Form V / Legends Form V , also known by its two primary disciplines of Shien and Djem So , as well as The Way of the Krayt Dragon or The Perseverance Form , was the fifth of seven forms recognized as canon by the last Jedi Council for lightsaber combat . It was developed by practitioners of Form III who felt that the defensively - minded form would unnecessarily extend time spent in combat by forcing its users to wait for an opportunity to strike rather than create their own openings . Form V combat was characterized by power attacks and defense immediately followed by a counter - strike . Shien , considered the classical variant of Form V , was more adept at blocking blaster bolts than for blade - to - blade combat , whereas Djem So was developed later and was specifically intended for use in lightsaber combat . Both Shien and Djem So were designed to use an opponent ' s attack against them , as evidenced by Shien ' s focus on returning blaster bolts to their origin and Djem So ' s emphasis on immediate counter - attacks . Although some Jedi felt that Form V encouraged aggression and domination , that sentiment did not stop many Jedi from practicing the form . Form V was developed sometime prior to the Great Sith War , which began in 3996 BBY , and it continued to be used for millennia , during the Jedi Civil War , New Sith Wars , Clone Wars , and beyond . Like the other lightsaber forms , it saw use among both the Sith and Jedi . Knowledge of the form survived the Great Jedi Purge initiated in 19 BBY and into the era of the New Jedi Order . Practitioners of Form V included Jedi Masters Adi Gallia , Plo Koon and Luke Skywalker , Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker , Aayla Secura , and Ulic Qel - Droma , and Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Bane . Description . Form V , also known as the Way of the Krayt Dragon , was created by Form III masters who desired a more offensive style , since the defensive nature of Form III often led to prolonged combat , which was potentially dangerous for its practitioners . Form V evolved into an accepted style by combining the defensive maneuvers of Form III with the more aggressive philosophy and tactics of Form II . Form V required a higher level of physical strength than the other lightsaber forms , due to its focus on complete domination of its practitioners ' opponents . It was considered the most physically demanding of all the forms . The form was developed alongside Ataru at a time when the Jedi were increasingly called upon to actively keep the peace . Some Jedi , noting its dedication to domination and strength , felt that Form V encouraged an inappropriate focus on controlling one ' s assailants . Other Jedi , including the Jedi Battlemaster Cin Drallig , were somewhat ambivalent regarding the form . Nevertheless , the Form ' s proponents maintained that Form V was an effective and powerful tool for the Jedi Order . Form V had two distinct variations : Shien and Djem So , and most users had a preference for one or the other . Shien . The Jedi of the Old Republic who developed and employed the classical Form V variant Shien dubbed it the Perseverance Form . Shien was described as being well - adapted to guard against blaster fire and enemy strikes without compromising one ' s ability to launch powerful counterattacks . The style worked best when countering attacks from multiple opponents , and was typically less effective against a single adversary . Shien existed at least as early as the Jedi Civil War , which began in 3959 BBY . With its focus on repelling blaster fire , Shien kept in mind that Jedi were often outnumbered by their opponents and needed to defend themselves while retaining offensive capability . Additionally , there was a Sith variant of the form called Sith Shien , though it is not specified how this form might have differed from its Jedi counterpart . The Shien opening stance was a high guard position , with the lightsaber hilt held in a two - handed grip above the user ' s head and the blade angled upward and behind the user . The dominant leg was held back , enabling powerful step - through strikes to be utilized . Shien users were also proficient in a maneuver referred to as the " Barrier of Blades , " which defended the user from blasterfire and redirected some of the incoming blasts . " Shien Deflection " was another technique familiar to users of that Form V variant , allowing practitioners to simultaneously deflect weapons fire and leap toward an opponent . However , Shien was not without its shortcomings — it was particularly weak against a single opponent . Some users used the reverse Shien grip , an unorthodox variation of Shien where the wielder would hold the lightsaber hilt in a backward position , exposing the front . This grip allowed the user to perform long , sweeping strikes to take down several enemies at a time , whipping the blade forward with the movement of throwing a punch . This variation was rarely seen and , indeed , almost a matter of controversy among lightsaber masters . Djem So . Djem So was the creation of a group of Form III masters who felt that Soresu was too passive a form . It addressed the shortcomings of Form III , in which a Jedi Master could maintain a prolonged defense but was likewise unable to overcome a skilled opponent . Utilizing a combination of blocks and parries , a Djem So user maintained a proper foundation of defense against both ranged and melee attacks . While a Soresu user stayed on the defensive and only counterattacked when necessary or when an opening appeared in the opponent ' s defense , a Djem So practitioner was not as