Darth Vader was the primary Star Wars villain to have a lightsaber battle, and he has continued to have lots of the franchise’s finest duels ever since. Mechanically menacing because of his chilling masks, iconic respiratory, and crimson purple lightsaber, most individuals in Star Wars would know they’re sure to lose to Vader. Some put up an excellent battle, possibly even when, however solely at private value.
Whoever the victor is, Vader’s duels are sometimes the emotional turning level in a narrative and essentially the most vital problem his enemy will ever face. Different fights are memorable for his or her gorgeous visuals, memorable dialogue, and presenting completely different sides to Vader’s cruelty. Throughout numerous Star Wars movies, TV reveals, video video games, and comics, 10 of Darth Vader’s lightsaber duels present the Sith Lord at his finest.
10
Darth Vader Vs. Obi-Wan Kenobi
Star Wars (aka A New Hope)
Darth Vader’s first lightsaber duel (and the primary in all of Star Wars) could not have one of the best choreography by immediately’s requirements, nevertheless it nonetheless feels iconic after almost 5 many years. The rapid pressure when associates turned enemies see one another, the fast cuts between slashes, and verbal sparring make the duel actually enjoyable. The ending makes Vader the primary character to win a lightsaber duel, even when Obi-Wan Kenobi turns into extra highly effective than he may think about.
9
Darth Vader Vs. Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi season 1, episode 6 “Half VI”
Marketed because the “rematch of the century” main as much as its launch, the season finale of Obi-Wan Kenobi delivered an epic duel between Obi-Wan and Vader. Whereas introduced down a bit by the lackluster visuals and boring location, the duel remains to be a powerful mixture of all of the combating kinds seen in these characters’ earlier fights. Obi-Wan’s last dialog with Vader after seeing him beneath his masks is among the franchise’s most heartbreaking moments.
8
Darth Vader Vs. Grasp Kirak Infil’a
Star Wars: Darth Vader (2017) #4
Vader’s first lightsaber duel after donning his armor was with a Jedi Grasp named Kirak Infil’a, a part of a Sith ceremony of passage to steal a Jedi’s kyber crystal. Though Vader was initially defeated and forged into an abyss, he rebuilt himself and fought the Jedi Grasp once more, brutally forcing him to look at everybody he beloved die earlier than his personal loss of life. Vader then made his kyber crystal “bleed,” inflicting his newly constructed lightsaber to glow purple.
Associated
How Sith Turn Their Lightsabers & Kyber Crystals Red
The best way Sith Lords receive kyber crystals for his or her purple lightsabers is extremely darkish within the Star Wars galaxy, a brutal and torturous ceremony of passage.
7
Darth Vader Vs. The Darkish Lady (Legends)
Star Wars Tales #1 & #2 “Extinction”
Vader additionally had a number of superb duels in the original Star Wars Expanded Universe, now referred to as “Legends,” and top-of-the-line was with Jedi Grasp An’ya Kuro (aka “The Darkish Lady”). She and Vader used the flora rising round them as a metaphor to debate whether or not life was price preserving or if extinction was pure. Vader could have slain the Darkish Lady, however she turned a Drive ghost, finally proving him improper about loss of life.
6
Darth Vader Vs. Luke Skywalker
Return of the Jedi (1983)
Vader’s last lightsaber duel is well certainly one of his most iconic, solely this low on the record due to the aim it serves within the story. Vader is usually overpowered by Luke to reflect their final duel, displaying Luke starting to slide and comply with his father’s path. The battle additionally ends with Vader shedding his hand and at Luke’s mercy, however Luke defying the Emperor additionally evokes Vader to sacrifice himself to save lots of his son.
5
Darth Vader Vs. Eight Jedi (Legends)
Star Wars: Purge (2005) #1
Most of Vader’s lightsaber duels are towards one or two opponents, making Star Wars: Purge distinctive for pitting him towards eight highly-trained Jedi. This group of Jedi thinks they’ll catch Vader off guard by luring him right into a entice, however sadly, they make the error of baiting him with Obi-Wan’s identify. Vader’s rage-fueled focus makes him a terrifying opponent who mops by way of the primary few Jedi with ease.
The comedian balances Vader’s spectacular ability by having him maintain heavy injury from the opposite Jedi, preserving readers on the sting of their seats. One Jedi even makes use of a cortosis weapon to brief out Vader’s lightsaber, however he merely snaps her neck and takes it to make use of towards the Jedi lightsabers. Maybe Vader’s most intriguing technique is when he pretends to give up, turning the Jedi towards one another after they cannot agree on whether or not to spare him.
