Why Palpatine HATED Lightsabers But Still NEEDED Them - Star Wars Explained

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Twitter: @StupendousWave

Composer: Whitesand (Martynas Lau)
Year: 2017
Title: Eternity Additional Music Terminus by: Scott Buckley
Released under CC-BY 4.0.

[darylsdesigns]

“The Sith have outgrown the use of lightsabers, but we continue to use them if only to humiliate the Jedi.”

[donbisesi]

The real story of starwars is the ongoing rivalry between palpatine and lightsabers. Given that a lightsaber scarred his face, his first body was destroyed by falling into the death star (which was effectively a big lightsaber), and 2 lightsabers destroyed him for good. All while palpatine killed thousands of innocent lightsabers to make his death stars and his sith fleet.

[TheMan-jexq]

His first lightsaber reminded me of a king or emperors sword in different franchises. Very ornate and exquisite

[bluekitkats]

I think another aspect is that during the time of the empire Sidious had no threats that he couldn’t handle with the force or his cunning genius Vader yoda and obi weren’t really threats as 2 were in exile and the other he controlled but any rebels Jedi survivors he could just kill with the force Any uprising he could end with his unlimited resources

[NagatoNaoeProduction]

I believe some of the times that he uses a lightsaber feel like he is saying that the opponent isn't even worth his actual power, which lies in his strength with the force. The battle with Savage and Maul felt very much like that to me.

[lindavance]

I totally agree with everything stated in the video -- I just want to point out that Vader only killed the insect queen because Sidious weakened the insect queen by frying it with Force Lightning first. Which, considering that the shell of the insect queen was hard enough to deflect lightsabers normally, is an impressive feat.

[garrison]

I don’t think it’s weird that Palpatine trained extensively with a lightsaber. He probably trained and mastered form 7 when he was younger. Then as he became older and wiser realized this was not an effective way to destroy the Jedi order.

[PrincessOzaline]

Even in the context of Lords of the Sith, Sidious is trying to stir Anakin's memories to the surface, being stranded with his master in a hostile alien environment, and on the run from people hunting them down. Sidious flat out says in the book that his life was never in danger so he was indeed playfighting and trying to goad one Jedi to see if that Jedi is still there to goad.

[gabrielshu]

I imagine that Palpatine used his lightsabers on Rhyloth because of Darth Vader's presence. While he does seem to have SOME control over the path of his Force Lightning, it is still shown to arc somewhat wildly (if the sequels are ignored). Because he designed Darth Vader's suit and made it weak to Force Lightning, he probably used the lightsaber(s) because he still needed an apprentice until he could replace Vader. If you take the sequels into account, he could have just blasted his enemies with lightning to kill them, although Luke Skywalker did survive being hit by Sideous' lightning at least once, so...

[Rouge_Gems]

Sidious "I hate Lightsabers"
Also Sidious "it's treason then aaah".

[timboslice]

I like how his final attack was not a lightsaber one. I like how he was defeated by lightsaber reflection, a defensive move. Poetic.

[chaosiscandytome]

It’s a power move, pure and simple. While it might be impressive for him to just fry everyone with lightning, the lightsaber is “the weapon of the Jedi”. To beat them their own game, using their tools, that’s a flex.

[sublimazed]

Yoda wasn't the only Jedi who bested him in saber combat, mace windu 100% beat sidious too? he disarmed him and would have killed him if Anakin hadn't intervened. Not sure how you left that out?I think you give him too much credit.

[UI_Shaggy]

Mace Windu actually did win against Sidious fair in square, mainly due to his vappad ability.

[ElKabong]

I shake my head with other channels when they discuss Sith before Sidious.
With their logic, they *could* go "well Sidious doesn't like Lightsabers so it stands to reason he's bad at them"
When this is in fact flawed.
A Sith before Sidious would hate something, but he/she can still be a master of it beyond anyone.

[christophersanchez]

Palpatine is an example of a genius whose good at something but hates it at same time while being gifted at it

[jasonrandom]

I agree that Palpatine is so damn powerful with the force that he doesn't need a lightsaber. Just has it to mock the jedi. He threw the duel against Windu as soon as Anakin arrived as part of his plan to turn him to the dark side. Only the grand Master Yoda is truly capable of truly dueling with Palpatine.

[israelduncan]

Excellent content, this is the first time I've heard someone say Yoda beat sidious in their duel which I totally agree. Also yes sidious was much more confident in his force abilities I disagree that he beat Yoda in the senate chamber on the basis that Yoda has the second highest midclorine count of everyone in starwars also Yoda 8 times as many lifetimes worth of studying the force which leads one to believe his force abilities are unmatched by anyone with the exception of Luke. Last but not least sidious flat out ran away for the entire battle again Yoda, he was scared because he knew he would lose. " If so powerful you are why run?" Hahaha just my opinion

[krasskswg]

Sidious won on Coruscant. Yoda couldn't best him with a blade and both lost them in the fight. The guards didn't show up until well after, and didn't hedge the fight at all.

[daniels]

Why do people assume that anything that comes out of Palpatine's mouth is the truth? He was a compulsive liar and braggart.