The Star Wars franchise has introduced countless powerful Jedi, wielders of the light and dark sides of the Force who have demonstrated their skills in phenomenal feats of power. The most famous of these are, of course, the Skywalkers – Anakin Skywalker and his son Luke, stars of George Lucas’ saga. But, as the franchise has expanded across the timeline, many other powerful Jedi have been introduced in the different mediums.
It is, of course, very difficult to compare different Jedi in terms of power level. As Master Yoda observed in The Empire Strikes Back, wars do not make one great – and nor do feats. The Jedi themselves venerate wisdom above raw power, meaning the likes of Jocasta Nu are far more highly revered among their number than heroes like Anakin Skywalker. Some Jedi hail from species with longer life-spans than humans, meaning they have had more time to cultivate their gifts. And then, of course, there is the will of the Force and simple luck – the factors that mean a less competent duelist can successfully beat a more powerful Jedi in a duel. Still, going from what has been seen to date, here’s a ranking of 30 major Jedi from weakest to most powerful.
30 Barriss Offee
There have been several great Mirialan Jedi Knights, but Barriss Offee wasn’t one of them. Originally Luminara Unduli’s Padawan, Barriss became a Jedi Knight during the Clone Wars. She was sensitive enough to the Force to sense the growing darkness, but lacked the wisdom to realize she needed to resist it as a Jedi. Instead, Barriss turned against the Jedi Council. Her power and skill was demonstrated in several shadowy combat scenes with Ahsoka Tano, but she never really demonstrated her true potential in the Force. It’s interesting to note Barriss was not executed for her crimes, though, leading many to believe her story will continue at some point.
29 Jocasta Nu
Played by the late Alethea McGrath in the prequel trilogy, Jocasta Nu was a Jedi archivist noted for her wisdom rather than her power. She doesn’t have many Force feats to her name, explaining why she comes so low on the list of powerful Jedi, but her experiences prove why any such ranking is not an indication of a Jedi’s greatness. Jocasta Nu somehow survived Anakin Skywalker’s sacking of the Jedi Temple in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, and established a repository of Jedi knowledge that would ultimately help Luke Skywalker rebuild the Order. Palpatine feared Jocasta Nu’s knowledge, and with good reason; although she was captured by the Empire when returning to Coruscant, she was able to manipulate Darth Vader into killing her so the Sith would not profit from her knowledge of the light and dark sides of the Force.
28 Vernestra Rwoh
A Jedi of the High Republic Era, Vernestra Rwoh was something of a Force prodigy, a Mirialan who was knighted when she was just 15 years old. Remarkably sensitive to the guidance of the Force, Vernestra – sometimes nicknamed “Vern” – modified her lightsaber into a lightwhip in response to its guidance, and this proved useful during battles with Nihil pirates and carnivorous plant-creatures known as the Drengir. Vern would surely appear higher up on this list of most powerful Jedi were it not for the fact Star Wars: The High Republic Phase I has only shown the beginning of her story, one that will run to the tail-end of the High Republic Era. Rebecca Henderson has been cast as a live-action Vernestra Rwoh for The Acolyte Disney+ TV show, meaning she could well move up the rankings.
27 Aayla Secura
Hailing from the old Star Wars Expanded Universe, Jedi Master Aayla Secura was incorporated into George Lucas’ prequel trilogy, where she was played by Lucasfilm employee Amy Allen.The Twi’lek Jedi was noted for her phenomenal martial arts skills, but unfortunately, most of her Clone Wars feats have been erased from Disney canon, making it very difficult to place Aayla Secura on this ranking of Jedi according to canon. Hopefully Star Wars will revisit Aayla Secura going forward.
26 Ezra Bridger
The main character in Star Wars Rebels, Ezra Bridger is clearly a very powerful Force-sensitive indeed. Ezra is particularly notable for an unusual Force power that allows him to bond with animals, an ability he used to spectacular effect when he called a flock of purrgil – space whales – in to help against Grand Admiral Thrawn in Star Wars Rebels‘ series finale. He’d appear higher on this ranking of powerful Jedi were it not for the fact his training has been scattershot and impromptu, meaning he doesn’t always consistently demonstrate his abilities. Eman Esfandi has been cast as the live-action Ezra Bridger ahead of the Ahsoka Disney+ TV show, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him go up the rankings.
