star wars - Do lightsabers need a Force users' effort to block Force Lightning?

Force Lightning is generated from a Force user's body channeling powerful Force energy. It can be blocked/absorbed/reflected by the use of Force (Yoda showed it twice in the prequel series without using a lightsaber).

For a lightsaber to work, there's no need to channel the Force. In fact, it can be even used by a non-Force user (like Han Solo or Grevious). It's a pure chunk of technology which requires no knowledge of the Force. But: Can a non-Force user also block Force lightning using a lightsaber? Is it a physical property of the device itself?

Or does one have to apply the Force to block Force Lightning with a lightsaber?

Answer

It was NOT the lightsaber that deflected the lightning that Palpatine threw at Mace Windu (which is the episode I assume you meant from prior questions). The lightsaber was merely a tool, something to catch the energy on. The main part was Windu's Vaapad, not the lightsaber.

Lighting blasted the clouds above, and lightning blasted from Palpatine's hands, and Mace didn't have time to comprehend what Palpatine was talking about; he had time only to slip back into Vaapad and angle his blade to catch the forking arcs of pure, dazzling hatred that clawed toward him.

Because Vaapad is more than a fighting style. It is a state of mind: a channel for darkness. Power passed into him and out again without touching him.

And the circuit completed itself: the lightning reflected back to its source.

(source: Revenge of the Sith novelization by Matthew Stover)

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