Makashi: Form II and Its Elegancy Efficiency

Makashi: Form II and Its Elegancy Efficiency

Makashi, known as Form II in lightsaber combat, is the art of elegance, precision, and finesse among the seven classic forms in Star Wars.

Developed during a time when saber-to-saber duels became common among Jedi and Sith, Makashi was designed to counter the brute force and sweeping attacks of earlier forms like Shii-Cho. Its practitioners, such as Count Dooku (Darth Tyranus), Asajj Ventress, and Jedi Master Shaak Ti, mastered the subtle manipulation of the blade, perfect balance, and minimal movement to outlast and outmaneuver their opponents in one-on-one combat. 

Makashi users are recognized for their controlled parries, fluid footwork, and the ability to exploit even the smallest opening with a swift, precise attack. The iconic single-handed low guard stance and the characteristic Makashi flourish are hallmarks of this form, making it the weapon of choice for duelists who value skill and strategy over raw power. 

While not as widely practiced in the Jedi Order as Form III or other styles, Makashi stands as a testament to mastery, demanding discipline, concentration, and years of training to reach its full potential.

Makashi’s Origins and Purpose

Form II, also known as Makashi or the Way of the Ysalamiri, was born from necessity during a pivotal era in Jedi history. 

As the number of lightsaber-wielding adversaries grew—particularly among rogue Jedi and emergent Sith factions—the shortcomings of Form I, Shii-Cho, became evident. Shii-Cho had been developed for general use, favoring broad, sweeping motions and crowd control, but it lacked the refinement needed for precise, one-on-one engagements. 

Makashi emerged as the answer, a form designed explicitly to master the art of lightsaber dueling.

Rooted in elegance and tactical finesse, Makashi marked a significant evolution in lightsaber combat. Its philosophy centered on conserving energy, striking with pinpoint accuracy, and maintaining unwavering control over the duel. 

By eliminating unnecessary motion and relying on tight blade work and immaculate footwork, practitioners could wear down their opponents with relentless precision. The form’s creators modeled its methodology after creatures like the Ysalamiri, who used the Force defensively and economically—a trait mirrored in Makashi's minimalistic, defensive posture.

Over time, however, Makashi's effectiveness was challenged by the changing face of galactic warfare. 

As blasters became widespread and skirmishes with saber-wielding enemies declined following conflicts like the Hundred-Year Darkness and the Old Sith Wars, the demand for a dueling-only form diminished and more versatile forms like Soresu began to evolve.

Though it faded in practical use, Makashi never fully disappeared. It experienced brief revivals during periods of renewed Sith conflict, such as the New Sith Wars, and found champions in individuals like Count Dooku, who upheld its traditions and proved its deadly value against even the most aggressive modern combat styles.

Style and Moves

Makashi is a form that prizes refinement over brute strength, flowing motion over frantic aggression.

Its defining features include one-handed bladework, linear footwork, and precision targeting. In contrast to the explosive, acrobatic maneuvers of forms like Ataru or the power strikes of Djem So, Makashi favors balance and composure. 

A duelist employing Makashi appears more dancer than warrior—every move calculated, every strike deliberate. The practitioner maintains a narrow profile to minimize exposure and uses subtle shifts in stance and distance to manipulate the flow of combat.

The Makashi salute—a ceremonial flourish performed before a duel—epitomizes the form’s poised nature. It begins with the lightsaber raised vertically before the face and then swept down in a stylized arc, a mark of respect and readiness. From there, combat flows through a series of controlled movements: tight ripostes, probing thrusts, and calculated feints. 

Two signature techniques, the “Makashi riposte” and “contentious opportunity,” embody the form’s tactical heart. 

The former involves subtly deflecting an opponent’s strike to create an opening for immediate counterattack, while the latter exploits brief lapses in the enemy’s defense with swift, decisive thrusts.

Makashi also relies heavily on specialized weapons to maximize effectiveness. Curved-hilt lightsabers, such as the one favored by Count Dooku, are preferred for their enhanced precision and handling, aligning perfectly with the form’s focus on blade control. 

Though adaptable to other lightsaber types—including dual blades and standard hilts—the curved design remains a hallmark of elite Makashi duelists. Precision marks like the Sun djem and Shiak—targeting the weapon or vital points of the enemy—further define the style’s surgical efficiency.

Best Scenarios for Application

Makashi shines brightest in the crucible of a one-on-one duel.

Whether against Jedi or Sith, its practitioners excel in duels that demand control, poise, and an understanding of the psychological dimensions of combat. 

In such encounters, the form’s economy of movement and defensive reliability allow the duelist to conserve energy while gradually outmaneuvering the opponent. Makashi thrives when there is room to work a straight line—advancing and retreating in measured steps, never overextending or succumbing to reckless aggression.