25 Stellan Gios
Considered one of the brightest stars of the High Republic Era, Stellan Gios was as notable for his political skill and acumen as he was for his power in the Force. Stellan protected Chancellor Lina Soh when pirates known as the Nihil attacked the Republic Fair on Valo, and he became seen as a hero for his actions there. He tragically sacrificed himself to save others during the Nihil attack on Starlight Beacon, a space station they brought down on an inhabited planet. Stellan’s true power has seldom been displayed, but he kept remarkable company, working alongside prodigies Avar Kriss and Elzar Mann. This, more than anything else, suggests he should be considered a powerhouse.
24 Depa Billaba
Played by Dipika O’Neill Joti in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Depa Billaba was a prequel era Jedi who served in the Clone Wars. The Padawan of Mace Windu, she is one of the few Jedi to have mastered the lightsaber form known as Vaapad. Unlike other lightsaber forms, Vaapad encourages a Jedi to embrace their emotions, using them to fuel an aggressive attack; Mace and Depa are the only known practitioners of Vaapad not to have fallen to the dark side. Depa is best known to modern viewers as the Jedi Master of Kanan Jarrus, briefly appearing in the opening scenes of Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 1, episode 1, when she gave her life on her Padawan’s behalf.
23 Saesee Tiin
Some Force-sensitives possess special talents, and the Iktotchi Jedi Saesee Tiin is a perfect example. He was known to be an unusually powerful telepath, although sadly no Star Wars stories have shown that power in operation. He was also one of the best lightsaber swordsmen among the Jedi of the prequel era, possibly using his telepathic abilities to sense an enemy’s intentions before they struck. That may explain why he was so easily defeated by Darth Sidious in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, when he proved unable to anticipate the Dark Lord of the Sith.
22 Yaddle
It’s particularly difficult to place Jedi Master Yaddle in terms of her power rankings. She’s briefly been seen serving in the High Republic Era, where she was respected for her wisdom and sensitivity to the Force. Yaddle’s most notable appearance to date was in the animated Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi series, where she was shown trailing Dooku to a meeting with Darth Sidious – and dying at Dooku’s blade, the sacrifice that committed him to the Sith. Yaddle acquitted herself well during the duel, but at the same time didn’t really demonstrate the kind of power seen by entries higher in this list. Still, this was toward the end of her life, so it’s possible this did not show Yaddle at her strongest.
21 Kanan Jarrus
Born Caleb Dume, Kanan Jarrus is one of the most important characters in Star Wars Rebels. Kana survived Order 66 thanks to his master, Depa Billaba, who sacrificed herself on his behalf; he lived through most of the Dark Times, dying for his friends shortly before Luke Skywalker emerged on the galactic stage. Kanan developed a close relationship with the Force, effectively using it to see after he was blinded by Darth Maul. This intense bond with the Force enhanced his powers, as demonstrated in his death, when he held a powerful explosion back with a telekinetic shield. This act alone proves just how powerful a Jedi Kanan really was.
20 Luminara Unduli
Another Jedi Master who served in the Clone Wars, Luminara Unduli was a Mirialan Jedi known to be very difficult indeed to defeat in combat. She was played by Mary Oyaya in Lucas’ prequel trilogy, where she made a lasting impression, initially developed as part of the Star Wars Expanded Universe. Few of Luminara’s feats survive into Disney canon, but she’s still considered one of the Jedi’s greatest, a fearsome warrior who only fell because of the Sith’s treachery.
19 Ki-Adi-Mundi
A Cerean Jedi, Ki-Adi-Mundi served during the prequel era and did not survive Order 66. He was particularly noted for his skills with the lightsaber; Ki-Adi-Mundi even numbered among the few to have practiced Makashi, the art of lightsaber dueling, which means he was one of the few Jedi who could have successfully defeated even Count Dooku in combat. Ki-Adi-Mundi’s phenomenal reflexes allowed him to deflect several blaster shots when he was unexpectedly attacked by clone troopers, but he was eventually overwhelmed.
