Why the Jedi were WRONG to Forbid the Use of Force Lightning! (Legends)

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The Non-Canon Expert jumps into the philosophy and history behind the Jedi Order's ban on the use of Force Lightning, arguing that it was wrong for the Jedi to forbid every variant of Force Lightning for every Jedi and in all situations.
This is a Legends story for the Force ability of Force Lightning and the characters described with information primarily found within the Legends works "Star Wars: The Jedi Path," "Star Wars: The Book of Sith," "Star Wars: Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force," and the novel "Star Wars: Darth Plagueis." I hope that you enjoy it!
Decisions by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
Source: incompetech.com...
Artist: incompetech.com/
A Dream Within a Dream by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
Source: www.twinmusicom...
Artist: www.twinmusicom...

[@voorkin]

"Don't worry this is the light side variant" *Dark side points gained* "Oh f..."

[@fireorb2]

Damn, this had me LMAO, that's the thing about the dark side you never know how far you'll go. But that's what makes its abilities so cool.🤗

[@ducksruleflorida4882]

I play KOTOR and that's the only reason I can't breathe after reading this.

[@noteansylvan6051]

Pfft yes

[@WilliamSmith-gj8wc]

Fantasy Flight Games?

[@nou8257]

@@ducksruleflorida4882 You saved those 5 kids from slavery you better believe that's some darkside points gained

[@movespammerguyteam7colors]

“We are peace keepers not killers.” Bans use of stun power and only have a weapon that can cut through almost anything.

[@DAEDAEANT]

@Martha Sviniard he was using a literary term called *hyperbole* jsyk

[@barneyrubble4293]

@Sparticus Booker Have you heard of tasers? this is a stupid ban

[@someonesomeone4262]

169th like

[@comicskywalker]

Sparticus Booker says the absolute idiot

[@harryunderwood9387]

Yeah, but it's the Jedi Council who said it, therefore it's the will of the Force, so shush (CLEARLY SARCASTIC).

[@TheBigGuppy]

The Jedi are wrong about a great many things.

[@DeathToJihad]

To understand the great mystery, one must study all of its aspects, not just the narrow dogmatic views of the Jedi.

[@davidaston5773]

Yes about 66 of them....

[@TheBigGuppy]

The most destructive, evil individuals in the galaxy were always Jedi because they are catechized to deny their true nature and when their with nature they fall uncontrollably to the will of Bogan and are consumed by it. Freedon Nadd, Exar Kun, Revan, Vader, Nihilus, Sion etc... were originally catechized as Jedi. Sidious would have been a hero had it not been for the murderous actions of Tarkin. A true Sith ( not a fallen Jedi) is trained from the beginning to embrace his true nature and has the power of will over it. ..... Well there was that one time that Lord Vitiate consumed an entire planet for the sake of personal immortality. LOL

[@drakulian7456]

@@davidaston5773 Heh.

[@hyliastone286]

@@TheBigGuppy Oh, trust me, there is a _lot_ more wrong with the Empire and the Sith than just Tarkin. But you are right about the Jedi, at least to some extent.

[@DanielFincannon]

"Remember, no ability is inherently good or evil. It's how you use them." Kyle Katarn

[@AAJillSandwich]

My favorite StarWars character.

[@ScornedOne1080]

@TheOne111 It's on STEAM and GoG now.

[@catsarecool3388]

true dat

[@DraculaCronqvist]

Reason #3049 why Kyle Katarn is a true Jedi as opposed to the Prequel douchebags.

[@DonNado101]

Kyle should’ve been the protagonist of the Disney trilogy

[@MrMultiPat]

This discussion reminds me of how Starkiller kept using Force lightning well after he had gone to the light. He just used it as another tool in his arsenal.

[@MrKevin486]

Kyle Katarn ma nigguh

[@jasperreyes5174]

Finn Snow could have been the Canon version of Kyle Katarn... But Disney fucked it up...

[@sagesheahan6732]

Bingo. Like to turn machinery on. Lol.

[@bobbzen990]

Startkiller was more of a greyjedi

[@jasperreyes5174]

@@bobbzen990 Nah... He's a Light Sith...

[@TheRealHelvetica]

You make a good point on how typically light side abilities can evolve into dark side abilities. Force push becomes a force choke if applied to the neck A Jedi mind trick becomes Sith mind control when you simply prolong it Force healing becomes drain life when you reverse the healing flow

[@ryanmarr5243]

Force drain was a dark side application of force heal yeah, also the force telekinesis/push/pull not only matches up to force choke but also further to force crush. Yeah it does exactly as the name says.

[@crisla69]

Yeah the sith and jedi are really 2 sides of the same coin infact the original sith (not the sith race but people who became sith) were just fallen je'dai

[@anchorweight957]

The difference is in the motive

[@darylsdesigns6679]

One of the reasons why Kyle Katarn is one of my favorite Jedi is because he freely uses Force lightning in battle

[@arhael3594]

Did he use it outside game though? I did not read books centered around him. But in all books, where he is a minor character, he did not use it.

