Virtually as iconic as the films itself, the weapons of Star Wars have captivated fans since the lightsaber was first ignited in 1977. Over the years, countless weapons have been featured across various mediums ranging from comic books to the live-action film series. While blasters and laser swords fit perfectly within the universe, some weapons just stand out more than others.
These weapons, while creative additions to Star Wars lore, are certainly unusual. Some have logical reasons for their existence, while others are simply left-field ideas. In a longtime franchise with many crazy ideas, here are the ten strangest canon weapons in the Star Wars universe.
Electro-Whip
The closest canon weapon to a light whip, the electro-whip was used by the Zygerrian Slave Empire in Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008). Like a lightsaber, it is a hilt that produces a retractable hitting surface. The notable difference between the two is the electro-whip extends a physical whip rather than plasma energy.
Emitting yellow when turned on, the weapon generates electricity after making contact with the target. While painful, the shock does not inflict severe damage to keep slaves in working condition. The weapon is also capable of clashing against a lightsaber without being cut.
Arc Pulse Generator
Most weapons will affect everyone, but the Arc Pulse Generator from Star Wars Rebels (2014) is something different. Designed by Mandalorian Sabine Wren (Tiya Sircar) when she was an Imperial Academy cadet, the weapon specifically targets and disintegrates individuals wearing Beskar, an alloy found in Mandalorian armor.
After finding out what the Galactic Empire had planned for the weapon, Sabine destroyed the prototype and its blueprint. It would later be rebuilt by the tyrannical government and used during the Mandalorian Civil War. Shortly before destroying it a second time, Sabine demonstrated it could be reconfigured to affect targets wearing stormtrooper armor.
The Inquisitor Lightsaber
Out of the many types of lightsabers, the Inquisitor variant is one of the most unusual. Working for the Empire in Rebels and other canon media, Inquisitors are dark side agents tasked with hunting down Jedi after Order 66. They wield distinct lightsabers capable of producing one or two red blades.
However, the variant’s most unique function is the ability to spin both blades in a circular motion while keeping the hilt stationary. The reasoning is to produce a dangerous, intimidating attack while maintaining control of the weapon. In another unusual function, the spinning effect allows wielders to fly in and out of danger like a helicopter.
The Darksaber
Featured in The Clone Wars and Rebels, the Darksaber is an ancient, one-of-a-kind black lightsaber with a violent history. It was created by Tarre Vizsla, the first Mandalorian in the Jedi Order, over a thousand years before the Republic’s fall. Since then, the weapon has repeatedly changed hands and has become a symbol of Mandalorian power.
With a shorter blade than most lightsabers, the Darksaber is shaped like a traditional sword. Guided by a user’s thoughts and actions, the unique black blade produces an electrical effect in response to their heightened emotional state. The Darksaber was last seen in the hands of Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito), a leader of Imperial remnant forces in The Mandalorian (2019).
Gungan Booma
In the Star Wars universe, plasma energy can be found in technology ranging from lightsabers to energy bridges. The Gungan Grand Army (natives of the planet Naboo) uses it as a simple weapon called a booma. Boomas are blue spherical balls of plasma energy that are projected towards a target.
Depending on their size, they are hand-thrown, slung, or catapulted. The weapon’s damage is based on size, with the bigger boomas designed for bigger targets. In The Phantom Menace (1999), droids and tanks that came in contact with the energy balls were destroyed instantly.
Energy Slingshot
Without a doubt, the energy slingshot is one of the more innocent weapons in the Star Wars universe. Worn on a user’s wrist, the weapon is favored among pranksters and young wielders because it is easily concealable. After charging, the energy slingshot sends non-lethal energy projectiles towards targets.
Users would have to pull back on the weapon’s energized cup to release the energy-blast. Unlike a blaster bolt, the projectiles are affected by gravity and travel in an arc. In Rebels, Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger cleverly took advantage of the arc to hit targets behind barriers.
Embo’s Hat
A male of the Kyuzo species, Embo is a bounty hunter of a few words from The Clone Wars. Unique to his profession, he uses little technology and relies primarily on a bowcaster and his wide metallic hat. An unlikely weapon, the hat serves multiple purposes.
Operating like a boomerang, Embo throws the hat towards a target and catches it after making contact. The hat’s most unusual use is as a shield, which occurs when Embo runs towards an enemy with his face pointed at the ground. He also uses it to slide down hills for faster movement.
Ezra’s Lightsaber Pistol
During the Imperial Era, lightsaber use was discouraged because it drew the attention of the Empire. In Rebels, Ezra had a creative solution: disguise a lightsaber with a blaster. The result is a hybrid that allows the teenager to use either in different combat scenarios.
Taking several weeks to build, the weapon is made from spare parts from Ezra’s friends. In lightsaber mode, it features a blue adjustable blade and functions like a normal lightsaber. The weapon’s blaster mode is set to stun and was included because Ezra was uncomfortable deflecting blaster bolts. Eventually, the unusual lightsaber was destroyed and replaced by a green-bladed one.
Lightsaber Rifle
One of the odder Jedi weapons, the lightsaber rifle is a rare, unique weapon that utilizes lightsaber hilts for ammunition. Debuting in 2017 comic book Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith, one lightsaber rifle was found in the Jedi Temple on the planet Coruscant.
After loaded, it shoots a powerful beam of energy towards its target. One hilt is good for five blasts before it melted beyond usage. The weapon was wielded by Jocasta Nu, the Chief Librarian of the Jedi Archives during the Clone Wars, before it was destroyed by self-destruction.
The Force
One of the most mysterious phenomena in the Star Wars universe, the Force is an energy field that connects all life forms. Unlike most weapons in the franchise, it is primarily invisible and difficult to counter if not a user. While the Force’s functions are usually peaceful, users have manipulated it for self-defense or attack.
The manner of weaponization varies from what side of the Force the user is on. Light side practitioners typically use it to pull, push, or lift objects towards themselves or others. Individuals on the dark side, along with sharing the same capabilities as the light, use it to choke living beings or generate lightning from their hands.
