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yea its implied in the original films that the Sith are evil mages (like Sauron or Saruman) the reason Vader has a lightsaber is because he used to be a Jedi (and is more adept with a sword than space magic I suppose) this whole idea was -blam!-ed up, of course, by the prequels and, to some extent, the expanded universe
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Ironically, the simplicity made Vader stand out as a former Jedi more than anything. Sith as a whole tend to gravitate towards flashier designs. Maul- Saberstaff Dooku- Curved-hilt saber Sidious- Electrum-plated saber Darth Souls- Cruciform saber. Etc.