[@copman021]

I’m pretty sure he was like Kyp Durron where they would be primarily light side but would and could use “dark side” abilities due to their training. They were careful when they did so

[@arhael3594]

@@copman021 In all major novels Kyp never used darkside abilities after returning to light side. Feel free to prove me wrong.

[@zero5496]

And he has a good sense of humor, and a good GF

[@ravanpee1325]

Kyle Katarn is more a Grey Jedi than a Jedi

[@Sulufy]

The ability would've been especially useful in the Clone Wars against Droids. The Jedi could've just mowed through them.

[@lillyanneserrelio2187]

Yeah. But considering how crappy those battle droids were (even the Gun guns were holding their own) I wouldn't be suprised if WATER could hurt them. "Jedi! Unzip pants and make ready. Now, pee!...and concentrate- use the force and guide your streams forward, onto those advancing budget econo droids!"

[@lukebunch6327]

What did I just read

[@lillyanneserrelio2187]

@@lukebunch6327 An excerpt from the Geriatric Jedi division - a group of older members who are "darth plagued" by chronic bladder problems 😃

[@Zen-sx5io]

@@lillyanneserrelio2187 If they have a training manual for that technique, could you please send me a copy of that?

[@lukebunch6327]

Zen 2011 Send me one to so that I might burn it

[@LordSStorm]

“Why the Jedi were wrong...” now you have my attention.

[@tv_tim]

Force Lightning - single target, can be controlled: Evil Force Combustion - cause an area explosion on a target/object, possibility for collateral damage high: Good Right, that totally seems perfectly reasonable.

[@luck_adiante]

Seems legit

[@kl0neee]

@Mikhail G yea right and sidious was supposed to b manipulative

[@aerodynamiccow3597]

Jedi Council member Michael Bay was responsible for that one

[@whiskeyjade4076]

Force Lightning: Can be used to restart someone's heart: bad

[@supertrollariobros1261]

@@whiskeyjade4076 force lightning : dark side version literally cant be used by jedi- is still considered a dark side ability

[@ducksruleflorida4882]

Those who forget the past and refuse to teach others the wrong of it, are doomed to repeat it.

[@therealamerican99.76]

True in Star Wars and true here and now.

[@TheTinMan2077]

Thats what happens in real life too.

[@crisisamonginfinitedarthsa4220]

The rules of the Jedi: (1) No attachments (2) No Force Lightning and other Dark side abilities (3) No bathroom use between 8:00PM and 9:00PM (4) No breakdancing (5) No nudes

[@omnigar9611]

You lost me at no break dancing

[@wcapewell3089]

@@omnigar9611 he lost me at no attachments.

[@omnigar9611]

@@wcapewell3089 you have a point because I'm taking my dog

[@therealamerican99.76]

Lol

[@Nathan-go4ie]

I don't get the bathroom stuff

[@TheZombieburner]

Non-lethal variant of force lightning that acts as a super badass stun-gun: Banned, heretical, will get you removed from the jedi order. Force Crush, which is designed to implode an enemy's organs: used by Obi Wan, Mace Windu, and Yoda without reservation. Utterly fatal in the most violent and painful way possible. 100% allowed and no problem, broski. Jedi order logic for ya, right there. Personally, fuck 'em, I'd learn force lightning. If you use it to protect and do the right thing, you'd be just fine. It's no more evil than cutting off an enemy's head with a lightsaber in the heat of battle.

[@k-dawgHI]

Luke in the Mandalorian using Force crush: *Ayo check this shit out!*

[@matthewmohri9990]

So many Jedi's seem to forget that in the beginning there was the equal use of light and dark. The division is what has caused the war ever since.

[@daviddent5662]

OMG somebody actually mentioned my favorite little known Force tech: Emerald Lightning! My favorite thing from the Jedi Path and I was shocked at how little it's ever mentioned outside it, let alone seen. Bravo on that. As for why Plo was able to wield lighting without tapping into it's anger, I think you need to look at the Force order (The Baran Do)on his planet. They regularly play with electrical techniques in many variants that are similar to the type of force lightning style he used. Non-lethal and mostly used to disable. It may be that Kel do having a tiny bit of electrokinesis actually affords them some protection in using Force Lightning. I mean it's a theory and we'll never get a confirmation as the old EU is decanonized and not being developed anymore but you gotta admit it makes sense.

[@austindavis3728]

lol shocked

[@RyanTheDark]

I feel like had the Jedi have gotten power from the "Dark" Side the Jedi would never have fallen and Anakin would have may not betray them due to accepting both "Light" and "Dark".

[@blackshogun272]

ItsRyanYT had they just accepted Xendor of letting him just study the dark side, no fucking Dark Jedi, Sith, and Wars between the would have ever happened 💀

[@theodoremccarthy4438]

That would have accelerated their fall. The light and dark sides of the Force are not simply different aspects of the Force, they are different relationships with it. A light side user approaches the Force from a position of passivity; inviting the Force to guide him and use him as an instrument of it's will. A dark side user relies on his passions to impose his will on the Force; making the Force a tool to serve his own desires. The Jedi fell because they violated their relationship with the Force. They paid lip service to serving the will of the Force, but in reality they served the order and the Republic. They had degenerated from a spiritual order into a political one, and they used the Force to pursue their political goals. Those goals may have been noble and selfless, but they were still putting personal agendas ahead of the will of the force. Essentially, they had become a less honest version of the Sith. Had the Jedi embraced dark side techniques based on dominating the Force, they would have quickly degenerated into internal power struggles. They would have fought each other, just like the ancient Sith, as each tried to impose his own will on the galaxy.

