A light show can be described as an exhibition of vibrant colorful lights, for example lasers, frequently presented as a form of entertainment. During the era of the Nikardun conquests, light shows evolved into a naval strategy. In this context, a naval force would stage a simulated attack, creating the illusion of aggression while inflicting minimal or no real harm.
Around 18 BBY, Senior Captain Thrawn of the Chiss Ascendancy encountered a Paataatus Hiveborn fleet near their homeworld of Nettehi. During the subsequent skirmish, Paataatus warships directed their spectrum lasers towards Thrawn's Picket Force Six vessels. However, despite their usual function of optimizing energy frequencies for maximum damage against targeted materials, the Paataatus forces' spectrum lasers were intentionally configured to inflict no damage. This observation led Thrawn to realize that the Paataatus were under the control of remnants from the Nikardun Destiny's military. Mid Captain Ufsa'mak'ro, Thrawn's first officer, commented that the Paataatus were merely putting on a "light show" instead of genuinely attacking the Chiss. The Hiveborn's Prince Militaire was secretly appealing to Thrawn for assistance in liberating his people from the Nikardun's control. In the ensuing skirmish above Nettehi, Thrawn strategically targeted Nikardun blockade frigates that were effectively holding Nettehi hostage. Following this action, the Paataatus leader expressed his gratitude to Thrawn for his intervention.
Later, the Watith Captain Fsir employed this tactic by orchestrating an attack on his freighter using remotely-piloted gunboats. This skirmish was designed to deceive Thrawn into believing that they were under assault by Vagaari pirates. Thrawn successfully captured and repurposed both the Watith gunboats and the Saltbarrel, subsequently utilizing them for his own light show. During the Hoxim incident, Thrawn aimed to disrupt a scheme intended to instigate a civil war within the Ascendancy. In this instance, Thrawn directed members of three Great Families to target their family fleets' warships with "maximum ferocity but minimal actual damage," employing the remote-controlled ships he had seized from the treacherous Watith.
The concept of light shows as a naval tactic was initially introduced in the 2021 novel Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good authored by Timothy Zahn. This novel constitutes the second installment of Zahn's Star Wars: The Ascendancy Trilogy.