system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[Star Wars] Why did Anakin cut Mace Windu's arm off, why not just block his sabre when he was trying to kill the senate?
gpt
The ideal in any swordfight is for your first blow to be the fight's last. Blocking your opponent's sword means he can try to hit you back. Cutting your opponent's sword hand off settles things fairly conclusively.

Drastic? Maybe. But Master Windu had a reputation of being the deadliest warrior in the Jedi order; if there's any risk of being stuck in a fight with him, you should look for a way out. And Anakin is fully aware that prosthetic hands are available if you need one.