Luke Skywalker’s duel withDarth VaderinReturn of the Jediis one of theStar Warssaga’s most important sequences for numerous reasons, including Luke’s use of a technique usually associated with the Sith.Return of the Jedisees the completion of Luke Skywalker’s path to Jedi Knighthood and the cathartic redemption of Darth Vader, who turns on Emperor Palpatine to save his son, arguably becoming Anakin Skywalker once more. Luke Skywalker’s final duel with Darth Vader is as much ideological as it is physical, with Luke fighting with his principles as much as his lightsaber andForce powers.
Luke Skywalker was conflicted in his duel with Vader, having been told by his Jedi mentors that killing him was the only path to victory, yet Luke refused to kill his father. Darth Vader sought to turn Luke to the dark side and overthrow the Emperor with Luke as his apprentice. Palpatine believed that he would win no matter what, either gaining a new Sith apprentice or being rid of one of his greatest threats. Luke nearly succumbs to the dark side during the duel, yet interestingly, he uses a technique usually associated with the Sith before his enraged onslaught.
The Sith Excelled At Undermining Their Opponents
One element of lightsaber combat that theSith Lordsfavor in theStar WarsLegends continuity is known as Dun Möch. Simply put,Dun Möch is the tactic of using intimidation and distractions to keep an opponent off-balance, cause them to doubt themselves, or even tempt them to fall to the dark side of the Force. Dun Möch is included in most of theStar Warssaga films, but it is not the same thing as simple barbs traded during a lightsaber duel. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader’s dialogue inA New Hopedoes not entirely qualify as Dun Möch.
Dun Möch exists in the modernStar Warscanon, but little has been revealed about it other than its use by the Sith in lightsaber combat.
Darth Vader’s attempts to tempt Luke to embrace the dark side inThe Empire Strikes Backis a definitive example of Dun Möch. Count Dooku’s intimidation tactics in his duels with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker inStar Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clonesare another prime example of Dun Möch. Of course, Dun Möch is not always applicable in every duel. Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi’s duel with Darth Maul was largely dialogue-free, as Maul was unfamiliar with his opponents. WhileDun Möch is generally thought of as a Sith technique, it can be used by Jedi.
Luke Skywalker Inverted Dun Möch In Return Of The Jedi
Dun Möch can backfire on its usersunder certain circumstances. Count Dooku’s taunts during his final duel with Anakin Skywalker worked too well, as they goaded Skywalker to tap into the dark side, giving him an edge against the Sith Lord that resulted in Dooku’s dismemberment and execution. The Imperial dark side user Desann used a carefully plotted instance of Dun Möch on Kyle Katarn, attempting to bait him into leading theImperial Remnantto the Valley of the Jedi on Ruusan, but it also led Katarn to become a Jedi once again and defeat Desann.
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Darth Vader’s use of Dun Möch on Luke Skywalker inTheEmpire Strikes Back, combined with Luke’s endeavor to redeem his father, led Luke to deploy his own version of the technique against Vader. Rather than trying to keep Vader off-balance for an easier kill or tempt him to turn to the dark side, however,Luke encouraged Vader to abandon the corrosive dark side and become the good man he used to be. Luke acknowledged Darth Vader’s internal conflict and stoked the fires of what remained of Anakin Skywalker, contributing to Darth Vader’s redemption.
Darth Vader’s Redemption Is Even More Impressive Than It Seemed
Luke Skywalker’s use of Dun Möch against Darth Vader is impressive for multiple reasons. The most obvious, of course, is redeeming a Sith Lord who was seemingly too far gone to ever return to the Jedi he used to be, but it is equally impressive on a less personal level. Luke Skywalkertook a traditionally Sith-affiliated technique and turned it into a Jedi tactic. Luke would continue to use this Jedi variation of Dun Möch after the events ofReturn of the Jedi, believing that those who fall to the dark side are not beyond rejecting its influence.
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
Cast
Return of the Jedi concludes George Lucas’s original Star Wars trilogy with Luke Skywalker and his allies seeking to rescue Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt and facing a renewed threat as the Emperor attempts to obliterate the Rebellion through a second Death Star, broadening the epic battle between good and evil.
