Highlights
- The Blade of Talzin, used by Morgan Elsbeth in the season finale of Ahsoka, is a relic from the past that was previously seen in The Clone Wars. It is a powerful weapon infused with Nightsister magick that can deflect lightsaber attacks.
- The concept of Force-imbued blades, like the Blade of Talzin, provides an interesting alternative to lightsabers in the Star Wars universe. It not only aligns with the Jedi's belief in the Force as a binding energy but also allows for more diverse weapon designs and storytelling possibilities.
Dave Filoni is a proven master at storytelling, especially in the world of Star Wars. For proof, look no further than Star Wars: Rebels and the recently completed first season of Ahsoka. Not only did he expand on the future of Star Wars, but he also tied so much to the past, connecting several eras of the franchise. One major way he did this was with the Blade of Talzin, which the Great Mothers of Peridea gifted to Morgan Elsbeth atop their spire. Thrawn tapped Elsbeth to fend off the likes of Ahsoka and her group and stay behind in the distant galaxy as to allow him and the Nightsisters to escape.
Elsbeth already proved an expert with weapons back in the second season of The Mandalorian, when she dueled Ahsoka with a staff made from beskar steel. In this epic finale, she shows herself to be a master with all weapons as she uses the Blade of Talzin to hold Ahsoka back, deflecting every strike from the white blades of the Togruta. It's only when Sabine joins the fray that Elsbeth has trouble keeping up. However, the Blade of Talzin proves to be much more than a simple sword.
Star Wars: Witches, Explained
The witches in Star Wars are a less known but powerful species whose history and techniques deserve more exploration onscreen.
Where Has The Blade of Talzin Been Seen Before?
The season finale of Ahsoka showed Morgan Elsbeth wielding a physical blade gifted to her by the Nightsisters. This wasn't the first time such a weapon appeared in Star Wars, as it's a relic of the past. The moment it materialized and the Great Mother uttered the words "The Blade of Talzin," longtime fans recognized it immediately. They first glimpsed this weapon back during season six of The Clone Wars, coincidentally during a fight between a Nightsister and a Jedi as well. Not just any Jedi, either — the blade was used against Jedi Master Mace Windu.
However, the Nightsister Mother Talzin isn't just any Nightsister either. She's the mother of Darth Maul, the fan-favorite Sith warrior, and she's one of the strongest Nightsisters of her time. When Mace Windu ignited his lightsaber against Mother Talzin on the planet Zardossa Stix, she warned him that he was no match for her magick and promptly manifested a seemingly regular blade. It was immediately obvious that the sword wasn't an ordinary weapon, and not just because it appeared out of thin air through a spiraling pillar of green ichor. Windu's lightsaber didn't immediately cut through its metal blade after his first strike, as it would with an ordinary sword.
What is The Blade of Talzin?
Exactly how is the Blade of Talzin capable of withstanding the might of a Jedi's lightsaber? All things are possible through the Force. It's uncertain if the Nightsisters simply conjured the blade as a physical manifestation of their magick, or if it was a physical blade created with a forge and hammer that they could call to them at will. Either way, the Force makes the blade's existence possible. Nightsister magick, otherwise known as Force Magic, is a subset of Force abilities accessed through the Dark Side of the Force.
As seen in The Clone Wars and Ahsoka, the Blade of Talzin deflects lightsaber attacks as if it were a lightsaber itself, because of the magick infused into it. It's doubtful that such a weapon could cut through any material in the same way a lightsaber can, but it's just as portable since the witches summon it out of thin air.
A Case for More Blades Like Talzin in Star Wars
The Blade of Talzin isn't the first physical blade in Star Wars that has similar to lightsabers. According to Legends material, the early Jedi used Force-imbued blades as their weapon of choice long before the invention of the lightsaber. These were solid metal blades that didn't require a kyber crystal, and instead glowed with the power of the Force. Once the blade's wielder sent the Force through their weapon, it became sharp enough to slice through any material — like a lightsaber — but was as dull as a butter knife without the Force. Star Wars gamers might have encountered these weapons in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Dave Filoni should consider phasing out the use of lightsabers for sequel-era movies and return the future Jedi to their roots.
The idea behind these blades is that the weapon doesn't work unless its user pours the Force into it. That idea makes more sense for an order of people who believe the Force is a binding energy. Stories from the High Republic show that Jedi crafts required the Force in order to fly. It's not only a more holistic approach to the teachings of the Jedi, but their equipment also becomes exclusive to Force-users. They wouldn't have to worry as much about just anyone using a lightsaber against them, or a common thief stealing their vehicles.
Furthermore, fans would be happier in the long run. That might need a little explaining. With every new entry into the Star Wars universe, fans are eager to see the new lightsaber designs. With lightsabers, they only get to see a new hilt design, most of which they're unhappy with. Kylo Ren's hilt wouldn't have received the criticism it did if it was the design of a physical sword. The effects team would also have the joy of coming up with different designs, when the blade glows since each one could manifest its glow differently. Ultimately, the Blade of Talzin opens the door for a more diverse array of weapons in Star Wars, and that's always exciting for fans to see.