The Never Ending Disappointment of Star Wars Battlefront

Eight months ago we finally received a new Star Wars Battlefront game. The anticipation was just about as intense as I have seen when it comes to new video games.

I can remember other big video game releases in which it seemed like everyone was beyond excited for its eventual arrival.

Unfortunately, when the game dropped the enthusiasm would inevitably follow as over time more of us began to realize how disappointing the gameplay was.

As it has been mentioned a million times Battlefront is a carbon copy of Battlefield.

The lives of the characters are expendable, there’s no real strategy to playing and luck seems to be more valuable than skill.

What’s even more maddening is I believe Battlefield games are 10x better than Battlefront!

The fact that the environment is in play as in some buildings and other materials are capable of being leveled is fantastic.

In the world of Star Wars Battlefront, you shoot a powerful rocket launcher at small crates and nothing happens besides a small little black mark.

In Battlefield you get the fantastic option of customizing your weapon’s add-ons to increase its power. In Battlefront whatcha got is what ya got…

Not to mention the fact that Battlefront was released with four maps!

To be fair, the expansion packs have been very entertaining and interesting to say the least but you know what? You had to dish out some serious dough for that! Not cool!

Just look at this graphic as this version of Battlefront is compared with the old one…

How ridiculous and offensive is that? The obnoxiousness is endless!

Maybe one of my biggest gripes with Battlefront is the fact that there are so many useless game modes.

The way I see it, if it’s not supremacy, sabotage, occasional walker assault and once in a blue moon fighter squadron, it’s not worth playing.

It’s also pretty clear that the original blueprints for Battlefront as in games one and two that were released in ’05 and ’06 were consulted for about 10 minutes…

What irks me too is the changing of the way bases are captured.

In the old days of Battlefront, the game would start and you could immediately go after your opponent’s main base. Not only was it more difficult and took longer to convert to one of your own but if you did complete the task of taking the base, you would have a serious advantage.

This game gives you one option: one base at a time…

Awful. God awful.

The creativity, the strategy and the free-flowing play all went out the window.

This version of Star Wars Battlefront has about only one advantage on the old ones and that’s graphics and sounds.

There’s no denying the stunning aesthetics of this game. The colors are vibrant, the explosions are epic and the sounds throughout the game are very impressive.

But besides that, I honestly can’t think of much more they got right.

Okay maybe the additions of new hero and villain characters such as Dengar, Nien Nunb, Greedo and Lando are awesome, I won’t deny that.

But man, DICE really dropped the ball on this one.

As the DLC continues to be released, I find myself constantly thinking “will they just change the game to the old one already?”

I know I’m slightly ranting here but I also find it mind-numbing that the old school classic look of the scoring bar was taken out completely.

It was so simple yet so effective and perfect. The system now with just bases and time is played out.

I also think some of the Hutt contracts are useless and too difficult to get.

The quest you must endure to unlock some of these items are painstakingly annoying!

I just want to unlock new guns and use them in the heat of battle, not randomly throw smoke grenades or kill an enemy as I’m standing in this specific area or something.

It takes away from the overall idea of you’re playing the video game for fun and not a contest to win.

What separated the new and the old Battlefront games in my eyes however is the fact that one had a form of a story mode or a player vs computer ability as the newer one had an extremely repetitive and boring survival mode.

The recently added game mode of skirmish is severely lacking. It seems that even when DICE goes to fix its problems they still can’t get things right.

For example, I played skirmish walker assault last night and you know what happened? I got the hero icon right away and played as Nien Nunb…I ended up surviving the entire game and going 189 and 0…

You might say that sounds fun and maybe it was at first but you know what? It was pathetically boring.

I guess what I’m trying to say is Battlefront I and II were 10/10 games for me and so many others. This new Battlefront, even with the updates is so weak and seems to stay on the same level of disappointing.

It’s way too one dimensional as it’s lacking so much material that was there over 10 years ago!

They could have simply taken the old game, upgraded the graphics and added some characters and boom! All would be good.

Another crazy mishap that Battlefront boasts is the restrictions of having original trilogy-based characters only…

Now I understand that supposedly DICE was not granted permission to use Episode VII characters but what happened to the prequel heroes and villains!?

It’s well documented that many Star Wars fans took exception to Episodes I-III (which is crazy in itself) but the characters in those movies are epic and deserve to be everywhere.

From Darth Maul and General Grievous to Plo Koon and Mace Windu, it’s painful to not see them in this game.

Just spoof up the graphics and let the awesomeness commence!

As for now, I guess we’ll just have to settle for what we’ve got: a mediocre moneymaker that has the title of “Star Wars” on it.

I’ve always been an eternal optimist but in this case it’s pretty difficult.

Here’s to better games in the future! Please!

-Sith Pacify out

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Significance Of The Empire’s Depiction In Rogue One

On this day of independence, we as Americans reflect on what it means to be free from oppression and injustice.

With that being said, today got me thinking about the Empire and how their portrayal in Rogue One should play out.

For starters, Rogue One is supposed to have a much darker look to it compared to the past seven Star Wars films.

