Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 3.

Darth Vader is shown at the peak of his powers in Obi-Wan Kenobi, with the Sith Lord seemingly even more powerful than in Star Wars: A New Hope. Obi-Wan and Darth Vader's rematch has been much hyped, but it didn't quite go as expected. Instead of a clash of the titans that lived up to their duel in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 3's ending fight was a completely one-sided affair, with Vader brutally dominating his former Master both with his lightsaber and through the Force.

Much of that is because of Obi-Wan Kenobi himself. After 10 years in exile on Tatooine as Ben Kenobi, the once great Jedi is no more; indeed, it's rather clear that he's not used the Force in a very long time, evidenced by his struggle to use his powers to rescue Leia Organa in episode 2 and again with his fight against Vader in episode 3. That lack of connection and training, which is crucial to a Force user (and essential to Obi-Wan's lightsaber form, Soresu), results in Kenobi being much weaker than Vader, but it's still only half of the story.

Related: Why Is Obi-Wan Kenobi So Afraid Of Vader When He Already Beat Anakin?

For as weak as Obi-Wan is, Vader is terrifying in his sheer strength and presence. Similar to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, this is him being fully unleashed, and he proves to be almost unstoppable. Vader is more powerful in Obi-Wan Kenobi than A New Hope for a few reasons, including just how personal this battle is (in a way that first wasn't quite portrayed as): here he is completely tapping into all of the rage and hate he feels, which means he's using the dark side of the Force far more than in A New Hope; he can bend the Force to his will that much more at this point, and that allows him to dismantle Obi-Wan with heavy lightsaber attacks, Force pushes and chokes. In A New Hope it was a clash between worthy rivals, but here he simply wants pure revenge; to enjoy the moment and really demonstrate just what he is capable of. It helps that Obi-Wan is weak in his show, sure, but it'd be hard for most Jedi to defeat Vader in this mood.

How Powerful Is Darth Vader In Obi-Wan Kenobi's Timeline Compared To A New Hope?

Vader in Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 3

After his defeat to Obi-Wan in Revenge of the Sith, the man once known as Anakin Skywalker gave himself more fully to the dark side and the Empire; he practised and researched more about the Force, learning to use it in new ways, and was tested by the Emperor. He spent years serving as the Emperor's fist, essentially becoming an unmatched Imperial attack dog, while also routinely meditating in a chamber that would make him relive all the pain and torment he had suffered from the loss of Padmé Amidala and his defeat to Kenobi, all of which informs his presence in Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 3.

Indeed, just three years prior to Obi-Wan Kenobi's timeline, Vader pulled off his most impressive feat yet, tearing open the door between life and death at Fortress Vader, his castle on Mustafar, displaying a use of the Force that seems unparalleled (as seen in 2017 comic Darth Vader #23). Even by A New Hope he is still an incredibly powerful Force user but, as will be seen in Return of the Jedi in particular, his injuries catch up with him considerably and age him beyond his years even prior to suffering the blast of Palpatine's Force lightning.

Did Vader Secretly Make Himself More Powerful Before Fighting Obi-Wan In Kenobi Ep 3?

In Obi-Wan Kenobi, as mentioned Vader seems to have an even greater connection to the Force, and is more energised by it, perhaps also because of his actions before facing Kenobi: his old master has to watch in horror as Vader kills children like Anakin did the Younglings, snapping necks and spreading fear across the area. In Legends, the power Consume Essence would allow a dark side of the Force user to feed on these negative emotions, making them stronger in the process. Though that itself isn't canon, it is implied Vader can still do something similar; for instance, the canon novel Lords of the Sith, set just five years before Obi-Wan Kenobi, references an attack by Vader and how "their fear fed his anger." Thus Darth Vader may have done similar here, essentially powering himself up before taking on Obi-Wan, enhancing his abilities ready for the fight.

Related: Star Wars Gives Darth Vader A Worse Moment Than Anakin Killing Younglings

Disney Star Wars Finally Shows How Powerful Darth Vader Really Is

Obi-Wan fights Darth Vader in Kenobi episode 3

This is also an advantage of the Disney era, which can show Darth Vader in a way Star Wars simply could not in 1977. The first duel between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader is slow and considered, each movement deliberate as they size each other up like two old Samurai warriors. In contrast, Disney's live-action projects - first Rogue One, and now Obi-Wan Kenobi - are free of budget constraints and supported by much greater effects opportunities, allowing them to portray a greater range of powers. Even in Rogue One, Vader appears more powerful than A New Hope, despite there being minimal distance between those events. Again, his anger is part of it, but it's also just a matter of being able to accomplish more on screen, and of knowing the full weight of the character's history and expectations of what he should be able to do and matching or exceeding them.

Similar practical reasons apply to Obi-Wan Kenobi too, but he is stronger still, more attuned with the Force, defeating a Jedi Master with ease (albeit a weakened one) rather than a bunch of non-powered Rebels who take little-to-no effort for him to defeat. Obi-Wan's timeline allows for an exploration of Vader at the very height of his powers, a time when he is fully honing his connection to the Force, can use the suit to enhance his lightsaber blows even more, and is so often on the attack and used to fighting and hunting down Jedi. It's the Darth Vader always imagined but never quite seen in the original trilogy - even at his most unleashed in The Empire Strikes Back, it's no match for Obi-Wan Kenobi's incredible display of might.

Next: Why Darth Vader Is Still On Mustafar

Obi-Wan Kenobi releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.

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