[@blackshogun272]

@@theodoremccarthy4438 dude yeh Je'daii Order was fine until the old heads of the order's council believed this could make Xendor turn fully to the dark side which isn't what he believed. Dude just wanted to experiment further than what they already knew. Xendor wasn't a master as squat yet and so they saw him as a potential threat to the entire order and galaxy when he wanted to start a Dark Side Academy on Lettow and banished his ass. When word got spread that Xendor had a sizable amount of dark side users the Je'daii Council raised an immediate army to exterminate this threat and abomination of their own order. Xendor wasn't even out here practicing animal and sentient sacrifices, burning down villages or pillaging worlds and shit. The homie was literally minding his own business on Lettow with his followers when he got word that the Je'daii had an army coming for his world to destroy all he and his comrades had built. Xendor wasn't anyone's bitch and raised his own Army and by doing this in retaliation to the Je'daii Order's hostile ass approach, the seeds of hate and anger were blossoming in the new Legions of Lettow. And with this happening and Xendor knowing that he, his love, and his followers were about to be slaughtered by the self-righteous and single-minded Je'daii, the man gave the conflict his all. But shortly before the battle began he told his fiance that he had experienced a vision from The Force itself of everything that has transpired and will transpire. His lover didn't really understand it but he did and in the end was satisfied with knowing that all aspects of The Force led back to a cosmic one that has no sides, preferences, or favorites. It was just there; and they were just merely existing in it. It was truly just The Force...

[@theodoremccarthy4438]

@@blackshogun272 Luke: "How do I tell the dark side from the light?" Yoda: "You will KNOW; when you are calm, at peace, passive... A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never to attack." Now, does the phrase "calm, at peace, passive," seem to apply to the Masters who persecuted Xendor? No. They had already fallen by confusing their fear of the dark side for the will of the Force. This then consumed their order as it fell into repeated schismatic wars. This is why the central critiques of the Sith for the Jedi (weakness, hypocrisy, ignorance of the Force) ring true. The Jedi order frequent falls into the trap of confusing it's dogma's for the will of the Force. When that happens they betray the will of the Force and throw it out of balance; all without needing any help from dark side users. In fact, in such times empowering dark side users may actually become a means for the Force to restore balance. This would explain why the Force has repeatedly allowed the Sith to purge most of the Jedi order from the galaxy.

[@memoaustin7151]

@@theodoremccarthy4438 hi not very well versed in star wars, but i just wanted to say that imo, i feel like the optimal force user should be a "grey" jedi or whatever theyre called, i feel like the sith screw up by giving themselves entirely to their emotions, its like running an engine at full force without respite, eventually itll overheat compromise its integrity and blow up (dont quote me on this as im no engineer), we can even see this on how the dark side eventually starts to twist the bodies of those that abuse it the most. on the jedis instance, they got everything backwards, they claim to be emotionally disciplined, but all they do is neglect their emotions for fear of what they might bring, they claim to serve the force yet they try as hard as they can to pretend half of the force its evil and should never be touched, they want balance in the force, yet theyre incapable of being balanced in the force themselves, they want their disciples to remain strong in the force and not fall to the dark side by completely neglecting it, how can you temper a sword without introducing it into the heat? theyre told not to get in the water or theyll drown, instead of being taught how to safely swim in them. its no wonder a lot of jedis end up sinking in the dark side. for me true control over the force would be someone capable of using both the light side with emotion and the dark side with discipline and thus i feel a crucial part of an optimal jedi training would include extensive training in the dark side with an emphazis on keeping a clean mind , culmitating in an exam that proves you can control both dark and light side without flinching, to me that would be true discipline, as an added bonus you can identify those weak of will and correct them in time. the jedi mistake its to deny the dark side, the sith mistake its to abuse it.

[@jonnyblade3234]

You may not use lightning against an entirely robotic army. Also remember the anti-droid version of force lightning in KOTOR

[@ganondorfdragmire7886]

My Friend: *Star Wars is dead* Me: *No. There is another.* SWRC: **exists**

[@memoaustin7151]

its so painfull watching these videos, because it while im not starwars fan, im a sci-fi fan, and these show} just how much potential there is in the star wars universe, but now disney runs it, and what disney runs, disney ruins.

[@madmalkavian3857]

*Yoda strikes tree with lightning* Yoda: Hmm?

[@spamviking]

I just imagine a Jedi Order where force lightning is an accepted ability, there'd be the Agri-Corps using it to weld irrigation pipes and jump start generators.

