Since the start of the new Star Wars canon, one of the topics we've learned the most new information about is the Kyber crystal.
These critical components of a Jedi's lightsaber are actually very different from their legends counterparts,
so in this video we'll be looking at the canon and legends information, seeing what's changed,
discussing why those changes have been made and speculating on their role in Rogue One.
First up, the canon.
Kyber crystals were rare, natural formations found on multiple planets throughout the galaxy.
On most planets they were difficult to find or not present at all,
but a select few planets held vast quantities of crystals.
On those planets, such as Ilum, Jedi younglings would make pilgrimages there
to gather the crystal for their first lightsaber.
The crystals were nearly invisible to even the Force sensitive eye.
Only the crystal that was meant to be found by the youngling would be readily apparent.
In that regard it's similar to the wand choosing the wizard in Harry Potter.
Once found, the youngling would meditate over the crystal, forming a bond in the Force,
and carefully installing it into their lightsaber.
This bond would imbue the crystal with a color, usually blue or green,
but in some cases yellow, purple, or even white.
Red crystals could be created by dark Jedi or Sith.
Whether taken naturally or stolen from a Jedi,
a dark user of the force would impose their will into the crystal rather than forming a bond.
This process was known as bleeding the crystal and would create a red blade.
Larger, even more rare crystals were known to exist.
They were used to power ancient super weapons for the Sith
and their use was part of the inspiration for the Empire's Death Star.
Kyber crystals of all sizes were mined from those planets holding vast quantities
and new designs allowed for arrays of smaller crystals to be used in its super weapon.
So, we actually do know quite a bit about lightsaber crystals in the new canon.
I believe we'll be learning even more in Rogue One,
especially in regards to their function within the Death Star superlaser.
I expect we're going to see some of the mining process,
but I'm really hoping to learn more about how they were actually utilized and installed into the superlaser.
I'd love to see some of that engineering.
Now on to legends.
Kyber crystals were only one type of lightsaber crystal.
In legends, a variety of crystals, gems, stones, or other objects could be used in a lightsaber.
They could be naturally or synthetically created,
which might be the biggest change the new canon has made.
In legends, red blades were almost exclusively generated from synthetic crystals.
Luke's green lightsaber also used a manufactured crystal.
In canon, synthetic crystals do not exist.
The type of crystal used would often determine the color of the blade,
giving Jedi a choice of color rather than the Force seemingly picking one for them.
In the Old Republic, the colors would signify a Jedi's roll.
Meanwhile in the canon, the only Jedi to hold a symbolic color
were the Jedi Temple Guard and their yellow double-bladed lightsabers.
There were also many more colors in legends when compared to canon.
In canon we see blue, green, red, purple, yellow, orange, and white
with a few examples of colors kind of in-between.
In legends we've seen just about every shade imaginable,
not only in the outer glow, but in some cases even the cores.
I know some people really enjoyed the complexity of the legends lightsaber crystals
but in my opinion, I think going simpler is better in this case.
I mean, a lot of the lore for lightsaber crystals came from games like Knights of the Old Republic
to provide your character with a class and allow you to install different pickups
into your weapons for different stats,
and a lot of the colors were created for video games just because they looked cool,
not for story purposes or because they made sense in the universe.
I think simplifying lightsaber crystals down to just Kyber crystals
brings more mysticism to the Force and the function of lightsabers,
and the Jedi’s connection with their weapons.
It certainly makes them feel more sacred than the way I treated mine in KotOR,
throwing out the crystal I got at the Jedi Temple in place of a krayt dragon pearl.
Don't get me wrong, something about that is cool,
but I think preserving the bond of the Force between a Jedi and his or her weapon
makes more sense than allowing any old rock to be swapped in and out
just because they feel like having an orange blade with a black core that day.
But, I want to hear what you think.
Do you like the new canon approach to Kyber crystals,
or do you prefer the variety of legends?
Do you have any questions you like me to answer about lightsaber crystals
or lightsabers in general?
Let me know in the comments, and if you haven't already,
please like and share this video, subscribe to the channel,
follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook and consider checking out my Patreon page.
As always, thank you for watching and may the Force be with you.