The 25 Greatest Jedi in Star Wars

Image Credit: Lucasfilm

#1. Yoda

Yoda is the greatest Jedi (in my opinion) to have ever lived. What he has done, how many he’s taught, the force ability, it’s all second to none. He’s one of only a few Jedi to ever receive the title of Grand Master.

Yoda trained (or had a hand in training) the likes of Dooku, Mace Windu, Cin Drallig, Ikrit, Qu Rahn, Rahm Kota, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Kit Fitso, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Oppo Rancisis, Luke Skywalker, and Most Jedi younglings. Since he was mostly trained by Yoda, Luke Skywalker took what he learned from him and used it as the basis for the New Jedi Order he founded.

Yoda cherished life, especially young life. That’s why he was so passionate about teaching Jedi younglings. Yoda could come off as confusing to a lot of beings. One minute he would strict and demanding, and then the next minute he would be patient and kind.

As great as he was, Yoda held the belief that when someone falls prey to the dark side of the Force, they are set on that path for the rest of their lives. Although evidence would suggest that’s not entirely true. Yoda’s failures left him bitter: not being able to redeem Count Dooku, and not being able to prevent the rise of the Galactic Empire took huge tolls on him. When he went into exile on the world of Dagobah, he took the stance of sitting back and watching the Empire rule. He lost all hope in the concept of redemption.

Yoda had a connection to the Force that no one else had (except for Anakin). He was flawless in his knowledge and use of the Force, and exceptional in lightsaber combat. My two favorite moments from the prequels both involve Yoda. His duel with Count Dooku and his duel with Darth Sidious were pure pieces of art.

After he fell to the dark side, Dooku believed that if Yoda followed his same path to the dark, he (Yoda) would be able to destroy Darth Sidious in an instant.