Light side powers and Dark side powers

[Sarevok]

Is there reasons why the Jedi do not use powers such as Force lightning, Force choke or other darkside powers ? My personal speculation is the darkside of the Force involve channeling negative emotions such as hate or anger into destructive force powers. Since this goes against the teachings of the Jedi order they abhor these powers.

Secondly I have seen games like KOTOR and Jedi Knight divide the Force into light side and dark side power categories. Do the Sith receive penalties for using light side powers or is it just game mechanics ?

[The Grim Squeaker]

Is there reasons why the Jedi do not use powers such as Force lightning, Force choke or other darkside powers ?

Because they use the dark side, you might as well ask why they don't mind trick themselves a prostitue.

[Civil War Man]

As for your first question, your speculation has already been extremely well documented to be the case.

And second, the rules of KOTOR explicitly state that using a power of the opposite alignment costs more force power to use.

[Ghost Rider]

First part is simple. Because what said powers have a tendancy to illicit the thought of being aggressive beyond what is needed to defuse a situation.

The second, that only applies to the game.

[YT300000]

But then you'll have those like Kyle Katarn say that what matters is not the power, but how you use it.

[Adrian Laguna]

Luke Skywalker isn't above using force-choke, just watch the scene in RotJ where he enters Jabba's Palace. Though it is somewhat unclear reguarding whether he actually killed with it or not.

[Imperator Galacticus]

I cannot verify this because I lack it, but I have heard that the Dark Force Rising Sourcebook says that Force Lightning is fueled by the anger and hate of the user in question. The ROTJ novelization lables it as a "corruption" of the Force. Since these powers all accompany the dark side, a Jedi would never touch them.

As for Kyle Katarn and his use of Force Lightning in JKII, that can be easily explained because of the massive amounts of pain and anger he felt at Jan's "death."

[Xess]

As for Kyle Katarn and his use of Force Lightning in JKII, that can be easily explained because of the massive amounts of pain and anger he felt at Jan's "death."

But what of KOTOR's and JKA's use of Force Lightning? I was light as I could be and I still wasted people with Force Lightning.

[Stark]

Yes, well the games are shit.

I don't know why people keep asking 'why don't the noble ascetic monks, who are dedicated to preserving the peace, use their wisdom and understanding of the universe to ELECTROCUTE THEIR ENEMIES UNTIL THEIR EYES EXPLODE and FLAY THE FLESH FROM THEIR BONES'? It's pretty fucking obvious. *I* wouldn't use Force lightning: the smell would be TERRIBLE and the screaming would really damage my calm. But hey, I'm not a teenaged fanwanker who wants Jedi to use wholly uncharacteristic levels of force and torture.

[Xess]

Yes, well the games are shit.

I don't know why people keep asking 'why don't the noble ascetic monks, who are dedicated to preserving the peace, use their wisdom and understanding of the universe to ELECTROCUTE THEIR ENEMIES UNTIL THEIR EYES EXPLODE and FLAY THE FLESH FROM THEIR BONES'? It's pretty fucking obvious. *I* wouldn't use Force lightning: the smell would be TERRIBLE and the screaming would really damage my calm. But hey, I'm not a teenaged fanwanker who wants Jedi to use wholly uncharacteristic levels of force and torture.

Well, sure. But it's so much more fun to have "UNLIMITED POWER!"

[Imperator Galacticus]

As for Kyle Katarn and his use of Force Lightning in JKII, that can be easily explained because of the massive amounts of pain and anger he felt at Jan's "death."

But what of KOTOR's and JKA's use of Force Lightning? I was light as I could be and I still wasted people with Force Lightning.

What happens there? I've never played either of those games. Even if a Jedi can use Lightning in those games, how would that explain Lightning labeled as a corruption in a canon source? As a matter of fact, I can't seem to recall any other instance of a Jedi using Force Lightning, except where the user succombs to hate and anger.

[Xess]

What happens there? I've never played either of those games. Even if a Jedi can use Lightning in those games, how would that explain Lightning labeled as a corruption in a canon source? As a matter of fact, I can't seem to recall any other instance of a Jedi using Force Lightning, except where the user succombs to hate and anger.

It can be reasoned that Jaden Korr's (main character) use of Force Lightning is due to anger at Rosh Penin and that Revan's use of it in KOTOR is because he used to be a Sith Lord.

[Noble Ire]

Both Jaina and Jacen Solo have used Force lightning as well IIRC, although in both cases it was out of anger. The only time I can remember any Jedi using lightning when they weren't sdimplying being overwhelmed with anger or fear was during the Jedi Academy mission when you fight alongside Kyle. He zaps Storm Troopers and Reborn like there's no tomorrow (I suppose this might be just game mechanics though.)

[Stuart Mackey]

Luke Skywalker isn't above using force-choke, just watch the scene in RotJ where he enters Jabba's Palace. Though it is somewhat unclear reguarding whether he actually killed with it or not.

Its explained in the novel that he does not kill the Gamorrean guards.

[GeneralTacticus]

What happens there? I've never played either of those games. Even if a Jedi can use Lightning in those games, how would that explain Lightning labeled as a corruption in a canon source? As a matter of fact, I can't seem to recall any other instance of a Jedi using Force Lightning, except where the user succombs to hate and anger.

It can be reasoned that Jaden Korr's (main character) use of Force Lightning is due to anger at Rosh Penin and that Revan's use of it in KOTOR is because he used to be a Sith Lord.

