Highlights

  • The Force is not just telekinesis; it can create life and destroy planets, depending on the user's intentions.
  • Many of the most powerful Force abilities are only depicted in the Star Wars novels.
  • The abilities of the Force can be manipulated in various ways, but it depends on the user's allegiance to the Force.

The power of the Force has evolved considerably throughout the Star Wars series. Star Wars: A New Hope, the first movie in the franchise, showcased just a small fraction of what this power can do. It was only as more information on the ability was gradually released that its true potential was finally revealed.

Related
Star Wars: 7 Best Jedi Who Are Not In The Movies Or Shows
There are a lot of Jedi in the Star Wars galaxy, many of whom have never received their time to shine in a movie or TV show.

The Force is not only a means of telekinesis; if a Force-user is powerful enough, they can manipulate the Force to perform beautiful and terrifying things. It can even create life and destroy planets depending on the intentions of its wielder. Each Star Wars installment is almost guaranteed to portray a new Force ability, but many of the most powerful Force abilities in Star Wars are only depicted in the novels.

Updated on October 10, by Ben Painter: Fans are spoiled for choice when it comes to Star Wars content these days with the release of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor this year and also the latest Disney+ series, Ahsoka. When it comes to the Force there are several abilities that the mystical element allows the users to do. A lot of these abilities are first mentioned in books but have made their way into the mainstream in the Disney sequels and also the Disney+ series. The Force is powerful, and it can be manipulated in many ways, but it depends on the allegiance the user has to the force.

23 Magick

Dathomir Magick
  • First Appearance: Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Nightsisters"

An element of the Force is the use of Dark Side Magic or Magick as it's otherwise known, this is most famous for being used by the Nightsisters or the Witches of Dathomir.

Unlike the Force, which is largely invisible, Magick presents itself as a glowing green energy that is almost fire-like in its appearance. The original Sith species also used a form of Dark Side Magic in their manipulation of the Force. The Magick made its first appearance in The Clone Wars and was recently featured in live-action on Ahsoka. It has shown its power, capable of even raising the dead.

22 Force Athleticism

Cal Kestis Wall Running
  • First Appearance: Shadows of the Empire novel

The Force allows a Jedi or a Sith to do many things, one of these things is to be incredibly agile, using the Force to jump higher, dodge blaster bolts, and propel themselves at their opponents.

Related
12 Unluckiest Minor Star Wars Characters
These Star Wars characters really just can't catch a break in the galaxy far, far away, making them as unlucky as a Jedi during Order 66.

In the original trilogy, the Force users are fairly slow, which was a product of its time, it was in the expanded media that showed how agile the Force can make someone and not just as an act of meditation or focus. Some examples of this are Force Speed which Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi use to escape the Droideka in The Phantom Menace and the wall-running Cal Kestis can do in the Star Wars: Jedi video game series.

21 Force Refresh

Jedi Fallen Order Respawn Point
  • First Appearance: Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

When times are tough the user can tap into the Force to meditate and focus on their task and reset their skills and abilities, this is known as Force Refresh.

It is mainly used in Star Wars video games as a way to control the player on how much Force and other abilities they can use, but the Star Wars: Jedi games are considered canon, it is an ability that Force users possess. Just think of it as a way a Jedi mediates to focus and refresh and not necessarily healing up a health bar.

20 Psychometry

Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order Cal Kestis Psychometry
  • First Appearance: Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Hunt for Ziro"

The Force ability known as Psychometry was first introduced into the Star Wars universe during Season 3 of The Clone Wars. Unlike most Force abilities, only a few gifted Force-users were capable of executing it. Harnessing the power of Psychometry permitted its user to evoke images and sounds associated with an object's past.

Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order relied heavily on this ability for its storytelling. To uncover the hidden secrets spread throughout each of the game's worlds, Cal Kestis would need to approach an inanimate object and outstretch his hand to evoke the forgotten history housed within. The baffling level of power this ability offers is made abundantly clear by the fact it can only be wielded by a select few Force-users.

19 Kyber Crystal Purification

Aau in Star Wars: Visions Volume 2
  • First Appearance: Ahsoka novel

To change a Lightsaber blade’s color to red, a Sith would need to extract the Kyber Crystal from within a Lightsaber and pour their anger and hatred into it. This process was known as Bleeding and could only be reversed if a Jedi purified the crystal, which would usually make the blade shine white.

Related
Star Wars: 10 Legends Characters Fans Want Made Canon
The best Star Wars Legends characters could provide some new and brilliant life into the canon Star Wars universe.

In the final episode of Star Wars: Visions Volume 2, a new method of Kyber Crystal Purification was introduced in the form of singing, where Aau, the episode's protagonist, managed to purify a mountain's worth of corrupted Kyber Crystals with her voice alone. Though the Star Wars: Visions series is not officially canon, this method of Kyber Crystal Purification is arguably one of the most powerful skills ever depicted in the Star Wars universe.