One of many Jedi who seems on this comedian is Bultar Swan, who first appeared as an unnamed Jedi within the Geonosian enviornment battle in Star Wars: Episode II – Assault of the Clones.
This is why I actually love Vader a lot as a villain, as a result of he usually pushes folks right into a no-win scenario, both dying by his hand or giving in to the darkish aspect. One Jedi even kills one other when she insists that Jedi do not strike down unarmed opponents, just for Vader to kill him anyway. Regardless that Vader would have misplaced with out the 501st displaying up, Emperor Palpatine makes use of the story to unfold his darkish legend to the galaxy.
4
Darth Vader Vs. Ahsoka Tano
Star Wars Rebels season 2, episode 22 “Twilight of the Apprentice: Half 2”
When Ahsoka Tano was launched as Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan in 2008, I bear in mind how followers instantly started speculating on what a duel between her and Vader would seem like. Eight years later, we lastly acquired our reply within the Star Wars Rebels season 2 finale when an Ahsoka dueled Vader within the Sith Temple on Malachor. The lightsaber choreography, animation, and rating are all top-notch, making it top-of-the-line duels within the collection.
Nonetheless, what actually sticks with viewers is when Ahsoka sees Anakin beneath the masks, six years earlier than Obi-Wan Kenobi did the identical factor. That transient second of connection between the 2, and Ahsoka’s refusal to depart Anakin once more, makes his option to kill her all of the extra devastating. Rebels season 4, episode 14 “A World Between Worlds” confirmed the ultimate a part of their duel and the way Ahsoka barely cheated loss of life.
3
Darth Vader Vs. Starkiller (Legends)
Star Wars: The Drive Unleashed II (2010)
The one factor extra compelling than Vader combating his outdated Jedi Padawan is his dueling his outdated Sith apprentice within the Star Wars: The Drive Unleashed video video games. Whereas their duel on the finish of the primary recreation was additionally unimaginable, Vader additionally acquired crushed worse than he had in most of his different fights. The second recreation, in the meantime, took Vader to a different degree by having him problem Starkiller in each means conceivable.
Vader spends your entire duel getting inside Starkiller’s head, making him query his sense of actuality and whether or not his personal emotions could be trusted. Starkiller’s twin blades make their battle much more visually spectacular, plus Vader unleashes different deranged clones on his apprentice. Most of all. Vader tries to make use of the lady Starkiller loves, Juno Eclipse, to pressure him to hunt the opposite rebels.
Even when Starkiller wins, his alternative is to both give into the darkish aspect by killing Vader or dwell with the worry of his survival.
Even when Starkiller wins, his alternative is to both give into the darkish aspect by killing Vader or dwell with the worry of his survival. Within the mild aspect model of the sport, Vader makes this clear by noting how he’ll at all times have the ability to management Starkiller by way of Juno. At nighttime aspect ending, it is revealed that Vader had one other clone hidden with cloaking expertise who would have killed Starkiller if he tried to kill Vader.
2
Darth Vader Vs. Cere Junda
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (2023)
Certainly one of Vader’s most brutal victories was towards Cere Junda, the bottom level for the primary characters in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. These video games do a tremendous job presenting Vader as a monster, a pressure of nature, which this degree highlights by surrounding the combatants with flames and explosions. Cere’s loss of life is particularly tragic due to how shut she got here to killing Vader, however her assault left her open to Vader’s killing blow.
1
Darth Vader Vs. Luke Skywalker
The Empire Strikes Again (1980)
It might be the plain alternative, however none of Vader’s lightsaber duels are ever prone to be as iconic as his battle with Luke in The Empire Strikes Again. This sequence has a few of the finest cinematography in Star Wars, every location illuminated by hauntingly stunning lighting that makes the surroundings dynamic. It visually shows Luke having to outlive in a den of darkness with no means out.
Vader toys with Luke by way of a lot of the duel, leaving Luke peering round corners questioning when Vader will strike subsequent. All of it culminates within the unforgettable reveal that Vader is Luke’s father, maybe extra painful than Luke shedding his hand. Different Star Wars lightsaber duels could also be quicker and extra intense, however Darth Vader‘s battle with Luke will at all times be particular.
- Died
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Star Wars: Episode VI – Return Of The Jedi
- Alliance
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Jedi, Sith
- Race
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Human
