Jedi Knight : Jedi Academy ---> Saber Dueling Strategy Guide v 1.00
Created by Brute i3rut3@yahoo.com
Copyright 2003 Ergun Gurer
Table of contents
1. Intoduction
1.1.About The Author
1.2.About This Guide
1.3.Version History
1.4.Legal Info
2. Lightsaber
2.1.What is a Lightsaber?
2.2.Lightsaber in JK Academy
2.3.Lightsaber Moves
2.3.1.LightSaber Basics
2.3.1.1.Swinging
2.3.1.2.Dealing Damage
2.3.1.3.Guading&Guard Crushing
2.3.1.4.Chaining
2.3.2.Saber Types and Special Moves
2.3.2.1.Moves Associated With All Saber Types
2.3.2.2.Standard Saber
2.3.2.3.LightStaff
2.3.2.4.Dual Sabers
3. Acrobatics
4. Mastering The Saber
4.1.Saber-To-Saber Strategies
4.2.Quick Look On Balance
4.3.Mental Effects
5. Ending Credits
1.1 About The Author
My name is Ergun and I am from Turkey. I've been playing JK2 for 2 years. I
spent most of this time no force/no weapons dueling. After hundreds of hours
spent in duel servers, I had the idea of writing a FAQ and sharing my
experience with the starters.
1.2 About The Guide
This guide is a starters guide. It'll teach u rules of engagement, basic and
advanced acrobatics, saber moves, dueling strategies and many more... Just
keep reading :)
1.3 Version History
v 1.00 First Complete Version
1.4 Legal Info
This strategy guide is copyright 2003 by Ergun Gurer.Any part of this strategy
guide may not be copied or distrubuted via electronic or non-electronic media.
To distribute, you must,
-Mail and ask for MY permission
-Distribute my newest work in original form
All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their
respective trademark and copyright holders.
2.1 What is a lightsaber?
Lightsaber is a beam of energy, slicing through any substance till it's
stopped by another lightsaber. It can also reflect energy based projectiles...
It is the classic Jedi -and Sith variable- weapon in Star Wars series...
2.2 Lightsaber in JK Academy
Lightsaber is surely a great weapon in all JK series. Your character can auto
guard blaster shots and even send them back to your enemies. It's also very
good in offense. Even the blue stance swings are devastating against non-saber
enemies... Lightsaber with 2 blades in each end is called a "Lightstaff". Also
any saber user who uses 2 sabers at once is called "Dual Saber" User.
2.3.1 LightSaber Basics
2.3.1.1 Swinging
I know that JK Saber has many special moves and katas... But basically; if u
don't know how to swing your saber, you won't have much chance... If you watch
duels, you'll see the pro's seldom use special attacks. But %90 of newbie
attacks are special moves :)
Why? Simply, specials deal high damage. They are easy to perform. However most
of them are hard to connect. And many of them have high cooldowns, which
ensures that you'll be punished for doing it -and missing-
A swing -or slash- is a lightsaber movement, which u make only by attack
button plus your movement keys.
If you attack while walking forward, you'll make a vertical downward slash...
If you attack while strafing right, you'll make a horizontal -left to right-
swing
If you attack while moving forward+right, you'll make a diagonal -up left to
down right- slash
If you attack while moving back+right, you'll make a diagonal -down left to up
right-slash
2.3.1.2 Dealing Damage
When do we deal or receive damage? Each time a saber passes through a player's
body, it deals damage, depending on swing type and hit location.
2.3.1.3 Guading&Guard Crushing
When u are not attacking, you have absolutely 100% chance of guarding normal
hits and blaster shots -assuming that you have lvl 3 lightsaber defence-
There are some other moves however... They can immediately knock your saber
down and pass through your defenses... Only defense against these moves is
NEVER STAND on their path... In this guide, I'll warn u if any of the moves
that I mention has a guard crush ability...
