The Untapped Force Power That Proves Palpatine's True Mastery

Emperor Palpatine's Force Lightning is undeniably powerful, but Star Wars Rebels revealed that his true capabilities have been underestimated. In Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the Emperor made a stunning comeback, defying death itself with his mastery of the dark side of the Force.

Force Lightning was Palpatine's signature Force power, and it's not hard to see why. It is a manifestation of his rage and hatred, and the emotional release it brings is said to be addictive in the Star Wars universe. However, it was in The Rise of Skywalker that the full potential of Force Lightning was unveiled. Empowered by the Force Dyad he had absorbed, Palpatine unleashed a devastating storm that nearly wiped out the entire Galactic Fleet. This incredible display of power, although impressive, is not his greatest achievement within the Star Wars canon.

Palpatine's Greatest Force Feat Was So Subtle Everybody Missed It

The finale of Star Wars Rebels showcases a hologram of Palpatine attempting to seduce Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger into the dark side. This hologram, most likely projected from Coruscant, the Empire's capital, was received by an Imperial Star Destroyer orbiting Lothal, Ezra's homeworld situated on the Outer Rim. In a notable scene, Palpatine utilizes telekinesis to unbind Ezra's restraints. While this may appear insignificant to viewers, the feat is actually incredibly impressive considering the substantial distance between Coruscant and Lothal. It serves as a testament to the true extent of the Emperor's power.

The fact that Palpatine is capable of freeing Ezra Bridger from his restraints from such a vast distance raises questions about the immense power of his telekinesis. Darth Vader has demonstrated his ability to strangle individuals on different ships within the same star system, but Palpatine surpasses this by exerting his telekinetic capabilities over an even greater expanse. Undoubtedly, this showcases Palpatine's most remarkable accomplishment in the Star Wars universe.

Palpatine's Telekinesis Would Have Been More Dangerous Than Force Lightning

In contrast, Palpatine's reliance on Force Lightning proved to be his downfall. This was evident in both Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, where his opponents successfully redirected his powerful attacks. However, it is worth noting that if Palpatine had utilized telekinesis more frequently, he would have posed a much greater threat. Telekinetic assaults are inherently more challenging to defend against, making them a formidable choice in battle. Surprisingly, Palpatine seemed to reserve this Force power as a last resort. For instance, he only resorted to telekinesis against Yoda in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith after an extended duel. This strategic decision ultimately proved to be unwise, as demonstrated in the events of Star Wars Rebels.