passive . Immediately after defending against an opponent ' s strike , a Djem So stylist followed with an attack of their own , bringing the force of the opponent ' s own blow against them and seeking to dominate the duel . Djem So placed a heavy focus on brute strength and pure power , with wide , powerful strikes and parries followed immediately by a counterattack . Unlike Soresu or Ataru , Djem So required the user not only to counterattack , but also to press the assault , combining Force - enhanced strength with powerful blade combinations to overpower and overwhelm an opponent ' s defenses . Djem So ' s sheer power , when combined with physical and Force - imbued strength , was capable of defeating a user of Makashi , a lightsaber form focused on dueling , finesse , and elegance , when employed by a skilled practitioner . The Djem So attack stance consisted of holding the lightsaber above the head , angled back and down at an approximately forty - five degree angle . The characteristic Djem So attack was dubbed the " Falling Avalanche , " an overhand power blow that crashed down upon an opponent with exceptional force . Djem So users also employed a tactic known as the " Fluid Riposte , " which involved a smooth transition from parrying an attack to a counterstrike . Whereas a failing of Shien was its weakness against a single opponent , Djem So was known for having a lack of mobility . Applications . Jedi of large stature often chose to use Form V , because it required less agility than other forms of lightsaber combat and made use of their natural strength and reach advantages . It was for this reason that the Sith Blademaster Kas ' im advised the Sith apprentice Bane to learn Djem So . Bane ' s imposing size and strength served to complement the form ; his power attacks were able to knock his opponents back just through sheer kinetic force , throwing them off balance and leaving them vulnerable to further brute - force strikes and power blows that sought not just to penetrate his opponents ' defense , but also to push them back and leave them unable to counter blows . However , Anakin Skywalker later commented that all Jedi could enhance their strength with the Force and thus make use of Form V . Jedi Padawan Anakin Skywalker initially employed Shien in his duel against the Sith Lord Dooku on the planet Geonosis , although he later employed Form IV while wielding two blades . Once Dooku managed to destroy one of the weapons , Skywalker was forced to revert to his Form V practices . While his skill enabled him to hold his own against Dooku , he was unable to overcome the Count ' s elegant Form II bladework , and was defeated . The many engagements of the Clone Wars , against both mechanical opponents as well as lightsaber - wielding Dark Jedi , honed Skywalker ' s skills . During his final match against Dooku aboard the Separatist flagship " Invisible Hand " , Skywalker deceived the Sith with a Shien opening stance and Ataru acrobatics , but during the duel he returned to his own preferred Djem So strokes . The Sith Lord was barely able to deflect the Jedi Knight ' s blows and was eventually scorched when his own blade was forced back onto his shoulder . Using Form V , Skywalker pushed Dooku back with powerful blows , bolstered by use of rage in the fight , until he eventually disarmed and killed the Sith . After turning to the dark side in 19 BBY , Anakin Skywalker , now known as Darth Vader , dueled and was nearly killed by his former Jedi Master , Obi - Wan Kenobi , on the planet Mustafar . Afterward , Vader employed a new variant of Form V , even more focused on sheer power , in his service to the dark side and quest to destroy the Jedi . His defeat on Mustafar and subsequent internment in life - support armor forced him to alter his style into a new conglomeration : and he incorporated elements of Form VII , Form IV , Form III , and Makashi into his fighting style . Vader again employed Form V on the Death Star against his former master in their final duel — but rather than continuing to fight , Kenobi sacrificed himself . Eventually , the same techniques used by Vader against Kenobi were mirrored and used against him by Vader ' s son , Luke Skywalker . In Cloud City on Bespin , Luke Skywalker was able to hold his own against Darth Vader for a time , despite his minimal training . Ultimately , unable to stand against Vader ' s aggressive barrage , Luke was driven back and disarmed , losing his hand . After the duel , he further studied lightsaber skills that he found in a journal left to him by Obi - Wan Kenobi and advanced his abilities . Later , aboard the second Death Star , Luke was able to duel Vader on an even footing , mirroring Vader ' s Form V technique . When Vader attempted to taunt Luke by suggesting that he would tempt Skywalker ' s sister to join the dark side , the tactic provoked the Jedi into a fury , and in that state he was able to defeat the experienced Sith Lord . Luke responded to his father ' s aggressive usage with his own furious demonstration of Form V technique , battering Vader down before refusing to continue the fight . More than a decade afterwords , he would comment that Form V needed to have its aggression and desire to dominate balanced with compassion . At times , other weapons beyond standard lightsabers were wielded effectively by Form V practitioners . For example , Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Bane wielded a curved - hilt lightsaber — a weapon traditionally associated with Form II . Bane noted that curved lightsabers fit better into the palm , allowing greater power without costing precision . They also altered