2.3.1.4 Chaining
A chain is like doing a combo with your saber. Some stances have chaining
limits -heavy-, others have none -light-
If your stance has no limit, you can chain endlessly. This means you can
attack continuously by holding down attack button. If your stance has a 3 swing
chain limit, you can swing your saber 3 times, then wait for the cooldown.
2.3.2 LightSaber Types and Moves
2.3.2.1 Moves Associated With All Saber Types
*BACKSTAB
attack + back -while enemy is behind you
You can't perform it until the enemy is behind you. Unfortunately, if the enemy
is behind you in this game, this means you are already dead. This move is
totally useless for me, but I have seen 1 hit kills with dual saber backstab.
Beware... It guard crushes.
*ATTACK FALLEN ENEMY
forward + attack -only performed if you have a fallen enemy in front of you
I used that move a million times in SP. Your enemy seldomly falls down in no
force duels, so you won't be using this move often. It guard crushes.
*ROLLING STAB
roll, press/hold attack while rolling
Excellent move for offense. Excellent move to punish specials and katas.
Targeting is a bit tricky, though...It guard crushes.
2.3.2.2 Standard Saber
*Overall
A very good weapon in offense. But in JA, I can't say it is a good weapon in
defense... This weapon has 3 stances and many specials&katas, making it a good
offensive selection.
*Slashes
Quick blue slashes and medium range&damage yellow slashes... This weapon is
really unstoppable in the hands of a heavy master! Heavy swings are the most
damaging and long range swings in the game. They also crush guard. The drawback
is, they are very slow...
*Special Moves
***Blue (light) Stance
Fastest and endlessly chainable attacks come to mind. They can't crush guard,
but catches the enemy when they are off-guard.
*LUNGE (saber uppercut)
crouch + foward + attack
Excellent move for offense and for punishing mistakes... You can make it while
running... Try binding your crouch to mouse2 and press both mouse buttons while
running forward. This move crushes guard, and it is very fast. It is really
unstoppable in the hands of a master. It is very hard to target, but if u can
use it accurately, u are free to abuse it :)
*KATA
attack + alt attack
Do it if u predict an attack from an enemy. Good counter against other
non-cancellable special moves. Poor offensive capabilities since your character
doesn't move during this move. It guard crushes.
*CARTWHEEL
Requires Force Jump Level 1
attack + jump + left or right direction
Kickass looking evasive maneuver... But i suggest simply jumping, if u want to
counter attack your enemy
***Yellow (medium) Stance
Medium range and damage... Good for most combat situations. This stance has a
4-5 swings chain limit.
*FLIP
Requires Force Jump Level 2
jump + forward + attack
Kickass looking move. Again, nearly impossible to target. Easily avoided and
severely punished, since it has a cooldown like hell..It guard crushes.
*KATA
attack + alt attack
Like the blue stance kata, except your character moves forward a little, and
the kata finishes with a towards horizontal swing...It guard crushes.
*CARTWHEEL
Requires Force Jump Level 1
attack + jump + left or right direction
Kickass looking evasive maneuver... But i suggest simply jumping, if u want to
counter attack your enemy
***Red (heavy) Stance
Whether u duel in JK2 or in Academy, your toughest enemies will be the heavy
masters. Heavy swings are the longest range and highest damage swings in this
game. Also they always crush guard. Weak points : They are slow and they have
a 3 swing chain limit. But a heavy master will negate this weakness by
evasive/aggresive jumping, good timing and a good sense of distance...
-: ) Yes, I was a heavy master once...-
*HEAVY JUMP (the dfa)
Requires Force Jump Level 2
jump + forward + attack
Aaah the one hit kill legend of the JK2 : ) This move has changed a lot since
the old JK2. Now, you don't have to be in the middle of a heavy swing to
perform it. Has less cooldown time than the old one. But it doesn't deal +180
dmg anymore. Average dmg for this move is 30-80 hp's now, and since it is very
hard to hit your enemy with this move, I wouldn't suggest it anyway...
