The Potential of Kylo Ren in the Force: How Strong Could He Have Become?

Discussing the potential of Kylo Ren to become a formidable character in the Star Wars universe is both thrilling and complex. His journey is marked by conflict, emotional turmoil, and the powerful influence of the Force, raising the question: could Kylo Ren have been many times stronger with the Force if he embraced the dark side fully and without reservation?

Emotional Conflict and Potential

Kylo Ren's character is one of tragic complexity. He was trained in the ways of the dark side but was also emotionally torn apart by his personal struggles. His attempts to embrace the dark side fully, most notably when he killed his father, Han Solo, demonstrate a significant point of conflict within him. This emotional conflict was a barrier that prevented him from fully realizing his potential as a Sith, let alone a powerful Jedi.

Anakin Skywalker, the father of Kylo Ren, had a significantly higher midichlorian count, around 20,000 per cell, which set the stage for his immense power in the Force. While this count is diluted in the subsequent generations, Kylo Ren likely has between 5,000 to 8,000 midichlorians in each cell, giving him a force potential around one-third of Anakin's original count. This potential, though diluted, is still substantial.

Physical Integrity and Force Strength

Considering that Kylo Ren’s body remains more or less intact, if he could preserve this state, his potential in the Force would be on par with Anakin’s cyborg form, known as Darth Vader. Even though Anakin lost a significant part of his body, his remaining abilities in the Force were still formidable. This suggests that Kylo Ren, with his relatively intact body, could potentially achieve strength that approaches that of Vader, but not the overwhelming power of Anakin at his peak.

Force Abilities and Further Potential

Kylo Ren has already demonstrated a range of powerful Force abilities. He can perform telekinesis, mind reading, and even stop a blaster ray in mid-air, a never-before-seen ability. These skills show that he has already realized a significant portion of his potential. However, the question remains: what else could Snoke, the Supreme Leader of the First Order, teach him?

Snoke's insistence that he wanted Kylo/Ben due to his abilities suggests that he has identified further potential within Kylo that could potentially be unlocked. This could range from more advanced telekinetic feats to even deeper mind manipulation and powerful Sith magic. The wait for the promise of what could be is part of the enduring allure of Star Wars storytelling.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Question of Kylo Ren's Power

Could Kylo Ren have been many times stronger with the Force if he had embraced the dark side fully and without the emotional turmoil that plagued him? The answer is complex and depends on numerous factors, including his physical and mental state, the training he received, and the specific circumstances of his life. The potential is there, and the narrative of Star Wars often leaves room for viewers to imagine the 'what ifs' of such character development.