Darth Vader's Force skills, gosh!

[Darth Andrew]

I've been wondering for a while that since Darth Vader can't use Force Lightning, how does he use Force Choke or Force Pull? Force Lightning I guess requires a flesh and bone hand, but why do Choke and Pull not require this? Also, in Episode V, how does Vader manage to choke Admiral Ozzel when they aren't in each other's presence? Help a fellow geek understand this.

[El Sitherino]

He can't use lightning because it would destroy his life support system in his suit.

[90 SK]

Yeah, and force lightning is messier. I mean, it may stray and overload nearby equipment, or catch other officers. It's just a big hassle, while choke is much more precise and menacing (if less impressive).

But regardless, as Insane Sith said, he can't use it anyway.

[Darth Andrew]

Originally Posted by CaptainSkye

But regardless, as Insane Sith said, he can't use it anyway.

But then how does he use choke, pull, etc? Does it flow through the artificial arm and 'activate' with the certain hand motion?

[El Sitherino]

Those are telekinetic powers, as in they're powers of the mind. Force Lightning uses the arm as a projection device.

[Darth Andrew]

Originally Posted by Insane Sith

Those are telekinetic powers, as in they're powers of the mind. Force Lightning uses the arm as a projection device.

Then what's the point of Vader's infamous 'handgrip' motion whenever he has a choke hold on someone? Does it help him focus, or is it just for show?

[El Sitherino]

Originally Posted by Darth Andrew

Then what's the point of Vader's infamous 'handgrip' motion whenever he has a choke hold on someone? Does it help him focus, or is it just for show?

Theatrics holds a power of it's own.

[90 SK]

Originally Posted by Darth Andrew

Does it help him focus, or is it just for show?

A visual always helps, yeah. But he doesn't always need to; remember when he kills Admiral Ozzel?

[coupes.]

Remembre when he chokes Admiral Ozzel in Empire Strikes Back, he's not moving, he's not even in the same room, so his move was basically just for show.

[Jan Gaarni]

Like the others said, choking people or pushing, pulling, or blocking, any of that is unnecessary to use your hands at all. Though maybe when you pull stuff towards you it might be wise to be ready with your hands to catch it so this doesn't happen.

Basically, it's for dramatic effect. And I don't mean movie dramatic effect on the silver screen, just plain and simple dramatic effect.

[Kurgan]

I don't see why he can't just build some special "lightning gauntlets" into his suit's arms, since they're artificial anyway, but I guess LucasLiscensing has spoken, and it's "official." Blah...

It's all because they wanted to have Dooku use lightning, now they have to explain why every Sith can't use it! Of course it's even more common in the games and EU...

[JawaJoey]

Why do people assume that he can't use Force lightning just because he doesn't? It's possible that in the case of lightning, actual connected fingers help, but maybe Vader just prefers Choke becuase it's no muss, no fuss, no chance of shorting out the delicate electrical equipment that keeps him alive.

[Kurgan]

True. Maybe Force Lightning just isn't Vader's style. Very sensible explanation, actually.

[RobQel-Droma]

Well, apparently he can't use it because of of his mechanical arms. But like everything else, it doesn't require the hand things. Those were just for show I guess, so that people wouldn't be choking all around Vader and he wouldn't be doing anything noticeable.

EDIT: Ha ha, that spoof was super funny . Make sure when you pull something you have the power to stop it.

[Kurgan]

How about this... Vader has removable hands. He pops off his robot hand and shoots lightning out of his stump!

*Forwards the idea to Lucas*

[ABCIMe123]

Yeah, telekenisis is all done in your mind. And if you think about it to a certain degree Force Grip could be considered a Force Push and Force Pull around a person's neck.

[coupes.]

Please stop bumping old threads. This one is almost a year old.