The safest way to duel with a lightsaber is to wear protective gear, clear the room, agree on rules before you start, and go slow until you know what you are doing. Here are nine tips that make dueling more fun precisely because nobody ends up in urgent care. These are general good-practice tips, not a safety standard, so follow the rules of your local club if you have one.
1. Wear protective gear
Gloves, a helmet or mask that protects your face and eyes, and padding. It is the least glamorous part of dueling and the most important one. Nobody has ever looked cooler because they skipped the helmet.
2. Pick the right saber for dueling
Not every lightsaber is built for impact. Our Baselit sabers are built for real dueling, while Neopixel sabers are best for display and light contact. Read our guide to the best lightsaber for dueling if you are not sure which is which, or browse our heavy dueling lightsabers.
3. Check your blade before every session
Look over the blade for cracks and make sure it is attached securely. Our blades attach with the included screws and hex key. If a blade looks damaged, replace it before you duel. We sell replacement blades.
4. Clear the space
Choose an open area with no furniture, no pets and no bystanders in range. Look up too. Ceiling fans and light fixtures have lost many a duel.
5. Agree on the rules first
Before you start, talk through what is allowed with your partner. Many groups avoid strikes to the head and agree that anyone can call a stop at any time. If one of you says stop, you both stop.
6. Start slow
Practice the basic movements at half speed before you add power. Speed comes after control. If you want to understand the styles, our guide to the seven lightsaber forms is a fun place to start.
7. Keep it a duel, not a brawl
Aim for the blade, not for the person. Controlled contact beats wild swinging every time, and it is a lot more impressive to watch.
8. Learn from experienced duelists
A local lightsaber or fencing group can teach you good habits early, and good habits are easier to build than to fix.
9. Know when to stop
If you are tired, the saber starts feeling heavy, or somebody is getting frustrated, take a break. Most dueling accidents come from fatigue and bravado, and bravado is a terrible training partner.
Buying a saber for a kid? What parents should know
If your child is going to swing a saber, the rules above apply to them too, with an adult in the room. Our Lightsabers for Kids collection is described as lightweight and designed for younger users, and the Sidekick is the model in it. Whichever saber you choose, add protective gear and supervise at first. Our sabers are hobby-grade, not toys, so for the youngest kids, a toy lightsaber from a toy aisle is a perfectly fine choice. Our guide to toy vs hobby lightsabers can help you decide.
Safe lightsaber dueling FAQ
What gear do you need to duel with a lightsaber?
At minimum, gloves, a helmet or mask that protects your face and eyes, and padding, plus a clear space.
Are lightsaber duels safe?
They can be, with protective gear, controlled contact, clear rules and a saber built for dueling. They are not risk-free, so use common sense.
What is the best lightsaber for dueling?
A Baselit lightsaber is our pick for dueling. See our full guide.
