Darth Vader was the primary Star Wars villain to have a lightsaber combat, and he has continued to have most of the franchise’s finest duels ever since. Robotically menacing due to 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 combat, perhaps 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 beautiful visuals, memorable dialogue, and presenting totally different sides to Vader’s cruelty. Throughout numerous Star Wars motion pictures, TV exhibits, 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 the perfect choreography by at present’s requirements, however it nonetheless feels iconic after practically 5 many years. The speedy stress 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 formidable 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 dying. Vader then made his kyber crystal “bleed,” inflicting his newly constructed lightsaber to glow purple.
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How Sith Flip Their Lightsabers & Kyber Crystals Crimson
The best way Sith Lords acquire 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 wonderful duels in the unique Star Wars Expanded Universe, now referred to as “Legends,” and the most effective was with Jedi Grasp An’ya Kuro (aka “The Darkish Lady”). She and Vader used the plants 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 grew to become a Drive ghost, in the end proving him fallacious about dying.
6
Darth Vader Vs. Luke Skywalker
Return of the Jedi (1983)
Vader’s last lightsaber duel is definitely one among his most iconic, solely this low on the listing due to the aim it serves within the story. Vader is usually overpowered by Luke to reflect their final duel, exhibiting Luke starting to slide and comply with his father’s path. The combat additionally ends with Vader dropping 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 will catch Vader off guard by luring him right into a lure, however sadly, they make the error of baiting him with Obi-Wan’s title. Vader’s rage-fueled focus makes him a terrifying opponent who mops by means of the primary few Jedi with ease.
The comedian balances Vader’s spectacular ability by having him maintain heavy injury from the opposite Jedi, protecting readers on the sting of their seats. One Jedi even makes use of a cortosis weapon to quick 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 area 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 typically pushes individuals right into a no-win scenario, both dying by his hand or giving in to the darkish facet. One Jedi even kills one other when she insists that Jedi do not strike down unarmed opponents, just for Vader to kill him anyway. Although Vader would have misplaced with out the 501st exhibiting 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 keep in mind how followers instantly started speculating on what a duel between her and Vader would appear to be. Eight years later, we lastly received 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 the most effective 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 temporary 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 dying.
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 sport was additionally unbelievable, Vader additionally received crushed worse than he had in most of his different fights. The second sport, in the meantime, took Vader to a different stage by having him problem Starkiller in each method possible.
Vader spends the whole 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 combat 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 drive him to hunt the opposite rebels.
Even when Starkiller wins, his selection is to both give into the darkish facet by killing Vader or reside with the concern of his survival.
Even when Starkiller wins, his selection is to both give into the darkish facet by killing Vader or reside with the concern of his survival. Within the mild facet model of the sport, Vader makes this clear by noting how he’ll at all times be capable of management Starkiller by means of Juno. In the dead of night facet ending, it is revealed that Vader had one other clone hidden with cloaking know-how who would have killed Starkiller if he tried to kill Vader.
2
Darth Vader Vs. Cere Junda
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (2023)
One among Vader’s most brutal victories was towards Cere Junda, the bottom level for the principle characters in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. These video games do a tremendous job presenting Vader as a monster, a drive of nature, which this stage highlights by surrounding the combatants with flames and explosions. Cere’s dying 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 could be the plain selection, however none of Vader’s lightsaber duels are ever more likely to be as iconic as his combat with Luke in The Empire Strikes Again. This sequence has a few of the finest cinematography in Star Wars, every location illuminated by hauntingly lovely lighting that makes the surroundings dynamic. It visually shows Luke having to outlive in a den of darkness with no method out.
Vader toys with Luke by means 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 dropping his hand. Different Star Wars lightsaber duels could also be quicker and extra intense, however Darth Vader‘s combat 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
