Qui-Gon Jinn lost his second duel with Darth Maul inStar Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, and his preferredlightsaber combat formwas a major factor in his defeat. Lightsaber combat has seven main forms, with Jedi and Sith learning the basic Form I (Shii-Cho), after which most would have a personalized style favoring one of the other six forms (or a combination of them, in some cases). Qui-Gon Jinn’s favored lightsaber combat form was Ataru (Form IV).
Form IV – Ataru – is a fast-paced and aggressive lightsaber form, whose practitioners often use Force-enhanced acrobatics in combat. This, of course, is demonstrated best by Jedi Grandmaster Yoda, who is perhapsthepractitioner of Ataru, though many of the form’s other users employ its signature acrobatics far less often. In addition to Yoda and Qui-Gon Jinn, some of the most notable masters of Ataru are Mara Jade, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and Cay Qel-Droma. While Ataru could be highly effective, Darth Maul was still able to exploit it in his famous duel against Qui-Gon.
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Darth Maul Took Advantage Of Ataru’s Greatest Weakness
Ataru, like all lightsaber combat forms, is not without its weaknesses. Form IV is at its strongest early in a battle, especially when its practitioner faces a single opponent and has plenty of room to maneuver around them.The Form’s greatest weakness is that its aggressive and energetic nature quickly depletes its user’s stamina, making them weaker as a duel progresses. Moreover, enclosed spaces further rob Ataru of its advantages.
What Happened To Qui-Gon Jinn’s Lightsaber After The Phantom Menace
Everyone knows what happened to Qui-Gon Jinn at the end of The Phantom Menace, but the whereabouts of his lightsaber remain in question.
As revealed in sources like Jude Watson’sStar Wars Journal: Darth Mauland Ryder Windham’sThe Wrath of Darth Maul, Darth Maul recognized Qui-Gon Jinn’s use of Ataru, and the Form’s greatest weakness, in their brief duel on Tatooine inThe Phantom Menace.Darth Maul exploited both weaknesses of Ataru in his second duel with Qui-Gon onNaboo, enduring Jinn’s aggressive attacks and remaining largely defensive, while also allowing Qui-Gon to drive him toward an enclosed space. Even with a momentary pause, Qui-Gon did not recover his energy, and Maul eventually found an opening to kill the Jedi Master.
Darth Maul’s preferred lightsaber combat form was Form VII – Juyo – which struggles against multiple opponents. Darth Maul worked around this weakness by separating Obi-Wan Kenobi from Jinn.
Darth Maul Was Trained To Take Advantage Of All The Jedi Weaknesses
Darth Maul was a Sith Lord in Darth Bane’s lineage. Like all of Bane’sDark Lords of the Sith, Maul was specifically trained to exploit all the weaknesses of Jedi Knights as he, his predecessors, and successors sought to undermine the Jedi and Republic from the shadows. Naturally, Palpatine (Darth Sidious) and his apprentices would familiarize themselves with the strengths and weaknesses of all seven lightsaber combat forms and train to exploit their respective weaknesses. Darth Maul was thus able to quickly adapt to Qui-Gon Jinn’s fighting style and turn it against him inThe Phantom Menace.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
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Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace is set in a galaxy facing political turmoil, as Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi seek peace while encountering Anakin Skywalker, a slave with great potential in the Force. Meanwhile, the Sith begin their resurgence, threatening the stability of the Republic.