Now understand this: We know of the Empire to be overbearing, controlling, cruel and manipulative.

But besides some scenes like Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru’s death and the obliteration of Alderaan, we have seen relatively few depictions of the Empire’s oppressive nature.

RO should change that. Right from the start we need to see the decimation of civilians, of the common folk.

So far in all films we’ve seen military targets and Rebel Alliance members in the cross hairs of the Empire, but where’s the foul treatment to the everyday people?

Star Wars Rebels did a fantastic job in showing what everyday life is like living under the Empire.

But to see it on the big screen? Now that would be spectacular.

You might be asking yourself, “Who cares? What does it matter how the people of the land get treated.”

Well, it’s important and I’ll tell you why.

First, horrid treatment and oppressive regimes always build up enough anger and hatred amongst the people that actions are taken.

We know what the end result is in Star Wars of course but the beginning is so vital for the story because it shows us how cruelty and blatant greed emanating from a crooked government did them in in the end.

Second, we get to see why the war between the Empire and the Rebels started.

Of course we know why, I mean it’s a state bred on fear within the Empire!

But we will get to see the incidences on a small level. The local injustices, those who lost their land just because some governing Moff wanted more property or a village shot up and burned down because they didn’t accept the totalitarian rule.

Lastly, the response of the state.

With the news of Darth Vader returning, we have our executioner.

The Grand Moff Tarkin once said  “We will crush the Rebellion with one swift stroke.”

The parallels between this line and the image of Vader’s lightsaber flashing as he cuts down Rebel after terrified Rebel are very telling.

You see, the Empire doesn’t play any games.

Sure they don’t want people to see them as they absolutely cripple their enemies with sheer brute force but you know what? This is their world, we’re just living in it.

RO must show this side of The Empire.

It is so very key that we see the crushing hatred of the Empire spewing out and being forced upon all who live under their reign.

We also must see The Empire as an unstoppable force mutilating the enemy. 

These two ingredients will make RO a special movie.

Let’s take the political correctness out of Star Wars and let’s show what happens when a band of Rebels steps up against tyranny of a fire-breathing monster in The Empire.

-Sith Pacify out

 

 

 

 

 

 

Official Sith Pacify Power Rankings: #1

The 1st and top character for the Official Sith Pacify Power Rankings is…Anakin Skywalker!

Anakin Skywalker Overall = 99

For this case, I consider this version of Anakin Skywalker to be the man before he donned the suit. 

He is the chosen one, he is what the prophecy speaks of, he is the greatest.

From the very first time Anakin Skywalker was introduced to us, we knew he was beyond special.

With the highest midi-chlorian count ever recorded in a force-user, Skywalker had the necessary foundation to launch himself to supreme dominance of cataclysmic proportions.

With fluidity and poise matched with never ending potential, Anakin was a light that was brighter than any other.

Yet with all his prowess, he was constantly tormented with relentless demons.

At the center of perfect irony, Skywalker was forced to make difficult choices. Choices that he would always regret.

From leaving his mother behind on Tatooine to struggling with his connection to Padmé as well as his undying quest to prove himself, Anakin Skywalker’s life would continue the trend of ups and downs.

But with all his pain he continued to progress in his abilities.

Day after day, week after week, Anakin’s command of the Force paired with his athleticism was truly eye opening.

Unfortunately for Anakin because of his lacky of humility and eccentric personality, his progress was met with cautious apprehension amongst his peers.

Always looking to be appreciated and loved Anakin inevitably fell in with the wrong crowd.

Of course it’s easy for us to say, considering Palpatine came across as nothing but a genuinely sweet and caring elderly man, he would inevitably be the final nail in the coffin that would be Anakin Skywalker and the birth of Darth Vader.

