There are a lot of reasons why Star Wars fans love replica lightsabers. Apart from being a tangible representation of the most iconic weapon ever created for sci-fi and cinema, replica lightsabers make for valuable collector’s items. They are also great for making cosplay and duelling more realistic.
However, not all replica lightsabers are created the same. Some models are only good for display and cosplay, while some are specifically designed for duelling and combat.
As a lightsaber duelling enthusiast looking to take your combat skills to the next level, picking a weapon that is right for your fighting style is very important. The duelling saber you choose should come equipped with all the necessary features that make for realistic lightsaber duelling. These features typically include but are not limited to, strong and sturdy metal hilts, high-end heavy-grade polycarbonate blades, movie-accurate sound profiles, blade colours, lights and effects, motion sensors, and power-saving abilities.
In this article, we shall be taking a quick look at the lightsaber blade light effect, known as tip drag, and how it can enhance precision and realism during lightsaber combat.
Lightsaber Tip Drag Effect: What Is It?
When it comes to replica lightsabers one very important feature that cannot be compromised is visual effects. It doesn’t matter if your lightsaber is for cosplay or combat; its blade should come with colours and other visual effects such as; RGB colour changing, adjustable brightness, pulsating lights, flash-on clash, blaster effect, lock-up mode and tip drag effect.
The tip drag effect is one of the coolest things a lightsaber blade can do. Sometimes known as a the ‘molten glow’, this effect makes your lightsaber blade look like it’s cutting through something solid. This effect can be a serious game-changer for lightsaber duelling enthusiasts who are looking to make their duelling more realistic.
It is important to note that while the tip drag is very cool, not every lightsaber has the effect. Most standard, low-end lightsaber toys don’t come with the tip drag effect, but many high-end Proffie Neopixel and Xenopixel lightsabers do.
How to Activate Tip Drag Effect
To activate the tip drag effect, you will first have to make sure that your lightsaber blade is turned on. Once the blade is on, most visual controls like flash on clash, blaster effects, lock-up mode and, of course, tip drag will become active. To initiate the tip drag effect, press and hold the saber’s LED button for one second (so that the button flashes once), then release. To end the tip drag effect, give the button a quick/short press.
For the tip drag to work effectively, make sure that the lightsaber’s blade is set to the correct length in the configuration file (you can find the recommended length for most saber’s in the guidebooks or instruction manuals that come with them).
Tip Drag for More Realism and Precision in Combat
One of the most mind-blowing scenes from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace was when Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn literally stabbed and melted a blast door with his lightsaber. Iconic right?! Well, you, too, can make your Jedi combat experience just as thrilling and memorable as that iconic moment.
Granted, you do not have a real-life lightsaber that melts through blast doors, but with the tip drag effect, you can certainly make your lightsaber strikes appear to be cutting through a solid object. This effect will for sure improve your precision with the blade and make your duel much more realistic.
Conclusion
As a Jedi enthusiast looking to take your duelling skills to the next level, having a good quality duelling lightsaber in your arsenal is a must. This lightsaber should also come fully equipped with important blade features and effects such as tip drag to make duelling more exciting and realistic.
The tip drag is a lightsaber blade effect that makes a lightsaber look like it’s cutting through something. As a duelist, one surefire way to enhance the precision and realism of your duelling is to invest in a lightsaber that has this drag-tip effect.
