Power Ranking Star Wars’ Strongest Jedi & Sith in Video Games

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A long-standing argument persists among Star Wars enthusiasts over who are the most powerful Force users in the series. Determining their rank can be challenging due to the diverse nature of a Force user’s abilities – one character may excel in lightsaber combat but have few impressive Force feats, while another might lack prowess in swordsmanship but possess strong Force powers. Moreover, characters from video games present additional complexities since players can control actions to achieve extraordinary deeds. Furthermore, the Star Wars universe’s multiple canons span considerable time periods, leading to situations where popular characters don’t engage or meet, making it hard to gauge how their abilities might compare.

This compilation intends to rate the characters that are best recognized from multiple video game storylines within the Star Wars galaxy, with an emphasis on evaluating their combat prowess based solely on actions and comments demonstrated in those games. The goal is to identify which Jedi or Sith characters are truly the most formidable warriors on the battlefield.

5. Cal Kestis

At the end of the lineup, we find Cal Kestis – an admirable Jedi figure who stars in both Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and its sequel Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Fingers crossed that he’ll continue his journey in another Star Wars Jedi game, wrapping up his storyline.

Based on Cal’s demonstrated abilities thus far in the Star Wars universe, he exhibits remarkable potential that positions him among the top echelons of power. Yet, it’s evident he lags behind others on this list significantly. Although Cal has proficiently learned multiple lightsaber techniques and can manipulate numerous enemies with the Force with relative ease, it appears he might struggle against certain highly-powered characters within the series. His encounter with Vader clearly demonstrated his vulnerability, and other characters listed here possess a heritage, training, and Force prowess that seem almost divine in comparison.

Cal appears less familiar with the dark aspect of the Force, which can be problematic when dealing with formidable users. Among the potent Star Wars characters from the canon, only Yoda seems to maintain unwavering devotion to the light side while still being a powerhouse. Most powerful characters have some level of interaction with the dark side. However, Cal’s ranking could shift significantly based on his actions in the third game.

4. Kyle Katarn

Initially appearing in “Star Wars: Dark Forces,” Kyle shares a level of skill comparable to Cal, but excels more in manipulating the dark side and has had a longer gaming career to refine his abilities. Given his later life introduction to the Force, Kyle demonstrates a versatile mindset that often allows him to overcome stronger adversaries despite being an underdog. This adaptability positions him somewhat above Cal, though not quite reaching the raw power of others on the list. Like Cal, Kyle boasts impressive feats in both Force control and lightsaber fighting, earning him recognition among Star Wars’ most formidable characters. However, those on this particular list surpass him in terms of overall strength.

3. Starkiller

Galen Marek, also known as Starkiller from “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed,” is arguably one of the most powerful video game characters during the timeframe of the original six Star Wars movies. Both he and his clone, Subject 1138, succeeded in defeating Darth Vader in combat, though it was quite challenging. In the initial game, Starkiller even stood his ground against Emperor Palpatine, with his clone suggested to be more potent than the original in the subsequent installment. However, it’s reasonable that Starkiller ultimately fell, considering Palpatine is often considered one of the strongest characters in the Star Wars universe.

In the initial game, Starkiller demonstrated an extraordinary feat by bringing down a structure as immense as a Star Destroyer, causing it to smash into the ground. His exceptional Force abilities and comprehensive Sith tutelage under Darth Vader positioned him significantly above his subordinates. It’s regrettable that Starkiller met an untimely demise at a young age, as he had the potential for even greater advancement if given the opportunity to reach his full potential akin to Luke Skywalker in the narrative. The storyline of Force Unleashed stands out among Star Wars tales; it warrants a contemporary remake.

2. Darth Nihilus

Among numerous compelling characters from the Knights of the Old Republic universe, I found Darth Nihilus to be the one who best symbolizes the squandered promise of the game’s rogues. In terms of strength derived from the Force, he is unparalleled, capable of draining entire planets of life, leaving them as barren remnants merely by exerting his will. Furthermore, due to his incorporeal nature, he lacks a tangible body to be destroyed, placing him in the realm of a deity and making it impossible for any opponent who cannot withstand his potent Force drain to defeat him.

Unlike Starkiller, Nihlilus could truly challenge Sidious, requiring him to treat Nihlilus with due respect from the start to secure victory. While Sidious might still emerge victorious, he’d have to find a way to resist Nihilus’ Force drain and leverage his superior swordsmanship and mastery over Force lightning. The fact that Nihilus even holds his own against Sidious is testament to his immense power. In truth, Nihlilus was defeated in KOTOR 2 mainly due to plot convenience and a unique weakness to additional injuries from the Force. Against all but the most powerful characters in Star Wars, Nihilus’ strength is simply overpowering.

1. Revan

Among all Star Wars video game characters, excluding Revan, it’s tough to envision anyone else taking the top spot. Revan stands out due to his exceptional skills, for he not only crafted Darth Nihilus but also excelled in both the light and dark sides, a rarity among Star Wars characters. His near-perfect lightsaber combat abilities and strategic mind made him a formidable threat to the galaxy on his own.

Although Revan may not have shown the raw destructive force of characters like Nihilus or Sidious in the games, he is certainly on par with them. In a hypothetical battle, Revan would undoubtedly find himself in a challenging fight against Nihilus; however, I believe that Revan would hold an advantage overall, primarily due to his intelligence, exceptional fighting abilities, and mastery over both the light and dark sides of the Force. This balance of power instills fear in even the strongest characters, earning him the title of “the heart of the Force.

It’s unfortunate that the sequel to Knights of the Old Republic didn’t get a complete ending. Fingers crossed for upcoming remakes that can offer fans a fitting portrayal of Revan’s story, one that they’ve been longing for since its original release. And while they’re at it, perhaps adding some additional achievements to Revan’s repertoire would further solidify his status as the most powerful Jedi and Sith character in gaming history.

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2025-09-11 00:13