Cal Kestis is an undeniably powerful Jedi in theStar Warsgalaxy, but what are his powers, and how do they compare to Luke Skywalker’s?Order 66 survivorCal Kestis was originally introduced in the gameStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Having cut himself off from the Force to protect his identity, Cal was eventually forced to reveal his Jedi powers to save someone from a work accident on the scrap planet Bracca. Cal and his new friends of the Mantis Crew have been chased by Inquisitors and the Empire across the galaxy ever since.
Their adventures gave Cal a reason to reacquaint himself with variouscommon and rare Force powers, all of which allowed him to prevent the Empire from getting its hands on a list of Force-sensitive children. Years later, inStar Wars Jedi: Survivor, Cal’s powers grew even more as he became an important part of the Hidden Path and learned more about the High Republic era.One of Cal’s powers, in particular, sets him apart from other pre- and post-Order 66 Jedi, even the legendary Luke Skywalker.
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Cal Kestis' Psychometry & “Sense Echo” Explained
As Cal is primarily the protagonist of a video game – though there’s every chance he’ll one day transition into animation or live-action – his powers reflect his character’s role in theStar Warsfranchise. Game characters operate differently in a narrative than those present solely in movies or TV – their powers need to not only enhance their backstories, but also improve the game’s mechanics and the player’s experience, and push the story forward. Cal’spsychometry and “sense echo” Force power, especially, reflect his status as a primary video game character.
Psychometry is – or rather, was – an exceedingly rare Force ability that allows a wielder to experience and “sense” events of the past and other people’s memoriesby touching and interacting with certain objects. Those objects are imbued with a “Force echo,” and Cal, in turn, can learn more about his surroundings and what happened to a certain place or person. This provides Cal – and by extension, the player – with important historical and emotional context throughout the narrative, enriching the game’s settings and story. During his adventures, Cal often comes across objects with these echoes, be it stormtrooper helmets, discarded lightsaber parts, family heirlooms, and more.
Psychometry is an incredibly useful ability for a Jedi to have, especially one who often finds themselves in precarious situations with very little intel to work with, like Cal.
When Cal was originally introduced, very few otherStar Warscharacters could use psychometry. Nowadays, several major characters have exhibited this ability, including Clone Wars-era Jedi Quinlan Vos (who wielded the ability before Cal did), Ahsoka Tano inAhsoka, High Republic-era Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh inThe Acolyte, and Rey Skywalker inStar Wars: The Force Awakens. Nevertheless, psychometry is an incredibly useful ability for a Jedi to have, especially one who often finds themselves in precarious situations with very little intel to work with, like Cal.
All Cal’s Other Force Powers
Of course, psychometry is far from Cal’s only Force power. Cal can also wield many other Force powers that help him combat his enemies and navigate tricky terrain. By the end ofStar Wars Jedi: Survivor, Cal’s powers include the Force push and Force pull, wall running, the Jedi Mind Trick, blocking blaster bolts, the Force lift and slam, Force slow, confuse, focus sight, and taming beasts.Though some of these powers, like the Force push, pull, lift, slam, blocking blaster bolts, and wall running are self-explanatory, others are more complicated.
The Jedi Mind Trick, for instance, is a classic Jedi power that allows the wielder to briefly sway the actions and thoughts of others. While it’s a rather invasive ability, it’s nowhere near as invasive as the Dark Side Mind Probe. Cal’s confusion ability is related to the Jedi Mind Trick, though rather than changing one person’s thoughts and actions, this ability allows Cal to confuse multiple enemies at once and convince them to attack each other (for a while, at least).
you’re able to read the rest of Cal Kestis' Jedi journey in the novelStar Wars Jedi: Battle Scarsby Sam Maggs.
Combat-wise, Cal’s slow ability allows him to momentarily slow down his enemies, and focus sight lets him better anticipate his enemies’ next moves and dodge them accordingly. Finally, Cal’s taming beasts power allows him to connect with all sorts of creatures through the Force. As a result, he can use them as mounts to cross dangerous terrain and convince them to attack his other enemies.He’s also incredibly skilled with a lightsaber; Cal has been known to wield a single-bladed lightsaber, a double-bladed one, a heavier crossguard lightsaber, two lightsabers, and even one lightsaber and a blaster.
How Does Cal Kestis Compare To Luke Skywalker?
Cal is clearly a powerful Jedi; his abilities and accomplishments are all the more impressive considering he never completed his formal Jedi training.When Order 66 was enacted, Cal was only 13 years old, still just a Jedi Padawan. Luckily, he was later reunited with another survivor of the Jedi’s genocide, Cere Junda, who reminded him to trust himself and his connection with the Force above everything else. Cal’s powers aren’t done growing yet, either – it’s officially been confirmed thata thirdStar Wars Jedigameis on the way. He’ll probably have a few new tricks up his sleeve by the end of it.
And yet, despite Cal’s impressive feats – killing Inquisitors and dark Jedi, surviving encounters with Darth Vader, securing a Jedi Holocron, defeating the Gen’Dai warrior Rayvis, and more – he’s still not as powerful asStar Wars’ultimate hero, Luke Skywalker. Luke’s heritage is an important factor, of course. Being the son of Anakin Skywalker ensured that Luke’s connection to the Force was perhaps more powerful than any seen before or since his father joined the Jedi Order, but what Luke was able to accomplish after only a few hours and days of training with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda was truly remarkable.
Luke Skywalker was, and always will be, the ultimate Jedi. His power and his abilities are truly unmatched.
Not only did Luke single-handedly destroy the Death Star, but he also did the impossible; he brought Darth Vader back to the light. Years later, he set his nephew on the same path, Force-projecting himself halfway across the galaxy to ensure Kylo Ren wouldn’t fall any further. Despite a few (major) hiccups along the way, Luke Skywalker was, and always will be, the ultimate Jedi. His power and his abilities are truly unmatched.
Which Order 66 Survivor Is More Powerful: Kanan Jarrus Or Cal Kestis?
Kanan Jarrus and Cal Kestis were just Padawans when the Jedi Order was decimated. Which Jedi became more powerful in the following years?
On the whole, of course,measuring a Jedi’s strength is a complicated affair. It’s not just about how many abilities they have, what they’ve done with them, or their knowledge of the Force in general. It’s also about their emotional balance, their ability to empathize and sympathize with others, and their overall devotion to the light side of the Force. Luke may have been the one to defeat Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, effectively bringing an end to the Sith (for a time, at least), but Cal has shown his true worth as a Jedi and Rebel in so many other ways, too.
Given theStar Wars Jedigames’ placements on theStar Warstimeline(Survivortakes place 9 years before the firstStar Warsmovie), there’s a distinct possibility thatLuke and Cal could meet one another during the New Republic era– as long as Cal survives the thirdJedigame, that is. As Luke tries to rebuild the Jedi Academy and the Jedi Order, he’ll need all the help and teachers he can get. Given his many abilities and experiences,Cal Kestiswould be an excellent role model for any young, impressionable Jedi just starting to navigate their relationship with the Force inStar Wars.
