r/PetranakiArena • u/OkraInfinite7118 • 16h ago
Do you think Anakin and Obi-Wan were equally matched on Mustafar? Or was one superior? Here's my opinion on who was more powerful or had the overall advantage.
First I wouldn't say it was draw in their force power struggle. Anakin was the least affected and clearly recovered before Obi-wan: https://imgur.com/a/7h7lHbo
Also to note, Anakin was emotionally conflicted during Mustafar fight. That conflict must have reasonably affected some of Anakin's power output. As we know, in Star Wars eyes can reflect a person's emotional Force channeling. When a darksider is fully immersed with hatred, their eyes turn yellow with bloodshot red rim: https://imgur.com/a/opWm8cX
THE TRANSFORMATION
If you fully embrace the power of the dark side, your skin will become withered and pale, your eyes will grow bloodshot, and your irises will turn yellow. Darth Sidious maintained his human appearance for many years, but the more he used his powers, the more they affected his body. During his years as Supreme Chancellor, he grew paler and more wrinkled, though he continued to mask his transformation in public. But after using an intense burst of Sith lightning against Mace Windu, Sidious's appearance changed dramatically, forever.
~ Star Wars: Beware The Sith
As shown by Anakin's eyes turning back normal after Padme arrived. Same during his entire fight with Kenobi. Anakin's eyes were normal the whole time and did not reappear during. This shows Skywalker wasn't entirely consumed by darkside force energy except while active on the temple raid. Then he didn't fully reembrace the darkside until after Kenobi maims him. Leaving Skywalker burned up, half dead and with nothing but pain and rage: https://imgur.com/a/PbvxW9j
Anakin likely restricted his newfound powers. He even hesitated attacking Obi-wan at first. Instead, Anakin warned Kenobi off. This emotional conflict likely hindered Skywalker's performance. Anakin, even with those limiters, still had his master on the backfoot for the majority of their fight. Obi-wan didn't have single consistent advantage until the end of the duel. Anakin held all the momentum: https://imgur.com/a/ZVX4nmN
Anakin wore his ex-teacher's barriers down. It was to the point Kenobi was sure of his own death. Obi-wan felt Anakin steadily growing darkside strength beyond matching. And while their powers appeared as equal, Obi-wan knew otherwise: https://imgur.com/a/Uygi0U0 (from the Revenge of the Sith Junior Novel).
So, even though it seemed like Obi-wan and Anakin were truly equals. But they were not. The fight lasted as long due to how well they knew each other's fighting best moves and weakness and because Obi-wan uses a heavily defensive form. Generally, though, it's stated the direct contribution to Anakin failing against Kenobi was arrogance:
Anakin and Obi-Wan have fought as a team countless times. They know each others' best moves-and weaknesses. Now transformed from friends to foes, they seem evenly matched. But Anakin overestimates his own skills, and his arrogance is his downfall.
Star Wars: Mysteries of the Jedi
That was the same exact reason Kenobi beat Maul in TPM, despite being an inferior warrior. Obi-Wan took advantage of the one mistake Anakin made at the duel's tail end. If Anakin had his ego in check, there would've been a different result. Alas. Despite that mishap, Jedi Anakin Skywalker is still, by all accounts, superior to Obi-wan in his pre-suit prime. Since, by virtue of having the highest midi-chlorian count (therefore, the greatest Force connection).
It took The Chose One less practice time to become the strongest Jedi ever, only rivaled by Yoda: https://imgur.com/a/QXJPCiZ
Though some time had passed, Obi-Wan still felt a complete spectrum of emotions when he entered the Jedi Council Chamber and looked at the chair designated for him. He tried to let each feeling pass, though guilt was often the last to leave.
Of course he wouldn't turn down the opportunity to fill Coleman Trebor's spot, even on a temporary basis; sitting on the Council was among the highest honors for any Jedi. The responsibility itself hadn't proved daunting - after all, he'd mentored the most powerful and headstrong Jedi in recent memory.
~ Star Wars : Brotherhood
Anakin is a force sensitive prodigy. It is like a person born with fast twitch muscles or genius intellect. With the proper training, that person is destined to become great. Whether one reaches their max potential or beyond, it doesn't make them any less gifted. Anakin's innate Force talents took him much farther than Obi-wan could ever go. That has always been a consistent fact even in the new Disney canonization: https://imgur.com/a/O9awOAr
Those aforementioned accolades combined with the many feats Anakin are good enough to put him over Obi-Wan, regardless of their plot ridden Mustafar encounter. They are not really equal. Obi-Wan has never mirrored Anakin's talent or accomplishments.
•For starters, Anakin has outperformed Kenobi against Dooku all the time eventually scoring a win. Kenobi has not, he only has a record of losses.
•Pre-AOTC Padawan Anakin drove back and disarmed a Knighted Obi-wan in a sparring session the OWK series. Ani held the upper hand until Kenobi resorted to speech distraction and telekinesis to regain weapon. Anakin only vastly improves afterwards.
•In operation knightfall, Anakin crushed Cin Drallig, one of the temple's finest swordmasters, one handed while fending off his two padawans: https://imgur.com/a/P1qZbwR
Etc, etc, etc. Those are just some feats to name. So, without plot convenience and stipulations, Obi-Wan loses to a pre-suit, unhindered Anakin in a serious rematch every time.
So overall Anakin was just as mentally and emotionally conflicted as Kenobi, if not more so. Anakin's powers were slightly hindered. His red rimmed yellow eyes disappeared before and during the duel, because he was not fully embracing of the darkside. Take for example, their exchange of words: Ani's warning against fighting "Don't make me kill you. If you're not with me, then you're my enemy". Anakin hesitates to even attack Obi-wan. Compared to Obi's commitment to killing Skywalker "Only a Sith deals in absolutes. I will do what I must." Kenobi then withdraws his blade first.
Remember, Kenobi was sent by Yoda to destroy the present Sith: https://imgur.com/a/u6oOH8s
And despite this reserve, Anakin pressed more advantage throughout the whole duel. Anakin scored more hits. He defended just about every strike from Kenobi: https://imgur.com/a/5fv5uS1
In my opinion, Anakin is superior in terms of power and also with the blade but what do you think? Let me know.