The “Star Wars” universe is full of intriguing what-ifs, like what if Ben Quadinaros’ podracer hadn’t malfunctioned during the Boonta Eve Classic? Or what if Admiral Ozzel had emerged from lightspeed a bit farther from Hoth? Fans love these hypothetical questions, and one that’s particularly captivating is: Who would win in a lightsaber duel between a prime Luke Skywalker and a prime Anakin Skywalker?
We’ve seen Luke and Anakin clash in the movies, but those fights don’t quite match the scenario we’re exploring. Darth Vader, as we know him, is hindered by the injuries he sustained on Mustafar. Although he defeats Luke in “The Empire Strikes Back,” Luke is still relatively inexperienced. In “Return of the Jedi,” Luke does manage to beat Vader, but Vader’s conflicted by his own emotions at that point.
To settle the debate, let’s imagine both Skywalkers at their peak. For Anakin, this means he’s at the end of the Clone Wars, where he’s at the height of his power, using the dark side for added strength and hasn’t yet been injured or transformed by his fight with Obi-Wan. For Luke, pinpointing his peak is trickier, as it’s not explicitly detailed in the main movies. The closest we get is his appearance in “The Mandalorian” Season 2, where he showcases impressive lightsaber and Force skills against dark troopers. However, his true peak probably comes a bit later, as shown in novels and comics where he faces formidable opponents like the Knights of Ren.
For the duel, let’s choose a familiar setting: Mos Eisley on Tatooine, where both Luke and Anakin have ties. This location offers various elements they can use, including the high ground of rooftops.
In terms of fighting style, both characters practice Form V, specifically the Djem So variant, which is known for its aggressive counterattacks. Anakin is likely to use this style to launch a relentless assault, but Luke’s strength lies in his patience and strategic use of the Force, which could allow him to counter Anakin’s aggression effectively.
Initially, I thought Anakin would win due to his superior saber skills and combat experience. However, the more I considered it, the more I leaned towards Luke as the likely victor. Anakin’s aggressive nature often leads to mistakes, as seen in his losses to Dooku and Obi-Wan. Luke’s patience and mastery of Form V would enable him to exploit these mistakes.
Even though Anakin’s experience might give him the edge in several scenarios, Luke’s balance and strategic approach could very well tip the scales in his favor. In repeated matches, Anakin might win a few times through sheer skill and aggression, but Luke’s ability to remain calm and capitalize on Anakin’s errors makes him a strong contender to come out on top.
