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// [Supplementary] Twilight's notes on Lightsaber Forms 
// Story: Anthology of Everything 
// by SwordTune 
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The First Form: The first form of lightsaber combat, it contains 4 diagonal cuts along with 4 corresponding blocks. The steady and firm footwork is indicative of the form’s history of fighting off non-users of magic. The First Form is incredibly susceptible to faster or long-ranged opponents. 

The Fast Aggression Form/The Way of the Fruit Bat: The second form of lightsaber combat, designed during the splintering of the ancient Magi Order. It builds on the First Form by adding acrobatic movements and precision cuts and thrusts. In addition to the thrust, the Fast Form adds two parries, three cutting angles, and circular variations of every strike which maximized the momentum a Magi could exert. This system of offence was so complete that it formed the groundwork for all other strikes in later lightsaber combat techniques. Fast Aggression manuals are also the first to feature Magi dual-wielding lightsabers. 

The Strong Aggression Form/The Way of the Ursa: Developed from the Fast Form, the Strong Form makes its first distinction by disfavouring intense acrobatics. Its origins are unclear, but Magi scholars suspected this form arose at the peak of Magi involvement in galactic conflicts. The Strong Form emphases blade binding and many techniques against specific close encounters, which was termed “plays of the Ursa,” or just “plays,” and involved strikes and grappling to the opponent’s body. 

The Defense Form/The Way of the Tree: The fourth form of lightsaber combat, developed by the first earth pony magi. Designed for creatures without an innate or intense connection to magic, the Defense Form utilizes compact strikes and short parries. One common phrase found in many Magi texts is that “The Defense Form has as many parries as the Fast Form has attacks.” Its blocks are ideally suited to countering advanced blaster fire. By the time the Magi were purged by the Empire, it was expected for every Knight to be proficient in the Defense Form.

The Talent Form/The Way of the Alicorn: The fifth form of lightsaber combat. This recent addition came into being as the strength of the Magi Order grew and the Kithe threat slipped from the galaxy. Without magic-sensitive enemies, Magi were able to use their natural talents in combat without reproach. The little bladework taught to users of the Talent Form is taken from the second and fourth forms, adapted to integrate magical attacks such as telekinesis and mental illusions.

Nomad/Dancer: Nomad is often referred to as the sixth form, though it is not a true form as it bears no techniques of its own. Magi who chose the Nomad philosophy were referred to as Dancers, as they rarely served in combat roles. They were trained to “dance” with the public, using entertainment to win the hearts of people and subterfuge to glean information that would help the Order discover hidden enemies.

Further Notes on Nomad, and the Other Forms. 

That is not to say that Nomad is without combative capabilities. Its core philosophy is to find peace by being free of any barriers. As such, a Dancer would train in all lightsaber forms, constructing their own set of techniques that they found useful. Recovered texts regarding outside opinions on this philosophy are split. Notable Strong Form user, Starswirl the Bearded, had this to say: “Of those among us who choose the path of Nomad, I say this. I cannot count a single Nomad technician with equal skill to a master of either the Fast or Strong Forms, nor do I know of a Dancer with the same endurance as one trained in the Defence Form. Nomad is valuable to the Order for its capacity to win without conflict. But where friction and force are absolutely necessary, I would leave the fighting to the fighters.”

However, other masters seemed to hold the combat potential of Dancers in high respect, as shown by First Form instructor, Easyglider: “Sparring between dedicated students of particular forms often meet with predictable outcomes. A Defense Former user will always outlast their Fast Form opponent unless the opponent is more skilled, for then the result will always be the opposite. The Strong Form frequently bests the Fast Form, for it is more complex and developed in both attack and defence. And so on. However, the freeform nature of the Nomad philosophy leaves it nearly impossible to know how a Magi Dancer will find victory. Will they have practised their magical abilities, or overwhelm their opponent with agility and offence? I cannot say, for even an individual Nomad can change his or her style throughout their service as a Knight.”