Shien is often paired with Djem So, and considered a variation on the former. The primary reason for this confusion is Shien, like Djem So, also uses the reverse grip.

Shien is a Lightsaber combat form developed later, being born in the heart of the Empire's rise and during the Clone Wars.

The Shien is a defensive move, also used in Makashi, specifically a circular parry that moves the opponent's blade off line of the target while continuing to maintain contact with the blade.

Shien means to parry.

The philosophy is that it takes longer to process an attack with the eye. The speed at which attacks execute exceed speeds the eye can process. The proverb of Shien is "your eyes can deceive you, don't trust them." Instead of attempting to follow an opponents movements technique by technique, and then respond to their attacks, it is faster to feel the attack as it begins.

The Maka blade tie is deliberate, acting as a bridge to feel the opponents pressure and intent through out the battle. Unlike Makashi the intent of Shien is not to Shiak (thrust), but rather to Sun Djem, to disarm.

Sun is always in reference to the primary weapon arm, or the right hand side. Even if the student is left handed, all Lightsaber schools teach right hand. It is the student's task to adjust if they are left handed to learn to be ambidextrous.

Djem is to destroy, or in the context of Sun Djem, to disarm. This can be done three ways, the weapon can be literally destroyed by cutting through the handle, the opponent can be disarmed by amputating the weapon arm above the wrist (as in the case of both Anakin and Luke Skywalker), but the best masters of Shien could use the circular sword tie, Maka-Shien, to strip the sword free of the opponents hands, and toss it out of reach without doing damage to the handle or the opponent.

In Makashi this circle is smaller and only used to redirect and unbalance the opponent to open them for a Shiak counter attack. In the form Shien the circle can be any size and the application is to create a point of contact with the opponents blade and keep the contact as unbroken as possible.

The transmittion of Shien is called the Sequence. It is an Velocity that is ended and one party beats the other using the Shien to disarm the other.

In the Sequences that follow, the steps for the Velocity each Sequence finishes are not listed for the sake of space and redundancy. The steps of the Velocities are spelled out in Soresu.

Shien is also known as the Compassion Form or Way of the Varactyl, a large colorful lizard that is highly obedient and intelligent. The Varactyl was a mounted companion often ridden through areas difficult for vehicles to reach.

Shien is built from Soresu and it is transmitted in a similar way. Where Soresu avoids crossing saber blades and beats the opponent with timing and perfect distance, Shien takes the Soresu form and considers the goal of perfect timing and distance unrealistic in a combat situation.

The Sequence of Shien occurs from the Velocity of Soresu. It is therefore impossible to learn Shien without also knowing Soresu, or by learning the Sequence of Shien one will also be training the Velocity of Soresu. The sequence of Shien actually starts as a Velocity from Soresu, but for Shien, the Velocity is broken with by one party or the other to end the exchange with a Shien into Sun Djem.

Phase I: Moon & Sun

Shii Cho Moon Velocity – Sequence

Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Shien right retreat step and raise sword to Shii Cho to bait attack
2) right advance step to 12:00 and Moon Sai Mok to Maka (saber bind) Trill's attack
3) Kessel Run advance to push past Trill's forward pressure to finish with Moon Sai Mok to Trill's shoulder, Flowing Water
4) right retreat step to 4:30 and raise sword to Djem So facing 10:30
5) right advance step to 10:30 with Sai to Trill's head

Shii Cho Sun Velocity - Sequence
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Shien raise sword to Moon Shii Cho to bait attack
2) left advance step to 12:00 and Sun Sai Mok to Maka (saber bind) Trill's attack
3) Kessel Run advance to push past Trill's forward pressure to finish with Sun Sai Mok to Trill's shoulder, Flowing Water
4) Pod Binder retreat step to 7:30 and raise sword to Djem So facing 1:30
5) right advance step to 1:30 with Sai to Trill's head

Makashi Moon Velocity - Sequence
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack
2) raise sword and Shiak to Makashi to intercept Trill's attack
3) Moon Chromo Shien three times then sling Trill's blade up toward Sun
4) left side step advance to 3:00 with Sun Mia Cho to Trill's abdomen
5) Sun Juyo and raise sword to Djem So facing 9:00
6) right advance step to 9:00 with Sai to Trill's head

Makashi Sun Velocity - Sequence
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack
2) raise sword and Shiak to Makashi to intercept Trill's attack
3) Sun Chromo Shien three times then sling Trill's blade up toward Moon
4) right side step advance to 9:00 with Moon Mia Cho to Trill's abdomen
5) Moon Juyo and raise sword to Djem So facing 3:00
6) right advance step to 3:00 with Sai to Trill's head

