"Like Rome, some say the Mandalorian Sword Style was built in a day. Quite frankly, I just think they were waiting for an excuse to watch the Jedi die up close"

The Mandalorians, an ancient warrior race and the enemies to the Jedi for much of their history. This library contains the same story, seemingly in every parallel they follow the same pattern. Unstable and falling apart, but strong when united. They are an open target for many, with even my fellow councillors and myself wishing to cause disarray. Though none of us expected the Senate’s demands for the attack on Mandalore the second time. I suppose that was the final nail in the coffin for us. 

The Mandalorian Sabre Combat is a mirror and representation of their history. The author described, and to my shock and realisation at the time of reading, that the Mandalorian Sword Style held the exact perfect counters for forms I, II and III, which were used predominantly by the Jedi during initial conflicts against Mandalorians. Ataru was created as a response or used prominently as a response, it varies according to the universe one's in. 

The counters to the forms are somewhat subtle, though obvious when looking at a direct comparison. Shii-Cho focuses on attacking body points, most of which are covered by the Beskar armour regardless, though this isn't exactly a counter being made by the form itself. Instead, Mandalorian Sabre Combat gains Shii-Cho's ire through its mirroring of the constant pressing, at much less energy cost. A Mandalorian never backs down, instead thrusting themselves into combat with a level of anticipation that disrupts Shii-Cho's continuous energy with its own. Of course, one could argue that Shii-Cho thus holds the same advantage over the Mandalorian style, yet given the higher energy expenditure of Form I itself, the Mandalorian would  simply outlast their opponent. Lastly, Shii-Cho relies on disrupting one's flow with their own, especially through aiming for target points that cause the opponent to force a truncated flow to their style. But, given Mandalorian Sabre Combat takes into account the addition of Beskar armour, it doesn't need to hold as much emphasis on defence; making Shii-Cho lose one of its greatest strengths. 

Makashi, on the other hand, is countered as it often is. Strength. The chances of one's blade ebbing around the blade of a Mandalorian are small, given techniques like the Strong Grip Technique make it virtually impossible to disarm a Mandalorian when it is applied correctly. This, in combination with the incorporation of the Jetpack into pressing and dashing attacks of great strength, means one can supplement movement economy. The rattle of a Makashi user's blade when crashing into the steadfast Beskad of a Mandalorian, while not too troublesome for those with precise control of the form, does present issues for those who practise the form at a more casual level. 

As stated, the Mandalorian Sabre Combat style is designed to use a jetpack in variation, and is similar to Ataru in the sense it is all about physical movement. Strong strikes in combination with quick movements are designed to overwhelm the defence of a Soresu user. The force of the Jetpack can force Soresu users to lose their footing and thus their control of the outcome itself. In addition to this, the Mandalorian blade in its ability to remain unmoving against pressing can be used offensively in order to lock the movement of a lightsaber, thus interfering with the rhythmic movement of the Soresu blade. 

Its main difference against Ataru is its lack of flips, and the strikes aimed for vital points. Ataru was able get around the Mandalorian style through simple mentality of going around the hill as opposed to through it, being able to attack the Mandalorian from multiple angles and constantly shifting points, remopving the defence of the grip entirely, as well as being able to attack the Jetpack itself with ease.

Un’duro, who always seems to enjoy reading with me, says “it's a boring Ataru meant to kill people”. And I couldn't agree more…

[Of course, in hindsight, I feel much admiration for the Mandalorian race, and the tales Mace spread of them became the stuff of legend on our planet. Which says a lot about them as a collective - Un'duro]