[@spinelessmoderate8715]

Anakin should have been trained by the entire council. Not just one Jedi. He's too gifted for regular training. He's the chosen one, why wouldn't you give him more advanced training? He was basically a child genius that was forced to stay in regular classes. He was bored and resentful of being held back. Imagine if he had lessons from Ki Adi Mundi about how to grapple with his frustrations. And lessons from Mace Windu on how to channel your thirst for battle and dark emotions into your strength in the light. And lessons from Yoda on meditating and really becoming one with the force and how to process and analyze his visions. And so on. Anakin would have felt way more fulfilled, valued and he'd probably be quite a bit more balanced due to his increased confidence and decreased resentment for not being recognized. I get his pride and need for recognition are negatives, but had he gotten the real attention and training he needed, they wouldn't really be issues. And by attention I don't mean coddling or general favoritism. What I mean is they should have pushed him harder. They should have all had an active role in his training and development. He shouldn't have been left under the sole tutelage of Obi Wan. Who was quite inexperienced and lacking in confidence to be a master during some critical years of Anakin's training. That's enough ranting for now. Keep them videos coming!

[@tgr3423]

It's astonishing how avoidable Anakin's fall truly was, if the Council simply embraced the Force and took an active role in the development of the strongest Force user they've ever experienced. The Jedi didn't understand that emotions are not a hindrance, and that many positive emotions (and negative emotions) when meditated on and controlled, were catalysts to ignite the Force within oneself. The feelings of love, justice, compassion, sympathy, respect, and even passion to an extent, are uplifting and positive emotions. And many of these emotions are a *necessity* to perform certain Force abilities. The Jedi were so blinded by their fear of the Dark Side, that ironically, they could never see how every aspect of their Order operated around avoiding it at all costs at the expense of being people.

[@spinelessmoderate8715]

Seriously, I couldn't agree more. It really adds to the tragedy aspect of the Anakin saga though. These first 6 movies really are a modern mythology tragedy combo. They're like Hercules, Oedipus*, with a dash of Hamlet and sprinkle of Romeo and Juliet all blended together and set in space. *Anakin is Oedipus (obviously), the Sith are his "mother" and the Jedi Order is his "father."

[@tgr3423]

@@spinelessmoderate8715 Star Wars truly is a modern myth come to life, and that's all the more reason for us to cherish it.

[@krismikewill]

This is a well thought out and poignant proposal. I had never thought of "multiple masters, one Padawan."

[@nojusticenetwork9309]

Training from multiple masters because he was the chosen one/a prodigy is the very definition of favoritism. And what you suggest doesn't mean he would have turned out differently, there is a very real argument that it would have simply reinforced his bad habits and accelerated his fall. Anakin was a fundamentally individual easily manipulated and influenced by those who said what he wanted to and often ignored what he NEEDED to hear.

[@Restilia_ch]

So the Jedi are hypocrites, tell us something we didn't already know.

[@FranzFerdinandVIII]

Thus the mishearing, "My allegiance is to the Republic, to *HYPOCRISY!"*

[@SchkuenteQoostewin]

Mind trick is "underhanded" violating another's will yet force lightning is banned.

[@brandonb9664]

Grand Master Luke was far more chilled His order was way better

[@justinamey7116]

No the hell it wasn't, people fell to the dark equally the same way with his rules in place.

[@brandonb9664]

Bruh you need too read more Luke wasn't as uptight as Yoda and jedi had families and there was a few like mace windu It doesn't matter if you are a grand master you will have ambitious people so what are you talking about

[@brandonb9664]

Every grand master had people who fell too the darkside 😂

[@justinamey7116]

@@brandonb9664 The i've read plenty, and from what i've read, the conclusion I came to , and most likely the old jedi came to is, that every single force adapt that fell to the dark side, fell because some one care for died, they feared that they care would die. By allowing fraternization is to allow the such fears of that person to happen. Ben skywalker got a jedi killed and nearly got 2nd cousin killed all because he wanted to clap some Sith cheeks. Kol skywalker got the jedi order nearly wiped out because he was clapping an imperial spy's cheeks. People do not think straight when in love. I know this from experience.

[@brandonb9664]

@@justinamey7116 and I only have one thing to say about Yoda...Count Dooku..was just as important as Anakin at one point being as he was pretty much a Grand Master If Yoda wasn't there Dooku was the oldest and his personal student Yoda lost Dooku and Anakin because he tried to make them just turn away and let go of the people they love the most! When he himself had chances too put an end too the countless deaths by stopping Dooku but ...he loved his apprentice...Surprise

[@vitorkennedy1862]

That is why the New Jedi Order was better.

[@alexhernandez90210]

If only we got that instead of the rats version of star wars

[@vitorkennedy1862]

@@alexhernandez90210 So we should keep insisting, I'm going to boycott the next movie. Disney will not get rid of us, and yes we matter.

[@alexhernandez90210]

Kennedy agreed... it's just disappointing

[@Thalanox]

How many books of that did we get before the Yuuzan Vong war arc started? I have to admit, I did want to see more of the rebuilding of the order and general adventure shenanigans. The war was an okay overall plot, but would clearing up the remnants of the old empire be too much to ask?

[@carnifexor3010]

I wonder or suspect the next Jedi order will be akin to Grey Jedi. It seems to fit how Rey exists within the force & every problem with the Sith & Jedi seems to ultimately be rooted in their dogmatic impressions or beliefs in the Light vs. Dark. Plus, went the original Jedae, Grey Jedi, users of both light and dark forces while using an appropriate balance between the 2 two?

[@zawwin1846]

Dark side of the force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural. Which also functions as a mobile charger of the DARK SIDE!!!

[@theinsertfranchiseguy4210]

Padawan: so can we learn force lightning? Master: Well yes but actually no

[@georgschmidt1252]

Another happy landing.

[@thomaskent887]

The Jedi were just as wrong in their positive way as the Sith were in their negative way. I'll take the middle path any time.

[@derrickhaggard]

Same here there's a reason why I think Kyle Katarn had the right idea when it came to understanding both sides of the force.

[@bikkiikun]

Banning anything associated with the dark side was repeated the undoing of the Jedi, because this ban was rooted in fear.

[@nolawinegussie621]

The jedi rules don't make sense. They're is a force ability that Jedi master yaddle could shut down all bodily functions of a person instantly. "Abilities are not good or evil it's how you use them" -kyle katarn

[@jasonleslie203]

That's because the Jedi were hypocrites. It's no wonder the Sith got the upper hand against them

[@wholehearted89]

The Jedi were stubborn and stuck in their ways

[@pdc4930]

I have yet to see force lightning being used as a defibrillator.

[@sammyvanhecke4628]

In the comics cade skywalker did it

[@justchyll2009]

Been hoping someone would do a vid on this

[@Hoonters-goona-Hoont]

IIRC, the Jedi have fallen from grace every time that they decided it's more important to be the *not-dark* side of the force instead of standing for themselves as an entity of compassion, and see where it gets them.

[@Mgauge]

When your enemy freely tosses out lightning and uses droids with poor shock protection as assassins, refusing to even entertain the idea of also leaning to shoot lighting seems like a terrible tactical idea.

[@steelgreyed]

Deviant Jedi: I'm not using actual rage to channel my lightning, I'm channeling my ummm... indignance! yeah...

[@NoneofyourBusiness-iv6pi]

is lightning evil? is electricity evil? it is what a person does with such that can be good, neutral, or evil

[@irlsquid]

Don't the Jedi in The Clone Wars Series literally try to break into a separatist's mind to gain Intel? Something like a group of them, specifically Anakin, Obi Wan, and Mace Windu?

[@ChaseBlackmoon]

Yes you are right, it was Cad Bane's mind they were trying to get in to, he was a bounty hunter that was hired by the Separatists.

[@nicholsjoshua15]

Yeah, and it didn't work. After all the other Jedi left, Anakin just Force Chocked him into talking.

[@macwelch8599]

As a Jedi, I would use green lighting

[@darylsdesigns6679]

Mac Welch me too, mostly because green is my favorite color

[@blackshogun272]

Mac Welch I'd be chilling on my own, hermit style and using white lightning like the Baren-Do (Probably butchered the cult name) Monks of Dorin

[@acegabrielcruz3687]

Green Lightning then you are a Nightsister

[@macwelch8599]

@@acegabrielcruz3687 lol, the Jedi power is actually called Emerald Lighting, or Electric Judgement

[@mickelmaldonado5910]

I remember back in KOTOR 2 I would go all the way to Force Storm despite the force power cost to my light side character. Edit: Dang it, after I wrote that he just mentioned the technique! Am I... able to shape the future?! XD

[@jscorpio1987]

A lightsaber is a tool used as a weapon by the Jedi, and so is the force when in battle. So where’s the line drawn between using the force as a weapon and using a tool as a weapon? Why did they find it more acceptable to slice up an opponent with their lightsaber than to simply disable their opponent with a small dose of force lightning (kind of like the force equivalent of a taser gun)?

[@mikee5718]

I came home from HVAC class 2 days ago. I was checking volts and amps on an A/C unit and shocked the shit out of myself when I had a brain-fart. I almost shit myself. I couldn't imagine what force lightning could do.

[@Naruku2121]

So basically the Jedi crippled themselves by strict adherence to a code as opposed to the will of the force itself.

[@TheRockinDonkey]

I find mind tricks to be closer to the dark side than force lightning

[@Mikazuchireborn]

There's also Force Dominate, which is basically Mind Trick+. Between Dominate and Force Lightning, take a wild guess which ability the Jedi considers evil.

[@derrickhaggard]

Hence the reason why in Jedi Academy I like to give my character a red lightsaber at the start of the game and get the Force Lightning ability early on but yet go for the Light Side ending of the game. Is because of Kyle's teachings those being "No one power is completely good or completely evil it's how you use it", "It's okay to feel angry but don't let take control of you" and "Both the Light Side of the Force and the Dark Side of the Force are two sides of the same spectrum what determines the path you walk is the choices you make." Heck my theory for when my character used Force Lightning on a enemy was she wasn't hurting/killing them but using a more tempered and control version to safely knock them out.

[@jacobnavarro3675]

I always liked the story of Plo Koon's development of Electric Judgment. He's one of the best jedi characters in legends.

