Jon Solo Sebastian 06/07/2024:

I’m back with another “Top 5” Star Wars list. Something we’ve yet to do on my podcast is talk about the top five force powers in Star Wars, or even our own personal top five picks. I’ve added it to the list of shows for this year, but until then, here’s my personal list. This wasn’t easy, because my first draft of picks were mostly dark side powers because lets’ face it, the dark side is sexy and tempting. The thing is, while I certainly have a little Sith blood in my veins, I’ve always tried my hardest to walk the path of the light side in my everyday life.

“To be Jedi is to face the truth, and choose. Give off light, or darkness. Be a candle, or the night, but choose.” – Minch Yoda

1. Force Pyschometry

Psychometry is said to be a rare force technique that gives the user the ability to learn information stored on an object or location. The object or location holds a strong force residue, or Force Echo, on it that when touched will show the user the history of that area or item. Imagine finding an old video camera out in a forest. You pick it up, charge it or plug it in, and it will show you the recorded footage. Similar concept here, the force user picks up an object like a lightsaber found on a battlefield. They are then able to see that object’s history like what happened there, and it can also convey the emotions held within it by the former owner of the lightsaber.

This was first seen used by Quinlan Vos in The Clone Wars in the “Hunt for Ziro” episode. It’s also a very prominent power used in Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor where the protagonist of the game—Cal Kestis learns the ability. The history in the force echo could be from hours or minutes ago, or even thousands of years ago. As a lover of history, this sounds like a dream of a power, but it has its downside. Not all emotions or historical events will give off good feelings or information the user is ready for; it could scar the user, and lead to falling to the dark side.

2. Force Lightning

Here’s where my Sith side comes out. If I could wield the force, I’d be a huge liar if I said I wouldn’t learn how to use the force lightning ability; of course I’d use the power for good. Like heating up dinner quickly, or when someone’s car won’t start in the cold—I could give the car a little jolt.

Force Lightning is an extremely powerful dark side ability. We first see it in Return of the Jedi when Emperor Palpatine blasts Luke Skywalker with the devastating bolts of electricity. In Star Wars, there is no good use of the power. It’s used for interrogation purposes or to torture, maim, and even kill the victim. A Jedi can stop or deflect the ability with a lightsaber, or with their hands, like Yoda, but other than that it’s an unstoppable power.

3. Force Healing

An ability that always came in handy in the Knights of the Old Republic video game was force healing. While the Sith have their own version of healing, I’m looking at the light side power. This ability relies on a heavy connection to the force and to the light side. The user will use the force to heal their own wounds, or others wounds. For themselves, they can use meditation to revitalize their body and mind. Unlike the Sith version, the Jedi use the ability for selfless reasons like healing other people or creatures. It’s in their nature to use this power to help others before themselves. Two most recent examples on screen of this ability came from Grogu in the Mandalorian, and Rey in The Rise of Skywalker. Imagine having this ability for even one day how much good you could do in the world.

4. Jedi Mind Trick

Lets travel back in time to a scene on Tatooine when an old hermit (retired Jedi) Obi-Wan Kenobi uses force persuasion on a Stormtrooper so he, Luke, and the droids can move along without issue. This power’s use is intended for the weaker minds in the galaxy. It doesn’t work on some races like the Hutts. We see this example in Return of the Jedi when Luke tries it on Jabba hoping to have him release his friends. Jabba was immune to the attempt, just like Watto in The Phantom Menace when Qui-gon Jinn tried it on him.

“Mind Tricks don’t work on me. Only money.” – Watto

Another perk to this power comes in the form of using it on stealth missions. Numerous times throughout the films and streaming series, we’ve seen Jedi use the trick to create distractions in order for them to sneak by unnoticed. Jedi only use this ability when it’s absolutely necessary because they could easily abuse the power if they don’t keep themselves in check. Abusing the power would certainly lead to their fall into darkness.

5. Force Telekinesis

I’m sure you’ve seen the meme about walking up to motion sensing doors at stores and pretending to use the force to open them. Most Star Wars fans have done that at least once. Whether in the Star Wars universe or elsewhere, I’ve always found telekinesis to be fascinating, and it’s an ability we humans could possibly achieve.

Jedi and Sith use force telekinesis to push or pull objects, throw objects (or people), lifting and lowering objects or people, and choking enemies. That last one is typically done by the Sith. I keep going back to Return of the Jedi for reference, but in that film, Luke Skywalker force chokes the Gamorrean Guards inside Jabba’s Palace. Telekinesis is definitely one of my favorite powers due to its plethora of uses; it’s also not as black and white as other abilities.

Well there you have it. What do you think of my top five force powers? I feel like I’d certainly have unlimited power if I could use these five abilities. Unlimited power to do good in the world, of course.