Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of the most remarkable Jedi in Star Wars, powerful and skilled enough to defeat Darth Vader – twice. This is particularly remarkable given there’s nothing showy or spectacular about Obi-Wan’s use of the Force, or even his lightsaber form; he’s the master of the classic form, Soresu, which he has used effectively so many times.

Despite all this, Mace Windu himself (the Master of the Order at the time) conceded that Obi-Wan may be the greatest of the Jedi in the prequel era. He may not wield the most impressive Force powers, but Obi-Wan has practiced the abilities he has until he has become a master. Here are all the Force powers Obi-Wan has used in canon.

8

Jedi Mind Trick

“These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.” Those immortal words were essentially our first glimpse of the Force, with Obi-Wan using the Jedi mind trick to influence the minds of two stormtroopers. Surprisingly, though, this particular Force power is a little close to the dark side; there have been times where it was forbidden by the Jedi.

It’s easy to see why this is the case. There’s something quite invasive about the Jedi mind trick, and it’s telling that the dark side mind probe is only a little different; in fact, Ben Solo’s mastery of the mind trick was how he figured out the latter Sith technique.

The Jedi mind trick may be a hint that Obi-Wan isn’t as pure light as he sometimes seems.

7

Force awareness

The most basic Jedi ability, “Force awareness” is a sense of the Force itself. Obi-Wan demonstrated his own Force awareness when he sensed the destruction of Alderaan (and it’s telling that Luke Skywalker, who he was traveling with, did not – because he lacked such sensitivity at the time).

The Padawan bond is designed to boost a Jedi’s awareness of the Force, which makes it rather curious that Obi-Wan did not sense Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side. It’s possible he actively chose to ignore what he was sensing through the Force, refusing to believe it.

6

Boosting His Physical Abilities With The Force

Another basic Force power, Jedi can use the Force to enhance their own physical abilities; their speed, their agility, and their jumps. Obi-Wan has demonstrated these powers on many occasions, moving at enhanced speed in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, and performing incredible leaps in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

5

Telekinesis

Obi-Wan’s mastery of telekinesis is incredible. In Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, he and Anakin Skywalker were perfectly matched when they attempted to Force push one another – and neither had the edge. Anakin was, of course, the Chosen One; conceived by the will of the Force itself, and with a higher midi-chlorian count than Yoda.

But we finally saw how powerful Obi-Wan really is in the Obi-Wan Kenobi TV show. When he finally reconnected with the Force, he was able to levitate a mᴀssive number of rocks in a devastating attack on Darth Vader.

4

Blocking Force Lightning With His Lightsaber

According to the Star Wars reference book Secrets of the Jedi, a Jedi learns to block Force lightning with their lightsaber by developing an intense bond with the kyber crystal contained within.

When a Jedi becomes sufficiently attuned to the kyber crystal, their thoughts and actions all become part of that same flow of energy; when their lightsaber blade catches Force lightning, the electrical power is absorbed into its own current.

3

Animal Empathy

Another basic Force technique, and technically an extension of Force awareness, many Jedi learn to bond with animals. Obi-Wan demonstrated this Force power during a mission to Ryloth.

2

Force Concealment

Jedi make the perfect spies. Obi-Wan, in particular, had mastered an art known as Force concealment or Force shield; he could prevent others spotting him. As Jedi Knight Indeera Stokes explained in Cavan Scott’s novel The Rising Storm, this is essentially an extension of the Jedi mind trick:

“Gently encourage those around you to look in the opposite direction so you can pᴀss unnoticed,” Stokes explained to another Jedi. That’s how Obi-Wan was able to move through the Death Star without anybody spotting him, but he was surely a master here, given even security cameras didn’t flag his presence.

1

Becoming A Force Ghost

Finally, Obi-Wan Kenobi learned a mysterious Force technique only possible through the release of self. He learned how to become a Force ghost, retaining his consciousness after death. This is why Obi-Wan did not fear death when he confronted Darth Vader one last time at the end of his life.

Continuing on as a Force Ghost, Obi-Wan remained a mentor to Luke Skywalker until after the original trilogy. There’s some evidence he would go on to appear to Princess Leia, too, helping train her as a Jedi and mentoring her to train Rey during the Star Wars sequel trilogy.