It guard crushes.
*KATA
attack + alt attack
Like the other stance katas, but your character moves forward more, and has a
good vertical slash at the end...It guard crushes.
*CARTWHEEL
Requires Force Jump Level 1
attack + jump + left or right direction
Kickass looking evasive maneuver... But I suggest simply jumping, if u want to
counter attack your enemy.
2.3.2.3 LightStaff
*Overall
This is my personal choice. It has excellent defence even when u are
attacking... Good offensive capabilities. Kickass looking spin slashes and
katas... It's only drawback is you can't throw it while dual sided...
When you change stance in this weapon, you'll get the standard medium stance.
But you can't perform a flip or kata of the standard medium.
*Slashes
Continuously doing left-right slashes with this weapon is truely devastating.
It's really the *left-right slasher*s tool. They don't have the long range of
the heavy swings, yet they are truely devastating,especially if you can connect
both ends of your saber...
It's spin slashes are the most useful of all the 3 saber types... Since your
saber has two blades, your guard is seldomly down during the spin slashes
-this is a big problem of the standard heavy spin slashes, which leaves you
totally open to all attacks-
*Special Moves
*BACKFLIP ATTACK
attack + jump + backward
A kickass looking, but useless move... it's also very hard to perform... It
guard crushes.
*LIGHTSTAFF TWIRL
crouch + forward + attack
Good defensive move against most of other special moves. If your enemy becomes
predictable in his attacks, welcome him with this move...It guard crushes.
*KATA
attack + alt attack -Press a direction to roll at the end of the move
Good kata. Deals heavy damage. Really useful in the chaos of a FFA. Consider
using rolling stab at the end of it...You can hit the ones waiting to punish
you...It guard crushes.
*KICK
alt attack + direction
Kickass move... Again useless : ( It lowers your defense terribly. I would
never use it but throwing someone off a cliff is very funny : D
*JUMP KICK
jump + alt attack + direction
Cooldown will leave you vulnerable. It is very hard to connect
*SPLIT KICK
alt attack -when there is enemy on your left and right
*SPIN KICK
alt attack -when surrounded by enemies
*FLIP KICK
alt attack -when there is enemy in front and behind of you
Various kicks... Useful but you can use them in rare situations
*BUTTERFLY
Requires Force Jump Level 1
jump + direction + attack
Excellent move... Multikiller move in FFA's... Damages like hell, and has so
little cooldown that leaves you vulnerable. This move is very hard to punish...
I've seen players doing this move again and again... Beware, masters can
severely punish u for abusing this move : ) It guard crushes.
2.3.2.4 Dual Sabers
*Overall
A good selection. Hitting with 2 sabers simultaneously sounds good to me. Dual
sabers really shine in saber throwable servers. Throwing one of your sabers,
and guarding with the other one is awesome. If u want to be a good dual
saberist, you must master the arts of one hit killing. Dual Saber backstab and
kata deals +80 damage, makes that weapon a powerhouse...
Hit your change stance key to get the standard saber blue stance...
*Slashes
Standard medium stance with 2 differences.
-You hit with 2 sabers. 2x damage
-Your attacks don't have a chain limit.
*Special Moves
*FLIP FORWARD ATTACK
Requires Force Jump Level 2
jump + forward + attack
A move like the lightstaff butterfly. Differences are, less damaging, less
control over your character, doesn't have the left/right versions. This move
has no cooldown, and you won't get punshed unless u perform it into a kata...
It guard crushes.
*DUAL SABER TWIRL
crouch + forward + attack
Good defensive move against most of other special moves. It doesn't have the
"twirl overhead" frame of the staff version. If your enemy becomes predictable
in his attacks, welcome him with this move...It guard crushes.
*KATA (saber barrier)
attack + alt attack
The first frames of this move is extremely damaging, something like 80+. But I
suggest u to use it as a duel finishing or FFA chaos move, since it has a huge
cooldown.It guard crushes.