The problem there is that every other Force-user in the KotOR series is allowed to use it too.

[Xess]

The problem there is that every other Force-user in the KotOR series is allowed to use it too.

We can chalk that up to either game mechanics or Revan's past influencing them. Both Bastilla and Juhanni are rather angry, Jolee is in the grey area, the Exile is angry at being exiled and that would rub off on his followers, Kreia is a Sith Lord.

So we can still have their use of Force Lightning to be consistent with it being a corruption of the Force caused by anger and hate.

[Stark]

I hate to be the anti-fanboy, but is there even a reason to use lightning beyond 'lookz t3h kewl' and 'I hate you and I want you to suffer'? I mean, in most SW games you can SHOOT 98% of your enemies. TK works just as good for killing people, and sabres and even absorb lightning! It's got huge penalties and no real advanatages that I can see. Sure, if you're a brutal, twisted dark side kinda guy, you'd use it because you enjoy hearing screams, or to taunt a fallen enemy, but we've seen how USELESS it is in combat against anyone decent.

[GeneralTacticus]

Outside of the games, I agree. In the games (especially KotOR II, where you get so many Force points that the extra cost is basically irrelevant), it (more specifically, Force Storm, the area effect version) is the most efficient mass killing device to be had.

[Ar-Adunakhor]

I hate to be the anti-fanboy, but is there even a reason to use lightning beyond 'lookz t3h kewl' and 'I hate you and I want you to suffer'? I mean, in most SW games you can SHOOT 98% of your enemies. TK works just as good for killing people, and sabres and even absorb lightning! It's got huge penalties and no real advanatages that I can see. Sure, if you're a brutal, twisted dark side kinda guy, you'd use it because you enjoy hearing screams, or to taunt a fallen enemy, but we've seen how USELESS it is in combat against anyone decent.

When have we ever seen TK (as in, the direct attack by quashing their organs style) or Force Choke effectively used against a force user prepared for battle? There seems to be a negation involved with the purely invisible crushing type attacks. The general overview of those power types suggest something such as a battle of will or force knowledge can defeat it.

This does not seem to be the case with Force Lightning though. It is shown as more of a physical attack than a purely force one, like the invisible TK choking, hence why a lightsabre blocks it. Short of someone suddenly learning how to disperse energy directed at them, being among the greatest of the Jedi Masters, (with several hundered years of experience) or directly blocking it with a lightsabre, it seems fairly deadly. And as for those methods, the only one that seems to be effective enough to rely on is the lightsabre method. Luke was not doing so hot while getting fried. As for Yoda, he was clearly expending quite a bit of effort stopping that lightning... which is not something you can really afford if you are facing more than one foe, or even need to be able to escape those coming at you after your little fight.

So bearing these attributes in mind, it is entirely possible that Force Lightning is used because of the physical nature as opposed to the force nature, while Force Choke or TK are used for the physical immunity aspects. Choosing the right weapon for the task at hand, as it were.

[Lord Pounder]

Luke Skywalker isn't above using force-choke, just watch the scene in RotJ where he enters Jabba's Palace. Though it is somewhat unclear reguarding whether he actually killed with it or not.

Its explained in the novel that he does not kill the Gamorrean guards.

And IIRC even lightly choking the guard was close to the darkside.

However on the subject of Force Lightening don't several jedi use a non-lethal version on the NJO, though i'm not sure if that counts so much either because so many of Lukes Order are in a gray area between the so called light and dark sides.

[Stuart Mackey]

Luke Skywalker isn't above using force-choke, just watch the scene in RotJ where he enters Jabba's Palace. Though it is somewhat unclear reguarding whether he actually killed with it or not.

Its explained in the novel that he does not kill the Gamorrean guards.

And IIRC even lightly choking the guard was close to the darkside.

snip.

Novel does not say so. Nor does the movie.

[Stuart Mackey]

I hate to be the anti-fanboy, but is there even a reason to use lightning beyond 'lookz t3h kewl' and 'I hate you and I want you to suffer'? I mean, in most SW games you can SHOOT 98% of your enemies. TK works just as good for killing people, and sabres and even absorb lightning! It's got huge penalties and no real advanatages that I can see. Sure, if you're a brutal, twisted dark side kinda guy, you'd use it because you enjoy hearing screams, or to taunt a fallen enemy, but we've seen how USELESS it is in combat against anyone decent.

When have we ever seen TK (as in, the direct attack by quashing their organs style) or Force Choke effectively used against a force user prepared for battle? snip

Dooku does it to Obi Wan in RotS.

[Noble Ire]

Novel does not say so. Nor does the movie.

I should think not. I mean, how would they even show that, have Luke's eyes glow slightly red while he does it? Or have a little pop-up box with Yoda in it say "Close to the Dark Side, that move was. Good thing it is I taught him control." I was starting to think I missed a new feature on the SE DVD...

[Kurgan]

If the (video) games are shit, then so are the rpgs, 'nuff said.

As to the above, just watch... they'll insert a scene of Luke going "oops, I shouldn't have done that." (a la dear old dad in I, II and III).

Then again Luke isn't the amoral psychopath that Anakin is, apparently...

[Stark]

Hey, you'll never see me supporting the RPGS.

I'm annoyed the movies never had anyone in armour get hit with force lightning: it'd be good to establish if it's some kind of DET or mystical soul-raping.