Ranking the Jedi and Sith in terms of power is an impossibly difficult task, even if you subscribed to a comprehensive analysis of canon. There are certain placements, however: Darth Sidious has displayed a far greater command of and strength in the dark side of the Force than any other Sith Lord in history; his status as the most powerful Lord of the Sith is documented by numerous sources. The RotS novelization regards Yoda as "the most devastatingly powerful foe the darkness had ever known" -- making it quite clear that, as of the prequel trilogy, he is more powerful than any Jedi before him.
You have individuals such as Luke Skywalker, who has, at various times, demonstrating a command of the Force on par with or surpassing Yoda or Sidious, yet aren't given any accolades by proper sources. Jacen Solo is someone who hasn't truly demonstrated a great destructive or offensive power, but has been cited by various sources as "second only to Luke" in terms of strength in the new Jedi Order (putting him above Force titan Kyp Durron), wielding power that has "even surpassed his grandfather, Darth Vader" (a Sith Lord whose potency was 80% of Palpatine's own), and "the most powerful of the Sith Lords."
The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia credits Exar Kun and Darth Plagueis as being two of "the most powerful" Sith Lords in history, despite -- in the case of the latter -- having no feats to his name. Marka Ragnos is another highly regarded and feared Sith Lord despite nothing to gauge his powers on. Other than that he was the most powerful of the ancient Sith.
Individuals like Count Dooku seem to possess a greater refined skill than any true raw strength; Yoda cited him as the Temple's greatest and most learned student and the RotS novelization regards him as "one of the most powerful Jedi in the Order's 25 thousand year history" and "an even greater Lord of the Sith," suggesting an incredibly high placement. Darth Vader seems to possess great telekinetic skill and incredible raw strength, being 80% of Sidious in terms of power and possessing a greater command of the Force than Kar Vastor (who is regarded as being on par with Yoda and Anakin; Emperor's Hand Cronal regarded Vastor's connection to the Force as "astonishingly powerful"😉.
In short, it's really hard. What is certain is pretty much only that Sidious is the most powerful Sith ever.
Will "jedi" Galen Marek make it on the list?
Nihilus is also another sith that probably is on the list, in a related note I replayed part of kotor 2 last week and I saw an interesting loading scene quote that may have reference to Nihilus pulling the fleet of interdictors from Malachor. I'll post it as soon as I can find it.
Will "jedi" Galen Marek make it on the list?
Edit:
The quote is: "The sith fleet attacking Telos appears to be composed of many damage warships...the wreckage of a great battle .
The quote by itself doesn't make it true imo but it certaintly supports Tobin's claim.
Originally posted by Darth Sexy
How can something be impossibly difficult Escape? It's either impossible or it's difficult. And I need to get that Encyclopedia regarding Kun and Plagueis.
It's an expression. I think I got it from Revan, SW's greatest ladies man.
And I can't send you the Encyclopedia. I can, however, lend you the quotes.
Jedi:
Luke Skywalker
Yoda
Mace Windu
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Kyp Durron
*Anakin Solo would have made the top 5, but he was KIA.
Sith:
Darth Sidious
Darth Vader
Darth Caedus
Darth Bane
Darth Revan
Wolfpac - I highly disagree with you about Anakin Skywalker. He makes top 10, but not top 5. Elite, if Galen survived he probably would have been as powerful as Kyp and in my opinion, Kyp is far stronger than Anakin Skywalker - not Vader. But then again, Galen defeated Vader.
As far as the most powerful jedi go, Obiwan is not on the top 5 imo. While he is arguably the greatest master of Soresu in history,his force powers are lacking. Marek imo is more powerful than Kenobi and would beat him due to his force powers. While he did beat Anakin Skywalker, the latter is a much more dangerous opponent imo, especially if he fights like the way he finished off Dooku. Kyle Katarn should also be considered on this list, if more was known about Revan I'd say a case could be made for him but until then I wouldn't put him in the top 5.
