Form VI / Legends Form VI , also known as Niman , the Way of the Rancor , the Moderation Form , and the diplomat ' s form , was the sixth form of the seven forms of lightsaber combat . This fighting style was a hybrid martial art created by effectively combining elements of the preceding lightsaber forms into a single , generalized form . Niman balanced out between the various specializations of the other forms , covering many of the basic moves , but focusing on overall moderation . This resulted in a fighting style that lacked a significant advantage , but also lacking any serious drawbacks , and thereby not leaving adherents as exposed as some of the more aggressive or specialized forms . Overall , Niman had a fairly relaxed focus on bladework , designed as a simple , easily mastered fighting form for Jedi who preferred to devote most of their time to study and diplomacy . Despite this , it could be absolutely deadly in the hands of a skilled practitioner , as demonstrated by such notables as Exar Kun . To compensate for the relaxed focus on bladework and lack of significant specialization , Niman training regimens encouraged the inclusion of Force - based attacks in combat , such as telekinetic pulls and shoves used in sync with lightsaber strikes . Also , as Niman was developed from two pre - existing martial arts fighting forms that both emphasized the use of dual - blades , it provided a firm foundation for duelists looking to study into such practices . Ultimately , Niman ' s success in combat was dependent on a practitioner ' s intuition and creativity in combat , rather than the rote responses common to the other forms . History . The original Niman fighting style was practiced by the Royale Machetero s of the Kashi Mer Dynasty , who named it for the dual triumvirate of the Kashi deities . The style was adopted by the Legions of Lettow , a group of Dark - siders involved in the First Great Schism of the Jedi Order . After the defeat of the Legion at the hands of the Jedi , Niman was adopted by the Jedi Order , eventually being refined into the sixth form of lightsaber combat , referred to by the same name . While Form VI was largely adapted from this earlier fighting style , several noted Jedi considered the pure root of Form VI to be Form III . Being a " jack - of - all - trades " style with broad emphasis and little need for continuous and dedicated practice , Niman found a niche amongst Jedi Consular s who instead preferred to focus on diplomacy and meditation on the Force rather than combat . Ironically , Niman became the chosen discipline of the fallen Jedi - turned - Sith Lord , Exar Kun . During the various wars against the Sith , Niman was prized by some for its general versatility on the battlefield , though heavily criticized by others for being insufficiently demanding . Over time , it became the standard in lightsaber training , and by the start of the Clone Wars , was one of the most common forms in the Jedi Order . However , Niman demonstrated itself to be inadequate for the open battlefields of the Clone Wars , proven when all the Form VI adherents involved in the First Battle of Geonosis died in combat . In the post - war years , Niman remained studied and practiced amongst the Sith while the Jedi were hunted down in the Great Jedi Purge . Form VI lightsaber combat would eventually be rediscovered by the New Jedi Order , though until then , it was effectively replaced as the favored " jack - of - all - trades " fighting style by the Medium style of lightsaber combat . Description . A hybrid fighting style , Niman incorporated elements from the previous forms , mainly Forms I through V , excluding Form II , but balanced out between their various specializations , in keeping with the Jedi quest to achieve harmony and justice without resorting to the rule of power . Form VI covered many of the various moves of lightsaber combat , but due to its emphasis on overall moderation , its focus on bladework was somewhat relaxed . Thusly , the form was easily mastered by those who preferred to devote a high percentage of their time to study and peacekeeping , which made it the preferred form of Jedi Consulars . While the generalization made it ill - suited for lightsaber dueling or fighting on the open battlefield , it was perfectly adequate for facing down criminals and thugs . Due to its " jack - of - all - trades " nature , the success of this form was largely dependent on the practitioner ' s intuition , improvisation , and creativity in combat rather than the rote responses derived from other forms . To compensate for this relaxed focus on bladework , Niman training regimens encouraged adherents of the style to incorporate Force powers into combat . Proper management of these tools allowed a Form VI master to control and eliminate an entire group of enemies , though many lower level initiates experienced difficulty attempting this . As Form VI lightsaber combat was derived from the dual - bladed Niman style practiced by the Royale Macheteros of the Kashi Mer , it provided a foundation for