Star Wars: Ranking the 10 best lightsaber battles
By Bryce Olin
4. Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader II (Episode VI)
Son vs. Father: Part II!
Even in the year after his loss to Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back, Luke is a much better fighter.
At this point, though, we don’t know Luke’s intentions. He has potential, which The Emperor sees and wants to take advantage of.
In the battle, Vader isn’t completely with it because he senses Luke’s sister, which throws off his guard a bit. Luke slices off Vader’s hand in a way very reminiscent of how Vader sliced off Luke’s hand in Episode V.
Luke defeats Vader, but he pledges his allegiance to the Jedi and rejects the Dark Side and his father.
It’s weird to see the similarities with this scene and the scene with Count Dooku and Anakin in Episode III. Palpatine urged Anakin to kill Count Dooku when the battle was won. In this instance, Palpatine tries to turn Luke and make him kill Vader, but Luke is able to reject his plot and show strength in his belief system.
Again, the visual effects in the duel aren’t great, but it’s the context of the battle that makes it so compelling and riveting.
Next: Anakin/Obi-Wan/Yoda vs. Count Dooku