In the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Kylo Ren, as a central figure of the First Order, became one of the most iconic villains of the new generation due to his complex inner conflicts and unique crossguard lightsaber design. The transformation of Ben Solo (his birth name) from a Jedi apprentice to a dark warrior, coupled with his self-crafted unstable crossguard lightsaber, defines the most striking traits of this character. This article delves into Kylo Ren’s objectives, background, and the design philosophy, combat characteristics, and symbolic significance of his iconic weapon within the Star Wars universe, while analyzing how this weapon reflects his contradictory personality and internal struggles.
Kylo Ren’s Background and Mission
Kylo Ren, born Ben Solo, is the central antagonist of the Star Wars sequel trilogy (Episodes VII–IX) and one of the most lineage-unique characters in the saga—he is the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa (Princess Leia), the grandson of Darth Vader, and the nephew of Luke Skywalker. This illustrious heritage inherently placed him on a path fraught with contradictions and pressures, foreshadowing his role as a focal point in the struggle between the light and dark sides of the Force.
As the leader of the Knights of Ren and Supreme Commander of the First Order, Kylo Ren emerged on the galactic stage approximately three decades after the Battle of Endor (a pivotal event in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi). Notably, while Kylo Ren pledged loyalty to Supreme Leader Snoke of the First Order and idolized the Sith Lord Darth Vader, he was not a traditional Sith[5]{.mark}. This distinction positioned him as a new type of dark side user in the Star Wars universe—one who inherited certain Sith traits while forging his own unique path.
Kylo Ren’s core mission was to fulfill the unfinished legacy of his grandfather, Darth Vader: to eradicate the Jedi Order and the Resistance, establishing a new galactic order. However, unlike Vader, Kylo’s motivations stemmed not solely from a lust for power or unwavering faith in the dark side but from a far more complex psychological need—to prove his worth, escape the shadow of his family’s legacy, and fill the void of inner emptiness. This mindset led to extreme contradictions in his behavior: oscillating between ruthless brutality and hesitant indecision, yearning to emulate Vader’s fearsome reputation while struggling to suppress Ben Solo’s inherent connection to the light.
The Evolution of Kylo Ren’s Mission across the sequel trilogy unfolded in three key phases:
- The Loyalty Phase (The Force Awakens): During this period, Kylo Ren obeyed Snoke’s commands unquestioningly, hunting Resistance members who possessed the map to Luke Skywalker. His actions demonstrated a deliberate, albeit fragile, commitment to the dark side, culminating in his patricide (killing Han Solo) to solidify his resolve.
- The Power Struggle Phase (The Last Jedi): After killing Snoke and forming a complex bond with Rey, Kylo proposed they “let the past die” and reshape the galaxy together. This marked his shift from blind loyalty to an ambition to rule under his own vision.
- The Supreme Leader Phase (The Rise of Skywalker): As the de facto ruler of the First Order, Kylo focused on consolidating power and eliminating all opposition until his final confrontation and redemption with Rey.
Kylo Ren’s character arc revolves around the tension between inheritance and rebellion. He sought to inherit Vader’s dark legacy while rejecting the expectations of his parents and Luke; he aspired to surpass his predecessors yet remained plagued by self-doubt. These internal conflicts not only shaped his personality but were also mirrored in his weapon’s design—a crossguard lightsaber that blends tradition with rebellion.
Design and Construction of the Crossguard Lightsaber
Kylo Ren’s crossguard lightsaber stunned global Star Wars fans upon its debut in The Force Awakens. Breaking from the relatively uniform design language of lightsabers since their 1977 introduction, it featured a retro yet aggressive aesthetic that perfectly embodied its wielder’s conflicted and volatile nature.
The most striking feature is the pair of lateral energy blades flanking the main blade, resembling a medieval European cruciform sword. According to official lore, this unconventional design arose from a cracked Kyber crystal during the Sith “bleeding” process (where the crystal is corrupted to emit a red blade). To stabilize the unstable energy output and prevent the hilt from overloading, Kylo added side vents to redirect excess energy. This explanation ties the weapon’s mechanics to Kylo’s psychological state—like its wielder, the saber is inherently unstable, requiring unique safeguards to avoid self-destruction.
High-end replicas, such as those by AOSABER, reveal meticulous craftsmanship. The hilt uses black anodized aluminum with intricate exposed gears and mechanisms, while the side blades feature a “bluing” treatment (a heat-based metal finishing process) for a natural color gradient. The hilt weighs 846 grams (excluding blades), offering a robust and imposing grip.