As far as sith go, Darth Revan is not one of them. He barely has anything to his name, compared so someone like Exar Kun, who has the quote from the Encyclopedia as Gideon noted. Darth Nihilus is another sith that could be on this list. The biggest unknowns that could have a place on the list but not enough is known about them are Ragnos,Nadd and Plaugeis.
As for the thread, well, it is obviously based on opinion:
Jedi-
1. Luke Skywalker
2. Yoda
3. Kyp Durron/Mace Windu
4. Anakin Skywalker
5. Haven't made up my mind.
Sith-
1. Darth Sidious
Not sure about the order, but Exar Kun, Vader, Bane, and Caedus are most definitely up there.
EDIT-sorry for the double post.
I probably was exaggerating with the barely part, but when most of his combat feats are killing non force sensitives then I don't see how that warrants him as top 5 material. The only nonforce sensitive that he killed which is fairly impressive for what it is, is him killing Yusanis in combat, Sure he has alot of knowledge but we don't much about that knowledge and how much of it is combat related or how much of it can't be found at other sith locations such Zoist or Korriban especially since the true sith appear to be survivors of the sith empire of the great hyperspace war.
Originally posted by Darth Truculent
You believe that Marek should make the top 5? It's a shame his character didn't fully develop.
I'm not sure if he is in the top 5, for the vast majority of life he was nothing more then an extremely powerful dark jedi, but his duel with Darth Vader is very impressive, is there any mention in the novel regarding his mind state/personality that truly make him a jedi rather than just being called one.
@ Wolkpack
As far this thread goes, by "power" do you power in the force or combination of that and saber skills or any other ability that helps in combat?
Originally posted by Elite Hunter
I'm not sure if he is in the top 5, for the vast majority of life he was nothing more then an extremely powerful dark jedi, but his duel with Darth Vader is very impressive, is there any mention in the novel regarding his mind state/personality that truly make him a jedi rather than just being called one.@ Wolkpack
As far this thread goes, by "power" do you power in the force or combination of that and saber skills or any other ability that helps in combat?
Overall combination of skill with a lightsaber as well as force use.
Lightsaber and Force:
Jedi:
Luke Skywalker
Yoda
Mace Windu
Kyp Durron
Jacen Solo/Anakin Solo
*I would have put Galen Marek, but he too was KIA
Sith:
Darth Sidious
Darth Vader
Darth Caedus
Darth Bane
Exar Kun
*I'm putting lightsaber in too. Not sure about Kun because his power was enhanced by the amulets. But he was a VERY skilled swordsman. Darth Maul could have made the list, but he didn't fully develop his power.
Originally posted by Darth Truculent
Lightsaber and Force:Jedi:
Luke Skywalker
Yoda
Mace Windu
Kyp Durron
Jacen Solo/Anakin Solo*I would have put Galen Marek, but he too was KIA
Sith:
Darth Sidious
Darth Vader
Darth Caedus
Darth Bane
Exar Kun*I'm putting lightsaber in too. Not sure about Kun because his power was enhanced by the amulets. But he was a VERY skilled swordsman. Darth Maul could have made the list, but he didn't fully develop his power.
You list is pretty good except for the inclusion of light side jacen.
Fan Skywalker a question - was Anakin Solo more powerful than Jacen in the NJO series despite being younger? If Anakin survived the Myrkr mission would he have the capacity to kill Onimi? It's obvious that he is more than a match for the average YV warrior, but it was Jacen who killed Onimi. So that's the reason why I put lightside Jacen alongside Anakin.
Anakin hadn't had as much training as Jacen, because he was younger. Every time they sparred, Jacen won. Anakin had more force power than Jacen I think, but just not as much experience. Anakin would have been the next Grand Master in due time. Anakin also had more force power than Kyp Durron before he died, and I don't remember it referenced that Jacen had passed Kyp mid-NJO.