark side even in the heat of battle.
