The High Ground: REALLY An Advantage in a Sword Duel?

You're probably aware of the High Ground meme from Star Wars: Episode III, where Obi-Wan boldly declared "It's over, Anakin. I have the high ground."

If you've ever wondered how decisive that would actually be in a real life fight with historical swords, this video is for you.

Thanks to my good friend Swordsage for helping out with this video while he was on a visit.

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Intro song:
"Illuminate" by Vindsvept

Outro:
"Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records

#Swords #Swordfight #Starwars

[christianholzschuh]

Anakin: It's over Obi wan, I have the low ground!
Obi wan: The floor is lava...

[Candy-rxuz]

"Oh no he has the high ground, I'm doomed.
Or am i?
Hey Vsauce Michael here"

[tr-r]

Me: does the High ground really give me an advantage?
Skallagrim: no
Me: you underestimate my power.

[propheinx]

Enemy: "I have the high ground."
Me: "so what?"

Enemy: "We have the high ground."
Me: "now I'm nervous."

[micden]

According my understanding, the phrase in Star Wars, I have the higher ground is supposed to say Obiwan is on a solid rock when Anakin is still on a floating droid, whatever Anakin strikes he will need to jump over to Obiwan, so Obiwan is getting the advantage not just height is a promising winning when he is the first one on a solid better position, in the movie it also shows that Anakin actually jumped which he needs to for reaching Obiwan, and Obiwan just need to wait and sweep his lightsabre on this easy target.
And that's the higher ground mean in my understanding.

[chasehopkins]

I cannot believe he didnt start this video with "hello there!"

[bruce]

fake, no one even attempted to do the force flip that was done in the movie.

[generalgrievous]

Obiwan: **has highground**
Me: "You fool. I have been trained in your jedi arts by Skallagrim." **strikes at ankles while crouching**

[Dr_Robodaz]

Skallagrim: There is no advantage in holding the high ground.
Napoleon, Sun Tzu, Alexander, Sir Thomas Fairfax, Gustav II Adolphus, Alexander Nevsky, and Oda Nobunaga: HOLD OUR BEERS!
Skallagrim: For duels, you dilberts!!!
Generals: *Mutter, mutter, mutter*

[ternalHours]

If Dark Souls has taught me anything: he who is lowest, wins.

[BarokaiRein]

High ground gives massive advantage when using ranged weapons, such as pommels.

[DarthAndrew]

You were supposed to start the memes not kill them!

[Dionyboz]

Fools, never underestimate the power of the high ground

[paologarcia]

"There is one situation where I can really see this being an advantage..."

[Throws pommel from the high ground]

[Timberwolf]

Well, in most one-to-one swordfights, the high ground will be a disadvantage.


But in this special occasion, there are some other factors that come in to play.
Anakin had no real ground beneath his feet, no direct way to approach his opponent.
He had to jump to reach ground before being able to fight on. And that was the vulnerable part about it.
Why? Well, Obi-Wan was prepared to react to a leaping attack.
Even though the situation between Obi-Wan and Maul seems to be similar, there are some differences.
First, and most importantly, Obi-Wan's attack caught the gloating Maul totally off-guard.
And then there is the"angle of attack":

- Obi-Wan was hanging on a ledge, a few feet below Maul. (vertical)
At that angle, it is quite difficult to observe what your opponent is doing, even if you put your full attention to it.
- Anakin was hovering over a lava river, on a small platform, no sight obstruction and a few feet away. (horizontal)
Even a gloating Maul would have been able to see the attack - as long as he didn't turn his back on his opponent.


Obi-Wan's "high ground" wasn't the real reason for his advantage.

[aldor]

*Unscrews the pommel
*YOU UNDERESTIMATE MY POWER*

[punishedbearzerker]

Skall: You're using Bonetti's defense against me, eh?

Sage: Only natural, given the rockey terrain.

[makeda]

I'm not a SWs buff but weren't they much further apart and separated by increasing lava?

[andersonbryan]

Him: high ground isn't a advantage

Me: years of academy training wasted

[thrownswordpommel]

" he's too dangerous to be kept alive"
*Proceeds to unscrew pommel*