[@Tengu125]

Agreed. They should have gone about their teachings more like; "Peace is what we seek, but there will be times when force is needed to protect it". "Walk always in the Light, but do not fear the Dark".

[@Tengu125]

Anakin often demonstrated a significant aptitude for offensive use of telekinesis, thus proving that even such a basic skill can be used to cause injuries and general damage. For an extreme example; just look at Starkiller/Galen Marek, doing everything from crushing AT-STs to pulling down starships onto the surface of an inhabited world...

[@darthtroller]

In my episode 8 fanfic (made before the movie itself) Luke reverse engineered the ability, instead of forcing chemical reactions in the body that cause painful lightning to emerge with pain, he just absorbs energy around him and redirects it at enemies while peacefully connecting to the environment around him

[@noobikenoobi5580]

I think we should see Plo Koon use electric judgement in the new season of the CW. I’d love to see it canonized

[@DanTKD87]

The Jedi were wrong about a great many things.

[@BlyUehara37]

I've always believed that Dark Side and Lightside are just interpretations Force powers depend on the intention of the person

[@derrickhaggard]

As Kyle Katarn states in his teachings to Jaden and Nosh "Both Light and Dark are two sides of the same spectrum what determines the path you take is choices you make."

[@Venom5260]

@@derrickhaggardRosh

[@derrickhaggard]

Right my bad thanks for the correction.

[@liamfowell8661]

I can't remember ever seeing Plo koon using force lightening in the Clone Wars or even referenced for that matter.

[@spartanhuntergaming]

Force lightning is so cool but there are different types of force lightning could be used for survival if you need to start a fire for warmth

[@somewerehere213]

Cant stop think of the Droid destroyer ability form Kotor 1 and 2 games, look like chain lightning, but was only able to damage droids, if the jedi's got that ability under the clonewars, well... And if I remember right, it was a neutral ability.

[@TelvanniMage]

I've seen many comments that have to do with the Jedi Kyle Katarn, and it made me wonder how Star Wars Reading Club felt about Luke's Academy that was portrayed in the Video Games Jedi Knight: Academy? I remember either Kyle or Luke say something like, "No force ability is good or evil. It's how you use it that really counts." - does that hold any weight in Legends or even the Star Wars lore as a whole?

[@derrickhaggard]

It does because Jedi like Asohka Tano, Galen Marek aka Starkiller, Kyle Katarn, and Rey are what's called by fans a "Grey Jedi" meaning even though they're technically on the Light Side they will use more tempered, and controlled versions of abilities usually associated with the Sith if it's necessary.

[@TelvanniMage]

I was aware of the gray jedi, but in legends material Luke Skywalker remakes the jedi order with considerably less restriction on members. He formally formed the jedi after the fall of the empire. They dealt with the Imperial Remnant, and dark force users. I just do not know enough about other jedi of this era to really get a picture what the typical jedi used when it comes to the force. It would seem that the prominent members walked the path of what the galactic republic jedi would consider gray or too close to the dark side.

[@derrickhaggard]

Correct and it was Kyle Katarn himself who through his teachings to Jaden and Nosh summed up what it meant to be a Grey Jedi those who followed the path of what I'm calling "The Twilight Path" with these precepts "No ability is inherently good or evil it's how you use it.", "It's okay to feel angry but don't let it control you", and finally "Both sides of the Force Light and Dark are two sides of the same spectrum what path you follow is determined by the choices you make." In terms of the Force Powers that Jedi in the Post-Empire Era in the Legends material were allowed to use the reforms implemented by Luke, and Kyle basically stated that all Force Powers including the ones that are usually associated with the Sith and the Dark Side were okay to use on the condition that a tempered and controlled version was used. For example under the new Jedi Order that Luke founded Jedi could use Force Lightning but it had to be with the intent of safely incapacitating bad guys and not the intent of hurting and killing.

[@TelvanniMage]

Luke did two Yuuzhan Vong with a green force lightening though. haha, but yes. Thank you for your insight.

[@derrickhaggard]

No problem. And again the green-colored Force Lightning also known as the Jedi version of Force Lightning or as it's more commonly known Emerald Lightning was used by Luke for the same reason why Plo used it on that one criminal basically Luke's intent was safely incapacitating the two villainous Yuuzhan Vong without hurting or killing them. Which was still under the guidelines him and Kyle set which is you can use powers usually associated with the Sith like Force Lightning but it has to be a tempered and controlled version of the power.

[@adarkwind4712]

Electric judgement is the exception but I’m pretty sure it was in one of the novels they explained that Norma force lightning requires a degree of hatred to be used properly.

[@lordofpain3476]

The Jedi were weak , they were afraid of their own power . They talked about the " will " of the force , but they tried to control the force to serve their own means.

[@treshawnsimmons6221]

Honestly, I think I'd be a Jedi turned Sith. Not because I'm evil but my quest for knowledge of both the light and dark sides of the force would be too great. If I can learn the dark side without murdering anyone that's preferable. I've got too many emotions to be a Jedi and I want to be free too Express them rather than "control" them.

