Would Ahsoka Make a Better Sith Than Anakin?
Would Ahsoka Make a Better Sith Than Anakin?
When comparing the characters of Ahsoka and Anakin Skywalker, one can ask an interesting and often debated question: would Ahsoka make a better Sith than Anakin? To address this, we must first understand the defining characteristics of both characters and compare their respective journeys in the Star Wars universe.
Parallel Journeys: Ahsoka and Anakin
When Ahsoka Tano first fights in the Clone Wars, she honed her lightsaber skills, battling the CIS droids and demonstrating her prowess. Her journey parallels that of Anakin Skywalker, and these parallels are evident in the series. Even after the Jedi Council leaves her and she leaves to fight for who and what she believes in, Ahsoka remains true to the values she was raised with, unlike Anakin, who becomes consumed by greed, power, and self-doubt.
Ahsoka's development as a Jedi is marked by maturity and understanding. In TCW Season 7: Without a Trace, she learns about the impact the Jedi have had on people, especially those who lost their parents due to a Jedi's actions. She understands that she has a burden to bear as a Jedi because the Force is two-sided, and her ability to use it means she must accept responsibility for it.
Better in Which Way?
One key definition of a Jedi is a guardian of peace and justice in the Galactic Republic. A Jedi is expected to uphold values such as caring for others and selflessness. While the Jedi Order had close ties to the Republic government, it was known for its martial organization and permitted sex, which differentiated it from some other religious or monastic orders.
A Jedi Knight was required to be skilled in the use of a lightsaber and capable of channeling the Force. Anakin's skills in multiple lightsaber forms certainly set him apart. However, his final duel with Darth Sidious (Dooku in Episodes I and II) reveals a key limitation: he could not defeat Dooku as a standalone duelist because of Palpatine's command to let Skywalker win. This suggests that Anakin valued the outcome more than he valued his own skill, which may have been a factor in his ultimate fall to the dark side.
In terms of becoming a better duelist, Ahsoka managed to defeat Anakin in a lightsaber duel in Rebels and won a sparring match against Anakin's Force spirit in Ahsoka. While these victories alone do not guarantee she could consistently defeat Anakin, it is a testament to her ability and potential as a warrior of the Force. If, hypothetically, she had stayed with the Jedi Order and followed the same path as Anakin, she may have become a formidable Sith, given her abilities and her unwavering commitment to justice and the values of the Jedi.
Personality and Character
As a person, Ahsoka Tano's character is far better than that of Anakin Skywalker. She demonstrated strong moral and ethical principles, as evidenced by her actions in multiple episodes. Ahsoka's character is marked by her compassion and her willingness to protect others, even when it means defying authority or her own beliefs. Her decision to leave the Jedi Order was driven by a deep desire to help those who needed it, rather than by the pursuit of power.
Even if Ahsoka had stayed with the Jedi Order and become a Sith, it is unlikely she would have turned against her brothers and sisters in the Order, as Anakin did. The emotional and moral journey of Ahsoka contrasts starkly with Anakin's, showing a clearer path to selflessness and justice. Therefore, in terms of becoming a better Sith, Ahsoka's moral principles and character suggest that she would have fallen far more mercifully and could have used her dark powers more responsibly.
Conclusion
While Ahsoka's skills and potential could match or even surpass Anakin's, it is her character and moral compass that truly set her apart. If one were to consider hypothetical scenarios, Ahsoka would be a formidable Sith, but not necessarily a better one than Anakin, who became Darth Vader. For Ahsoka, the values of compassion, justice, and selflessness guide her, making her a better person even if she had taken the path of the Sith.