The dark side is taint and by running it through the sabers it arguably gives them a lot of power but is also killing them.

I remember George once saying that the Dark Side is a corruption of the Force and not the other side of a coin. I think he changed his mind that at some point, and parts of the Clone Wars made it seem like the Dark Side was in fact just the other side of the same coin.

But the idea that the Dark Side is killing the crystals sorta reinforces the Dark Side = Wrong thing.

The dark side is taint and by running it through the sabers it arguably gives them a lot of power but is also killing them.

I remember George once saying that the Dark Side is a corruption of the Force and not the other side of a coin. I think he changed his mind that at some point, and parts of the Clone Wars made it seem like the Dark Side was in fact just the other side of the same coin.

But the idea that the Dark Side is killing the crystals sorta reinforces the Dark Side = Wrong thing.

I guess just Kyber crystals react differently to the Dark side.

There could very well be something out there that reacts "negatively" to light side users.

The two sides of the same coin, one can't exist without the other, can still be seen to apply. It's just this particular element of the universe apparently favors one over the other.

Well you see, they had to explain WHY ahsoka's sabers are white. And it couldn't be just "Oh, she found TWO ultra rare crystals".... because ,,, like maybe ONE we could believe, but not two.

Personally, I like the new explanation. Not specifically for the dark side reason, but rather it helps explain how she's in the middle. It goes perfectly with her duality and it's symbolic of her not being a jedi anymore.

I always liked the idea that sabers are attuned to the wielder as part of the creation process.

Yes. However, I liked to see it as more of a personal preference as opposed to an innate crystal selecting somebody.

For example, Samurai would use a range of weapons depending on their style, technique and strengths. This is why I loved seeing Darth Maul utilise a different style of lightsabre that clearly fit his fighting style. I always saw construction of the lightsabre as the owner developing a hilt that suits them and deciding the length of blade, colour, width (how much energy is in the blade), etc. to suit their personal preferences.

I liked to see it as more of a personal preference as opposed to an innate crystal selecting somebody.

Does sound just a little Potter-esque :

Ezra: You talk about kyber crystals, as if they have feelings, can think.

Kanan: The crystal chooses the Jedi, Mr. Bridger. That much has always been clear to those of us who have studied lightsaber-lore.

as opposed to an innate crystal selecting somebody.

I like that it adds some mysticism back into it. This way it is the Force that is guiding the crystal to the Jedi it's intended for. If that's true, the crystal will be the one that best suits the Jedi's fighting style.

I guess part of it comes down to the question of if the Force has will or is simply an energy source some people can use to do things with.

So lightsaber crystals are now midichlorians?

Nah, they are lantern rings

as opposed to an innate crystal selecting somebody.

I like that it adds some mysticism back into it. This way it is the Force that is guiding the crystal to the Jedi it's intended for. If that's true, the crystal will be the one that best suits the Jedi's fighting style.

I guess part of it comes down to the question of if the Force has will or is simply an energy source some people can use to do things with.

That last comment is exactly what makes SW great. George gave us a universe to play in. There are so many elements to it that are left off screen for fans to discuss, debate or explore. There are no doubt differing opinions out there but it's not a black and white universe.

This is why I prefer things to be left unexplained. Your question, and the following discussion around whether the Force has will or is simply an energy source some people can use is infinitely more interesting than simply being given the answer.

So, didn't see anyone mention this but how long does it take for the crystal to change because Anakin's saber was still blue after wiping out the jedi at the temple, and the separatist leaders?

So, didn't see anyone mention this but how long does it take for the crystal to change because Anakin's saber was still blue after wiping out the jedi at the temple, and the separatist leaders?

I figure the crystal will only change if a Darksider uses it in the process of creating a lightsaber - nothing happens to the crystal if an already complete Jedi lightsaber is taken up by a Darksider.

So lightsaber crystals are now midichlorians?

It sounds more like they are anti-midichlorians. Trying to take the technobabble pseudo-science out of the force and make it mystical again.

