Form VII: Niman (Powerstaark)

Niman, also known as 'the way of the Talz' or 'the diplomats form' was the most balanced style of lightsaber combat.

Niman was a balanced lightsaber style and had no great strengths but no great weaknesses either. It wasn't as strong defensively as Soresu, or offensively as Djem So, and it wasn't as accurate as Makashi or as swift as Ataru. Niman tried to combine all the lightsaber forms into a single form. Perhaps the greatest weakness was that it couldn't defend against numerous opponents for a large amount of time as proven during the Battle of Geonosis. According to Cin Drallig it took at least ten years to master Niman

Stance and maneuvers
The stance of Niman was to cock the blade at head height pointing it horizontally at the opponent with the free arm stretched out in front. From here the user could attack with a one handed stab or a circular swing but these techniques were very basic and easy to block.

One of the attacks utilized by Form VII was referred to as "Draw Closer". It consisted of the duelist telekinetically seizing an opponent and pulling them into the path of their blade. A technique that was the reverse of the "Draw Closer" was also developed, dubbed the "Pushing Slash", in which the duelist would slash an opponent before blasting them aside with a Force push.

The most advanced Niman technique was known at "Alter Damage" which only a true master of Niman was able to perform. The user would use the Force to inflict minimal damage with an otherwise lethal attack. This was used to stop enemies without killing them or injuring them severely. While not technically a maneuver it was counted as part of the style.

Practitioners
Jedi Battle Master Cin Drallig was a master of Niman in addition to his mastery of all the other lightsaber combat forms except Juyo/Vaapad. Jedi Council member Ki-Adi-Mundi was also a master of Niman and one of the few Niman users to survive to the end of the clone wars.

Obi-Wan Kenobi often used the Niman opening stance when preparing for a duel, possibly as a way of decieving the enemy into thinking he was Niman practitioner. His second Padawan Tom Norton also began using the opening stance but apart from that he payed little attention to Niman.

Coleman Trebor was a Niman practitioner but his skill with the style was no match for Jango Fett's masterfully aimed blaster bolts. Other Niman practitioners who perished in the first battle of Geonosis were Joclad Danva, Sarrissa Jeng and Sar Labooda.