[@spaceangelmewtwo9074]

I can think of several ways in which Force Lightning could help people instead of hurting them. For example, is the ship without power and everyone on board will die before repairs could be made to restore power? Keep the ship's systems online during the repairs by injecting it with Force Lightning. We see in the Force Unleashed games that Force Lightning can be used to provide power to objects that can accept it. This is an entirely inoffensive use of the ability for the purposes of saving lives instead of taking them.

[@foxeye245]

They might have banned it to help protect the general Jedi image. Most of the examples given were techniques that were pretty much invisible. Anyone who wasn’t in tune with the force would probably not know better. But if even a few Jedi were known to shoot lightning, many would be wary around them, if not fearing them outright. After all, everyone would understand how a lightsaber works. It’s just a physical weapon. But what about force lightning? No one would know if they could do it until it was too late. They may have been flawed in their given reasoning, but I think there could be good reasons behind most of their decisions.

[@stingywingy1607]

Abilities are not inherently good or evil, it's how you use them.

[@cainabel6356]

Plo Koon used force lightning, called electrical judgement, which did not kill or hurt anyone. It only paralyzed them. He came to the council and told them that he did not have any emotion behind it when he used it.

[@TheLiamster]

Why is there force lightning but no force thunder?

[@goodmind4940]

Force storm?

[@shawn6860]

Sound based force powers could be useful. Sound can Stun and can do many things.

[@goodmind4940]

@Sith Jawa lol

[@davidwebb1428]

Did Obi-Wan Kenobi use some sort of force sound when he was trying to deactivate the tractor beam in ANH? He flicked his finger and the stormtroopers nearby began investigating a sound in the opposite direction of Obi-Wan.

[@jscorpio1987]

Thunder is just the sound created by lightning. That cracking sound you hear when Sidious uses force lightning is thunder.

[@agreatmanlookingtotheright]

Yes cause the Jedi have a great track record of using dark side powers and not fall to the dark side. Why would one even need force lightning is the real question. If you wanna kill you can use your lightsaber or force injure. If you wanna disable someones movement you can do it with force push or by simply holding them up in the air. Force lightning brings someone nothing they could not already do before except make it more painful for the one on the receiving end.

[@chrishouterman4772]

Hi SW reading club, any chance we can get a video on “tutaminis explained”? Sorry if i butchered the spelling 😅

[@crashmatrix]

Ya know, half of the reason I watch these videos is the 'if not for me....' bit at the end. Good stuff.

[@crayzkato6607]

they also forgot another use for it, an semi industrial use if they managed to give power temporarily to a downed ship via lightning, that was later used to save one or more beings, it would not only be saving the lives of one or more beings, it would be in the jedi's path of saving those in need

[@user-dt7qu5ll7i]

What about when Yoda used lightning bolt to strike and burn the Jedi Tree in Star Wars Episode 8?... Regards 🇶🇦

[@daviddent5662]

Nature Manipulation. Jedi can bend and still call it 'light side'. Also technically there's no rules about what you can and cannot do as Force Ghost since you aren't technically alive to be a member bound by rules. Even the few the Sith had. Hence why dealing with a Force spirit can be very dangerous as they are the ultimate in unpredictable.

[@takemetothethreshold2085]

@@daviddent5662 Perfect explanation

[@Khaliljt]

This is from the expanded universe. The Disney canon is different

[@Khaliljt]

This is from the expanded universe. The Disney canon is different

[@user-dt7qu5ll7i]

David Dent Thanks... Perfect explication 👍🏽👍🏽... Regards 🇶🇦

[@joeottsoulbikes415]

If force lightning was prohibited that would explain how Yoda at 800 something years old could absorb Palpatine s force lightning and Mace could only deflect it with a lightsaber. Yoda was old enough to remember and maybe even use force lightning.

[@Stungunwol]

I just want to jumpstart my landspeeder after it died. Do you know how much voltage that takes?

[@sancturillore]

This was a very well put video. I feel that you covered all the important points.

[@davidaston5773]

@Star Wars Reading Club I loved this video as it was logical and pointed out a recurring problem with the Jedi: Their inflexibility. If they'd allowed force lightening and other abilities, dark side or not, they'd be better placed during the Clone Wars and post Order 66 to survive. They could've grouped together to over throw Darth Sidious. At any point before or after he rose to power.

[@ProcyonDei]

Kreia: *adjusts hood*

[@breakdown3317]

This video is why i believe that there are no side's to the force there is just the force , the Jedi did a mistake when they band the use of what they could "the dark side " , that's why if i was in the star wars universe and i was a force sensetiv i would have joined the jansaarai

[@pinchman2946]

I mean aside from the fact that it'd be obnoxious to let Jedi use an iconoc sith power. You could make the argument that using the emerald variant could have a corrupting effect. As someone's sense of Justice might become twisted or might be influenced by negative emotions.

[@Kill-for-change]

Do you think the reason the Jedi saw force lighting as darkside power is because it was first used by the Infinite Empire especially during the beginning of the Force War when I read the comic's the Je'daii Order seem like they never seen the power before, and the Rakata are darkside influenced species.

[@50farmers]

This has always been a problem with the Jedi. Power is neutral. It's a tool. The application and use of that power is what defines good or evil.

[@axelazua3937]

I did not know that adventure involving Plo Koon, it is very interesting in that it provides a profound truth about a Jedi's use of Force Lightning. What a wonder the Council during the prequel era didn't change their stance on it, at least for the few remaining decades they had left as an organization..

[@khaos5085]

I think it's because a Lightsaber can deflect lightning to one's face exactly what happened to Palpatine. Lightning was only used for torture so was Plo Koon's yellow lightning.

[@Kaiju_Chaos]

Darth Bane would like a word.

[@shawn6860]

Agree, it could be quite useful. To know a weapon makes it easier to counter. Plus lightening need not be darkside. The access of elemental powers could be highly useful.

[@GamingWookie]

“Remember, abilities aren’t inherently good or evil. It’s how you use them.” -Kyle Katarn, Jedi Academy.

[@fabiomorandi3585]

I've read somewhere that Sidious had forbidden Vader from using the Sith variant as well. If I remember correctly, and the information wasn't wrong, he did it because its sustained use drained hatred out of the user and Vader was mostly a giant ball of anger, meaning for him frying people could have ended up being therapeutic.

[@MackeyDeez]

If the dark and light side of the force are linked to the emotional states of those who are force sensitive. Then what side of the force you end up in all depends on control of emotions. I mean we see people who are hot headed or short tempered to a fault and then we also see people who are compassionate or passive to a fault. There has to be a middle between the two extremes in the force and that's how the force should be taught to force sensitives.

[@martinskjelbredryse5801]

i believe most force power are neutral but its how you use it. for example force cruch you can use for torture and to kill pepole or alines but you can use for destroy items or droids for safty or disamring.

[@user-Jay178]

The jedi were wrong about a lot of things. Great video

[@praveenloganathan7495]

During the clone wars Obi Wan used an even darker and brutal version of the force choke called force crush. Because he never used this on organic meatballs, he was allowed to use it without any restrictions.

[@HeroOfTime1]

Force Lightning is my favorite of the Force abilities I like to think of the Force as neither Light nor Dark. It just is. With that, it's abilities as well, neither good nor evil, just what the user decides to use them for. I believe Kyle Katarn also believed this, hence his use of lightning.

[@TheInstinctWithinV2]

Because the moment the jedi plebs realised the sith knew how to do cool electrical beams out of their fingers they yelled "screw this balance bullshit, I'm joining THOSE guys!" every time?

[@thalmoragent9344]

Against an army of droids, one would think Force lightning being unbanned would have popped up as a question, sometime during the 4 and a 1/2 year long war, but I guess not.... These Jedi man. 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@endoetz]

when i play starwars kotor 1 & 2, i used force lightning but i still stay in the "light path"

[@saiyanape6015]

Chain Ligthning will have destrode so many Droid in the Clone Wars ... Shoting them down fast

[@martinhanke1670]

Droids could easily be protected from electric attacks, ie: emp

[@ominouspigeonmaster1571]

This would've made Plo Koon pretty dangerous to a foe like Darth Vader. Would of been interesting to see a 1v1 between them.

[@willhuey4891]

yoda used it in the last jedi to destroy the tree where the texts that rey had stored but rey managed grab them and run before that happened.

[@carlosriverajr5604]

Great channel. Great voice. Great background music. Great indepht infomation.

[@ich1978]

If the Jedi were allowed force lightning, they wouldn’t need a clone army… a dazzle of lightning ⚡️ all the droids would become roasted toast or /short circuit. Wouldn’t it been easier? It’s the Jedi that brand everything good or bad, light and dark, jedi and Sith. All are part of arsenal of tools, guardians or Counsellors can used in their galactic republic, unless their is ill intents in using to coerce others against their own will.

[@zaredsabretooth7980]

You should do a video about the most powerful Jedi during the 1000 years they thought the Sith were gone.

[@ChristnThms]

One principle that the Jedi, and many in real life as well, get totally incorrect, is that compassion toward an enemy in a battle or war often yields the opposite outcome, compared to compassion in peacetime. War is horrible and costly, and ANYTHING that can end it faster is ultimately compassionate. Thus, if you MUST fight, pure unthrottled aggression IS the most compassionate path. Defeating your enemy so completely that not only is THIS war won, but you preclude the possibility of future wars as well, saves the cost and suffering of not only all of the current combatants and civilian casualties, but future versions as well. If, in any battle, it would aid the Jedi victory to use Force Lightning, then failing to do so is ultimately an immoral act.

[@darthnox2210]

To use true force Lightning, you must discard compassion and worry of consequences and delve deep into the dark side. The lightning also makes victims feel like every part of their body is both burning and freezing all while also feeling like your heart is going to explode. That's just the physical pain. It also causes mental pain such as having to experience your worst fears. I'd say that given what the Jedi ideology was like they actually made the right call for their order.

[@m3tr0id86]

There is also the aspect that it can be used as a utility as well as seen on Star Wars the Force Unleashed a few times. Seriously sometimes I think not only the are the Jedi hypocritical, but they don't think practicality all that much either.

[@malachicasey4534]

Need these two Palpatine and Platoon lightning fight