20 years after Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, I can finally see just how much Obi-Wan Kenobi ruined Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious’ plans. Palpatine is undoubtedly one of the greatest evil masterminds in Star Wars’ movies and TV shows. Although there were other Sith who were known for their intelligence much more so than Palpatine was, such as Darth Bane, the inventor of the Sith Rule of Two, there’s no denying that Palpatine’s wit made it possible for him to wipe out the Jedi, bring an end to the Republic, and establish the Empire.

Yet, not everything went according to plan for Palpatine. Yes, he managed to overthrow the Republic, and he nearly eradicated the Jedi with Order 66, but it wasn’t as though his plot in Revenge of the Sith went off without a hitch. In fact, even though Darth Vader survived their battle on Mustafar, Obi-Wan Kenobi significantly altered Palpatine’s plans, and it ultimately meant he and Lord Vader could be stopped.

Palpatine Banked On The Power Of Darth Vader

I’ve Long Overlooked Palpatine’s Most Surprising Revenge Of The Sith Line

During Palpatine’s final face-off with Yoda in Revenge of the Sith, Palpatine shockingly tells Yoda that Darth Vader will become more powerful than either of them. The reason this is particularly surprising is that it runs so contrary to the way of the Sith—especially Palpatine. With just two Sith at a time, the master and the apprentice, it is the natural order of things for the Sith master to be wary of their apprentice attempting to take their power, which they inevitably will. This is precisely how the Sith Rule of Two functions.

It would seem safe to ᴀssume, then, that Palpatine wouldn’t want an apprentice who was more powerful than him. Yet, with this line in Revenge of the Sith, Palpatine suggests that is exactly what he planned for. On the one hand, Palpatine was likely confident that he had Vader right where he wanted him and firmly under his control, as he had convinced Vader that he needed Palpatine to keep Padmé alive (and this was before she died).

In addition to that confidence, though, Palpatine’s plans for the Empire evidently centered on the idea that Vader would ultimately become even more powerful than him or Yoda—one of the most powerful Jedi in Star Wars. In the end, Darth Vader was of course very powerful, just as Anakin had been as a Jedi. However, there’s no denying that Obi-Wan Kenobi significantly damaged Palpatine’s plans for the future.

Obi-Wan Kenobi Didn’t Kill Vader, But He Made Him So Much Weaker

Even George Lucas Has Acknowledged How Significant The Damage To Darth Vader Was

Palpatine’s plans would have been much more significantly hampered had Darth Vader died on Mustafar, which is what Obi-Wan had thought happened for 10 years following Revenge of the Sith. Even with Vader surviving, though, the damage Obi-Wan did to Anakin/Vader on Mustafar completely altered Darth Vader’s fate and Palpatine’s ability to hold onto power long-term. As Palpatine had indicated in his encounter with Yoda, Vader was on track to become an immensely powerful Sith.

Tapping into the dark side had given Anakin/Vader a newfound access to power, and he was no longer holding any part of himself back. That freedom, combined with the fact that he was already the Chosen One, made Vader incredibly formidable. Yet, even George Lucas has spoken about how the damage he sustained during his fight with Obi-Wan diminished Vader’s strength and power.

The Vader suit caused Darth Vader constant pain, and it limited his mobility and his vision. With the loss of his limbs and this completely altered physical state, Vader was set mᴀssively back in his lightsaber skills, use of the Force, and overall power. Even as he ultimately grew to become a terrifying Sith Lord with considerable power, Vader had been on track to be so much more dangerous before Obi-Wan nearly killed him.

Darth Vader Could Have Been Unstoppable

Arguably, We Didn’t Get To See A Darth Vader More Powerful Than Palpatine AND Yoda

I don’t intend to diminish how powerful or impressive Darth Vader was as a Sith Lord. He was easily one of the most powerful and most terrifying Sith in Star Wars, even after sustaining these significant injuries and being restricted to this suit. Yet, Palpatine’s comments to Yoda suggest that he had seen so much more potential in his apprentice—potential that was stunted by Obi-Wan.

Of course, Obi-Wan had also thrown a serious wrench in Palpatine’s plans by taking baby Luke to Tatooine and laying the groundwork for him to eventually become the future of the Jedi and bring an end to Palpatine and the Empire. Clearly, in so many ways, Obi-Wan was a mᴀssive obstacle to the Empire and to Palpatine’s plot. It wasn’t until recently, however, that I realized just how seriously Obi-Wan Kenobi had wrecked Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious’ plans because of what he did to Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader.