Shii-Cho, also recognized as Form I, The Determination Form, or The Way of the Sarlacc, represented the most ancient and fundamental style of lightsaber combat. It was initially developed by the Jedi Order and was a required part of the training for every Jedi. As new combat forms emerged, this original style often served as a fallback when other approaches proved ineffective.
At the time of the Jedi's fall, Form I was the most ancient lightsaber form still actively practiced. Indeed, it was the pioneering form, formalizing standard lightsaber techniques during the early centuries of the Jedi Order. In comparison to later developments, Shii-Cho was straightforward, even basic. However, the underlying principles and methods of this traditional style remained effective, proving exceptionally powerful in the hands of a master.
The genesis of Shii-Cho remains obscured by the vast expanse of time since its creation. It's conceivable that the precursor to Shii-Cho was initially regarded as the sole, effective method of lightsaber combat. Alternatively, it may have been one of several contemporary disciplines, eventually rising to prominence due to its popularity and effectiveness. It is plausible that Shii-Cho emerged as a synthesis of various lightsaber combat styles that arose in parallel. Regardless, Shii-Cho, as it existed in the final days of the Jedi Order, was established as a distinct style within the first millennium of the Jedi's existence. The original Jedi, perhaps even their predecessors, adapted the fighting style that would evolve into Shii-Cho from pre-existing swordplay techniques. These traditional maneuvers primarily emphasized direct, lethal blows, amplified by the unprecedented power of the lightsaber.
Recognizing the spiritual hazards inherent in these aggressive and deadly techniques, the early Jedi sought to balance their developing lightsaber combat style with a greater emphasis on disarming opponents. Disarming proved relatively simple, given the lightsaber's ability to overcome most weapons. Indeed, the advantage held by lightsaber-wielding Jedi against those with traditional melee weapons led to the development of a philosophy within Shii-Cho that "the defeat of a foe without inflicting serious injury is the highest form of victory". This concept, central to Shii-Cho, became deeply intertwined with the overall philosophy of the Jedi and their role as peacekeepers.
Although later forms aimed to address the shortcomings of Shii-Cho, they did not entirely replace it. Its inherent simplicity ensured its continued popularity among Padawans during their training, and full Jedi Knights continued to practice it throughout the order's history. Jedi proficient in multiple forms often used Form I as a last resort when other forms failed or when specialized forms were impractical. Other Jedi integrated Form I techniques into their standard combat repertoire, using them alongside maneuvers from other forms to mitigate its weaknesses.
Form I retained its advocates even in the final years of the Galactic Republic. During the Clone Wars, Shii-Cho experienced a resurgence among Jedi fighting on the front lines. The direct and aggressive approach of Form I proved highly effective against the B1-series battle droids and other rank-and-file units of the Confederacy military, due to their slow reactions, predictable programming, and lack of defenses against lightsabers. The form's simplicity was, in a sense, a perfect counter to the battle droids' crude approach to combat. However, Jedi who favored Form I against the Separatist Droid Army typically supplemented it with defensive maneuvers from Form III and Form V to cope with the intense blaster fire.
Shii-Cho emphasized a straightforward combat approach, closely resembling traditional sword-fighting techniques still employed by warriors across the galaxy using monomolecular-edged blades and vibroswords. The strikes and broad parries of Form I were relatively simple compared to the sophisticated Force-empowered maneuvers of other forms. However, this simplicity ensured Form I's viability in various situations, even if it was less effective than more specialized forms.
Despite potentially appearing more aggressive than other forms due to its emphasis on direct attacks over the acrobatic mobility of Form IV and the Force powers of Form VI, Shii-Cho was not inherently violent like Form VII. Instead, it demanded a calm, collected, and methodical application. Practitioners of the form attacked frequently to exploit any opening presented by the foe, or to create one when necessary. However, Form I users consistently returned to a defensive stance after each strike, making extensive use of parries. This approach maintained a consistent yet flexible balance between defense and offense.
One significant departure of Form I from traditional sword-fighting was its use of wide, sweeping motions to strike multiple opponents. Such maneuvers were generally considered impractical, even foolish, when using an ordinary blade. Even a skilled user with a sharp weapon risked counterattack by attempting such a move. Cutting through layers of armor, flesh, and bone slowed a standard blade and altered its trajectory. Lightsabers, however, did not face these limitations, as their blades could theoretically slice through unlimited material without losing cutting power.