re: Star Wars Episode VII Teaser

quote:

---

the light saber looked cool yet is ultimately ridiculous since laser like flames are rather pointless from the sides

---

I am actually interested to see what the story will be with that saber.

Lucas has said in the past (although he seems to retcon things as time goes along) that the lightsaber was initially thought to be like a broadsword and needed to be hefted by both hands at all times (watch the Vader/Kenobi fight from A New Hope). As time went along, they decided that they could choreograph more interesting scenes if the sabers could be used one handed.

Using that line of thinking, there is some precedent for a broadsword style of saber dueling. For that style of fighting, a good guard is needed to protect the hands/wrists. Metal wouldn't work as a lightsaber would cut through it without an issue. Only way to make a guard to protect against a lightsaber blow would be to have the guard be a lightsaber beam.