Your lack of understanding in the ways of the force is disturbing. Midichlorians are just a way for the force to speak to the living. There is really little since in it, just an indicator that someone is over 9000 ;-)

I never got this whole "Oh, Midichlorians are scientific, now the force lost all mysticism" act. The force is still the force, now we just have a connection between all living things and the force.

I still hope they bring synthetik kyber crystals back and there is still the question how Palp manages to acquire all those ******* huge kyber crystals for his deathstar, twice even.

Space-Costco?

So, didn't see anyone mention this but how long does it take for the crystal to change because Anakin's saber was still blue after wiping out the jedi at the temple, and the separatist leaders?

He had to construct a new saber after Kenobi defeated him and took his saber on Mustafar. We don't see it again till Kenobi gives it to Luke on Tatooine in A New Hope.

The dark side is taint and by running it through the sabers it arguably gives them a lot of power but is also killing them.

I remember George once saying that the Dark Side is a corruption of the Force and not the other side of a coin. I think he changed his mind that at some point, and parts of the Clone Wars made it seem like the Dark Side was in fact just the other side of the same coin.

But the idea that the Dark Side is killing the crystals sorta reinforces the Dark Side = Wrong thing.

Guess we felt too much empathy for the designated bad guys. Had to re-emphasise their badness.

AHSOKA NOVEL SPOILERS

From the article:

"In Ahsoka, it is revealed that the Kyber crystals are actually force sensitive. They choose their desired users and present themselves to the Jedi in question. Those who use the Dark Side of the Force, such as the Sith, don't have this unique connection to the crystals.

The only way a Sith can get ahold of a Kyber crystal is by stealing them or taking them away from the defeated Jedi.

The crystal loses its original hue as the Sith, or other Dark Side users of the Force bends the Kyber to their own will. This results in the Kyber crystal 'bleeding', thus turning it red. A crystal that has been tainted by the Dark Side can be healed. But it doesn't return to its normal color, it instead turns white."

Seems fine to me. This was already hinted at in The Clone Wars when the younglings find their crystals, which were initially colorless until they found them, until the crystals called out to them.

So the Force just kind of ignores Dark Side users?

No wonder the Sith hate the Jedi so much; they're like the Force's favorite kid. You can't even get a crystal for your laser-sword if you don't take it from one of those peaceful goody-goodys!

(Which makes me wonder. If the Force likes peaceful "good" Jedi so much, why does it call them towards crystals that are only used for weapons? )

Well you see, they had to explain WHY ahsoka's sabers are white. And it couldn't be just "Oh, she found TWO ultra rare crystals".... because ,,, like maybe ONE we could believe, but not two.

Personally, I like the new explanation. Not specifically for the dark side reason, but rather it helps explain how she's in the middle. It goes perfectly with her duality and it's symbolic of her not being a jedi anymore.

Thing is you don't even need the new explanation. How about Asokha was so fed up with the jedi and the sith that she made sabers in a color that neither side uses? (I'm willing to bet Mace made himself a purple one for similar reasons)

So the Force just kind of ignores Dark Side users?

Yeah that's part of the theory that don't makes sense to me. Isn't the force suposed to be neutral (as in lightside/darkside)

So why would only the lightside get the crystals?

Who came up with this nonsense anyway? It's almost as bad as Midichlorians!

Just because it's in a novel doesn't make it canon. (right?)

Ugh, novels like that are bad for my blood pressure. If it's not in the movies* it's not canon to me. But I have learned to accept other people's oppinions aswell.

* movies as in the OT (f*ck midichlorians!)

Just because it's in a novel doesn't make it canon. (right?)

I have some bad news for you....

Just because it's in a novel doesn't make it canon. (right?)

I have some bad news for you....

Yes I know... Even if that were the case there's a chance it would make into the movies at some point.(Coruscant started in a novel I believe)

At least the yuzaan vong are gone now...

So, didn't see anyone mention this but how long does it take for the crystal to change because Anakin's saber was still blue after wiping out the jedi at the temple, and the separatist leaders?

He had to construct a new saber after Kenobi defeated him and took his saber on Mustafar. We don't see it again till Kenobi gives it to Luke on Tatooine bin A New Hope.

