Even the members of the Jedi Council would struggle to survive against Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. In the wake of Order 66, Darth Vader was given a simple task; to wipe out the Jedi, leading a small band of Imperial Inquisitors as he combed the galaxy for survivors.

Darth Vader became the ultimate Jedi hunter. In his previous life as Anakin Skywalker, he’d been one of their most skilled and powerful Jedi Knights; now, although his potential was limited because of his cybernetics, he more than compensated by using tricks of the trade. He even had an unusual dual-length lightsaber to take enemies by surprise.

But how would Darth Vader have fared against members of the Jedi Council? Here’s our estimate of how long the members at the time of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace would have survived.

12

Yarael Poof

Jedi are not warriors, and members of the Jedi Council are not appointed based on their power levels. Take Yarael Poof, for example, a long-necked Quermian had served on the Jedi Council since the High Republic Era, and he had a reputation for wise counsel. That likely wouldn’t have helped him against Darth Vader, though.

Poof was competent with a lightsaber, but he would have struggled against Darth Vader’s aggressive lightsaber form. He’d have been taken out pretty quickly.

11

Oppo Rancisis

A venerable Thisspiasin Jedi Master, Oppo Rancisis’ snakelike body meant he lacked the mobility of other Jedi Masters. Rancisis could use his tail as a weapon, snaring enemies, but that wouldn’t have helped him much against Darth Vader. Survival would have depended on creativity and Force power, and he’d have been severely outmatched by Darth Vader.

10

Adi Gallia

A skilled warrior, Adi Gallia would have survived a little longer in a duel with Darth Vader – largely because she shared his preference for the aggressive and unconventional Form V. Unfortunately, she was lacking in raw power; she was ultimately killed by Savage Opress, a dark sider who was far less experienced.

Darth Vader would likely have enjoyed a duel with Adi Gallia, and drawn it out, playing like a cat with a mouse.

9

Eeth Koth

Eeth Koth was one of the few councilors to survive Order 66, by virtue of having been booted off the Order; he was indeed hunted down by Darth Vader himself. By this point, Koth had settled down to have a family, leaving the ways of the Jedi behind him. He was disposed at short order.

It’s possible Eeth Koth would have survived a little longer had he been at his strongest, but he doesn’t have a great record; he was once defeated in battle by General Grievous, and Darth Vader is a far more cunning and dangerous opponent.

8

Saesee Tiin

Considered one of the best lightsaber duelists in the Jedi Council, Saesee Tiin nonetheless fell to Darth Sidious’ blade in mere moments; but that is likely because the Sith Lord turned Tiin’s greatest strength into a weakness. Tiin had better telepathic powers than most Jedi, but he’d have been ill-prepared for a Sith getting inside his head.

Saesee Tiin’s performance would really depend on Darth Vader’s mood. If Darth Vader wanted a lightsaber fight, he’d draw it out and enjoy testing himself; but Tiin would be ᴅᴇᴀᴅ the moment Vader wanted it over with.

7

Even Piell

A celebrated Jedi general during the Clone Wars, Even Piell was noted for his performance on the front lines. This combat experience would have made him a force to be reckoned with in a duel with Darth Vader; he’d have lasted even longer if he figured out Darth Vader’s true idenтιтy, his past experience with Anakin allowing him to spot opportunities others would miss.

6

Depa Billaba

Now we’re moving on to a Jedi who would have given Darth Vader a real challenge. Depa Billaba was trained by Mace Windu, and she was one of the few Jedi to be proficient in the lightsaber form he had created – Vaapad, a form that channeled a Jedi’s own inner darkness. Even Darth Vader wouldn’t have been used to it.

Vaapad may have actually been even more potent during the Dark Times of the Empire’s reign, because it would have potentially allowed Depa to channel the imbalance of the Force itself. She’d still have found herself falling in battle against a true master of the dark side, but this would have been a stunning fight.

5

Yaddle

Yaddle came close to besting Count Dooku, considered one of the best lightsaber duelists in the prequel era, so she’d certainly have been another challenge for Darth Vader. That said, Vader – in his previous life as Anakin Skywalker – was the one who eventually killed Dooku, so the outcome would never have been in doubt.

Yaddle may have been powerful in the Force, but she was also skilled at reading her opponents. It’s likely she’d have figured out Darth Vader’s true idenтιтy and tried to redeem him. She’d have died in the attempt.

4

Plo Koon

The Kel Dor Jedi Master was one of the foremost warriors among the Council, and he developed keen military instincts during the Clone Wars. Clearly powerful in the ways of the Force, he was also proficient at lightsaber combat, and he’d have given Darth Vader a run for his money.

It’s difficult to say how long Plo Koon would have lasted; it rather depends on whether he chose to engage the Sith Lord one-on-one, or instead resorted to strategy. If the latter, he’d have been a force to be reckoned with, keeping Darth Vader and his Inquisitors busy for quite a while.

3

Ki-Adi-Mundi

Like Count Dooku, Ki-Adi-Mundi was trained in the lightsaber form known as Makashi. This form turned lightsaber combat into an art, with duelists learning to view their blades as extensions of their own bodies, and it’s why the Cerean Jedi Master was even able to deflect some blaster bolts when fired upon during Order 66.

Oddly, though, Darth Vader would have been more of a problem for Ki-Adi-Mundi than Anakin Skywalker. Darth Vader’s cybernetics meant his lightsaber form lacked the kind of finesse Ki-Adi-Mundi was used to dealing with, with the Sith Lord depending on brute strength. The Jedi Master would have been outmatched.