Luke vs.Vader: I Rewatched 'Star Wars' and Finally Picked a Side (And It’s Not Who You Think)
And what I realised totally changed how I see them.
If you grew up on Star Wars like I did, you’ve probably had this debate at some point: Who’s actually stronger — Luke or Vader? And I used to go back and forth. I mean, Vader feels scarier, right? The mask, the breathing, the whole “Force-choke-you-without-moving” vibe.
But the more I rewatch (and overthink — hello, it’s me), the more convinced I am: Luke Skywalker wins this one. And not just because he gets the redemption arc and all the Jedi wisdom vibes by the end.
Let’s break it down.
Vader, or Anakin, had a tragic start and even more tragic end. Yes, he was the Chosen One. Yes, he was terrifying. But after Mustafar? After losing to Obi-Wan and getting burned to a crisp? He was basically running on 20% battery.
Even George Lucas said Vader was only operating at around 80% of Palpatine’s power. That’s a downgrade from "galactic game-changer" to "very angry space goth with asthma".
Now Luke — my soft-spoken, sometimes whiny farm boy — had a completely different journey. He started training way later (at 19!), barely knew what a lightsaber was in A New Hope, and still managed to hold his own. But the real glow-up came post-trilogy.
Luke didn’t just survive — he levelled up. He became a proper Jedi Master, learned from ancient texts, and basically rebuilt the Order with zero help (thanks for nothing, ghost Yoda).
So yeah. By the time he hits his peak, Luke’s the real deal. Wisdom, power, restraint — he’s the full Jedi package.
If they’d fought when both were at their prime? My money’s on Luke. No hesitation. Not because he’s more brutal — but because he’s more balanced. More in tune with the Force. He’s not just fighting to win, he’s fighting with purpose. That’s power.