Characteristics

• Athletic Ability (Strength, 100/100)- Perhaps only rivaled by his own son, no one could reach the heights of Anakin when it came to the feats that his body was capable of. Lean muscle absolutely pulsating with tremendous ability, strength, speed and power were all powerful tools that the young man was able to call upon. Even at such a young age he was keeping pace with legendary, grizzled Jedi veterans with little to no effort. The skill set of Anakin’s wasn’t unique, it was his age with his skill set that made him unique. It just goes to show, the talented Anakin Skywalker was one of a kind.
• Force Unleashed (Strength, 100/100)- Characters like Yoda or the Emperor might have had more discipline or knowledge of the Force but it’s those like Anakin who are the most unpredictable and deadly. You know how some people have different levels of how hard they are battling? As in they’re about to “go into an extra gear”? Well Skywalker had no ceilings or limitations. Even when he didn’t know exactly what he was doing, he could still call upon the Force and unleash hell on anything that stood in his path to what he desired. 
• Art of the lightsaber (Strength, 100/100)- As if the very weapon was an extension of himself, Anakin’s mastery of a lightsaber is the epitome of impressive. His dazzling performances on the battlefields of the Clone Wars made the bloody conflict look almost like a performance of a musical presentation. The flowing light of the weapon, the gracefulness mixed with violent hammering was a thing of beauty. Also, because he was so physically gifted, he could truly call upon any form and dominate. That’s pretty rare, but when you find out it’s Anakin Skywalker who owns that ability, it’s almost expected.   
• Gift of Influence (Strength, 98/100)- Skywalker had the ability that allowed everyone around him to rise to the occasion. In the thick of battle Anakin just made those around him better. Through his energy and constant heart, his allies would subconsciously put in the extra effort and turn the dynamic of the team around from an already force to be reckoned with to an unstoppable wave. That’s what the great ones do, they allow those around them to grow and make no mistake, Anakin is the greatest.
•  Emotional Ties (Weakness, 0/100)- As if it was a terminal illness, Anakin was the epitome of an emotional being. As I stated earlier, the losses of his mother, his embattled relationship between Padmé and the Jedi as well as his friendship with the Supreme Chancellor would eventually be his undoing. There was no escaping it. The moment young Skywalker, looking disheveled as ever, walked away from his mother on his home planet of Tatooine, a ticking time bomb initiated. His relentless search for love, belonging and appreciation would prove to be too much in the end as he would ultimately be consumed by his thirst for power and practically self destruct. 
• Youth and Ignorance (Weakness, 15/100)- To understand this weakness in Anakin’s character you have to look at him as a whole. He was a young teenager who was thrown into a position of real power and importance as he entered the Clone Wars. Never lacking confidence Anakin did his best and tried his hardest to always succeed. Of course someone as young as he was was bound to eventually fail. Now when this failure arrived, Anakin did not have the mental maturity to look at it as natural and inevitable. Instead he pushed himself to never fail, never lose and never be anything but the best. The effect this mindset had on Skywalker was devastating. Because Anakin knew and understood how exceptional he was, he was no stranger to insubordination. In fact, the young Jedi was often at odds with his superiors or just authority in general. Never able to appreciate his greatness as well as failing to follow simple orders, this was a recipe for disaster. 

Intangibles

• Rage (Strength/Weakness, 95/100)- Even though Anakin belonged to the Jedi, he always belonged more to his own ideals than anything else. Emotion or more specifically anger and hatred is something that is obviously frowned upon within the Order. But with Anakin, when pushed past his limits he would fully give in to his feelings and emotions and he would emerge as a fire-spitting, hate engulfed man hellbent on destroying anything in his way. We saw it when his mother was discovered and dies in his arms, we saw it when he returns to the temple after Order 66 initiates and we see it during his fateful bout with his longtime friend and former Master, Kenobi. The thing is, when Anakin would go into his rage mode, he lost touch with his Jedi side and almost became a rogue symbol of the Force itself. Although it gave him great power and extended his already amazing abilities tenfold, the overconfidence it instilled in him as well as the distorting of his reality might have turned this attribute into a weakness rather than a strength.

Final Word

At long last, the Sith Pacify Power Rankings are complete! To be honest, from the very beginning I had Anakin Skywalker locked in to the number 1 spot. Although I toyed with the idea of having Luke, Yoda and the Emperor at the top, Anakin was the final victor. I look at Anakin Skywalker and see two parts. I see someone who was so immensely powerful. Someone who could have gone on to be a Grand Master of the Jedi Order and not only have gone on to do great things for the Jedi but create a real sense of inclusiveness within the Galaxy. I could see him opening up relations between Force-users and everyday people. Skywalker could have bridged the gap between curious and fear-filled citizens to younglings and Jedi Masters. This would have been tremendous and could very possibly have guaranteed the public’s support for the Jedi and thus making them an all-time stalwart in society. The second part that I see when I look at Anakin is shameful disappointment. He was the most gifted Force-user ever, he was the most athletically inclined Force-user and he was incredibly intelligent! However, with all those abilities, he achieved very little. His record in battle was fantastic and he was of course known as this guy who was one of the best but raw. Yet, so little of his achievements were actually recognized mostly due to the fact that he was in his early 20’s when he left the Jedi Order. With Anakin you get the ultimate tale of irony. Someone who craved attention, who wanted to be loved and respected and when he finally gets what he’s always wanted, he cracks. If there’s one short line you should think of when Anakin Skywalker’s legacy is at hand it’s this: “Oh what could have been.”

-Sith Pacify out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Official Sith Pacify Power Rankings: #2

The 2nd character for the Official Sith Pacify Power Rankings is…Luke Skywalker!

Luke Skywalker Overall = 99

Unbeknownst to the world, a human on the deserted landscapes of the Tatooine wastelands grew a boy who would change the Galaxy forever.

From farmhand to the most powerful person alive, the legend of Luke Skywalker is as illustrious as it is unlikely.

Originally thought to be a nobody, young Luke took a leap of faith and soon discovered his true identity. He was a Jedi like his father before him.

The sheer talent that surged through Skywalker’s veins was just begging to be released, yearning for an opportunity.

At the Battle of Yavin, he received that chance…

As a young and inexperienced pilot, he faced off against the Death Star with so much on the line.

The result of failure meant the vaunted Rebellion, the very force that he looked up to so dearly would be completely exterminated.

