Star Wars lightsaber battles are getting noticed in the San Diego Comic Con. For months now, aspiring Jedis and Siths have engaged each other in Balboa Park since January of this year.
Nick Murico founded the Underground Lightsaber Fighters hoping to meet new people, according to The Verge. He was pleasantly surprised to get more than a hundred replies to his Facebook page in less than a day. His group started hosting a Star Wars lightsaber competition every month starting early this year.
The lightsaber combatants are divided into two classes, the children and adults. Lightsabers used by the young ones are the simple and plastic kinds that could be bought in toy shops.
The most exciting battles however, are with the adults. Some have even taken lightsaber classes before joining the competition. Fighters who have some martial arts background can use that to their advantage. However, that does not guarantee a win against their opponents. Their lightsabers are pricier and usually customized. The lightsaber battles are usually started at sundown to make sure the major events will occur by night fall.
Lightsaber battle rules entitle the combatants a set of five matches. Player who accumulates the most points in three out of the five battles is the victor. Players can strike each other in any part except the lightsaber blades.
Players can wear costumes if they like but many advised against it because it could prove more of a hindrance. Participants are also allowed to use several kinds of lightsabers. Aside from the regular blade, players can make use of the unique weapons used by Star Wars' famous Siths.
It is also probably a good idea to wear some kind of face and body protection. A number of participants got injured during the lightsaber battles. None of the injuries however are serious or life threatening. The competition is quite safe to make it a family affair, according to the Daily News.