Djem So Moon Velocity – Sequence

Attack: Sai from Djem So

1) from Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack

2) right Kessel Run advance to 1:30 with Moon Cha Cortay

3) Moon Juyo and roll blade with Sai Sun Djem (batting Trill’s sword from his grip)

4) right retreat step and raise sword to Djem So

5) right advance with Sai to Trill's head

Djem So Sun Velocity – Sequence

Attack: Sai from Djem So

1) from Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack

2) left advance step to 10:30 with Sun Cha Cortay

3) Sun Juyo and roll blade with Sai Sun Djem (batting Trill’s sword from his grip)

4) raise sword to Djem So

5) right advance with Sai to Trill's head

Ataru Moon Velocity – Sequence

Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Shien right retreat step to Ataru to bait attack
2) right side step to 3:00 with Moon Mai Cortay to smack Trill's sword offline
3) left advance step to 12:00 with Sun Sai Mok to Trill's neck
4) Moon Jung with Sai to Trill's head (Falling Leaf)

Ataru Sun Velocity - Sequence
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Shien move sword tip to Moon Ataru to bait attack
2) left side step to 9:00 with Sun Mai Cortay to smack Trill's sword offline
3) right advance step to 12:00 with Moon Sai Mok to Trill's neck
4) Ataru with Sai to Trill's head (Falling Left) 

Soresu Moon Velocity – Sequence

Attack: Soresu Maka
1) from Soresu Maka Moon Chromo Shien
Trill responds with Moon Chromo Shien
2) Moon Chromo Shien then Cha Shiak Trill's neck
Trill defends with Moon Mai Cortay
3) Sun Chromo Shien Sun Djem (tossing Trill's sword from his grip)
4) Kessel Run advance with orbital to Moon Sai Mok Shiim (Trill is unarmed)

Soresu Sun Velocity - Sequence
Attack: Soresu Maka
1) from Soresu Maka Sun Chromo Shien
Trill responds with Sun Chromo Shien
2) Sun Chromo Shien then Cha Shiak Trill's neck
Trill defends with Sun Mai Cortay
3) Moon Chromo Shien to Cho Mai (disarm by amputating Trill's wrists)
4) left advance step with Sun Sai Mok Shiim (Trill is unarmed)

Shien Moon Velocity – Sequence

Attack: Sai from Djem So

1) from Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack

2) Ataru right with Moon Sai Mok Trill's wrist (Sun Djem)
3) Kessel Run advance with Moon Sai Mok orbital Trill’s neck
4) right retreat step and raise sword to Djem So

5) right advance step with Sai Shiim to Trill's head (Trill is unarmed)

Shien Sun Velocity – Sequence

Attack: Sai from Djem So

1) from Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack

2) raise sword to Soresu to intercept Trill’s attack with Sun Maka (saber bind)
3) Sun Chromo Shien to cross Trill’s arms and sling Trill's blade away Sun Djem

4) raise sword to Djem So (right side)

5) Sai Shiim to Trill's head (Trill is unarmed)

Niman Jar' Kai Moon Velocity - Sequence

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Niman-Jar' Kai Sun Velocity - Sequence

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Juyo Moon Velocity – Sequence

Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack
2) Kessel Run advance with Force shout and Mai Shiak Trill's abdomen
Trill deflects with Moon Mai Cortay
3) left advance step to 10:30 with Moon Sweep Mok to Trill's abdomen
4) Sun Juyo with right step to 10:30 to face 4:30 with Sun Sai Mok to Trill's neck from behind
5) raise sword to Djem So
6) right advance to 4:30 with orbital to Sai Trill's head from behind

Juyo Sun Velocity - Sequence
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack
2) Kessel Run advance with Force shout and Mai Shiak Trill's abdomen
Trill deflects with Sun Mai Cortay
3) left Xesh Cresh step to 3:00 with rolling orbital Moon Tai Cortay deflection
4) Moon Juyo with right advance step to 1:30 with orbital Moon Sai Mok to Trill's neck
5) right retreat step to 4:30 and raise sword to Djem So facing 10:30
6) right advance step to 10:30 with Sai to Trill's head

Phase II Cresh & Krenth

Shii Cho Cresh Velocity – Sequence

Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Shien right retreat step  and turn right hand to grip pommel Cresh So raising sword to Cresh So Shii Cho to bait attack
2) right advance step and Moon Juyo with left Thesh cross step to 3:00 facing 10:30 with Cresh So Moon Sai Mok Trill's neck over attack
3) right release pommel and regrab with forward grip, then Cha Shiak Trill's throat
4) raise sword to Djem So facing 10:30
5) right advance step to 10:30 with Sai to Trill's head

