This week on The Acolyte, viewers were introduced to a new fighting style called tràkata, used by the mysterious character known as the Stranger. This unique combat technique involves constantly turning off and on the lightsaber during battle to deceive or strike opponents with precision. While tràkata has its origins in the Expanded Universe of Star Wars, it is the first time it has been explicitly named in the current Star Wars continuity.
Tràkata was first introduced in 1994 in the Dark Empire comic series and was later defined in the Star Wars Roleplaying Game in 2007. This form of lightsaber combat is not about brute force but rather relies on strategy and deception to gain an advantage in battle. Jedi and Sith alike frowned upon tràkata, as it went against the traditional notions of honor and power that defined their respective ideologies.
Although The Acolyte is the first time tràkata has been named in the current Star Wars canon, there have been instances of similar techniques in other Star Wars media. For example, in the Visions episode “The Elder,” a Jedi Master uses a similar move to defeat a Sith opponent. Additionally, in The Last Jedi, Kylo Ren demonstrates a quick ignition and deactivation of his lightsaber to outmaneuver his enemies.
The version of tràkata used by the Stranger in The Acolyte is slightly different from these examples, as he disengages and re-engages from combat for longer periods. This showcases the show’s commitment to incorporating elements from Star Wars’ rich history and lore into its storytelling.
Overall, the introduction of tràkata in The Acolyte adds depth to the Star Wars universe and highlights the diversity of combat styles within the galaxy far, far away. Fans of the franchise can look forward to seeing how this unique fighting technique continues to influence the narrative of the series and connect to the broader Star Wars mythos.