Uh, didn't Vader just kill like EVERY OTHER JEDI at the temple? He could have had any of those Sabres, unless he absolutely needed to construct a new weapon to be better 'intune' with it. Hundreds, if not thousands of lightsabers that just...disappeared? Or I suppose they were canabalized to help build the Death Star in later years...

I just don't get why lightsabers need to have special Force crystals, I was perfectly happy before the 90s EU brought up all that nonsense, back when lightsabers were just mechanical weapons that generated a beam very similar to a static laser bolt, being only a slight variation on he blaster. Hack writers soon put their new age crystal BS into my SW and now it's 'canon' thanks to CW and Rebels.

Oh well.

So, didn't see anyone mention this but how long does it take for the crystal to change because Anakin's saber was still blue after wiping out the jedi at the temple, and the separatist leaders?

He had to construct a new saber after Kenobi defeated him and took his saber on Mustafar. We don't see it again till Kenobi gives it to Luke on Tatooine bin A New Hope.

Uh, didn't Vader just kill like EVERY OTHER JEDI at the temple? He could have had any of those Sabres, unless he absolutely needed to construct a new weapon to be better 'intune' with it. Hundreds, if not thousands of lightsabers that just...disappeared? Or I suppose they were canabalized to help build the Death Star in later years...

I just don't get why lightsabers need to have special Force crystals, I was perfectly happy before the 90s EU brought up all that nonsense, back when lightsabers were just mechanical weapons that generated a beam very similar to a static laser bolt, being only a slight variation on he blaster. Hack writers soon put their new age crystal BS into my SW and now it's 'canon' thanks to CW and Rebels.

Oh well.

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Splinter_of_the_Mind%27s_Eye

back then, the crystal was called "Kaiburr" rather than "Kyber" and there was no connection to lightsabers (the thing healed people). It wasn't till quite a bit later that it was stated that "the best lightsabers use kaiburr crystals" (in the Young Jedi Knights series, which possibly took that idea from West End Games) - and only after TCW did it become "all lightsabers use kyber crystals".

TCW also gave us other aspects to them - their use for data storage, and their use in superweapons.

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Splinter_of_the_Mind's_Eye

back then, the crystal was called "Kaiburr" rather than "Kyber" and there was no connection to lightsabers (the thing healed people). It wasn't till quite a bit later that it was stated that "the best lightsabers use kaiburr crystals" (in the Young Jedi Knights series, which possibly took that idea from West End Games) - and only after TCW did it become "all lightsabers use kyber crystals".

TCW also gave us other aspects to them - their use for data storage, and their use in superweapons.

'In all fairness' mysterious force crystals have been a part of SW since before SW, in some of the earliest drafts of the script. But like what was said before, they had nothing to do with lightsabers. I sure wish it had stayed that way.

Just because it's in a novel doesn't make it canon. (right?)

It does now. It didn't in the days of the EU, but now Disney has declared everything official is canon, including video games and the like.

If it's not in the movies* it's not canon to me.

Canon doesn't work that way, you don't get to decide what is or isn't canon. You can chose to accept or reject the canon, but then you are no longer really able to discuss it with other fans since you don't even agree with what does or doesn't happen.

It would be like trying to discuss history with someone who believes the Goa'uld from Stargate were the real enemy. If you can't even agree on the basic facts then there's no real way to have a meaningful discusion.

And that is what canon means after all, it is what some body with the authority to make the decision, decides what is true and what isn't.

Just because it's in a novel doesn't make it canon. (right?)

It does now. It didn't in the days of the EU, but now Disney has declared everything official is canon, including video games and the like.

If it's not in the movies* it's not canon to me.

Canon doesn't work that way, you don't get to decide what is or isn't canon. You can chose to accept or reject the canon, but then you are no longer really able to discuss it with other fans since you don't even agree with what does or doesn't happen.

It would be like trying to discuss history with someone who believes the Goa'uld from Stargate were the real enemy. If you can't even agree on the basic facts then there's no real way to have a meaningful discusion.

And that is what canon means after all, it is what some body with the authority to make the decision, decides what is true and what isn't.

Oh well, I should be able to get over this in time. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll have to go yell at some kids who are on my lawn...about how Star wars was better in my time.