Shii Cho Krenth Velocity - Sequence
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Krenth Soresu right retreat Hut Slide and raise sword to Krenth Shii Cho to bait attack
2) stand with right advance step to 12:00 and Moon Sai Mok to Maka (saber bind) Trill's attack
3) push Trill's arms up to slip under his forward pressure
4) left Pod Binder step with right front kick to push Trill back
5) Cha Shiak Trill's throat
6) raise sword to Djem So
7) right advance step with Sai to Trill's head

Makashi Cresh Velocity – Sequence

Attack: from behind, Sai from Djem So
1) feeling the intent to kill from behind, without turning, Cresh So Mai Shiak Trill's abdomen
2) Ataru Moon Jung with Cresh So Sai to Trill's head (Falling Leaf)
3) Trill Tallon Roll toward 12:00 for distance
4) stand with Shiak into Makashi facing 6:00
5) left advance step to 6:00 and raise sword to Djem So with intent to kill

Makashi Krenth Velocity – Sequence

Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack
2) Ataru forward under Trill's attack and drop to left knee with Force shout and Mai Shiak to Trill's abdomen (Kreneth Makashi)
3) left front kick to push Trill back
4) left plant forward and raise sword to Djem So
5) right advance step with Sai to Trill's head

Djem So Cresh Velocity – Sequence

Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack
2) Ataru forward under Trill's attack and drop to left knee with Force shout and Mai Shiak to Trill's abdomen (Kreneth Makashi)
Trill retreats with Ataru to evade
3) left Hut Slide advance with Moon Mai Cho Trill's abdomen

Djem So Krenth Velocity – Sequence

Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack
2) Ataru forward under Trill's attack and drop to left knee with Force shout and Mai Shiak to Trill's abdomen (Kreneth Makashi)
Trill retreats with Ataru to evade
3) left Hut Slide advance with Moon Mai Cho Trill's abdomen
Trill Ataru into Xesh Tallon Roll to Evade
4) stand with Sun Jung to face 6:00, then left advance step to 6:00 into Djem So
5) Sai to Trill's head from behind

Ataru Cresh Velocity - Sequence
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu right retreat step, turn right hand to grip pommel Cresh So Ataru to bait attack
2) Moon Jung Ataru with Sai Trill's head over attack (Falling Leaf)
3) Trill Tallon Roll toward 6:00 for distance

Ataru Krenth Velocity - Sequence
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack
2) Ataru forward under Trill's attack and drop to left knee with Force shout and Mai Shiak to Trill's abdomen (Kreneth Makashi)
Trill retreats with Ataru to evade
3) left Hut Slide advance with Moon Mai Cho Trill's abdomen

Soresu Cresh Velocity - Sequence
Attack: Soresu Maka
1) from Soresu Maka Moon Chromo Shien
Trill responds with Moon Chromo Shien
2) Moon Chromo Shien then Cha Shiak Trill's neck
Trill defends with Moon Mai Cortay
5) right advance step with Sai Shiim to Trill's head (Trill is unarmed)

Soresu Krenth Velocity – Sequence

Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack
2) Ataru forward under Trill's attack and drop to left knee with Force shout and Sun Sweep to Trill's torso
3) stand with left advance step with Cha Shiak to Trill's neck
4) raise sword to Djem So
5) right advance with Sai to Trill's head

Shien Cresh Velocity- Sequence

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Shien Krenth Velocity - Sequence

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Niman-Jar' Kai Cresh Velocity - Sequence

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Niman-Jar' Kai Krenth Velocity - Sequence

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Juyo Cresh Velocity - Sequence

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Juyo Krenth Velocity - Sequence

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In the battle with general Grievous Obi Wan uses the Shien and Sun Djem to disarm the four-armed monster that had killed so many Jedi before. Anakin learns Shien as well, from Obi Wan, and uses it to beat Count Dooku in their final duel. As Darth Vader, he uses the Sun Djem to remove Luke's hand on Bespin

Shien, like Makashi, has a unique lightsaber. It is not the handle that is different but instead Shien utilizes a shorter blade than standard. The Shien blade, or Shoto, is 2/3rds to 3/4ths the length of a full blade. This shorter blade is meant to function as a shorter lever, giving the advantage of torque while applying Sun Djem. The Shoto also can be used in a tighter, close quarter combat spaces. 

It is not mandatory for the Jedi to use a shorter blade to practice Shien, the Sequences can be executed with a standard blade length as well, just as a Makashi stylist can make use of a Lightsaber even if it does not have the curved Makashi handle. It does help give leverage on the Maka-Shien if the blade is shorter, but the Jedi can use any blade to fight.

Obi Wan was pivotal in the design of Shien, to both honor the memory of his fallen teacher Qui Gon, and to better prepare future Jedi to face the challenges of growing war.