The franchises of Harry Potter and Star Wars are two of the largest pillars of pop culture around. The two series are worldwide phenomena, with fans tuning in for every new installment. The worlds of these franchises have captured the imagination of viewers everywhere.
Like any fantasy story, the iconic weapon of both franchises are prized pieces of merchandise. Both the lightsaber and wand are essential parts of their respective stories. If the two went head to head though, which would be the victor?
Both: Literary Origins
Looking at the inspiration for these weapons, both George Lucas and J. K. Rowling were obviously inspired by the idea of the hero's journey. Each of their characters begins in unlikely places and have to rise to meet a greater destiny. Their weapons share this literary origin as well.
Both the wand and the lightsaber are reminiscent of legendary hero's weapons such as Excalibur from the legends of King Arthur. Because of this, in terms of lineage and inspiration, both split hairs on this point. They represent a calling to something larger than their current circumstances
Wands: How They're Made
Like all weapons, wands and lightsabers need to be forged. Wands are built by dedicated craftsmen such as Ollivander. A skill known only to a few, the art of wandmaking is difficult but rewarding. Made from rare ingredients, much goes into these weapons.
Lightsabers require a Jedi to search for their own kyber crystal. This task alone is daunting for any Jedi. But the act of building the hilt seems far less difficult, requiring parts that aren't too difficult to find. Because of this, the point should go to wands, as it seems harder and more mysterious to make them.
Wands: Who Can Use Them
This is an interesting point to consider. In terms of the egalitarian side of these weapons, are their restrictions on who can and can't use them? While anyone can physically operate a lightsaber, only Jedi and Sith are seemingly allowed to use them.
In comparison, the wand is a more widely used weapon and tool. As long as you are a witch or wizard, there are few restrictions on purchasing and using your own wand. Any member of this community (within reason) is allowed their own. Due to their wider encompassing use, the wand gets the point.
Lightsabers: Discerning Villain's Vs Heroes'
This is a simplistic point for sure, but it is a fun one nonetheless. Telling apart the wands in Harry Potter is harder to do in terms of their allegiance. All the wands are specifically crafted to match the personality of the user. The closest way to discern who is using them from a visual standpoint is the contrasting spell color used by Harry and Voldemort.
Lightsabers, on the other hand, are a bit easier to identify. The sith almost exclusively utilize red lightsabers, while Jedi are relegated to green or blue (though obviously Jedi have used other colors as well). Simply from a visual standpoint, lightsabers are a bit easier to identify in terms of their allegiance.
Wands: Overall Aesthetic
Each wand and saber are defined by their design, and each is unique to their user. Lightsabers all have basic trademarks that are usually shared among each other, though there is some variation. Overall, they all are metal hilts that emit a blade.
Wands, on the other hand, seem to have a bit more design input in terms of their look. While, at the end of the day, they are mostly just cut wood, their carvings, handles, and markings allow for more artistic expression. Because of this, the point has to go to wands.
Wands: Non-Weaopnized Ability
This is perhaps the most important test between the two of these weapons. In terms of use, wands have a near-infinite amount of ways they can be utilized. These are far more than weapons, serving as lifelong tools for a wizard to use in their day to day life.
Lightsabers, in contrast, are more limited. They are definitely more elegant than a blaster, but they are still mainly weapons if nothing else. They can be used as a light source, and they have been used to clear obstacles. But, wands simply have more use in them.
Wands: Lethal
Both weapons are incredibly lethal, there's no doubt about that. Lightsabers emit a blad of incredible heat, able to cut through just about any material in the galaxy. A simple swipe will immediately cauterize any wound they make. Their swift and deadly, especially in the hands of skilled warriors.
Wands are just as deadly, but even more cruel. Used by dark wizards, wands can emit torturous spells which cause unimaginable pain, forcing wizards to beg for death. But one simple spell will cause a wizard instant death. The wand would probably get the point due to the fact that there are greater avenues for death.
Lightsabers: Blunt Force
Let's say that someone needed to use one of these weapons as nothing more than a blunt force object. When looking at most wands, they would be fairly useless. Most are nothing more than lightweight pieces of wood. Perhaps if someone was using Mad Eye's staff, that'd be a different story.
Lightsabers though can be fairly heavy items. Made entirely of metal and ranging in size and shape, one knock on the head in the right hands would be it for some opponents. While few have used either of these weapons this way, it certainly remains a possibility. The point goes to lightsabers.
Lightsabers: Variety In Customization
Both weapons have designs that are tailor-fit for the fighters who use them. Lightsabers, for example, can be assembled from a wide range of materials, even wood in some cases. With this, Jedi and Sith can modify, upgrade, or build new sabers at any point in their life.
Wizards and witches, on the other hand, seem to be stuck with the wand that chooses them for a long term basis. In most cases, wizards and witches rarely change their wand as the relationship is so strong. Because of this, their visual look is far less customizable and varied on a long term basis than lightsabers.
Winner: Wands
At the end of the day, wands might just be the more practical choice in terms of weaponry. Outside of the combat in which they are used, they have far more practical use at their disposal than a lightsaber. On top of that, the relationship between a Wizard and their wand seems more personal than a Jedi and their lightsaber.
That being said, both weapons are some of the most iconic ones in fiction. There are few tools and weapons that really hold a candle to them. Since they were kids, all fans wanted to wield one of these weapons. There is something primal that attracts people to these elegant tools.