Originally posted by Faunus
1.) Obi-Wan vs. Anakin (RotS): The Force-push contest ended with both of them being hurled at least a dozen meters away from the focal point of the energy. They are surrounded by the corpses of slaughtered Separatist leaders and the remains of dismantled droids. No noted collateral damage.
This was only aimed at Kenobi.
Originally posted by Faunus
2.) Raynar Thul vs. Luke (DN: TSW): Raynar Thul attacks Luke with the combined Force-potential of every Force-sensitive member of an entire colony. Luke blocks it. They are surrounded by a ten meter-high pile of Killik corpses and destroyed droids, as well as standing "Bugcruncher" droids. No noted collateral damage.
This was only aimed at Luke.
Originally posted by Faunus
3.) Asajj Ventress vs. Anakin (CWC): Ventress attempts to Force-push Skywalker away while he is charging up the stairs at her; he simply runs through the attack, with the only effect being that his shirt is torn into tatters. No noted collateral damage.
This was only aimed at Anakin.
Originally posted by Faunus
I could list at least a dozen instances where the attack isn't defended against and there is still no collateral damage, which would indicate that the attack is directed solely at the target.
In this case (Bane/Kas'im) the attack is *not* aimed solely at the target. In the case of a widespread, impersonal Force attack (I'm talking about Force Wave) the environment is also affected.
At the moment I can't find any other than Bane's Waves against Kas'im and the Umbarans, but it makes sense (to me) that if an attack would affect an area larger than the target's body the only protection would be directly in front of the Victim. Jedi of the Ruusan era (and presumably the PT, too) used 'Force bubbles' as defense- Farfalla's attempt to defend Raskta is probably the best example. The very nature of the defense precludes the ability to protect their surroundings.