It was kill or be killed and he was up against the biggest mechanical monstrosity that eyes had ever seen.

A gargantuan task  for anyone, the young boy obliterated the battle station and saved the day.

In doing so he took that next step. A step into the shadow of his father’s brilliance. A place he would have never known existed unless his very own father had not told him himself.

As the years followed, he continuously notched more and more unfathomable victories underneath his belt.

Establishing himself as an elite military general, completing his training as a Jedi and then eventually defeating the egomaniacal tyrant of the land in the Emperor.

Throughout his time in the spotlight, one thing Luke continued to resemble was a pillar of the finest light.

Definitively turning away from the beckoning calls of the Dark Side, silencing the infamous Emperor’s attempts to convert the Jedi to a Sith, he remained true to himself and true to everything he stood for.

Skywalker represented everything that was right about existence. A symbol of untouchable purity that could never be tainted.

To his very core, Luke Skywalker was a Jedi, he was one of the good guys, he was the very meaning of hope.

In a time of eternal darkness, Luke was a rallying call.

As the oppressive regime of the Empire continued to mangle the innocence, Luke became someone for people to believe in.

He became someone who people could follow into the depths of hell and as long as they stayed close to his side, avoid the scorching of devilish fire and brimstone.

The best of the very best are like magnets, they attract those around them.

Luke wasn’t just a magnet, he was the very essence that made the magnet, he was the truth.

Characteristics

• Pure of Heart (Strength, 100/100)- Throughout Star Wars, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone at all who had better character than Luke. Always trying to do the right thing, never cutting corners and always following things through, Luke was a living and breathing example of how things should be done. But why is this relevant? It’s important because through his inner purity and never-dying chivalry, Luke’s connection to the Force remained uncapped. The ability to reach deeper and climb level after level was always available. There was no limit to his potential and at the very root of it was his way of life. 
• Power (Strength, 100/100)- There is a reason why someone as powerful as the Emperor was so hellbent on recruiting Luke to his side. Absolutely teeming with limitless strength, Luke became a desirable target for good and bad intentions. Only one person alive had ever seen such ability, but that’s for another time…Skywalker was a man in rarefied air. Through his connection with the Force, with his unstoppable physical capabilities and his exuberant youth, Luke Skwyalker was the complete package.
• Level of Diversity (Strength, 95/100)- Luke was so skilled that anything he did, he was the best. From using the Force to piloting, Skywalker was the very pinnacle of diversification. It’s worth noting that it took Luke a while to get adjusted to using a lightsaber. In that time that he was unsure of the weapon, he crafted his marksmanship and all-around skill with a blaster. Now I know Force-users have the upper hand when it comes to reflexes and ability in situations like these but something has to be said for someone who started using a lightsaber so late in life and who then masters the weapon of the Jedi. It takes talent to be the best at something but when you get someone who is at the top in multiple categories? Now that’s just special.
• Art of the Lightsaber (Strength, 97/100)- As I just said, Luke was a complete artist with the Jedi weapon. The whirling and dazzling beam of the weapon quickly became second-nature to Luke as he adapted surprisingly quick and became deadly. It was through intense sessions and his laborious work ethic that he was able to truly master the weapon and turn himself into one of the top swordsmen the Galaxy has seen.
• Soft Spot (Weakness, 61/100)- Physically, Luke is flawless. Spiritually, it took him some time to get used to the Force but he figured it out and he now allows its waves of embrace to flow over him. But now emotionally and mentally, Luke has some issues. Whether it was the loss of Ben Kenobi that caused Luke to throw caution to the wind, the obsession of trying to bring his father back to the light that nearly cost him his life or his attempts to remake a Jedi Order that went painfully wrong as his nephew went berserk and demolished all that Luke fought so hard to build. Luke no doubt has some emotional attachments that he has had repeated trouble with. In Episode VIII, I hope he’s more careful or else…

Intangibles

• Bloodline (Strength, 100/100)- At the very heart of the most Force sensitive family, Luke Skywalker is the very essence of the Skywalker family tree. With his father being so powerful and in-tune with the Force, it’s no wonder Luke is so dynamically dominant. The way this normally works is anyone who has Skywalker DNA even if it’s the tiniest smidgen they’re strong. But to be the very heart and soul of the entire line? Well, it just doesn’t get any better!

Final Word

As I first began to pencil in characters where I believed they belonged in my idea of a Force-user power rankings structure, Luke was a no-brainer. He was placed in the top three almost immediately. Although I wasn’t sure however if he should be the top man or the number three guy. After giving it some thought, I realized that Luke is who people think of when someone says “Star Wars”. He is the very definition of a hero, the light that shines the brightest and the one who makes everything fit together. He is one of the most strongest and potent Force-users ever as well as the one who has the most defined and meaningful legacies. When I look at Luke, the characteristic that impresses me the most is his ability to handle pressure. He seems to never be rattled and always be under wraps with what he wants to do with himself. His discipline is so unique for someone who has as much ability as he does. In the end, Luke Skywalker’s work ethic and beliefs of justice as well as his family’s genes granted him a deep connection within the Force which allowed him to possess untapped power. He is undoubtedly one of the greats, that’s why he is the number two Force-user on my power rankings.