*CARTWHEEL
Requires Force Jump Level 1
attack + jump + left or right direction
Like the standard saber cartwheel's, but dual saber makes it look more cool : )
3.Acrobatics
Most of the acrobatics really shine in FFA games... The only ones you will need
in duels are jumping and rolling...
Moves List
*Force Jump
Requires Force Jump Level 1
jump + a direction
This move will save your life a million times... Whether you dodge a heavy
swing, a merr-son rocket or a Lightstaff Butterfly, this move is a very handy
move...
*Superman Style Jump
Requires Force Jump Level 2
jump + a direction, hold jump and release direction key immediately
Charismatic looking jump... Nothing more...
*Roll
crouch while running any direction -you cannot roll while walking-
This move gained offensive importance, when gamemakers add the move "rolling
stab". Also it is a good evasive maneuver. You can cross narrow gaps w/o
falling with this move...
*Kickflip of a Wall
Requires Force Jump Level 2
Run towards a wall. When close, double tap jump key then leave forward key
When you are chased by a lightsaber user and perform this move correctly, you
will get behind him.
*Wallrun Vertically
Requires Force Jump Level 3
Run towards a wall. When close, double tap jump key but DON'T leave forward
key. You can release forward key to kickflip during the run.
In some areas, you can reach high levels by using this move. Good move as it
drains less force than simply jumping up there.
*Sideflip of a Wall
Requires Force Jump Level 2
When next to a wall, tap jump key while strafing to the wall
Use this like the kickflip
*Wallrun Horizontally -parabolically-
Requires Force Jump Level 3
When next to a wall, press jump key while running forward and strafing to the
wall -keys: forward+wall direction+jump- You can tap jump to sideflip during
the run Usage is the same as the vertical run. Less force usage than simply
jumping. Also it is a good evasive move in SinglePlayer, using walls while
running towards some blaster mercenaries is safer.
*Wall Grab
Requires Force Jump Level 3
While in air and next to a wall, tap/hold jump + direction of wall
Can make u reach the areas higher than your normal jump height. Can save your
life when you are dropping down a bottomless pit...
*Getting Up From Knockdowns
When you fall, you can get up by...
Pressing jump... Your character will jump up
Pressing forward/backward... Your character will jump kick forward
Pressing left/right... Your character roll left/right and get up
4. Mastering the Saber
Up to this point, I talked about how to handle your saber... This section will
give you strategies and tips to win your duels...
4.1 Saber to Saber Strategies
You'll have 3 main type of opponent in duels; Standard Users, Staff Users and
Dual Users. These opponent's have sub types, like Standard Heavy User, Staff
Butterfly Abuser, Dual Backstabber. Let's don't waste time with those and give
you information about your all possible matchups...
Standard vs Standard
Ahh! The good old JK2... Yes, the standard vs standard battles still exist in
Academy, and they are very challenging... With 3 usable stances and many
specials, this battles have too many "options"
Your opponent uses Heavy
Then you can use light or medium... Light stance is very fast... In the time
between your opponent opens his guard and swings his saber, you can get 1-2
clear hits and jump away... Medium has longer range and deadlier than the
light, so it can be used to counter heavy stance too. Or, you can get in a
heavy vs heavy battle... One of the most challenging duels... With good timing,
evasive and offensive jumping, you can win this battle.
Your opponent uses Medium
In fact, medium was pretty much underestimated in JK2. It is a very efficient
stance, and can beat both light and heavy stance. Because it has a range
advantage over light and a speed advantage over heavy stance...
You can play heavy against medium, but don't attack a lot like in a heavy vs
heavy battle. Your every attack will leave you open to attacks, and this is
exactly what your medium user opponent needs to beat you...
You can also play light against medium. Your swings are useless against medium,
but your special move "lunge" can be devastating against all kinds of
opponents, if used properly...
