Yoda, considered among the most skilled swordmasters of his era.
The term "swordmaster" denoted a combatant skilled in close quarters, particularly with weapons possessing blades, such as vibroweapons or lightsabers. Continuous training was essential for a swordmaster to refine their combat abilities.
Mace Windu, a Jedi swordmaster, exemplified such skill, recognized for his command of all lightsaber combat styles and his creation and mastery of Vaapad. Before the Clone Wars erupted, Windu's prowess rivaled that of Count Dooku and approached Yoda's own. As the war progressed, he even achieved the feat of disarming Darth Sidious.
Obi-Wan Kenobi stood as one of the most accomplished Jedi swordsmen in history. As a master of Form III: Soresu, Kenobi was hailed as its greatest exponent, mirroring Count Dooku's mastery of Makashi. His unwavering defensive style allowed him to withstand Anakin Skywalker's aggressive Djem So attacks. Skywalker, having surpassed other Jedi in skill, had previously overwhelmed Dooku and Cin Drallig. Kenobi's defense enabled him to block, parry, and deflect the relentless strikes of the newly appointed Sith Lord, Darth Vader. Vader's growing frustration and arrogance led to a fatal error when he attempted to kill his former master, giving Kenobi the opening he needed to defeat him.
Cin Drallig, Sora Bulq, and Grand Master Yoda were also recognized as swordmasters. Each had achieved mastery over every known form of lightsaber combat, with Sora notably assisting Mace Windu in developing the Vaapad style. Furthermore, all three served as instructors, teaching lightsaber techniques to many younglings. Yoda was held as the foremost swordmaster of his time, alongside figures like Mace Windu, Count Dooku, Darth Vader, and Darth Sidious.
Tulak Hord, an early Sith, achieved remarkable lightsaber combat mastery. Kreia considered him the greatest duelist of his era, perhaps of any era. Hord defeated numerous Jedi during the Sieges of Yn and Chabosh, remaining undefeated in lightsaber combat until his apprentice betrayed and killed him.
Kreia demonstrated a deep understanding of lightsaber forms while instructing the Jedi Exile. She practiced telekinetic lightsaber combat, wielding it on an unprecedented scale. She could control three lightsabers simultaneously using the Force, making them appear to fight independently. This tactic, however, was born of necessity, as Kreia had lost both hands in previous battles.
Kas'im, a Dark Lord of the Sith during the New Sith Wars, was trained by the skilled Sith Lord Na'daz and quickly surpassed his master. After killing Na'daz, Kas'im's swordsmanship became unmatched among the Sith, earning him the title of blademaster at the Sith Academy on Korriban. Kas'im mastered all lightsaber combat forms and excelled with any blade configuration. He trained Darth Bane in lightsaber combat, but despite his superior dueling skills, he fell to Bane's greater Force power. Bane was himself one of the greatest swordmasters of his era.
Count Dooku, once a Jedi Master who turned to the dark side, became Darth Sidious's Sith apprentice, named Darth Tyranus. Dooku was a master of Form II: Makashi and was considered one of the greatest duelists of his time, rivaling Mace Windu and second only to Yoda before the Clone Wars.
Anakin Skywalker, later known as Darth Vader, was arguably the most skilled swordmaster in galactic history. As a Jedi, Skywalker favored the aggressive Form V: Djem So, using brute strength to overwhelm opponents. His immense Force strength amplified his effectiveness, allowing him to enhance his attacks further. After becoming Darth Vader, he developed a hybrid Djem So style incorporating elements from all lightsaber forms. By the end of the Clone Wars, his skill allowed him to defeat Count Dooku single-handedly. During the massacre at the Jedi Temple, Vader's skill enabled him to swiftly defeat every Jedi in his path, from Padawans to experienced Masters. He even defeated Cin Drallig, the Jedi Order's Battlemaster, while simultaneously fighting another Padawan. During his duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Vader proved the superior combatant but was defeated due to rage and hubris, allowing Kenobi to dismember him. Had Vader remained calm, he would have won. After his cybernetic reconstruction, Vader's lightsaber skills were both hindered and enhanced. He lost some speed and agility, but his prosthetics increased the force of his strikes. Ultimately, he killed many Jedi who survived the purge. Vader's new hybridized of Djem So consist elements from all seven lightsaber forms, which Vader became a master of each form. In his final duel with Obi-Wan, Vader's mastery in Form III was so perfect that Obi-Wan was unable to find an opening for an attack.
Darth Sidious was also a highly skilled Sith swordmaster, mastering all seven lightsaber forms, stances, and techniques, and wielding each form effectively with either hand. He proved capable of competing with Mace Windu and Yoda, although he was disarmed by Windu and nearly defeated by Yoda.