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Combat Characteristics and Battle Performance of the Crossguard Lightsaber
The crossguard design grants Kylo Ren’s lightsaber several unique combat advantages. Most notably, its defensive capability—the two lateral energy blades effectively block incoming lightsaber strikes, preventing opponents’ weapons from sliding down the main blade to injure the wielder’s hands. This feature was showcased vividly during Kylo’s snow-covered duel with Finn (FN-2187) and Rey. When Finn attempted to overwhelm Kylo using traditional lightsaber techniques, the crossguard not only deflected the attacks but nearly counter-injured Finn himself, demonstrating the design’s practicality in close-quarters combat.
Another advantage is psychological intimidation. The crossguard lightsaber’s unstable, flame-like blade edges, combined with its distinctive crackling hum, make it visually and audibly more menacing than traditional lightsabers. This design deliberately amplifies the weapon’s aggressive persona, aligning perfectly with Kylo’s efforts to project an aura of terror. In The Force Awakens, this is emphasized during Kylo’s first activation of the saber—a close-up shot highlights the blade’s beast-like roar and erratic energy fluctuations, creating an unnerving effect.
In terms of combat style, Kylo’s use of the crossguard lightsaber blends multiple swordsmanship traditions. He frequently adopts a two-handed grip, delivering powerful, wide-arcing strikes reminiscent of his grandfather Darth Vader’s brutal approach. However, he also transitions to one-handed maneuvers in specific situations, combining them with Force pushes to display tactical versatility surpassing Vader’s. The crossguard design supports this adaptability, ensuring efficiency across different wielding styles.
Combat Limitations
Despite its strengths, the crossguard lightsaber’s design carries significant tactical flaws. The most glaring is the safety hazard posed by the side blades—in close combat, the wielder risks injury from their own side blades. This nearly occurred during Kylo’s intense duel with Snoke’s Praetorian Guards in The Last Jedi, where the side blades almost grazed his arms. By contrast, Darth Nihl’s long-handled lightsaber from Star Wars: Legacy, though cumbersome in confined spaces, posed no direct threat to its user.
Another limitation is energy consumption. Based on lightsaber mechanics, the additional side blades inherently demand greater power. However, this is never explicitly addressed in the films, as Kylo Ren never appears hindered by energy depletion.
From a combat perspective, Kylo’s crossguard lightsaber, despite its unconventional design, successfully establishes a distinct and unforgettable fighting style. It reflects both his technical ingenuity and his psychological duality—much like the weapon itself, Kylo embodies strength and vulnerability, calculation and impulsiveness. This profound connection transforms the lightsaber from a mere weapon into an extension of his persona.
A Declaration of Identity Through Craftsmanship
The fact that Kylo Ren’s crossguard lightsaber is self-built holds deep significance. In the Star Wars universe, lightsaber construction is a pivotal rite for Jedi or Sith trainees, with each wielder customizing their weapon to reflect their needs and style. By defying tradition to create an unprecedented design, Kylo declares his rejection of both Jedi and Sith orthodoxy, forging his own path.
The exposed mechanical components (gears and internal mechanisms emphasized in films and replicas) reinforce this message. Unlike most lightsabers with sleek, enclosed hilts, Kylo’s design deliberately showcases raw internals, mirroring his own “unfinished” state—a being in constant evolution. This incompleteness mirrors his arc across the sequel trilogy, as he grapples with identity, from patricide to usurping Snoke, and ultimately reclaiming his birthright as Ben Solo.
The Complex Relationship with Darth Vader
Kylo Ren’s obsessive worship of Darth Vader is central to his character, and this dynamic is mirrored in his lightsaber’s design. On one hand, the crossguard saber represents a deviation from Vader’s tradition—Vader’s lightsaber prioritized functionality and efficiency, while Kylo’s weapon exudes theatricality and instability. Paradoxically, this divergence underscores Vader’s profound influence: Kylo’s deliberate rejection of his grandfather’s design reveals his inability to escape Vader’s shadow.
Notably, upon reclaiming his identity as Ben Solo, Kylo abandons his crossguard lightsaber in favor of Leia’s weapon. This choice symbolizes his ultimate acceptance of familial love and legacy over personal conflict, marking his redemption[5]{.mark}. In this moment, the crossguard lightsaber—once a symbol of his fractured identity—becomes a relic of his transformative journey.
