Summary

Ever since 1977’sStar Wars, Darth Vader has been one of pop culture’s most notorious villains ever. Darth Vader’s tragic and villainous development in theStar Warsfranchise has been one of the most interesting of recent decades, and his tragedy, cool factor, and power are all great reasons as to how he has managed to maintain his spotlight for so long.

The story of how Anakin Skywalker, a Jedi prodigy, fell to the power of the Dark Side is a tragic one, and his capabilities when it came to using force changed when he became Darth Vader. The Force Powers he used as a Sith Lord were just as fearsome, and given that he faced some limitations becauseof his partly mechanical body, he also had to use his powers strategically.

Darth Vader’s Force Choke in Star Wars: A New Hope

6Force Choke

Choke Or Strangle Victims With Ease

It might be a combination of telekinesis or nervous system control, but this move is how the movie shows audiencesthat Darth Vader can beas cold and calculating as he is aggressive. This is a terrifying and painful way to die, and the first time we saw Vader do it on screen, he was making an example of an Imperial officer who was asking some accusatory questions.

Admiral Motti wasn’t even Vader’s first victim, and he was saved by the higher rank of Grand Moff Tarkin. Years later, audiences would see the events that took place duringthe Revenge of the Sithand discover that he also used this power on Padme Amidala.

Luke Skywalker vs Darth Vader

5Telepathy

Speaks With His Son, Luke, Through The Force

This seems to be part of the Force Powers 101 course curriculum, since virtually every Force user, whether Jedi or Sith, seems to have access to this power to some degree. Vader uses it to speak to Luke inThe Empire Strikes Backafter their duel, which went poorly for the young Jedi.

Anakin Skywalker was able to use this power as he was a gifted Force-user, and when he was imprisoned on the planet Mokivj, he attempted to contact her using telepathy but was unable to do so. Supreme Leader Snoke, a Force-sensitive being but neither a Jedi Knight nor a Sith Lord, had the technique perfected, as did his creator.

Luke-Skywalker-and-Darth-Vader-in-Star-Wars-Episode-6-Return-of-the-Jedi

4Mind Reading

Explore The Thoughts Of His Targets

Using telepathy to communicate is one thing, but another even more usefuland powerful force abilityis using it to read minds. This might be the most fearsome power that any Force-user can wield, revealing an opponent’s most profound weaknesses.

Villains like the Emperor would use this power to discover their opponent’s hopes and fears, defeating them without even getting up from their chairs. Vader used this power to discover the existence of Luke’s sister Leia not only to gain more information about the Rebel Alliance but also to drive the young Jedi to anger.

Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and Lando Calrissian on Bespin in The Empire Strikes Back

3Energy Absorption

Absorbing Blaster Fire Into His Palms Is A Sith Trick

There are a variety of ways that a Force user can deflect a phaser blast, and this is one of them, but it isn’t something you see them do very often. Vader may have an advantage in this regard. His body is made almost entirely with inorganic components, which would make it easier to absorb and neutralize energy.Related

So much for Han Solo’s declaration that “hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side” in the firstStar Warsmovie. He learns otherwise the hard way when Darth Vader crashes what was supposed to be a private party and not only renders his phaser blasts useless but uses another powerful force ability to take the smuggler’s weapon.

Yoda with his hand raised and eyes closed as he lifts Luke’s X-Wing out of the swamp

2Telekinesis

A Handy Power For A Variety Of Reasons

Various Force-users have the power of telekinesis, but the stories and movies indicate that some of themare better at it than others. Yoda and Darth Vader have fearsome levels of Force Telekineses powers, and Darth Vader uses them in combat as opposed to more helpful endeavors, like raising X-wing fighters out of swamps.

When Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker are fighting, the Sith Lord uses this ability to throw random junk at the young Jedi to gain an advantage in the fight. It would be some time until Luke moved beyond smaller items like lightsabers, but he would eventually surpass his father in this skill.

Darth Vader’s Face Revealed

1Visions Of The Future

The Ability That Drove Him To The Dark Side

It’s hinted inThe Phantom Menacethat young Anakin’s connection to the force is related to his impressive piloting abilities. Anakin Skywalker was haunted by terrifying visions of the future, mostly involving the deaths of his mother and his wife, but he didn’t have the patience or wisdom to understand what he saw. After losing his mother,he turned to Darth Sidiousin an attempt to prevent losing Padme and failed to save her as well.

The redemption of Anakin Skywalker in this regard is partly due to his son, Luke, who had similar visions. However, the son of Anakin and Padme had the advantage of an upbringing away from the prying eyes of politicians, and Yoda was his Master. Although Luke had similar visions and was also disturbed by them, his different background is partly why he was spared the same dark fate.