The Jedi and the Sith are the two major groups that almost exclusively use lightsabers. However, they’re not the only beings in the galaxy allowed to wield and use them.
There have been numerous times non-Force-sensitive beings used these weapons, even against Jedi.
The Sith wield lightsabers and not all of them have done so as former Jedi, such as Darth Sidious.
Non-Force-sensitive individuals can use them, but they shouldn’t since lightsabers do not evoke the same benefits, acting instead as a regular sword.
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Can Only Jedi Have Lightsabers?
Throughout the Star Wars franchise, we’ve grown accustomed to seeing our heroes wield their powerful swords in their attempt to subdue the dark side.
From Yoda and his epic duel with Darth Sidious in Revenge of the Sith to Obi-Wan Kenobi’s and Qui-Gon Jinn’s two-on-one duel with Darth Maul, it appears only Jedi use lightsabers.
However, the truth is, anyone can use a lightsaber.
We mainly see Jedi wielding and fighting with lightsabers because not only do they work best for the Force-sensitive beings, Jedi also make them use kyber crystals during their training.
Yet, lightsabers are not a traditional sword, since they’re instead a power current that Force-sensitive individuals use when in combat. Therefore, non-Force-sensitive individuals have a much harder time wielding them and when they do, lightsabers act like traditional swords.
Han Solo wielded a lightsaber, although he did not use it for combat. General Grievous used lightsabers in both The Clone Wars and in Revenge of the Sith. The latter of which occurred during an epic duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi, in which he used multiple lightsabers with great skill.
Yet despite his skill, Grievous was still not Force-sensitive, and he used them for nothing more than offensives.
The Sith can use lightsabers with the same skill-set as the Jedi, even if they gain their powers from the dark side of the Force. It’s important to remember the Sith are also Force-sensitive, and studying at the Jedi Temple is not a prerequisite to joining the Sith.
Like the Jedi, the Sith construct their lightsabers via kyber crystals. The only true difference is their red blade, as they used the Force to pour rage, fear, and hate, the polar opposite of what a Jedi pours, into the Crystals.
Why Are Lightsabers Ineffective With Non-Jedi/Sith?
Lightsabers do not work as a power current via the Force for non-Force-sensitive individuals.
For example, Jedi can use lightsabers to block blaster bolts and lasers, given their precognitive abilities to predict when a blast is coming and where it’s coming from.
Non-Force-sensitives will not magically block incoming projectiles the same way a Jedi/Sith can.
A blaster or laser would penetrate its defenses, but without precognitive ability, to begin with, odds are a non-Force-sensitive wouldn’t even get the lightsaber up in time to even attempt to block the projectile.
Long-range weapons work better for non-Force-sensitive beings, so such weapons become their weapon of choice, while there’s little point for them to fight with lightsabers.
Without the Force, they cannot train to become proficient in lightsaber combat like a Jedi/Sith. But, they can at least become lethal with a blaster.
Also, if a non-Force-sensitive being squares off against a Jedi with a lightsaber, they will never win the duel. Not that a few non-Force-sensitives haven’t tried this:
- Pre Vizsla had no luck at all when he tried dueling Obi-Wan Kenobi with the Darksaber.
- While General Grievous wielded multiple lightsabers with ease with six lightsabers, he still could not defeat Obi-Wan Kenobi.
As for Jedi, the opposite exists. They, too, can use other weapons like blasters, which Obi-Wan Kenobi used to kill General Grievous.
When it comes to long-range weapons versus lightsabers, the latter will always work better for the Force-sensitive Jedi, and they’re shortchanging themselves if they choose to become proficient in a long-range weapon instead of improving their skills with the lightsaber.
Who Can Fight With a Lightsaber?
Anyone can fight with a lightsaber. But unfortunately, it’s nothing more than a traditional sword to non-Force-sensitives.
Suppose, outside the examples listed in the section above, a non-Force-sensitive dueled a Jedi with a lightsaber. The following would occur:
Even if the non-Force-sensitive wielded the lightsaber with expertise, they would struggle the second a Jedi used a maneuver like a Force push against them. This occurred in the case of Boba Fett, who tried to use a lightsaber against Darth Vader.
The second a non-Force-sensitive realizes they can’t use the Force even with a Force-wielding relic that a lightsaber is, they already lost the duel as the Jedi would overpower them with little effort.
It’s one of those situations where someone not sensitive to the Force can use a lightsaber, but they shouldn’t.
Conclusion
While George Lucas based lightsabers on traditional medieval swords, Force-sensitives can use them for both offensive and defensive purposes, like blocking blasters.
Both Force-sensitives and non-Force-sensitives can have lightsabers. And both can develop sound skill sets with them. General Grievous is one non-Force-sensitive who managed this, although he and other non-Force-sensitives could not wield the Force with them.
Overall, lightsabers only work properly for Force-sensitive beings, allowing them to block blasters, for example. The Force-rich kyber crystal allows for this greater connection, leaving non-Force-sensitives better served by range weapons, like blasters.
Sion Fawkes has been covering Star Wars since January 2022, expanding his expertise in both Star Wars Canon and Legends. When not writing, you can find Sion in the gym or running trails. He also likes watching sports and listening to audiobooks.