However, I was expecting you to cite Revan's duel with an Imperial Guard as an example of how effective his precognition is and how easily he dismissed a Jedi-level opponent.
It's strange, because they're Jedi-level opponents according to the Encyclopedia, which is likely referring to them in masses, rather than individually. It's also somewhat incompatible with the novel, which, for some reason, claims that even the captain was no match for a trained Sith Lord.
In an email response, Drew refers to how they're even better than the average ones described the Encyclopedia. Seems like he's contradicting himself, but I suppose you can consider this a retcon and go with the Encyclopedia.
Before the Emperor’s apparent demise, the Empire’s greatest non-Force-sensitive combatants were selected for the Imperial Guard to serve and defend the Emperor himself. But being selected and developing into a guardsman were two different matters entirely. The Emperor chose worlds strong in the dark side for his academies–locations where his influence was strongest, where he could form a bond with his would-be guardsmen. In these academies, the candidates would undergo a relentless, merciless training regimen that included regularly scheduled battles to the death. Regardless of what kind of person entered an Imperial Guard academy, if they survived they would emerge as a honed-to-perfection killing machine molded to the Emperor’s will.
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The ultimate non-Force sensitive fighters in the Empire serve the Emperor and the Emperor alone. Although most citizens know them as protectors of the Sith Academy on Korriban and the sanctum of the Citadel on Dromund Kaas, the guardsmen’s mandate takes them wherever the Emperor requires. Even the Dark Council has neither control nor oversight of the guard’s activities. Clad in blood-red robes and armor, Imperial Guardsmen serve for life. Chosen for duty and initiated through deadly tests and traditions, those too old for active duty become instructors for the next generation until their skills deteriorate to the point where they are inevitably slain by a new recruit during training. Fanatic in loyalty and unmatched in martial skill, even a lone Imperial Guard is a formidable opponent capable of standing toe-to-toe with a Jedi… or a Sith, should the occasion arise.
There is a reason we see only six Imperial Guardsmen giving the Strike Team of Meetra Surik, Revan and Lord Scourge one hell of a challenge. Lesser foes would have fallen even before they could draw their weapons.
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Captain Yarri was not on par with Lord Scourge in dueling abilities. This was the context of the statement. Lord Scourge was implied to be much better than an average Jedi in combat.
@Legend - Fair enough on the lone Guardsmen thing. As for giving them a hell of a fight, not really. Scourge took down Yarri and the other one, only being struck in the arm (or wherever it was) because he allowed himself to be distracted. Surik was heavily impaired and still took down three of them in that time, whilst Revan killed another in just two strikes.
The context of that statement was that Yarri just wasn't a match for a fully-trained Sith Lord. Stupid writing. The Encyclopedia mentions that even Dark Councillors surrender to them, but that's likely referring to masses of them again.
Most likely, as it says the Imperial Guard, not a lone Guardsman. Plus I find it really hard to believe that they, Sith among the most powerful in the Empire would feel threatened by a Guardsman.
Aug 31st, 2016 04:32 AM
Thanks Scribble!
