The Acolyte’s Dark Side Fighting Style: A Deeper Dive into the Ancient Art of Tràkata
The recent episode of The Acolyte, "Night," has audiences buzzing with the introduction of a mysterious and powerful Force user known as the Stranger. This sinister master of the dark side employs an unconventional fighting style that involves the strategic and deliberate deactivation of his lightsaber, a move that has left many viewers scratching their heads. But for those familiar with the deeper lore of the Star Wars universe, this technique holds a significant weight: it is the ancient and rarely seen lightsaber form known as tràkata.
Tràkata was first mentioned in John Whitman’s audio adaptation of Tom Veitch’s Dark Empire comic series back in 1994. However, it wasn’t until the final edition of Wizards of the Coast’s Star Wars Roleplaying Game in 2007 that the term was formally introduced. This unique fighting style, absent from the established canon of the Skywalker Saga, has long resided in the realm of the Expanded Universe, adding another layer of intrigue to its recent appearance in The Acolyte.
While not a fully developed lightsaber form like the traditional seven styles, tràkata is a philosophy of combat, rooted in utilizing the lightsaber’s unique characteristics beyond its conventional role as a weapon. It revolves around the ability to extinguish and re-ignite the lightsaber’s blade mid-combat, creating a dynamic and unpredictable style of fighting.
A practitioner of tràkata might deliberately extinguish their blade to:
- Deceive their opponent: Suddenly switching off their weapon, making their opponent overcommit to an attack or become unbalanced by the sudden change in force.
- Open up their defenses: By creating a momentary lapse in the flow of combat, the tràkata practitioner can exploit their opponent’s vulnerabilities.
They might also re-ignite their blade for:
- Immediate, precision strikes: A sudden ignition of the lightsaber allows for devastating and precise attacks, such as targeting the opponent’s head or chest.
While the concept of tràkata was seen as a devious tactic by both the Jedi and Sith, the two sides held contrasting views on its ethics:
- The Jedi: Saw the deceptive nature of tràkata as a betrayal of the honorable principles of combat, making it an ignoble technique.
- The Sith: Considered the style cowardly, as it de-emphasized the raw power and anger that fueled their fighting ethos.
Although The Acolyte marks the first time that tràkata has been officially named in current Star Wars continuity, elements of this fighting style have actually been hinted at in previous material.
- Star Wars Visions: "The Elder" episode showcases a duel between a Jedi Master and a Sith where the Jedi briefly extinguishes his blade, bringing the hilt to the Sith’s chest before a deadly ignition.
- The Last Jedi: Kylo Ren, while restrained by a Praetorian guard, catches a lightsaber thrown by Rey and swiftly ignites and extinguishes the blade while the hilt is pointed at the guard’s head.
- Ahsoka: The fourth episode sees the Inquisitor Marrok briefly disengage one of the blades of his double-bladed lightsaber during a clash with Ahsoka, forcing her to lose balance.
The Stranger’s version of tràkata, however, differs from these previous examples. He utilizes the constant on-and-off engagement of his lightsaber for longer periods, creating a more drawn-out, unpredictable, and seemingly more efficient approach compared to the quick flicks seen in past instances.
This strategic use of lightsaber deactivation is a testament to the Stranger’s mastery of the Force and his commitment to exploiting every possible advantage in combat. It’s a reminder that even in a galaxy far, far away, the fundamental principles of strategy and deception remain timeless.
The inclusion of tràkata in The Acolyte not only adds a new dimension to the show’s already intricate tapestry of Force users and lightsaber combat, but it also highlights a significant aspect of the Star Wars universe that has been waiting to be explored in greater detail. It serves as a tangible link to the vast and rich lore of the Expanded Universe, reminding us that there is always more to discover in the Star Wars galaxy.
While tràkata might not be a traditional lightsaber form, its unconventional nature and strategic application make it an intriguing and potentially powerful fighting style. As The Acolyte continues to explore the dark side of the Force and delve deeper into the events that led to the rise of the Sith, it will be interesting to see how the show continues to weave in elements from the vast and ever-evolving tapestry of the Star Wars universe.
