Star Wars – Ahsoka: Rotating double lightsabers – what’s the point?

• In the new “Ahsoka” series, Marrok uses a lightsaber with a rotating double blade.
• This type of lightsaber first appeared in “Star Wars Rebels” and is wielded by Sith Inquisitors who hunt down the surviving Jedi after Order 66 on behalf of the Empire.
• Although the rotating lightsabers look incredibly cool, they hardly provide any advantage in actual duels.

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Rotating lightsabers are nothing new in the Star Wars universe. In “Obi-Wan Kenobi” and “Star Wars Rebels,” the Empire’s inquisitors used these double lightsabers to instill fear in their opponents. In “Ahsoka”, the rotating double blade returns, wielded by Marrok.

In the new Disney+ series, Marrok works for Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto) and fights against Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson). However, Marrok doesn’t have a chance despite the rotating blade – does this blade actually give you an advantage? We explain why the Inquisitors’ lightsabers rotate!

Star Wars: Why do the Inquisitors use rotating dual blades?

The reason is actually quite simple: the rotating double blade is scary and commands respect. For the Inquisitors, it’s primarily about the presentation of the sword, which in most cases ensures enough respect for them to achieve what they want.

Because their skills with the lightsaber are nowhere near as good as those of the Sith Lords, Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, or those of the Jedi. The Inquisitors were trained by Vader and Palpatine to capture the surviving Jedi after Order 66, since Vader cannot be everywhere at once to hunt everyone down single-handedly.

So Inquisitors have been instructed in the use of the Force and the lightsaber, but have not received the extensive training that other Force users and lightsaber fighters have. The lightsabers are not designed for practical use at all.

In addition, the rotating double blade adds novelty, something no Jedi has ever experienced before. Especially in “Star Wars Rebels” we see how Kanan Jarrus is overwhelmed by the new blade and the associated fighting style during his first meeting with the Grand Inquisitor.

Certainly many Jedi are not so lucky to survive their first meeting with an Inquisitor and thus prepare for future meetings. Often this irritation is enough to upset a Jedi, making it easy for the Inquisitors.

In the next few weeks, every Wednesday in the Disney+ news program, we will be able to enjoy even more new “Ahsoka” episodes. However, Marrok is not expected to return. You can find out what happens after “Ahsoka” in our overview of the new “Star Wars” releases!