-Sith Pacify out

Official Sith Pacify Power Rankings: #3

The 3rd character for the Official Sith Pacify Power Rankings is…Darth Sidious!

Darth Sidious Overall = 98

The very epitome of the Dark Side, Darth Sidious is just that.

The perfect mixture of absolute evil and ruthless efficiency, with a side of infinite brilliance is who the Dark Lord is.

There is no being ever…EVER, who has the mental wherewithal as well as the pristine work ethic combined with the sheer desire to be great as Darth Sidious.

The conniving Sidious was destined for greatness from day one.

As a child of a nobleman on Naboo, Sheev Palpatine grew up in a life of luxury.

Palpatine would eventually cross paths with the legendary Darth Plagueis who would take the young Sidious on as his own apprentice.

Fed up with the restraints that was his family, Palpatine brutally murdered his parents as well as his siblings.

You see, Sidious had an intense hunger. A shockingly potent blood thirst that would only end with his death, Sidious would wreak havoc on the Galaxy until the very end.

Darth Nihilus might have been donned the Lord of Hunger but I’d argue that the Dark Lord Darth Sidious would have been a more fitting choice.

When it comes to what you want in a Dark Side acolyte, Darth Sidious is everything and more.

He truly had it all from skill and talent, to decisive action and overwhelming ability.

One might argue…what didn’t he have?

Characteristics

• Supreme Darkness (Strength, 99/100)- With his ability to control absolutely everything in the Galaxy through sheer wit and mental jousting, authoritative dominance within the Force and the understanding of life itself, Sidious reigned supreme. He is the complete package when you break it down. With his way of having a say in every single factor in a confrontation, a meeting or just everyday life, his use of Dark Side is at the very precipice within the Force.
• “Vision” (Strength, 99/100)- The Sith Lord that so famously mocked Luke for his lack of vision as he tortured him to his “inevitable” death was blessed with the most capable and dynamic farshight throughout the history of Force-users. Even Yoda’s talent to look into the ever-changing future clouded up as a result of Sidious’ doing. It’s ironic that the Emperor saw visions of Vader bringing Luke before him and yet it ultimately would be his downfall…what a pity. Still, his powerful usage of the skill brought him to his lofty spot on top of the Galaxy.
• He Who is the Force (Strength, 99/100)- Darth Sidious wasn’t just a high and mighty Force-user, he was the Force-user. At the time of his death, he had practically mastered every facet of his repertoire within the Force. This included his devastating and go-to ability of his Force lightning. With an enormous amount of power and drive behind the crackling electric energy, the unrelenting barrage of blueish light was a certain death sentence. As stated above, he would use his Force lightning not only as an attack but even as a disciplinary measure. His total and utter control over this debilitating tactic is just one example of many on how dominant and deserving the Dark Lord is of being the top ranked Sith.
•  Intelligence (Strength, 99/100)- Look, this is as clear and blatant as I can be…Darth Sidious, the Emperor, Sheev Palpatine whatever you want to call him, is the most intelligent, sharpest individual and most understanding and witty being throughout Star Wars. The level of his reach permeated every single corner of the Galaxy. With his dark shadow of influence spread throughout, the fun part was all that remained for Sidious as he enjoyed the knowledge of practically everything. I guess that’s what you get when you learn under Plagueis…
• Overconfidence (Weakness), 90/100)- You might ask why would a trait designated as a weakness be rated so high? Well the very notion of Palpatine’s confidence is what got him to his position of power in the first place! It only failed him in the end…As Luke stated to the Emperor’s face, his overconfidence was most definitely his weakness but you know what? That’s about the man’s ONLY weakness!

Intangibles

• The Dark in the Light (Strength, 95/100)- From the guttural sounds to the harsh behavior, you can take one look at Sidious’ actions and behavior and immediately suspect the man to be a demon directly spawned from hell. Yet his intense combination of power, mind and position remained the physical calling card of Palpatine. To completely achieve a victory in a plot that ran throughout the very heart of the entire capital of the Republic is completely remarkable. He really was one of a kind.

Final Word

When you think of corruption, who comes to mind? What about total control over everything and everyone? And when you think of someone as a supernatural force? Yea that’s Sidious in a nutshell. His level of success throughout his time alive was miraculous, it was inspiring heck it was completely unheard of! The one individual who has very strikingly similar characteristics and qualities with Sidious is the one that is referred to as the Sith Emperor…Lord Vitiate, Lord Valkorian, whatever you want to call him, he and Palpatine’s roots run on similar paths. Of course the main difference between the two would have to be the longevity of the Sith Emperor’s and the lack there of with Sidious. Vitiate’s reign lasted thousands of years as to Sidious’ mere 23. In the end, you would have to believe that that would be Palpatine’s ultimate regret..the lack of immortality, a gift he greatly desired….

-Sith Pacify out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Official Sith Pacify Power Rankings: #7

The 7th character for the Official Sith Pacify Power Rankings is…Darth Vader!