Your opponent uses Light
If he uses light swings, you can crush him either with heavy or medium
stance... Medium is easier, since you won't need offensive or defensive
jumping, and just swinging left-right is enough to beat the light swings...
But, if he uses light lunge, well.. I wish you luck... Lunge is still
devastating in Academy. If your enemy is a good lunge abuser, you'll have a
hard time beating him... What is his weakness? Ranging his lunge? Then use
heavy left-to-right swing to counter him... Targeting his lunge? Then use
medium or light swings, and swing his back when he misses... Also you can use
lunge too. This is the other one of the most challenging duels in old JK2.
Lunge vs lunge... Tip: Use lots of evasive jumping, but NO offensive jumping...
Standard vs Staff
First, know that if you get involved in a fight in close range, your staff user
opponent can crush you to pieces in a second... Staff has a great damage/second
potential, and has a higher defense during swings. Second, always be ready to
dodge and counterattack/punish your opponents butterfly... A heavy vertical
swing, or the light lunge are good options to punish butterfly. Standard vs
Staff is a easy battle if you can dodge and punish butterflies, since staff can
not match the range of standard heavy swings... But, if your opponent changes
stance and uses the staff one-sided, you can have a bad feeling about this...
Due to my experience in JK2, I can tell you: a medium master is equal to a
heavy master, both can win the fight... But when you give the advantage
"butterfly" to the medium user, well, the medium user will beat the heavy
user... When your opponent goes one sided medium, than you must switch to light
lunge... Be careful! One mis-lunge against the staff, your opponent goes two
side and does a couple of left-right swings, you are dead...
Standard vs Dual Saber
His attacks are like the standard medium... But, they can't counter heavy,
since dual saber swings will slow down your opponent, so he cannot
counterattack your heavy swings... Remember, dual saber users has the
opportunity to lunge. If he shuts down one of his sabers, treat him like a
standard light user... Lastly, beware of dual backstab and the kata
"saber barrier", since they can one hit kill you... Tip: Like the rule in
"Dueling vs Staff Users". Don't let him get close...
Staff vs Standard
Nearly the hardest match for the staff user... Since most of your opponents are
from JK2, there are a lot of heavy masters around... Heavy beats the staff.
You must know how to use your staff one sided, and how to use one-sided staff
against heavy. If you know, than easy match for you if he doesn't do lunge...
If he changes to light, wait for his mis-lunge, and punish him to hell with
your left-right slashes. Butterflying in close ranges is also a good option
vs light...
Staff vs Staff
The most amusing match of the JK Academy... A lot of left-right swinging and
flying butterflies around... First, you must know how to punish butterfly.
There are 3 major ways to counter the butterfly, each with own advantages and
disadvantages...
-Lightstaff Twirl can severely damage or kill your butterfly opponent, but
don't do it in close range. If your enemy can get behind u during his
butterfly, he can even instant kill you with the last frame of butterfly...
Risky...
-Rolling Stab is tricky to target, but punishes butterfly with minimal risk...
-Butterfly vs butterfly... Go to the right of your opponent, and move around
him in clockwise direction... His butterfly will end sooner than yours, and
you can hit him with your last frame...
Second... If you can manage distance, one sided staff has a small range
advantage over the staff, so use it if you are involved in a swing battle...
Staff vs Dual Saber
Due to my experiences, your swings are stronger than dual ones; and you have
higher defence than dual while swinging... So, you can beat him in close range
battles... Never butterfly him from a distance, he has a lot of options to
punish, even instantly kill you -like backstab, lunge, saber twirl, saber
barrier...- Beware of his backstab and saber barrier while he is dual...
Beware of his lunge while he is single... If he can't instant kill you, victory
is yours...
Dual Saber vs Standard
His all stances are cheesy for you except the "heavy". His medium stance is
useless vs your 2 x damage and 2 x defence. His blue stance swings useless too,
but the lunge... Wait for his mis-lunge, and punish him with your high damage
swings... His heavy stance is the hardest. Try to be close to him. When he
attacks, dodge his blows and continuously slice him till dead. Lunging him is
another option but if you mis-lunge, he will punish you 20-50 hitpoints...
