Trench System

"So she saw that, at some point, on an insignificant world, people would need to learn a very simple lightsabre style optimized for trench warfare - and then devoted herself to creating one?"

- Ashin Varanin to Darth Sarastro

Trench System, the Way of the Nighthunter, also known by other colloquial names, is a very simple form of lightsabre combat designed specifically for trench warfare and night-fighting. Created by the Mandalorian Sith Blademaster Ori'vod, Prophet of the Dark Side, it relies heavily on Shii-Cho's simplicity, Makashi's use of the blade tip and minimal movement, the direct and unstructured ferocity of Mandalorian beskad fighting, military bayonet combat and the principles of Tràkata. It frequently incorporates the use of a trench knife or a blaster pistol.

Trench System is extremely simple, and can be learned to a basic level of competency within a handful of weeks. Against a truly skilled lightsabre duelist, of course, many users of Trench System will find their training insufficient. An experienced Force-strong soldier who has used Trench System in battle for several months, however, may be able to hold his own even against a trained Sith, if he fights smart.

It is often taught to qualified non-Force-users on the theory that they should know how to use a lightsabre if necessary. A lightsabre also makes a good bayonet.

In Trench System, the lightsabre's close-quarters superiority is emphasized. A user will typically employ a blaster primarily, using the lightsabre only when circumstances demand it. The style is characterized by hacking strikes and extensive use of the tip, and can involve attaching a lightsabre to a rifle muzzle as a bayonet. In such cases, the sabre's activator is usually keyed to a small switch in a more accessible position, because - no matter how the sabre is being held - the blade is usually activated as briefly as possible to avoid creating a target. Overhead strikes are less emphasized than diagonal and horizontal slashes, as a lightsabre protruding above the top of a trench will draw attention. It is a simple and brutal style with no art about it, easily drilled.