the challenging practice . However , while hailed as a practical , all - around fighting form , it was heavily criticized by many for being insufficiently demanding . It should be noted that while Niman provided no decisive edge in battle , it achieved its worth by not leaving its wielder as exposed as some of the more aggressive forms . Due to the relaxed bladework of the form , it was said that most Niman practitioners would find it almost impossible to defeat a Makashi practitioner . According to Jedi Battlemaster Cin Drallig , if a duelist dedicated himself exclusively to Form VI , he could expect to study the style for at least ten years before achieving mastery . Moves and Maneuvers . The opening stance of the Niman form was wide and open , with the blade held out from the body in a one - handed grip , the blade angled upwards and back , while the off - hand was folded across the chest . The feet were evenly spaced . Another Niman stance featured the blade held at head - height in a two - handed grip , angled upwards and slightly in , with the dominant foot placed forwards . A third position was a two - handed low guard , with the hilt held at waist height in both hands , blade held back and to the side , angled downwards , with the feet closely spaced . In keeping with the tactic of incorporating Force powers into combat , two primary Form VI maneuvers , the " draw closer " and the " pushing slash " , were conjunctions between lightsaber moves and telekinetic attacks . Effectively polar opposites of one another , the " draw closer " involved telekinetically seizing an opponent and pulling the enemy into the path of his blade , while the " pushing slash " slammed the opponent with a Force push after scoring an attack . Applications . Derived from a fighting form centered around the use of dual - blades , Niman was considered a foundation for this challenging practice , and became something of a gateway form to Jar ' Kai . Form VI dual - blade training encouraged the use of the shoto short lightsaber in the off - hand , as the smaller blade was easier to handle . A notable Jar ' Kai master was the Priapulin Jedi Master Skwelli , who carried six lightsabers . He was renowned for his skill in his era , and recordings of his fighting form were considered a wonder to behold . Many modern Jedi mirrored this attitude , though Dooku was a notable exception , who , in his copy of " " , labeled Skwelli ' s form and footwork as sloppy . Obi - Wan Kenobi simply commented on his hope that he never had to face a duelist with such an array of weapons . Niman was commonly studied by duelists looking to brush up on dual - blade combat , though few actually mastered Niman itself , as this required at least ten years of study . Exar Kun chose to specialize in Niman , and while there was little doubt that he found the dual - blade training regiments useful when he converted his lightsaber into a double - bladed weapon , he often preferred to fight with a single blade . His skill marked him as one of the finest duelists of his era , demonstrated when he defeated his instructor , renowned Jedi Weapon Master Vodo - Siosk Baas , in a sparring match , indicating his mastery of the fighting form . However , rather than adhere to its philosophy of moderation over aggression , Kun was a vicious duelist who favored brutal power moves and had little compunction against lashing out against his foes with physical attacks . These tendencies were exacerbated by his turn to the dark side of the Force , when he actively took to drawing on his rage in combat . However , while he failed to observe the core concepts of Form VI , Kun was never defeated in a lightsaber duel , and only his fellow Darksider , Ulic Qel - Droma , was able to match him on neutral ground . It should be noted however that , aside from sparring matches , Kun was only known to have participated in three lightsaber duels over the course of his career . Many Niman maneuvers incorporated the use of Force powers chained into the combat sequences , to compensate for the relaxed focus on bladework . While he favored Form V lightsaber combat , Anakin Skywalker had studied Niman and occasionally favored such practices . His master , Obi - Wan Kenobi , also occasionally applied such skills , having studied Niman to learn this tactic . Kenobi commented in his copy of " The Jedi Path " that he found this practice extremely difficult , indicating his need for more practice . During the Invasion of Naboo , Kenobi had evidently developed an advanced level of skill in this application , frequently blasting aside battle droids with Force pushes while in combat . Practitioners . Ironically for a fighting form designed to encourage moderation over aggression , Niman was the chosen discipline of the fallen Jedi - turned - Sith Lord Exar Kun . Trained by famed Jedi Weapon Master Vodo - Siosk Baas , Kun was one of the finest duelists of the age , even defeating his own master in a sparring match . Adhering more closely to the philosophy of Form VI were Zez - Kai Ell , Vrook Lamar , and