Dual Saber vs Staff
Warning! You can punish his missed butterflies with saber twirl or kata, but
be extremely careful... If you make a kata "saber barrier" and miss, his next
butterfly will 70% instant kill you... Try to use your backstab... He will
like going close combat with you, and your one-hit-backstab-kill will ruin his
day. Never go close combat with him unless you are intending to do a saber
twirl or a backstab... Most of these matches end with a dual backstab or a
staff butterfly. Chances, 50%...
Dual Saber vs Dual Saber
Like the dual vs staff... Backstab instant kills will be very popular. If you
are facing a backstabber, use left-right swings but keep your distance and be
careful. If your opponent does a saber-barrier, punish him with a rolling
stab or a light stance lunge. Don't use a Dual Flip Attack against the
saber-barrier, because that move cannot pierce your enemies offence as good as
the butterfly...
4.2 Remember Your Advantages and Disadvantages
Every style in this game has it's own advantages and disadvantages. Try to use
your advantages a lot, and negate your disadvantages by evading, defending,
dodging etc. Sometimes the best defence is a good offence, though...
Standard Saber Heavy
Adv
-Longest range in the game.
-High damage -wins in the trade-
DisAdv
-Slow
-3 hit chainable
-No good special moves
Standard Saber Medium
Adv
-Moderate speed, damage and range
DisAdv
-Has an advantage over all stances... speed over heavy, range over light.
But, you need to be a master to use this advantage
-No good special move
Standard Saber Light
Adv
-Good special "The Lunge"
-Fastest style
DisAdv
-Weak slashes
-Short range
LightStaff
Adv
-Good special "Butterfly"
-Has the highest damage/second ratio
DisAdv
-Short range
LightStaff Single Sided
Adv
-Moderate speed, damage and range
DisAdv
-Needs to be mastered
-No special move or kata
Dual Sabers
Adv
-Good attack power
-Instant kill options
DisAdv
-Instant kill options has the instant slain risk
4.3 Mental Effects During the Duels
-There is no demoralisation, there is caution...
Suppose A and B , standard heavy users are dueling. They are both medium
skilled. Starting victory chances are 50% for A and 50% for B. Duel begins.
A's saber hits B, and B receives 1 dmg. Now, the chances are %70 for A and
30%for B. Why? Simply, demoralisation... Damage is not important, but in a
heavy vs heavy battle, receiving a clean hit from opponent is extremely
demoralizing...especially in the begining of the duel... When you become a
master, you'll be sure of your skill, and morale will not affect your play...
When A hits you, he will be happy, and he will be less cautious. Your next hit
can be a Kata, while he is happily slashing you. B wins the game...
-There is no prediction, there is observation...
Observe your enemies moves very carefully... If he is using light stance and
he miss-rollstabbed you twice, you can predict a lunge from him. If he is using
medium stance and slicing the air while jumping, you can predict a Flip from
him. Whether your punishment is lunge, butterfly or kata, a predicted high
cooldown special move means death... If you predict a move from your enemy,
leave him some room by stopping your accurate attacks. Then, punish him to
death... Vice versa... If you can't perform a move twice, don't perform it...
-There is no envy, there is intention...
Most of the time, if one of the duelers do smth, the other mimics him... This
chance increases a lot, when he hits the other with his move... If your
butterfly hits your staff user enemy, his next move is 80% a butterfly...
You can make a dfa away from your enemy -to somewhere he can't punish- and
you'll see that your opponent's next attack will be a dfa. Sometimes he
remembers that he had this move in his arsenal, sometimes he wants to show you
that he uses this move better than you... Both cases are a prediction, and an
adventage for you...
5. Ending Credits
This guide is my 2 years of observation, and experience... But without my
playmates in Turkey, I wouldn't have the experience to write and share with
you... They are...
