For many fans, the pull to Star Wars is always different. Some come for the sci-fi story. Others for the amazing effects. Yet, a large number of audiences and fans come to the galaxy far, far away for the epic lightsaber duels, these battles between good and evil.
Lightsaber duels have dominated the world of Star Wars, and yet one fighter stands out from the rest, the vicious Darth Maul. Through films and multiple TV shows, Maul has racked up an impressive number of duels, each one just as stunning as the last. Here are all of Darth Maul's duels, ranked.
Vs Qui-Gon Jinn (The Phantom Menace)
Despite making a grand entrance with the "Duel of the Fates", many fans forget that Maul's first real appearance was actually on the dunes of Tatooine. While trying to flee with a young Anakin, Qui-Gon Jinn is ambushed by Maul.
The truth is, this duel doesn't really add much to the prequels or Star Wars world. Even though it does introduce audiences to Maul's fighting style, it doesn't add much to his character or overall form, not nearly as much as some of the other duels.
Vs Kanan Jarrus ("Twilight Of The Apprentice: Part 2")
In a way, the prequels have sort of changed the perspective of what a duel in Star Wars means. A lot of audiences think they have to be drawn-out fights, when in reality duels can be short and to the point, even if they aren't the best.
When Maul returned in Rebels, fans were eager to see him and Kanan Jarrus face off. Yet, instead of an epic showdown, fans got a short duel. Although a little anti-climatic, the duel demonstrated both opponents' abilities in a great way.
Vs Savage Opress ("Revival")
Whenever audiences think of a lightsaber duel, their minds typically conjure up in-depth and insane battles, full of flips, force wielding, and all kinds of tricks. However, not all duels revolve around that notion. Instead, sometimes a duel can be about a simple show of strength.
While the fight between brothers Maul and Savage Opress is short-lived, with just a few swings and a couple of hits, it's meant to be a show of Maul's strength, showing how much more powerful he is than his brother in an interesting standoff.
Vs Obi-Wan & Assaj Ventress ("Revenge")
Throughout the Star Wars saga, the definition of duels has changed as time wore on. While most duels involve one person fighting another, there are a few, especially in the case of Maul, where the duel becomes one vs two or two on two.
When Maul returned with Savage Opress to exact revenge on Obi-Wan, he and Kenobi weren't expecting former sith Assaj Ventress to join in. What followed was a two on two duel between four of the best fighters in the galaxy, a fight many fans enjoyed.
Vs Obi-Wan ("Revival")
Throughout the Clone Wars series, fans saw a new light to many different characters, including fan-favorite, Obi-Wan Kenobi. The series put him through the wringer and yet he came out stronger than ever, especially after facing down both Maul and Savage on his own.
Following the death of a fellow Jedi master, Kenobi faced off against the brothers for the second time, dual-wielding lightsabers against the vicious Siths. A fight that cemented Obi-Wan as a great Jedi and solidified Maul's hatred for the Jedi makes for quite the duel.
Vs Qui-Gon Jinn & Obi-Wan ("The Phantom Menace")
Since the moment Maul showed up, fans have loved him. When Sidious's apprentice confronted Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn on Naboo, he proved himself as a force to be reckoned with by whipping out his classic double-bladed saber.
Showcasing ferocity and amazing skill, Maul, Obi-Wan, and Qui-Gon's battle wore on, with Maul easily gaining the upper hand. However, one could say Maul's biggest mistake was killing Qui-Gon, giving Obi-Wan the rage he needed to push through and beat the Sith, never to be seen again until the Clone Wars.
Vs Sidious ("The Lawless")
Typically, most fights set in the galaxy far, far away revolve around Jedi and Sith fighting one another. Yet, every now and then, fans get to see an unusual sight: The sight of Sith fighting Sith.
After taking over Mandalore and breaking Obi-Wan, Maul was shocked by the arrival of Darth Sidious, his former master. Sidious took on Maul and Savage as if they were nothing, utilizing the Force and skills to kill Savage and best Maul in a duel that showed Maul and his master at their strongest.
Vs Ben Kenobi ("Twin Suns")
Seeing something come full circle, for anyone, can be an amazing experience. This what many fans thought when Maul faced off against Obi-Wan for the last time on the sands of Tatooine in a finale for the ages.
While the duel, like a few others, wasn't high energy or frenetic, it still carried its weight. Hearkening back to Samurai and Western showdowns of old, the conclusion of a rivalry spanning decades finally came to a close after an intriguing fight for the warriors once known as Sith and Jedi.
Vs Ahsoka ("The Phantom Apprentice")
Following the cancellation of Clone Wars, many fans were upset that they wouldn't get to see Maul face off against any of that era's warriors, save for Rebels. However, when the series came back for a final season, Maul returned with a bang, as it pitted him against fan-favorite padawan, Ahsoka Tano.
As the siege of Mandalore raged around them, Maul and Ahsoka faced off in a duel full of versatility and amazing animation, which was a perfect way of showcasing Maul's full force and power in an unforgettable duel.
Vs Pre Vizsla ("Shades Of Reason")
When it comes down to it, duels aren't just defined by lightsabers flying around left and right. They're defined by how the fighter adapts to his environment. Following their takeover of Mandalore, Maul and his brother were betrayed by Deathwatch leader Pre Vizsla, prompting Maul to challenge Viszla to a duel.
What followed was an epic showdown full of sabers, lasers, flamethrowers, and hand to hand combat in one of the best duels to grace Star Wars, ending with a brutal death that shocked fans.