18 Elzar Mann
A controversial figure among the Jedi of the High Republic, Elzar Mann had a unique relationship with the Force that often granted him insight others did not possess. Unfortunately, for all his power, Elzar often lacked wisdom; he received a vision from the Force about a pirate attack on Valo’s Republic Fair, then arrogantly assumed his mere presence had averted it. Elzar’s story will no doubt be central to Star Wars: The High Republic Phase III, where hopefully he will find his balance and ascend this list of powerful Jedi.
17 Ahsoka Tano
Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan, Ahsoka Tano is a remarkable Force-sensitive who left the Jedi after she lost faith in the Council. Ahsoka grew in power during the Dark Times, continuing to develop her powers and practice according to Jedi philosophy even though she did not count herself among their number. She is one of precious few to survive an encounter with Darth Vader, granted with the help of her close friend Ezra Bridger, who rescued her from death using the World Between the Worlds. Ahsoka’s story continues in The Mandalorian era, with Rosario Dawson cast as Ahsoka in live-action; there have been hints she will transform into something beyond a mere Jedi.
16 Shaak Ti
Played by Orli Shoshan in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, the Togruta Jedi Master Shaak Ti served on the Jedi Council during the Clone Wars. She had a reputation for her skill using telekinesis in battle, a sign of her ability to multi-task in even the most heated situations. Many of Shaak Ti’s most exciting adventures are unfortunately non-canon, as is her death; two alternate death scenes were considered during Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the SIth, although both were cut. Reference books have nonetheless confirmed Shaak Ti died during Order 66 and the attack on the Jedi Temple.
15 Silandra Sho
A prominent Jedi of the High Republic Era, Silandra Sho is notable for her perspective on the Force and the ways of the Jedi. Silandra is essentially the Jedi version of Captain America, wielding a light-shield as well as a lightsaber. When fighting broke out on the sacred planet Jedha, Silandra used telekinesis to send the shield spinning around crowds, protecting them from blaster-fire, while she simultaneously engaged soldiers and droids in battle with her lightsaber. Her powers of concentration are unprecedented, explaining why she appears so high on this ranking of powerful Jedi.
14 Kit Fisto
Played by Zachariah Jensen, Kit Fisto is a Nautolan Jedi who developed a particular aptitude for manipulating water currents with the Force. He had learned to combine his amphibious nature with the Force to phenomenal effect, meaning he was more powerful underwater than anywhere else, and could swim at prodigious speeds. A tremendous hand-to-hand combatant and a skilled swordsman, Kit Fisto was one of the Jedi who confronted Palpatine in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. He was swiftly defeated by the Sith Lord, a testament to Palpatine’s raw power.
13 Plo Koon
Matt Sloan played Plo Koon in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, a skilled and wise Jedi Master who ultimately fell to Order 66. Like many of the most powerful Jedi, Plo Koon demonstrated his power by combining telekinesis with swordsmanship, proving himself to be something of a telekinetic savant even among his fellows. He proved himself a competent warrior on many occasions, battling on in spite of injuries.
12 Porter Engle
Wars do not make one great, a truth Porter Engle learned the hard way. The Ikkrukkian Jedi Master was a legend among his peers in the High Republic Era, famed for the tremendous feats he had accomplished in his youth. He earned himself the nickname the Blade of Bardotta due to one battle, but his faith in the Force was ultimately shaken, and he wound up living on the Outer Rim as a cook at various Jedi Temples. Porter Engle nevertheless stepped back into action when the need arose.
11 Grogu
Still known as Baby Yoda by viewers, the Mandalorian apprentice Grogu has become more powerful than ever before after being mentored by Luke Skywalker. He’s already demonstrated a range of more unusual Force powers, including a rare form of Force Heal that drew on his own life-force. One of his most impressive feats to date was seen in The Mandalorian season 3’s finale, when he created a Force barrier to protect himself, Din Djarin, and Bo-Katan Kryze from the explosion generated by a crashing ship. Grogu appears in this list even though he has technically left the Jedi, simply because he has a close enough tie to the Order and could well return to them over the course of his life.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