Kavar , Jedi Council Masters active during the Jedi Civil War and First Jedi Purge who had mastered Niman sufficiently to act as instructors in the style . They typically taught the form to Jedi Sentinel s . During the New Sith Wars , Niman was practiced amongst both the Jedi and the Sith forces . A notable Jedi adherent was Johun Othone , who took full advantage of Form VI ' s inherent versatility during the pitched battles of the war . However , during the post - war years , he made little effort to maintain his skills as a swordsman , instead focusing on his diplomatic talents , and his skills atrophied considerably . The Sith Blademaster , Kas ' im , included full mastery of Niman in his repertoire of skills , and trained many Sith apprentices in the style . It should be noted that while Kas ' im was versed in dual - blade combat , using it to great effect against Darth Bane during their duel to the death , Kas ' im instead relied on Form IV dual - blade training rather than Niman . Darth Sidious ' student , Darth Maul , was also a Niman practitioner , having learned the form during years of intense training at the hands of his Master . Obi - Wan Kenobi studied Niman during his apprenticeship under Qui - Gon Jinn , attempting to learn how to apply the Force while in the midst of combat , a practice he commented as being difficult . Kenobi ' s own student , Anakin Skywalker , studied Form VI to develop his skills with dual - blades , though he commented that he was working on this mostly as an exercise in control , and was doubtful that he would ever need to apply it . Skywalker ' s assumption was proven wrong when he wielded dual lightsabers against Dooku during the First Battle of Geonosis , and several other times during the Clone Wars . Dooku himself possessed enough skill in Niman to instruct the Kaleesh cyborg Grievous in it , as well as to coach Grievous while he passed his training on to his IG - 100 MagnaGuard bodyguards . While Form VI was not a weak fighting style , it was an inadequate form for the open battlefields of the Clone Wars . Notably , all adherents of the style involved in the Battle of Geonosis perished , prominent practitioners including Sarrissa Jeng , Sar Labooda , and Joclad Danva . Danva ' s death was an especially sore loss for the Jedi Order , as he was among their most renowned duelists and martial artists , and master of Jar ' Kai dual - blade fencing , one of the styles that Form VI lightsaber combat was derived from . However , Form VI adherents and trainees remained , with Anakin Skywalker instructing his Padawan , Ahsoka Tano , in the lower levels of the style as a training exercise . Tano would later take to wielding a shoto in her off - hand , in keeping with Niman dual - blade training . Jedi Master Cin Drallig was considered the most prolific instructor of Form VI , as he was of the five forms below it , teaching Niman to thousands of students during his Jedi career . However , despite his skills and mastery , he was eventually cut down by the Form V specialist Darth Vader during Operation Knightfall , part of the Great Jedi Purge . Students of Niman active during the Purge include Rachi Sitra , and Vader ' s apprentice , Galen Marek . However , Marek chose to devote himself to Forms III and VII rather than VI , though he still incorporated powerful telekinetic attacks into his lightsaber sequences , a common element in Form VI training . His clone , Starkiller , made much more avid use of Niman , actively specializing in the style to develop his skills with dual - blades . Starkiller ' s knowledge of the form was based off of inherited memory flashes from his genetic template . Despite the limited battlefield benefits provided by Form VI , it remained in use up until and beyond the resurgence and takeover of the Galactic Empire , a notable practitioner being the Dark Lord of the Sith , Darth Krayt . Behind the scenes . Niman was first described in the " " article in " Star Wars Insider 62 " , written by David West Reynolds and fencer Jack " Stelen " Bobo , identified it as Form VI lightsaber combat . The proper name of the form , " Niman " , as well as its alternate titles as the " Moderation Form " and the " Way of the Rancor " would be specified in later sources . Notably , the " Fightsaber " article would fail to specifically name any practitioners of Form VI , only mentioning that all Niman duelists involved in the Battle of Geonosis died . A number of characters are theorized to be Niman practitioners , based on statements from other sources . Sora Bulq was described as a master of every fighting form , though skill in Niman was never explicitly mentioned . In the video game " " , the Jedi Masters could teach the Jedi Exile the Niman form only if she was a Jedi Sentinel or the Sentinel ' s corresponding prestige classes , the Jedi Watchman or Sith assassin . Niman , along with the other lightsaber forms , appears in " Star Wars Galaxies " as part of moves and techniques employable by Jedi characters . This has not definitively been clarified to be canonical .