Perhaps the most iconic symbol of Star Wars, the lightsaber has captured the imagination of all Star Wars fans. It's equally an image of an advanced future and Arthurian-like mythology. Both the Jedi and the Sith share the use of this weapon, but who wields it and how they do so makes all the difference.
Star Wars is full of incredible lightsaber-wielding warriors, but the best of the best have a specific style which puts them above the rest. Looking through all of the canon, from the Skywalker Saga to Star Wars: Rebels, here are the best lightsaber fighters in all of Star Wars.
10. The Grand Inquisitor
A native of Utapau, the being who would take on the mantle of The Grand Inquisitor was once a Jedi Knight during the reign of the Republic. Serving as a Temple Guard, the Inquisitor protected the Jedi Temple on Coruscant and had a hand in the trial against Ahsoka Tano. At some point during the rise of the Empire, he fell to the Dark Side and became a pawn for Vader and Sidious during the Jedi Purge.
As an inquisitor, he had access to the archives left at the Coruscant Temple which detailed all forms of lightsaber combat. This access allowed him to learn and master nearly every dominant lightsaber technique, making him a formidable and adaptable opponent against all who met him. Sadly, although he had a versatile range of ability, his downfall was not committing to a single form, and Kanan Jarrus eventually bested him.
9. Kanan Jarrus
For someone who had a traumatic and short-lived tenure as a padawan, Kanan Jarrus became a formidable lightsaber fighter. Trained under Jedi Master Depa Billaba, Kanan studied Form III lightsaber style, otherwise known as Soresu. Form III is a defensive style favored by light-side s.
Kanan sadly suffered a significant blow when Maul blinded him, but through determination and healing, overcame this injury. The fact that Kanan is an incredible warrior on his own, even after enduring an attack such as this goes to show his proficiency with the force and his commitment to his lightsaber form.
8. Maul
Maul is not a force to be reckoned with. A fierce fighter, Maul grew up on the harsh world of Dathomir and later under the tutelage of Darth Sidious. Favoring a double-bladed lightsaber, Maul mastered Form VII or Juyo. Much like Maul's personality, Form VII is unpredictable and incredibly aggressive.
The only downfall to Maul's savage fighting is his emotions. Like many Sith and Darkside s, Maul's ion can cloud his judgment. But make no mistake, Maul is a force of nature and a powerful opponent.
7. Kylo Ren
Kylo Ren is unlike any other duelist on this list. Like his lightsaber, his fighting is unconventional and does not express a specific style. He is unwieldy and fierce like Maul but far more precise and calculated. His physique also helps him control his bulky and untethered saber.
Kylo, like Maul, often lets his temper get away from him. His unchecked rage can blind him from significant details in a fight. In The Last Jedi, he is bested by Luke for this very reason. But Kylo's family line and training give him an advantage unlike anyone else. All hail the Supreme Leader.
6. Count Dooku
Count Dooku's fighting style lives up to his prestigious title. Sidious' second apprentice has the benefit of also being a former Jedi. He understands techniques that most force wielders never can. Dooku follows Form II, a.k.a. Makashi. Similar to fencing, Form II is graceful and precise, favoring one-handed blows over a two-hand grip
Dooku has bested many Jedi and dark side s, facing off against the Nightsisters as well as fellow Sith. He is a manipulative mastermind both in politics and in combat. Even a surprise attack by his former apprentice Asajj Ventress and her Nighsisters couldn't defeat him.
5. Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
Although Dooku is a powerful fighter, one Jedi took him down easily. As Obi-Wan states in A New Hope, Anakin Skywalker was a cunning warrior, and his actions in The Clone Wars and Revenge of the Sith prove this. The Chosen One never lost his ability to fight (even if he lost the ability to use his legs). Darth Vader carried on his distinct style and strength, but with the added influence of the Dark Side. Skywalker mastered both Forms IV and V, which required a wide scope and defensive maneuvers.
There is a reason that Vader was feared by so many. Apart from being a formidable force , we see in Rogue One that his ruthless use of a lightsaber against hordes of Rebel soldiers is a scary sight. The scene plays like a horror film, staging Vader's saber abilities as an unstoppable force of evil.
4. Ahsoka Tano
Ahsoka is a fan favorite and holds her own distinct saber technique. Wielding two blades instead of a one, Ahsoka trained with and mastered the form of Jar'Kai. Many other force s have used this form, from the Nighsister Asajj Ventress to the fallen Jedi Master Pong Krell. None though have used it to such an effect, and so personally.
From her time as a Padawan to becoming a Gray Jedi, audiences have seen Ahsoka grow into one of the most potent duelists of the series. Her ability to wield double inverted sabers against the likes of Asajj Ventress, Maul, and Vader himself (and still come out on top) proves her masterful skills.
3. Darth Sidious
Darth Sidious is the single most powerful student of the Dark Side. Not only is he a master of the force, but he is familiar with multiple forms of lightsaber combat. He easily transfers between wielding a single bladed saber, a double bladed saber, and even two sabers at once.
With these three weapons, Sidious is skilled in forms from Jar'Kai to Form VII. Unlike the Inquisitor, Sidious brings a balance to all of his favored forms. Sidious holds the combined strength and skill of Maul, Ahsoka, and Dooku and then some. When he faces four Jedi masters, he wipes out almost all in a matter of minutes. Out of all of his opponents, only one was ever able to best him in pure lightsaber combat.
2. Mace Windu
One of the mightiest fighters of the Jedi order, Mace Windu holds an ability nearly unmatched. Unlike most Jedi, Windu fights with a ferocity closer to that of a Sith. He uses his signature purple lightsaber to duel using Form VII, the same technique implemented by both Maul and Sidious.
Windu is the only Jedi to use this form and not fall to the Dark Side. In his battle against Sidious, Windu was the only Jedi Master to hold his own again the Sith Lord Darth Sidious. Their style was similar enough to match, but add in the additional strength and fury, and Palpatine was no match against the Jedi master. If Anakin hadn't interfered, Windu could have finished the job.
1. Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi might not be as ferocious a fighter as most on this list, but his ability to wield a lightsaber is unmatched. Obi-Wan approaches every situation with a thoroughly thought out plan of attack. The way he handles combat is no different. In his duel with Anakin on Mustafar, he knows he has the high ground and ends the conflict even after announcing his plan. In his final duel with Maul, Obi-Wan only needs three moves to finish his opponent. Finally, his fight with Vader on the Death Star is nothing more than a ploy to give Luke and the gang time to escape. His mental capacity gives him a stronger chance against his opponents than anyone else in Star Wars.
