In the long, spread-out history of Star Wars, fans have been introduced to numerous interesting weapons, of which the lightsaber is the most iconic. There are a lot of features that make the lightsaber such an interesting weapon. Apart from being a plasma-filled energy blade that can slice through almost every known material, it is the chosen weapon of the Jedi that holds a lot of history and philosophy (the living kyber crystal within a lightsaber can help a Jedi to centre themselves, extend their Force awareness, and rise above the chaos of combat).
However, as interesting and powerful as Star Wars lightsabers are, can they work underwater? Keep reading to find out.
Star Wars: Were Lightsabers Used Under Water?
In the Star Wars lore, a lightsaber would typically short-circuit and end up requiring repairs when submerged underwater. However, there are several instances where characters (including fan favourites like Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano and Luke Skywalker) are seen wielding their lightsabers in locations like space or underwater. This is only made possible with the use of certain materials and modifications (Bifurcating cyclical-ignition pulse) to the lightsaber.
Invented by Kit Fisto (according to the Legends Canon), the Bifurcating cyclical-ignition pulse or waterproofing casing was a modification that enabled a lightsaber to be activated underwater. The pulse essentially creates a waterproof casing around the saber with the help of two crystals. The waterproof casing prevents a lightsaber from short-circuiting and dissipating when activated underwater.
Kit Fisto and his Lightsaber
Kit Fisto (a renowned male Nautolan Jedi Master) was one of the characters that notably wielded his lightsaber underwater (particularly during the first and second battles of Mon Cala and during Star Wars: Clone Wars). His lightsaber featured a bifurcating cyclical-ignition pulse, an augmentation that makes a lot of sense since his homeworld of Glee Anselm is primarily a water-based planet.
Kit Fisto would later go on to record an explanation of how this bifurcating cyclical-ignition pulse works (including instructions on how to modify a lightsaber to add the feature) in the Great Holocron. This modification will become widely used by Jedi Knights who fought battles on the water worlds of Dac and Kamino during the Clone Wars.
Other characters who notably had lightsabers that worked underwater include Ahsoka Tano, Luke Skywalker and even Sith Lord Vader, who used his red lightsaber to see underwater on Naboo. Luke Skywalker’s Jedi Praxeum students also created their lightsabers with the waterproof casing as part of their regular design as opposed to adding the feature as an optional choice.
Waterproof Lightsaber in Real Life
Thanks to Star Wars replica lightsabers, fans of the franchise can get to experience the thrill of wielding a real-life lightsaber. These replicas which can be found online in stores like Padawan Outpost come equipped with different high-end features such as strong metal hilts, durable polycarbonate blades, blade lights, sound effects and waterproof capabilities. If you’re looking to channel the Force and hone in lightsaber duelling skills even while underwater, getting yourself a replica of Kit Fisto’s waterproof lightsaber is one sure way to do so.
Conclusion
Lightsabers are arguably the most interesting and iconic sci-fi weapons of all time, and with the right materials and modifications, they can be used underwater. For Star Wars fans who are interested in wielding replica lightsabers underwater, several high-end replicas with waterproof features are also available.