Its elegance and precision, however, become limitations in chaotic or multi-target engagements. The form is ill-suited for deflecting blaster fire or fending off multiple attackers, as it lacks the broad defensive coverage found in Form III or the raw offensive power of Form V. 

When faced with a barrage of projectile weapons or brute-force duelists, Makashi users may find themselves overwhelmed unless they have trained extensively to compensate—either through physical conditioning, like Dooku’s rigorous discipline, or through Force-enhanced adaptability.

Nonetheless, in the hands of a master, Makashi remains a fearsome weapon. Count Dooku’s clinical dismantling of adversaries such as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Asajj Ventress’ graceful yet lethal dueling style are testaments to its potency. 

Even against more modern, strength-driven forms, Makashi can prevail through superior timing, deception, and technique. For those who value strategy over spectacle and skill over strength, Form II remains the pinnacle of lightsaber artistry.

Iconic Users of Makashi

In the below section, we’re going to cover some of the most accomplished and notable users of Makashi throughout Star Wars lore. 

Count Dooku (Darth Tyranus)

Count Dooku, also known as Darth Tyranus, is the most iconic master of Makashi, or Form II-the contention form. Dooku’s elegant, curved-hilt red lightsaber was specifically designed to optimize Makashi’s one-handed grip and precise bladework.

As a former Jedi Master and later a Sith Lord, Dooku’s mastery of Makashi made him one of the greatest duelists in the galaxy, excelling in lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat. His fluid footwork, economy of motion, and ability to exploit openings allowed him to dominate opponents who relied on more aggressive or physically demanding forms. 

Dooku’s Makashi was on full display during his duels against Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker in both Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, where he repeatedly outmaneuvered and disarmed his adversaries. He also showcased Makashi’s strengths against multiple Jedi, including Yoda and the Nightsisters, using minimal energy to tire out his foes before striking with swift, unpredictable attacks. 

However, Dooku’s reliance on Makashi’s dueling finesse revealed its weaknesses when facing overwhelming power, as seen when Anakin Skywalker overpowered him with Form V’s brute strength aboard the Invisible Hand.

Asajj Ventress

Asajj Ventress, a formidable dark side assassin and Count Dooku’s apprentice, was also a skilled practitioner of Makashi. 

Wielding a pair of curved-hilt red lightsabers, Ventress adopted many of her master’s techniques, favoring precision, agility, and a duelist’s mindset. Her Makashi style was evident in her numerous encounters with Jedi such as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Ahsoka Tano during The Clone Wars. Ventress’s use of Makashi allowed her to hold her own against multiple opponents, relying on deft parries, tight footwork, and the ability to control the flow of combat.

Her battles often showcased Makashi’s ability to keep adversaries off-balance and exploit their weaknesses, though she, too, struggled when confronted with overwhelming force or unconventional tactics.

Shaak Ti

Shaak Ti, a respected Jedi Master, was known for her proficiency in several lightsaber forms, including Makashi. Using a blue-bladed lightsaber, she incorporated Makashi’s refined dueling techniques, especially in one-on-one combat situations. 

Shaak Ti’s grace and composure in battle reflected Makashi’s emphasis on balance and precision with her blade. 

While her most iconic moments came during the defense of Kamino and the Jedi Temple, her Makashi skills allowed her to fend off multiple attackers and adapt to rapidly changing combat scenarios, although she, like other Makashi users, had to rely on other forms when facing blaster-wielding foes or brute force opponents.

Ki-Adi-Mundi

Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi was also known to incorporate Makashi into his lightsaber repertoire. 

With his distinctive blue lightsaber, Ki-Adi-Mundi’s Makashi training gave him an edge in duels against other lightsaber wielders, emphasizing precision strikes and defensive parries. 

His skills were demonstrated during the Battle of Geonosis and various engagements throughout the Clone Wars. While not as renowned as Dooku or Ventress, Ki-Adi-Mundi’s use of Makashi contributed to his reputation as a disciplined and formidable Jedi Council member.

Conclusion

Though Makashi’s strengths shine in lightsaber duels, its limitations in the face of blaster fire and multiple opponents eventually led to its decline as the galaxy’s combat landscape changed. 

Yet, the legacy of Makashi endures through its legendary users, who demonstrated that victory in battle does not always belong to those with the greatest strength or most aggressive attack. Instead, Makashi proves that precision, timing, and mastery of technique can turn a single blade into the ultimate weapon against even the most formidable enemy. 

Whether wielded by a Sith Lord like Dooku or a Jedi Master like Shaak Ti, Form II remains a symbol of the artful side of lightsaber combat-a style where the duel becomes a dance of intellect, skill, and perfect control. For any lightsaber wielder seeking to refine their craft, the lessons of Makashi offer a great deal of wisdom about the true nature of power, balance, and mastery in the Star Wars universe.