Jensaarai One | Darth Vader - Martial Training & Weaponry @Jensaarai1 | Uploaded September 2019 | Updated October 2024, 8 hours ago.
This breakdown of Darth Vader's lightsaber skills was originally prepared for an upcoming match-up on my channel, Darth Vader Vs. Kyle Katarn. Rest assured, this match-up is happening, but as with my previous breakdown of Vodo-Siosk Baas, uploaded back in Febuary, this analysis is now outdated. Not because my opinion of Vader has changed, but because my analytical format has evolved. While I stand by every word spoken in this sample, it ultimately overemphasizes the mechanical function of Vader's physical moveset, while making only token mentions of his tactics and conduct. Furthermore, it betrays a narrow focus on his film appearances, which is particularly ironic coming from me, given my position that Vader's average performance level is set by his Expanded Universe appearances.
My logic is that the overwhelming majority of Vader's fights are featured in the EU, with most of these fights being against fresh opponents that he had no connection to, while his film duels are defined by circumstantial, psychological factors, namely his apprehension fighting the man who originally crippled him, and the combination of his emotional baggage and overriding agenda where his son was concerned. The notion of Luke Skywalker, with his mere four years of experience, actually being an equal to Darth Vader, a reigning swordmaster with over thirty years of lightsaber training under his belt, is one that I find preposterous, Return Of The Jedi novelization be damned. And for anyone who thinks I'm selling Luke short, lets not forget how many opponents who were clearly not on Vader's level who were able to give Luke some serious trouble. Furthermore, my position is that being far below Vader's level actually makes Luke's victory far more impressive, as he successfully punched up against an opponent who completely outclassed him.
Anyhoo, with all of that out of the way, allow me to present this standalone profile of Darth Vader's martial proficiencies and weaponry.
References & Sources:
[03:13] - Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader - Part II: The Emperor's Emissary - Chapter 13
[03:48], [04:59] - Fightsaber: Jedi Lightsaber Combat, by David West Reynolds and Jack "Stelen" Bobo - Originally published in Star Wars Insider 62
[03:58] - Revenge of the Sith (novelization) - Part Three: Apocalypse - Chapter 20: Chiaroscuro
[04:04] - Lightsabers: A Guide to Weapons of the Force - Lightsaber Combat, Pg 56-58
[05:39] - Revenge of the Sith (novelization) - Part One: Victory - Chapter 3: The Way of the Sith
[07:07] - Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader - Part II: The Emperor's Emissary - Chapter 10
This breakdown of Darth Vader's lightsaber skills was originally prepared for an upcoming match-up on my channel, Darth Vader Vs. Kyle Katarn. Rest assured, this match-up is happening, but as with my previous breakdown of Vodo-Siosk Baas, uploaded back in Febuary, this analysis is now outdated. Not because my opinion of Vader has changed, but because my analytical format has evolved. While I stand by every word spoken in this sample, it ultimately overemphasizes the mechanical function of Vader's physical moveset, while making only token mentions of his tactics and conduct. Furthermore, it betrays a narrow focus on his film appearances, which is particularly ironic coming from me, given my position that Vader's average performance level is set by his Expanded Universe appearances.
My logic is that the overwhelming majority of Vader's fights are featured in the EU, with most of these fights being against fresh opponents that he had no connection to, while his film duels are defined by circumstantial, psychological factors, namely his apprehension fighting the man who originally crippled him, and the combination of his emotional baggage and overriding agenda where his son was concerned. The notion of Luke Skywalker, with his mere four years of experience, actually being an equal to Darth Vader, a reigning swordmaster with over thirty years of lightsaber training under his belt, is one that I find preposterous, Return Of The Jedi novelization be damned. And for anyone who thinks I'm selling Luke short, lets not forget how many opponents who were clearly not on Vader's level who were able to give Luke some serious trouble. Furthermore, my position is that being far below Vader's level actually makes Luke's victory far more impressive, as he successfully punched up against an opponent who completely outclassed him.
Anyhoo, with all of that out of the way, allow me to present this standalone profile of Darth Vader's martial proficiencies and weaponry.
References & Sources:
[03:13] - Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader - Part II: The Emperor's Emissary - Chapter 13
[03:48], [04:59] - Fightsaber: Jedi Lightsaber Combat, by David West Reynolds and Jack "Stelen" Bobo - Originally published in Star Wars Insider 62
[03:58] - Revenge of the Sith (novelization) - Part Three: Apocalypse - Chapter 20: Chiaroscuro
[04:04] - Lightsabers: A Guide to Weapons of the Force - Lightsaber Combat, Pg 56-58
[05:39] - Revenge of the Sith (novelization) - Part One: Victory - Chapter 3: The Way of the Sith
[07:07] - Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader - Part II: The Emperor's Emissary - Chapter 10
