"Ataru is the name given to the movements of this form—though it is aggressive, it is focused, and its best use is in combat against a single opponent." ~Jedi Master Zez-Kai Ell
The wars between the Jedi and Sith stretch over tens of thousands of years. In that time, many forms of lightsaber combat were created, with focus on offense being practiced by both sides; for even the Jedi realized that one must be prepared to end a life, and to do so swiftly. Ataru offered a means of doing so with great speed and agility. Though a common form for the Sith like Darth Maul and Set Harth, it found use among Jedi like Master Qui-Gon Jin, and even venerated Grandmaster Yoda.
Of all the lightsaber forms, Ataru is usually the easiest to identify as it is characterized by its spins, rolls and acrobatics as a means of both defense and offense. The speed at which it was performed allowed practitioners to engage enemies with a torrent of glancing blows, striking at multiple angles to open up defenses, making it ideal to engage single opponents in open spaces- even Makashi duelists would find their skills tested by the ferocity of Form IV. Species that were capable of great agility and strength could perform these moves naturally, but even those not as biologically formed for such combat could use the Force to increase their speed and balance to such a degree.
Ataru is not without its weaknesses, however; it is more physically demanding than the rest of the lightsaber forms as it utilizes continuous movement to keep up offense and defense. With such emphasis on kinetics, a practitioner of the form could quickly find themselves exhausted, leaving them open to counterattack without the means to defend themselves. Ataru also requires open space to perform effectively, losing the ability to strike from multiple angles in closed quarters. Despite this, a Jedi or Sith who knows the terrain and utilizes it wisely can be a lethal opponent.
The Trianii are well-known for their aggressiveness in combat, their natural agility and their propensity for dancing and acrobatics in most facets of their culture. As a cub, Syrra was already flipping, rolling and climbing on anything she was able to- as an adult, that agility never waned, and in fact was only sharpened with over a decade of training as a Trianii Ranger. When Kajex introduced her to the for, she quickly took to it and became proficient within weeks of study; and while she continues to improve her ability on Soresu for self-defense, Ataru is her go-to form when she needs to engage fast and hard.
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\n\t\t\t\t\tvalery91thunder- be sure to watch and favorite on her page. ^_^Kajex is (c) me
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