18 Shatterpoint

Mace Windu Shatterpoint Star Wars
  • First Appearance: Shatterpoint novel

The Shatterpoint Force ability, as its name would suggest, can pinpoint the weakness of an object or person, also known as a Shatterpoint. When used on an object, the Force would surround it and fixate on its weakest point. Its use on a living being, however, can be far more frightening.

Cade Skywalker used this power to reopen the healed wounds of his enemies, thus diminishing their fighting abilities while leaving them in tremendous pain. Using Shatterpoint during battle could result in the infliction of some grotesque injuries, so perhaps there is a valid reason for its absence from the silver screen.

17 Force Light

Star Wars Nomi Force Light
  • First Appearance: Star Wars Roleplaying Game

Force Light is a ridiculously powerful ability used only by the most powerful Force-users. When directed at a Sith or darksider, it can purge the darkness within them, but only if the wielder is stronger than the darkness inside their opponent.

Only the most powerful of Sith lords can withstand the power of Force Light, making it one of the most powerful Force abilities present in the entire franchise. It can also be used in places plagued by the dark side of the force to either contain or expunge it from the area.

16 Force Choke

Grogu uses Force choke in The Mandalorian
  • First Appearance: Star Wars: A New Hope

First witnessed in Star Wars: A New Hope, the Force Choke ability quickly became one of the most iconic magical powers to appear in cinema. Mostly associated with Darth Vader, it has since been used by Sith and Jedi alike, though the latter tends not to use the ability as often as the former.

Made possible through Telekinesis, Force Choke can be used to tighten the windpipe of whoever it’s aimed at, preventing them from breathing and oftentimes killing them.

15 Crucitorn

Eeth Koth being subjected to Crucitorn in Star Wars
  • First Appearance: Legacy of the Force: Invincible

Crucitorn is one of the most frightening Force powers to exist in the Star Wars universe. It is primarily associated with Darth Bane and his gruesome means of inflicting pain, but it can also be used to ease the suffering of a companion or loved one.

It can manipulate the minds of others by either amplifying the pain they feel or lessening it. If the intended target's mind is inaccessible, it can be used directly on an exposed wound to further irritate or soothe them. Though it can be an exceptionally cruel power, its benefit in a dire situation is hard to ignore.

14 Telekinesis

Anakin star wars fruit force
  • First Appearance: Star Wars: A New Hope

Telekinesis is undoubtedly the most commonly used Force ability in the Star Wars franchise, with its most iconic depiction seen in Star Wars: The Emperor Strikes Back. While Luke is training on Dagobah, Master Yoda encourages him to lift his X-wing starfighter from beneath the marshy bog water in which it is submerged. He fails to do this, and Yoda is forced to do it himself to set an example.

This is only a minor example of what the telekinesis offered through the Force is capable of, but the ability is undoubtedly essential for all Jedi and Sith due to its practicality. Though it is one of the more common Force powers seen in Star Wars, Luke's failed attempt to use it on his X-wing implies that only a powerful Force-user can master it.

13 Mind Tricks

obi wan force mind trick star wars
  • First Appearance: Star Wars: A New Hope

Originally used by Obi-Wan Kenobi on a pair of stormtroopers in Star Wars: A New Hope, this ability is ideal for those attempting to talk their way out of tense situations. Obi-Wan uses this mind trick ability to convince these stormtroopers that C-3PO and R2-D2 are not the droids the Empire is searching for, getting them out of a pretty tight bind.

Mind tricks continue to be showcased in the series to this day, with Rey using the ability on a stormtrooper in Starkiller Base. She convinced the trooper to unleash her from her shackles and also to drop his weapon before vacating the area. Though it is subtle, it is one of the most powerful Force abilities in Star Wars.

12 Force Lightning

Star wars darth sidious force lightning
  • First Appearance: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

First introduced in Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi, Force Lightning has become a symbol of power and fear throughout the galaxy. It is first seen when the Emperor attempts to kill Luke Skywalker on the Death Star before Darth Vader intervenes. Essentially, it allows the user to conjure electricity in their hand and project it to a location of their choosing.

Related
Star Wars: The Most Powerful Sith Lords From The Lore
In the Star Wars universe, the Sith represent the greatest threat to the Jedi. These Sith Lords were some of the most powerful in existence.

During Mace Windu's fight against the Emperor in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Palpatine used Force Lighting as a last resort. Windu reflected the electricity back with his lightsaber, leaving Palpatine deformed and unrecognizable. Palpatine is arguably one of the most powerful Sith to exist in the franchise, so one can only imagine the damage force lightning could do when used on someone less capable than Mace Windu.

11 Force Spirit

Force Ghosts Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars
  • First Appearance: Star Wars: A New Hope (voice), Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (pictured)

If a character in the Star Wars universe dies, it is said that they become one with the Living Force. They lose all semblance of themselves and become a small part of something greater, but a select few Force-users can maintain their original form if they master the Force Spirit ability.

In Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Obi-Wan reappeared posthumously to Luke and guided him to Dagobah, where he met Yoda. Since then, fallen Jedi like Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn, and even Luke Skywalker himself have returned as Force Ghosts to guide other living Jedi down the right path. Even in death, the Force Spirit ability permits certain Jedi to live forever.

10 Beam Of Light

The Beam of Light in Star Wars: Legacy - War 4
  • First Appearance: Dark Empire 2 #3

In the Star Wars universe, the Death Star is seen as one of the most terrifying structures in the entire galaxy. Capable of destroying entire planets with its Superlaser, it serves as a stern reminder of why no one can stand against the Empire.

Though the Superlaser was unique to the Death Star, it was actually possible for certain Jedi to learn a similar ability. When called upon, the Beam of Light ability allowed Jedi to harness the energy of a planet and fire it into the sky. This beam was capable of destroying fleets and devastating the surface of whatever planet it happened to be targeting. The Neti are the only species capable of achieving this power, but they could only do so if they were moments away from death.

9 Force Storm

The Force Storm ability conjuring a Wormhole in Star Wars
  • First Appearance: Dark Empire

Force Storm, also known as Wormhole, is a devastating dark side ability used only by the most powerful Force-users. Its usage could tear apart a planet's surface and completely decimate all those unfortunate enough to be in the firing zone. Though the Death Star could wipe out entire worlds, a powerful Force-user casting Force Storm could achieve a very similar outcome.

Using the Force Storm ability would result in the opening of a void. If the caster lost focus at any point while summoning this tear in time and space, they would likely find themselves being engulfed by it. Though Force Storm can easily turn on its caster, it is arguably one of the most destructive force abilities present in Star Wars, and since it can be used more than once, it is much more reliable than a Beam of Light.

8 Force Drain

Darth Nihilus and Force Drain in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2
  • First Appearance: Tales of the Jedi – The Sith War 6

Force Drain is an ability used only once in the theatrical releases of Star Wars. Emperor Palpatine uses this ability on Rey and Ben Solo during the climax of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker when he absorbs the life from within both Jedi to restore his own.

Darth Nihilus was a master of the Force Drain ability, and there were very few strong enough to resist his power. This ability also allowed him to drain life from a planet, a feat he accomplished on Katarr, a world he decimated.

7 Force Sense

Rey meditate skywalker star wars
  • First Appearance: Star Wars: A New Hope

This ability is perhaps the main reason many Jedi and Sith live long enough to tell their tales. Having first been utilized in Star Wars: A New Hope, it has become one of the most popular skills attributed to a Force-user.

The first instance of its usage is seen when Obi-Wan senses the destruction of Alderaan. The Force Sense ability allows him to feel the pain of a dying planet and hear the voices of those who dwell there before they are silenced forever. The "I've got a bad feeling about this" line is often used as a subtle nod to the ability.

6 Force Stealth

Sheev Palpatine in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
  • First Appearance: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

Though it isn’t one of the most regularly seen powers in Star Wars, the Force Stealth ability is arguably one of the most powerful abilities in the entire franchise, especially when the wielder holds great power themselves.

Emperor Palpatine relied heavily on the Force Stealth ability to rise to power right under the noses of the Jedi and overthrow the Republic. Even Master Yoda was unable to detect Palpatine’s agenda, claiming that all attempts to pinpoint the threat he suspected were “clouded.” If not for Force Stealth, the Jedi would have quickly discovered Palpatine’s intentions and stopped him before he gained a position in politics.

5 Force Projection

Luke skywalker crait star wars the last jedi
  • First Appearance: Star Wars: The Last Jedi

The Force Projection ability was utilized by Luke Skywalker during the Battle of Crait in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. It is an ability that allows its user to convey an image of themselves across the galaxy. It takes tremendous focus to execute but can portray a convincing rendition of its user if done successfully.

Related
8 Great Legends Era Star Wars Games
These Star Wars games might not be canon but they are awesome.

The power it requires to use this ability, however, is consequential; if it is performed for too long at too great a distance, it will severely weaken or even kill the wielder. It is an exceptionally powerful ability, but it should not be used more than once.

4 Mind Probe

Kylo Ren using the Force in Star Wars The Force Awakens
  • First Appearance: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

Mind Probe is an ability used frequently by Kylo Ren in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The ability permits its wielder access into a person's mind, allowing them to take any information they want. It was first witnessed when Ren attempted to access Poe Dameron's mind to uncover the location of BB-8, the droid containing the map to Luke Skywalker.

It is an extremely effective ability when used on those susceptible to it; otherwise, it is ineffective. Later, while Ren attempted to probe Rey's mind, she embraced her force powers, denying access to her thoughts. Though it is one of the more powerful Force abilities seen in the sequel trilogy, it is only as strong as its wielder.