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Epic Star Wars Battles & The Best Lightsaber Duels

When you think of epic Star Wars lightsaber duels and the best lightsaber duels, chances are your mind jumps straight to Duel of the Fates. And for good reason. Between Ray Park’s athletic choreography, Ewan McGregor’s clearly hard-earned advanced combat skills with a saber, and John Williams’ thunderous score, it’s unforgettable. But is it the best? That’s up for debate.

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Honorable Mention: Obi-Wan vs. Vader (Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope)

We can’t talk about the history of lightsaber combat or epic Star Wars battles without tipping our hats to the very first. Obi-Wan Kenobi facing Darth Vader in 1977 set the stage for everything that followed. Sure, George Lucas hadn’t yet figured out precisely what lightsaber combat should look like, but the emotional weight—and the image of those two sabers crossing for the first time—cemented this original Obi-Wan vs. Darth Vader duel as iconic.

Duel of the Fates (Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace)

This is the duel that redefined Star Wars’ lightsaber battles for an entire generation. Darth Maul’s now infamous double-bladed saber was unlike anything fans had ever seen, and Ray Park’s martial arts background turned the choreography into a dance of lethal precision. Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson brought both intensity and heart, making the stakes feel enormous. Add John Williams’ score—one of the most powerful pieces of music in the saga—and it’s no wonder this fight sits at the top of so many fans’ lists. Read our guide, When Martial Arts Meets Lightsaber Combat, to learn how these two disciplines are related.

Yoda vs. Sidious (Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith)

This Yoda vs. Darth Sidious (Emperor Palpatine) battle is both less impressive and more impressive than others on the list. Less, because it’s entirely CGI. More, because CGI Yoda allowed the little green Jedi Master to unleash moves the puppet never could. Watching him hurl himself at Palpatine in a clash of raw Force power and furious blade work is still one of the saga’s wildest sights, making it one of the coolest lightsaber duels showcasing not just blade skill, but the raw power of two masters at their peak.

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The Stranger vs. the Jedi (The Acolyte)

Love or hate The Acolyte series, this duel made people sit up and pay attention. Filmed with practical, real lightsabers that cast realistic light on set, the fight looks raw and grounded. The introduction of cortosis—a lightsaber-resistant metal—was the perfect lore drop, and the Stranger’s impressive lightsaber and unyielding ferocity gave the scene an edge that lingered long after the credits.

Anakin vs. Obi-Wan (Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith)

Few fights in Star Wars are as quotable—or as heartbreaking—as the Anakin Skywalker vs. Obi-Wan Kenobi duel in Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith. The choreography is breathtaking: spanning massive platforms, fiery towers, and even balancing atop CGI droids floating over lava. This pivotal lightsaber duel is as much about emotion as it is about spectacle, with friendship burning away into betrayal. For sheer scale, it’s considered one of the best lightsaber duels, coming second only to Duel of the Fates.

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Epic Star Wars Battles Without Lightsabers

Lightsabers get most of the attention, but Star Wars has delivered unforgettable battles that didn’t feature a single one. These moments remind us that the galaxy is just as defined by rebellion, starfighters, and courage as it is by glowing blades.

The Battle of Yavin (Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope)

The trench run that destroyed the first Death Star is arguably the most important battle in the saga. Luke Skywalker, guided by the Force and aided by Han Solo’s last-minute heroics and Princess Leia’s vital leadership from the Rebel base, makes the impossible shot and secures the Rebellion’s first major victory. The tension, the editing, and the swelling John Williams score all combine to make this sequence legendary.

The Battle of Hoth (Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back)

Snow. AT-ATs. Speeders. Enough said. The Empire’s assault on Echo Base is one of the most visually striking battles in Star Wars. The hopelessness of the Rebels’ defense makes their eventual retreat feel like a victory in itself. The Battle of Hoth demonstrated to audiences that Star Wars battles could be massive in scale and emotionally devastating simultaneously.

The Battle of Endor (Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi)

Space combat, ground skirmishes, and a throne room duel—Endor had it all. While Luke faced Vader and the Emperor, the Rebels fought desperately on the forest moon to bring down the shield generator. Above them, Lando Calrissian led the charge against the second Death Star. The layered storytelling made this one of the saga’s most satisfying climaxes.

The Battle of Scarif (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story)

Few battles capture the raw desperation of the Rebellion like Scarif. The film’s third act is a non-stop clash of soldiers, starships, and sacrifice. From the brutal ground fighting on the beaches to the fleet’s showdown above the planet, Scarif gave fans a gritty, war-film-style Star Wars battle that ended with one of the greatest scenes in the franchise: Vader cutting his way through the fleeing Rebels. For more on Vader’s legacy, check out our guide, Darth Vader: Lightsaber Info & Lore.

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The best lightsaber duels and galaxy-shaking Star Wars battles—whether fought with lightsabers or without—continue to define the franchise. They’re not just action set pieces; they’re turning points that shape destinies, ignite rebellions, and keep us coming back to that galaxy far, far away.

There’s clearly no shortage of epic Star Wars battles, and fans can likely expect many more in future films and Disney+ series. While you wait to experience the next cool lightsaber duel on screen, take matters into your own hands by building your own custom lightsaber replica at Ultrasabers.