The lightsaber is a powerful but limited weapon. The device is basically a laser pistol which emits a continuous beam of laser light through an emitter matrix. The matrix effectively splits the light into several lasers which all meet at one focal point. This focal point is the end of the laser blade. The length of the blade is dependent on the adjustment of the emitter matrix; the minimum blade length is two feet while the maximum is three and a half feet long. The blade cannot be focused past either of these settings as the laser beams will no longer collapse upon themselves.

The immense energy required to generate a lightsaber blade is provided by a power cell in the handgrip of the two-handed weapon. This power cell is fully half the length and the weight of the weapon. The cell is effectively a handmade, high-capacity E-clip, similar to the Coalition States CE-clip or a NG power pack. The power cell is constructed of metal and always has a recharge port (usually two-pronged). The cell also doubles as the lower grip and is usually covered in a rubber armor to protect the power cell's delicate wiring and provide good, all-weather grips. A D-ring or leather lanyard is usually mounted on the cell for attachment to web gear or belts. Changing the power cell requires one full melee to unlock the spent cell and attach a new one.

Every lightsaber is a handmade weapon. Although the three distinct styles from the movie trilogy have become the rage with Rifts Jedi, archaic influences, vibro-weaponry, and even the strange weapon styles associated with Juicers appear in lightsaber designs. The upper assembly, including the saber controls and emitter matrix, are often encased in brushed metal, rubber armor, finished wood, polished stone, or leather wraps of various styles. Juicer and tribal styles often have decorative etchings, thorn-like spikes, or strange materials such as pool balls, scales, feathers, fur, or bones.

The power cells from a different saber have little chance (10% or less) of fitting another Jedi's saber. Most Jedi make a few extra power cells for their saber or create power cells the same way every time. Any power cells created by a specific Jedi has a 80% chance of working in every saber the Jedi has created.

Weight: 1d4+2 pounds (half of which is power cell weight).

Length: 10+1d4 inches (half of which is power cell length).

Mega-Damage: 6d6 MD per strike; power strikes / hacks / chops inflict 1d4X10+10 MD

Payload: 30 minutes per power cell; each activation of the saber drains a minimum of one minute of energy from the cell, even if used for less than one minute. Recharging a power cell can range from 2500 cr. to an expensive 4300 credits even in large kingdoms.

MDC of Weapon: 1d6+2 MD; the unit is fragile compared to most other modern MD weapons (hey, you try to forge something out of titanium by hand, much less some MDC metal, and see how easy it is).

Note: The lightsaber is intended to be two-handed weapon. One-handed use is possible but awkward in comparison (-1 strike, -2 parry minimum penalty) and unsafe (oh shit, did you need that eye? It's all fun and games until someone losses an eye!!!).