the angle of attacks slightly , which gave Bane a unique dueling style . Other weapon types wielded by Form V practitioners include lightsaber pikes , as shown by the Shien practitioner Kazdan Paratus , and saberstaffs , as utilized by the Jedi Master Zez - Kai Ell . Practitioners . By the time of the Battle of Yavin , Form V had been in existence for millennia . The Djem So variant of Form V was developed sometime before 4000 BBY , and the Jedi Knight Ulic Qel - Droma utilized the form during the Great Sith War . Shien was practiced by Jedi Masters Kavar , Zez - Kai Ell , and Vrook Lamar during the Jedi Civil War , while Ulic Qel - Droma , who lived a few decades prior to the Jedi Civil War , favored Djem So . The Cold War – era Jedi Rojo Trace was also versed in Djem So , drawing on his knowledge during a brief bout with Sith Blademaster Shak ' Weth . During the New Sith Wars , Form V was mastered by the Sith Brotherhood of Darkness ' Blademaster Kas ' im , who instructed numerous apprentices and acolytes in its use , including Darth Bane . On the Jedi side , Jedi Battlemaster Skarch Vaunk was also versed in Form V . To the Jedi of the Clone Wars era , the most prominent practitioner of Form V was Anakin Skywalker , who mastered both Form V variants . During the waning years of the Old Republic , Jedi Padawans often spent a year or two studying each Form from II to V . During the Invasion of Naboo , Obi - Wan Kenobi showed a basic knowledge of Shien , utilizing it in conjunction with the rare reverse grip to skillfully deflect blaster bolts , overcoming Ataru ' s weakness against blaster wielding opponents , as he had yet to learn Soresu . Yoda was also a practitioner of Form V , as he had mastered all forms of lightsaber combat . Later , during the Clone Wars , Form V practitioners included Jedi Knights Khaat Qiyn , Aayla Secura , Devan For ' deschel ( Djem So ) , and Zelice Sturm , the Dark Jedi Garth Ezzar and Sora Bulq , Jedi Masters Adi Gallia , Plo Koon , Even Piell , Luminara Unduli , Kazdan Paratus ( Shien ) , and Cin Drallig , and the Padawans Ahsoka Tano , who liked to use the reverse Shien grip and Jax Pavan . Additionally , despite their lack of Force sensitivity , the Separatist General Grievous and his IG - 100 MagnaGuards learned Form V from Count Dooku during the Clone Wars . After turning to the dark side and joining the Sith , Vader continued to employ Form V . His secret apprentice , Galen Marek , was also familiar with the form , having been personally trained in its usage by Vader . Vader ' s son , Luke Skywalker , learned Form V in part by mirroring the swordplay of his father in their first duel , and the younger Skywalker ultimately defeated his father with his use of Form V during their second duel . When Luke Skywalker later formed the New Jedi Order , he and the Order learned of the seven combat forms from the book " " , holocrons and recordings , particularly the Great Holocron , which included a recording by Cin Drallig that explained the lightsaber forms . One practitioner of the Djem So form in the New Jedi Order was Jedi battlemaster Kyle Katarn . There were considerably fewer practitioners of the controversial horizontal , or " reverse , " grip variation of Shien . Around the time of the Clone Wars , Jedi Master Adi Gallia and Padawan Ahsoka Tano were two of few Jedi known to actively practice it , though master Gallia opted favored both grips for her aggressive hybrid blend of Shien and Djem So during the clone wars . Ahsoka ' s master , Anakin Skywalker , even discouraged Tano from using it . Jedi Master Luminara Unduli occasionally also used Form V with a horizontal grip . The Anzat Nikkos Tyris also practiced the style , and trained his followers in the form before he died . Other Force - users known to employ this rare grip variation were the Jedi Knight turned Sith Lord Revan and Jedi Master Quinlan Vos . as well as Darth Vader ' s apprentices Galen Marek , Starkiller and the Dark Apprentice . Behind the scenes . Form V , along with the other six classical saber forms , was invented by David West Reynolds and fencer Jack " Stelen " Bobo for the " Fightsaber " part of " Star Wars Insider 62 " . The saber forms were retcon ned into both the original trilogy and prequel trilogy movies up through " " by assigning practitioners and instances of form usage to the movie characters . Since then , numerous Expanded Universe sources , including the " Jedi Academy Training Manual " , " The Clone Wars Campaign Guide " , and " " , have further elaborated on the saber forms and the Force - users who employed them . Form V — both Shien and Djem So — appears along the other lightsaber forms in the " Star Wars Galaxies " video game as part of the moves and techniques employable by Jedi characters . Form V also had a non - canon ical appearance as part of Darth Vader ' s role in the fighting game " Soulcalibur IV " , wherein it comprises part of Vader ' s fighting style . It is possible for the player character in " " , the Jedi Exile , to learn Form V from either Kreia or Jedi Masters Kavar , Zez - Kai Ell , or Vrook Lamar after her return from exile . In order to unlock the form , the player must select a character class geared toward lightsaber combat , such as the Jedi Guardian or Jedi Sentinel classes . However , it is also possible for the player character to choose the path of Jedi Consular and learn the Force form s instead . Form V is the second form unlocked by a lightsaber - focused character and the Exile learns it from either Kreia or the second missing Jedi Master encountered , depending on whether the player took the light or the dark side path .