Article Overview
Ahsoka's loss against Baylan in the duel can be attributed the fact that Baylan used an unusual lightsaber type she had never encountered before.
Great lightsabers, being larger and heavier than their traditional counterparts, necessitate the use of both hands by the wielder. The strengthened hilt enables forceful strikes, rendering each attack highly lethal.
Baylan, not content with just wielding a great lightsaber, went further by adapting his fighting technique to accommodate its weight.
One of the standout moments in the Ahsoka series was the epic duel between Ahsoka Tano and Baylan Skoll in episode 4. Despite Ahsoka's extensive experience in facing lightsaber users, she was soundly defeated by Baylan. While her conflicted emotions may have played a role, there is a more logical explanation for her inability to overcome him.
In addition to her emotional turmoil, Ahsoka deliberately chose to engage Baylan with only one lightsaber. However, this explanation falls short in making sense of her defeat. In episode 7, Ahsoka faces off against Baylan once again, this time wielding both of her sabers. Although this gave her a slight advantage and allowed her to escape, she still could not emerge victorious against Baylan. Ultimately, it becomes apparent that Baylan possesses some undisclosed advantage over Ahsoka.
Baylan Used An Unusual Lightsaber Type Ahsoka Had Never Faced Before
Ahsoka has engaged in combat with numerous lightsaber wielders, each showcasing their distinct styles and weapons. Notably, she has faced formidable opponents like Darth Maul, who wielded a double-bladed lightsaber, and the Inquisitors, whose blades possess a unique spinning mechanism. However, Ahsoka has yet to encounter an extraordinary lightsaber, often regarded as a remarkable weapon. Such extraordinary lightsabers originate from the lesser-known realm of Star Wars Canon, specifically mentioned in the Knights of Fate sourcebook for the Star Wars: Force and Destiny roleplaying game.
According to the sourcebook, great lightsabers were a distinct variation of lightsabers that differed from traditional sabers in terms of size and weight. Resembling the large great swords of the Middle Ages, great lightsabers were not easily wielded with a single hand, requiring the user to employ both hands. This enabled the user to harness their immense strength and deliver powerful, elongated strikes. While outwardly resembling ordinary lightsabers, the reinforced hilt of each great lightsaber made every attack perilous. Ahsoka had never encountered an opponent wielding a great lightsaber before, which likely explains her defeat in the duel.
Baylan Had Adapted His Lightsaber Form In Surprising Ways
Baylan's lightsaber was unlike any other, and he skillfully adapted his fighting style to complement its immense power. His chosen form, Form V or Shien, bore a resemblance to Ahsoka's Djem So, as both were derived from the same foundation. However, Baylan ingeniously tweaked Form V to accommodate the weight of his formidable lightsaber, optimizing his ability to deliver devastating strikes. As Ahsoka valiantly faced him, her only recourse was to expertly deflect his forceful attacks in order to stay alive.
Ahsoka was unable to defeat Baylan due to his exceptional lightsaber skills and his modified version of Form V, making him an unprecedented enemy. However, her future encounters with skilled lightsaber wielders may yield different results considering her increased fighting experience. It appears that the roleplaying aspect of Star Wars Canon provides an explanation for her defeat against Baylan in Ahsoka.
Editor's P/S
Ahsoka Tano is one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars universe, and her defeat against Baylan Skoll in the fourth episode of the Ahsoka series came as a surprise to many fans.
While it is true that Ahsoka was emotionally conflicted during the duel, and that she chose to fight Baylan with only one lightsaber, these factors alone do not fully explain her defeat.
The true reason for Ahsoka's defeat lies in Baylan's unique lightsaber design and his adaptation of Form V to accommodate its weight. Great lightsabers, being larger and heavier than traditional sabers, necessitate the use of both hands by the wielder. The strengthened hilt enables forceful strikes, rendering each attack highly lethal.
Baylan's skill with his great lightsaber and his modified fighting style gave him a significant advantage over Ahsoka, who had never encountered an opponent like him before. Despite her best efforts, Ahsoka was unable to overcome Baylan's strength and skill, and she was ultimately defeated.