Bright Suns, fellow travelers! We’ve returned from the edge of Wild Space bearing news of hope! Savi, a scrapper on the planet Batuu, has a very special package in his workshop; if you’re discreet, his employees, “the Gatherers,” will instruct you in the ancient art of lightsaber building.
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WARNING, SAVI’S WORKSHOP SPOILERS AHEAD!
If you’re seeking Savi’s Workshop, you might find that it’s a bit like a speakeasy— you have to know the location. I’ll let you in on where to find it if you promise not to tell the First Order. It’s right next to Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, near the giant black spire (that the outpost is named after), and across from Ronto Roasters (and its huge podracer barbeque pit). The telltale sign of the entrance is the giant blue banner with a symbol that looks very similar to the Jedi Order.
The courtyard is littered with all kinds of scraps, some even formed into shapes and small decorations. Savi lives up to his title of scrapper.
Dig around the scrapyard a bit and you’ll find some drawers that, when pulled out, reveal the lightsaber styles you can build in the workshop. You’ll need to pick what kind of lightsaber is best for you before the Gatherers will let you inside.
The styles are as follows:
Peace and Justice: Republic-era Jedi designs.
Power and Control: Dark Side and Sith designs.
Elemental Nature: The embodiment of the Force, these designs use living things like Brylark tress, Cartusion whale bones, and Rancor Teeth.
Protection and Defence: Ancient materials with mysterious inscriptions.
Upon transferring credits to Savi’s employees, you’re given a colored ticket indicating which group you’re in and a pin indicating what type of lightsaber you’re looking to build. When it’s your time to enter, the Gatherers will slide the doors open and grant you entry.
As you gather around the various workstations, the Gatherer explains that their mission is to pass on their knowledge of the Force to a new set of heroes. Jedi like Rey and Luke Skywalker have sparked hope in the galaxy, and we’ve come to build a lightsaber and train to be like them.
The mixture of story, lighting, choreography, and music really sell that this is a special experience. You can almost feel the Force and how it binds all living things in the galaxy.
This is one of the places in Black Spire Outpost where music is used heavily. Throughout the show, there are musical cues. The Force theme plays when the Gatherer first holds up the lightsaber. Relevant musical themes are matched to the kyber crystal colors as they’re shown. It doesn’t feel like they missed any detail.
Lighting plays a key role as well. As the different kyber crystals are held up, the room changes to match the color— the lighting changes constantly throughout.
When it comes time to start building your saber, you’re asked to pick a kyber crystal. However, these are highly unstable and very powerful crystals, they need to be held in these containment units.
The fact that there’s a show element for such a minuscule detail really encapsulates what this experience is about. It’s as if this is a real workshop with real parts they’re giving to you. Choose wisely though, the kyber crystal will not only determine the color of your blade but also the sound it makes. More rare crystal colors can be bought next door at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities; you’re welcome to take your crystal out afterward and swap them as often as you’d like.
You’re not allowed to hold the kyber crystal as it is “too unstable to handle.” There’s a special pedestal in your workstation to place it on until you get your hilt.
When it’s time to start building, the Gatherers bring you a tray full of parts of the style you chose. Choose from:
- One hilt
- Four sleeves
- Two emitters
- Two pommel caps
- Two sets of activation plates and switches
Pick the parts you want carefully and the Gatherers will instruct you on assembling them.
Over and over we kept hearing “be careful with those kyber crystals, we don’t want any more holes in the ceiling.” And indeed, there are holes in the ceiling from what we assume were poor past students. Definitely be careful slipping the crystal into your hilt.
The building process takes about ten minutes and should be easy enough that anyone can do it; the Gatherers are readily willing to help but they do make sure that it’s you who puts it together. We estimate the completed hilt weighs about 2.5 lbs when you finish, is made of a combination of metal and plastic, and is a solid unit if you put them together properly.
Now you’ve got a finished hilt, but it’s time to activate them. The builders are asked to set their lightsaber on the pedestal and take a step back.
This is where everyone gets squirmy; they’ve just put together this incredible thing and now you’re standing away from it as a Gatherer inserts it into a long cylindrical tube called a Crystal Stabilization Chamber. This is when the magic begins. Before the process finishes, a certain small green Jedi’s voice fills the room. It almost seems to project itself from place to place, as if it were the will of the Force itself.
It’s time. The chambers around the lightsabers release and everyone raises their blades in unity. At least, that’s what should happen, my partner in crime on this adventure, Alanna, couldn’t find the switch to her lightsaber in the dark. So, pro-tip, make sure you know what the switch feels like before finishing the saber.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of seeing a room mostly lit by saber light, it’s a moment that can only be experienced in person. If that’s not enough, holding a lightsaber that feels entirely real at that moment. Master Yoda’s voice floats around you, explaining how your saber will light the way— this moment truly brings Star Wars to life.
What really makes this experience happen is the cast members. We only saw a few issues, most of which were guest-caused. There was an incident where a Gatherer accidentally activated a blade too early. The show was quickly saved by another who cried out “quick, turn it off before we all explode!” Afterward, the first Gatherer individually asked all the people around that saber if they had gotten hurt by the faulty saber as he made sure it was properly seated. Considering how involved the process is, little things like this are bound to happen.
This is probably the best Star Wars experience you can have at Galaxy’s Edge. There are other experiences, but this one felt the most Star Wars to me. What else is so ingrained in the culture of the saga as a lightsaber?
In summary, along with the show, you receive a custom lightsaber hilt, kyber crystal, a 31″ blade, and a carrying bag to protect your $200 investment. Alternatively, Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities carries “legacy lightsabers” that belonged to Jedi and Sith who came before. You might be inclined to get your favorite character’s lightsaber rather than build your own. It’s up to you if the lightsaber you want is custom-built at the workshop or purchased from Dok-Ondar’s.
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