Darth Vader Overall = 96

Possibly the most recognizable character of all time in movies, Darth Vader is as menacing as he is evil.

Encased in his metallic black suit, a storm forever rages on.

Brought into this world through betrayal, hatred and greed, Darth Vader is a being hellbent on death and destruction.

Though his abilities as Anakin Skywalker were severely limited after his transformation, the man was so talented and powerful that he completely remade his entire combat style

To understand the full power of Vader’s, you first must realize what he has become.

For starters, only one of his four limbs are flesh, his entire body is brutally devastated via burns and his mind has been chewed up and spit out.

With that being said, how is he the 7th most powerful Force-user in all of Star Wars!?

To answer this you must recognize the mental acuity that is within Darth Vader.

Next and maybe the quintessential piece, Anakin Skywalker was the Force.

Although Vader’s physical prowess has been permanently damaged, his control of the Force remains vigorously intense.

Lastly, throughout everything that is Star Wars no individual has ever been more driven, more resolute in his actions and more revenge-driven than Lord Vader.

So what’s the final outcome?

Let’s take a look.

Characteristics

• Mindset (Strength, 96/100)- The Dark Lord of the Sith’s discipline is so legendary that annihilates any task he ever puts his mind to. The Force is a stale frigid wind that submerses itself within his very soul. Possibly only contained within his suit, Darth Vader will accomplish any goal he desires, any action he feels necessary and any point he seeks to prove. Some people say they have a chip on their shoulder well when it comes to Vader? Yea he has an entire mountain on his…
• Skill Set (Strength, 97/100)- As Anakin, he was blessed with the best of the best abilities, reflexes and attributes. After losing practically his entire body, his emotional state of mind and his style of warfare no longer possible, Vader had no choice but to change things up. A testament to his will and sheer power, the Sith Lord completely evolved his game into a totally different style. One that included power instead of maneuverability, patience instead of spontaneity and tenacious hate instead of fluidity. The conquering of change is already impressive but the pure dominance that Vader achieved even after his near entanglement with death is nothing short of miraculous. Darth Vader is one hell of a badass.
• Command of the Force (Strength, 97/100)- As time went on, Darth Vader came to the understanding that he was no longer able to move freely or capable of such fantastic physical feats that only Anakin Skywalker could claim. This absence within him drove him to delve deeper into his pursuit of the Dark Side. When he finally came up to take a breath of air, he was a masterful wielder of it all. Really, he was able to command the Dark Side so skillfully that he made it into that of an art. His go-to move in the Force choke became so synonymous with himself that individuals would begin clawing at their own throats even before he put up a finger! Fear, the very stench of it gave Vader exhilarating happiness.
• Commander in Chief (Strength, 96/100)- Virtually in charge of the entire Galaxy, Darth Vader was the face of order in the Empire. It is true that the Emperor Palpatine was the head honcho but as the enforcer, Vader abused the title to no end. What adds to his already astonishing prowess, Darth Vader was in total command of the entire Imperial fleet. Not only could he destroy an entire enemy force himself, but he controlled the latest state of the art weaponry that was the mighty Empire. A masterful leader on the battlefield, Lord Vader was elite in the business of direction and giving out orders to ensure victory.
• Art of the Lightsaber (Strength, 98/100)- When Darth Vader ignited that flaming red beam of death, pain and mutilation were only moments away. As a person who cared not for anything but himself, Vader would absolutely butcher all that got in his way. Whether that means a child or a pregnant woman, it mattered little to the man in the black. But the way he handled a lightsaber is truly unique. Many have been as dynamic as him but the way he was able to skillfully move his blade is what sets him apart. The Jedi teach that the lightsaber is just an extension of oneself. Well as a Sith Lord, Darth Vader fully bought into that idea which blended hate with discipline and thus made him that much more of an efficient killing machine.
• Limitations of the Suit (Weakness, 20/100)- Up to this point, this characteristic is the most vitally weak attribute to any character. But is it justified? You bet it is. It’s extremely ironic that one who regards himself as an invincible force of nature is actually as vulnerable and fragile as a young child. It’s as simple as this: Darth Vader’s breathing apparatus is his life. His lungs are shriveled and charred. They no longer have the ability on their own to carry the vital oxygen themselves. If his suit is damaged in any way, the situation would turn extremely dire.

Intangibles

• Top Gun (Strength, 95/100)- Not only can Vader fight, command troops and instill fear, but he’s also the very best fighter pilot…ever! No one is as dynamic in a cockpit as Vader is, no one. Like Anakin Skywalker before him, Darth Vader was fully able to submerse himself into the Force and allow his instincts to fully take over. Why is it so difficult to shoot him down? He’s so familiar with space and his knowledge of warfare is so precise that he can calculate the attempts of his adversaries before they even know what to do! It’s true. The Force is without a doubt his number one ally, but his understanding of battle scenarios is so intricate that he knows what’s coming. All in all, he’s deadly on the ground and lethal in the air.

Final Word

Why is Vader so important? What is his legacy? To put it as simply as I can, Darth Vader is Star Wars. The first time he appears in the movies, he has an aura of ghoulish malevolence.

