Force lightning
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Force lightning is a Force specialty attack of the Sith in the fictional Star Wars universe, first displayed by Emperor Palpatine in Return of the Jedi.
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[edit] Nature of the power
Force energy, in the form of lightning bolts, exits the Force-user's body through their fingertips. The greater the user's aptitude, the more power the lightning bolts possess and the more they fork, allowing the possibility of striking multiple foes at once. Force lightning is often used as a form of torture; not only does it cause severe physical damage, but also extreme agony to the victim. However, a single powerful blast may be sufficient to kill a person instantly. Expanded Universe sources seem to contradict each other. Some claim Force lightning to be a simple blast of Force power, but with the visual look of bolts of lightning. Others, such as novels taking place after Return of the Jedi, claim it to be electricity. This is alluded to when Luke Skywalker's bones are damaged, apparently due to massive electrocution. Force lightning acts as electricity does, forming a "circuit", as shown in Revenge of the Sith and the novelization, and in Shatterpoint. The use of Force Lightning is not restricted to Sith. Luke Skywalker, Plo Koon, Jacen Solo and Kyle Katarn were known to have used Force Lightning or its variants. [1]
[edit] Palpatine
In Star Wars: Episode III, Force Lightning appears to deform Palpatine's face, leading some to believe that the power harms the user as well. This view is controversial. Some speculate that Sidious' physical appearance as Chancellor Palpatine was an illusion created with Force energy, and that the lightning "melted" the illusion away.[citation needed] Another possibility may be that as the lightning was reflected back upon him by Mace Windu's lightsaber, the lightning somehow scarred and deformed Palpatine's face.[citation needed] Yet another view states that Palpatine drew too much of the dark side through his body, and the dark side's corrupt nature caused his body to age at an accelerated rate. This view is held by pre-prequel trilogy writers and the original scripts by George Lucas; however, this is not consistent with the portrayal of Palpatine's character in the movie. [2]
[edit] Vader's limitation
Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, despite being a Sith, is unable to generate or deflect Force Lightning after his cybernetic transformation in Episode III. Before then, he could conceivably have done so (and did in some instances in the Expanded Universe); however, Force Lightning requires an intact hand to direct and generate. Having lost both of his, any attempt by Vader to generate it would electrocute his life-support system -- which is ultimately what kills him in Episode VI. It is in part because of this deficiency that Darth Sidious, despite having Anakin Skywalker as his ultimate apprentice, finds him less than satisfactory and sets about finding a new apprentice, finally settling on Vader's son, Luke. (note: In the Star Wars comic book adaptation of Splinter of the Mind's Eye, Darth Vader has no problem using Force lightning, though the Star Wars Insider Magazine suggested it was a weapon installed in Vader's suit and not a force power. However, Splinter or its variants are not considered canonical sources) Likewise, in the video game "Star Wars: Masters of Teras Kasi", Darth Vader uses Force lightning, though it comes from the air directly above his opponents, not himself. This may be yet another version of Force Lightning, in which Vader directs lightning from a storm he generates with the Force.