 

 

 

 

*Updated* Star Wars Character Power Rankings

I just wanted to add two characters (for now) to the list that I will be creating that ranks the top 26 Force-using Star Wars characters.(The following list is not in any particular order)

1. Anakin Skywalker
2. Obi-Wan Kenobi
3. Luke Skywalker
4. Yoda
5. Mace Windu
6. Darth Vader
7. Darth Sidious
8. Count Dooku
9. Kit Fisto
10. Darth Maul
11. Revan
12. Darth Malgus
13. Kylo Ren
14. Rey
15. Ki-Adi Mundi
16. Plo Koon
17. Kanan Jarrus
18. Ezra Bridger
19. Ahsoka Tano
20. Asajj Ventress
21. Darth Plagueis
22. Qui-Gon Jinn
23. Darth Malak
24. Darth Bane
25. Satele Shan*
26. Darth Nihilus*

 

-Sith Pacify out

The Star Wars Character Power Rankings

For a long time now I’ve wanted to do something like this.

I’ve always been one who deals in absolutes and in doing so, I always liked to stack up the competition against each other and see where everyone stands.

In other words, Star Wars is a vast collection of many diverse characters whom are all extremely powerful.

But who is the strongest? Who is the toughest?

When it came to Star Wars, I always thought about contests like this.

Well, the Sith Pacify Blog has been fairly inactive in the past couple weeks as only a couple posts over that time have been published.

The reason for this being I have been thinking of a way to quantify a power index on who the greatest mainstream characters within the franchise are.

Here’s what I’ve got.

Only Main Characters

As I recently stated, for this list I will only be discussing main characters.

Now, there is a bit of a caveat here.

There is going to be a number of characters within the rankings who can be looked at as “not the most important”.

The reason that some of these characters are to be included is because their style offers a breath of fresh air with their uniqueness and their adversity in respect to the others.

 

Statistics 

I have identified a number of statistics in which I will be classifying each character under.

For each category, there will be a number from 1-100 in which the skills and abilities will be placed under.

For example, someone like Yoda who is clearly one of if not the most powerful of Force-users would have a rating for the category of “Force Abilities” around 95.

For those of you who have ever played sports video games such as Fifa, Madden or 2k, the characters will be ranked in a similar way as the players in the previously stated sporting games.

Intangibles and Abilities 

In order to insure individuality, each character will have a couple categories that will be specifically catered to their abilities. 

For example, I’ll tell you right now that a character like Kylo Ren will have the category “emotion” listed.

For each category that a character receives, it will be stated whether they help the character or hurt them.

I also want to be clear that the intangibles are not just positive aspects of these characters’ prowess.

They can be a detriment to the individual or a powerful tool used in battle.

Descriptive Style

When I am classifying the powers of the characters, I will not be writing down the backstories for each hero or villain. 

Now I might list specific examples but I will not be doing this for every single category.

Simply put, each character will have their abilities described in great detail and will be given a rating depending on their strengths and weaknesses.

The Characters

As I said earlier in this post, I will only be looking at Force-users for this list.

In the future I will most likely add on those who do not have the abilities of the Force to this list but for now, characters like General Grievous and Boba Fett will not be included.

Without further ado, the following list of characters will be those listed within the rankings.

It’s important to note that this list is not in any particular order whatsoever.

1. Anakin Skywalker
2. Obi-Wan Kenobi
3. Yoda
4. Mace Windu
5. Darth Vader
6. Darth Sidious
7. Count Dooku
8. Kit Fisto
9. Darth Maul
10. Revan
11. Darth Malgus
12. Kylo Ren
13. Rey
14. Ki-Adi Mundi
15. Plo Koon
16. Kanan Jarrus
17. Ezra Bridger
18. Ahsoka Tano
19. Asajj Ventress
20. Darth Plagueis
21. Qui-Gon Jinn
22. Darth Malak
23. Darth Bane

Well there you have it, my next many many posts will be the Official Sith Pacify Power Rankings.

Hope you all enjoy it.

-Sith Pacify out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We NEED More Darth Maul!

When you think of awesome Star Wars characters, Darth Maul is one of the first that comes to mind.

He is by far the most unique, animal-like beings throughout the entire saga.

Whether it’s his snarl that best resembles a predator ready to leap or his voracious heaves of his lightsaber, Darth Maul is a literal beast.

So if you’re reading this you’re probably saying “Of course he is, we all know that. What’s your point?”

Well my point is this: Why is a character that is so spectacularly awesome barely in Star Wars????

The man is a revenge seeking missile hellbent on vindicating his name and glory as he believes himself to be the chosen one.

He is a civilized entity that breathes fire and spits lightning.

Darth Maul, Lord of the Sith is about as terrifying and merciless as anyone in Star Wars history.

The following clip sums up the guy’s prowess perfectly. Check it out.

Now that’s some powerful stuff…

You have to be pretty cold-hearted to walk in Darth Maul’s shoes.

But you know all of this.

So where am I trying to go with this?

The point is, Darth Maul is returning.

The Dathomirian devil will return to Star Wars Rebels at some point in Season 2.

With another episode tomorrow night, the excitement of the possibility of seeing the legendary Sith/assassin back in action is at an all time high.

It will be fascinating to see what this prolific character’s role will be as there are a million ways to go.

Will he be a secret agent working directly under Darth Sidious with the sole intent of bringing Ezra Bridger to face the Emperor?

Will he be a lone wolf dedicated to the shadows as much as the Dark Side?

Or will he be a scarred and battered soul that is working against his former Master?

With so many possibilities it makes you wonder. What the heck took so long!?

Darth Maul is a character that has so much to offer everyone.

He provides a shiny new plot to any story, he excites Star Wars fans of any age with his unorthodox style and he is undeniably a force to be reckoned with.

I think it’s a darn shame that it took this long for Maul to be reintroduced to the mainstream audiences of Star Wars.

By mainstream I simply mean television or movies rather than books or comics.

Now, yes he was in The Clone Wars but only in a handful of episodes out of well over a hundred and you know what? That doesn’t do this great character justice.

I firmly believe that Darth Maul deserves his own independent film and hey, maybe that’s the direction Disney is going here.

If that is the case then well, Disney? THE WORLD THANKS YOU!

But in all seriousness, there should be about half a dozen video games dedicated to this guy, he should have his own show that mainly focuses on Maul’s acts of the Dark and like I said, even his own movie.

Just think about it…

There’s no one like him! Darth Maul is arguably the most physically gifted character, one of the most talented lightsaber wielders and his skills as an assassin just add to his legendary status of elite!

The man survived being cut in half and a never ending fall for goodness’ sake!

Not even the powerful Mace Windu was able to survive similar a defeat…or so we think…

Anyways, I just think Darth Maul deserves so much more credit than what he’s gotten in terms of recognition.

I think he needs to be in more of the spotlight and honestly, I expect that to be the case in the future.

-Sith Pacify out

 

 

The Puzzling Prospect of Star Wars Video Games

In the past couple years when it comes to video games, Star Wars fans have suffered tremendously.

When Disney purchased Star Wars on October 30, 2012, many people thought this would be a new era for video game titles as the shelves were sparse with Star Wars material at the time.

Well, it is now more than three years later and the shelves are practically barren.

When Disney took over Lucasfilm, they were also the new owners of the video game making division of the company, LucasArts.

But on May 6, 2013 Disney dealt the final blow to LucasArts video game creating days as they announced Electronic Arts would now develop Star Wars based games.

So, where did it all go wrong?

Well honestly, there’s enough blame to go around.

In the years leading up to Disney’s major purchase, LucasArts had a number of titles that were in various stages of production.

One of these titles was Star Wars 1313.

Star Wars 1313 was a cancelled action-adventure-based project that was centered on a bounty hunter/mercenary based game.

The game was to be a new direction of Star Wars games as it had little to no emphasis on Jedi/Force action.

What sucks most about this game being cancelled is the actual gameplay.

If you just watch that trailer of the gameplay, you’d completely understand how much this hurts Star Wars fans.

I mean, this game looks epically awesome and the fact that we most likely will never see it is just…painful.

Another video game title that was cancelled before completion was an abstract game called Rebel Warrior.

This game is something very similar to what I’ve been desperately wanting from Star Wars for a very long time.

The game is based in the early days of the Empire where you play as a Wookie who bashes Imperial Stormtrooper’s heads in with all the fury a Wookie carries within.

As the creature’s homeworld of Kashyyyk is under a heavy assault and blockade, these hairy beasts wreak havoc in a much darker, intended for a more mature audience game.

Once again, sadly we’ll never see this game come to fruition.

The next game that was cancelled is by far the most crushing of the three…

The game focused around fan-favorite Darth Maul and how our favorite double-bladed lightsaber combatant traversed the Galaxy.

The game’s direction was meant to shine light on the previously unknown tales of Maul’s journeys up to the Battle of Geonosis.

Designed by RedFly Studios, this game was another unfortunate cancellation that we will never forget.

As time goes on, it seems eerily strange that a once prominent and bountiful Star Wars genre of video games is oddly missing from today’s world.

Of course there are games like Star Wars Battlefront, Star Wars Knights of the Fallen Empire and Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes but the old titles that boasted diversity, ingenuity and story mode-based adventures are gone.

They’re a thing of the past now.

It’s strangely reminiscent of Ben Kenobi telling Luke in A New Hope of the Jedi saying “For over a thousand generations the Jedi knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic…before the dark times. Before, the Empire.”

Tragically, those “dark times” are now.

Isn’t it ironic that in an age with immense and superior technology, we’re still waiting for a Star Wars game as good as those from the early 2000’s?

All we can do is hope and pray.

I wish I could influence EA somehow to just create a dozen unique and different Star Wars games.

Alas, I do not have that power.

But figuratively, I would say there has to be some optimism in this.

You have to figure that sooner than later, EA will get it together and realize the vast amount of money available in this recently untouched market and exploit it.

For now, we must wait.

-Sith Pacify out