Lord Starkiller & Xanatos VS Kyle Katarn & Cin Dralig

 
  

INTRODUCTION

Greetings viewers and fellow Imperial Knights! This is Hondo Moonrazor here, with another versus video on request. Well technically, two versus vids on request, Lord Starkiller & Xanatos VS Kyle Katarn & Cin Dralig. Both of these were ideas from fellow versus video creator Wolf Myth, but while researching them, I realized that it would be a cool match up to pit both dark siders against both battle masters. It also doesn't hurt that doing a two on two match might actually make this video last longer than six minutes. On another note, this is Lord Starkiller, NOT Galen Marek or his clone, for the simple reason that he is coolest incarnation. With the intro out of the way, lets begin!

MARTIAL ARTS

There is an interesting contrast between lords Vader and Starkiller: when Anakin was turned into a cyborg Sith, he developed a diverse and personalized form, whereas when Galen was turned into a cyborg Sith he devolved from a diverse and personalized form to an incredibly straight forward practice. Although it has not been stated officially, everything about  his fighting style speaks of a pure Shien duelist: The reverse grip, blast deflection and power blows all being a standard of the form. Stakiller did not even retain his previous practice of Jerkai, now preferring a single blade. Starkiller fought evenly with old Ben Kenobi and an untrained Luke Skywalker, defeating both opponents, although considering the rather lackluster skill both of them brought to the table, this might not be saying much. All in all, from what we have seen Lord Starkiller is painfully straight forward and about the level of an average Jedi knight.

Xanatos was trained by sword master Qui-gon Jinn and was one of the most promising students of the Jedi order. Although it is not confirmed by any source, I believe that Xanatos was a master of Ataru, with a fast paced and acrobatic offensive style of fighting. Xanatos was a reasonably high level duelist, holding his own against Kenobi and Qui-gon at the same time, placing him on roughly the same level as Darth Maul. He also ahd some knowledge of Jarkai and most likely at least some knowledge of Juyo.

As the new Jedi orders battlemaster, Kyle Katarn was an experienced veteran and one of the new orders best duelists. Although he was a master of Dejem So, Katarn was almost entirely self taught and helped create the lightsaber forms briefly used by the new Order. With realitivly little training, Katarn killed seven powerful dark Jedi in a row, and latter in life stalemated Darth Caedues, an achievement very few could match. In short, Katarn has earned his post as battle master many times over.

As the sword master of the Jedi temple, Cin Dralig was reasonable for the training of almost all students who passed through the order and as such had knowledge of all seven forms of Lightsaber combat. Hie chosen style however, as with most Jedi of the era,  was Nimen. Although criticized for its ideals in moderation, Nimen is a very effective form, combing elements from every form save for Juyo, plus some new ideas and moves. However, I sadly have come to believe that Draligs mastery was mostly academic. True, he was no pushover, but he only managed to stalemate Vader for a short time during operation Knightfall, before being overwhelmed by his force powers. That being said, the ability to stalemate (even temporarily) a powerhouse such as Vader is a truly impressive feat.

I am hesitant to give either Dralig or Xanatos the edge in martial arts. Although Dralig certainly has more academic knowledge, he hasn't displayed a skill level greater than Xanatos has, so I believe them to be equals in terms of martial arts. Katarn on the other hand, has a very clear edge over the comparatively straight forward  lord Starkiller. Thus, Kyle gets a major edge for the battlemasters in the martial arts arena.

FORCE POWERS

Again, a large contrast between Vader and Starkiller exists here. Whereas Vader was reduced to a tenth of his former power in the force, Starkillers abilities seem mostly unhampered, with his martial arts taking the biggest hit from his cybernetic rebuild. Lord Starkiller was still capable of holding missals and even the Millennium falcon in place, and notably retained his powerful force lighting skills.

In addition to his skills with the blade, Kyle Katarn was also a skilled force user. Unlike most Jedi, Kyle Katarn had some knowledge in Dark side techniques, even using force lightning. That being said, he was also a powerful user of the light side of the force, being knowledgeable in force absorb and heal, as well as many others.

Cin Dralig and Xanatos have shown a simaller level in augmentation and Telekinesis, so they are automatically tied. A simmaller situation exists between Katarn and Starkiller. Although Kyle uses both he light and dark sides of the force giving him a wider arrange of abilities, most of his light side powers are non combative, leaving him with no real advantage over Starkiller. Thus, I declare the two teams equal in terms of force powers.

PHYSICAL SKILLS

Rebuilt in a refined version of Vaders suit after sustaining sever injury's, Lord Starkiller appeared to be (realitivly of course) unchanged. His strength and speed were the same and he could still use force lightning. The only real changes was the sharp "nails" on his fingers, and if he is trying to kill his enemy with those, he has probably already lost.

Xanatos was a human male with Jedi training in the prime of his life. As such, he was stronger and faster than a normal human would be.

Although he was getting on in years by the time of the second Galactic civil war, Kyle Katarn remained realitivly unaffected, still able to perform almost superhuman levels of speed and strength.

Cin Dralig was in the later half of his life, being old enough to have a hand in training almost all the existing Jedi at the time of Order 66. This being said, he was by no means a weakling and could keep pace with the incredibly strong and fast Darth Vader.

In this area, the Dark siders get an advantage, as they are both younger than there opponents. That being said, the restorative power of the light side and self augmentation makes this a slim edge at best.

WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT

Although he carried half a dozen lightsabers on his belt, trophy's most likely from defeated oponnits, Lord Starkiller has favored the use of a single blade instead of the Jarkai duel wielding he previously used. That being said, if he is disarmed he can use one of these blades as a backup.

Xanatos originally used a standard blue bladed Jedi lightsaber, but he switched it to a red blade when he fell to the dark side.

Although he eventually became a Respected Jedi council member, Kyle Katran was a mercenary for most of his young life, and as such had a extensive knowledge of firearms and other weapons. Even as a Jedi master Katarn made often use of his bryar pistol, a highly versatile and powerful weapon. His lightsaber was of standard build, with an emerald blade.

Cin Dralig wielded a standard Jedi lightsaber, equipped with either a green or blue blade (no one seems to agree on which one).  

Although Starkillers extra lightsaber provide both himself and Xanatos with the option of dual wielding or replacing a fallen blade, in also provides there enemy's with the chance to do the same. Katarn's  blasters have no such weakness, and thus the battle masters get another edge.

THE VERDICT

Although both these match ups were great ideas in there own right, this group battle was even more fun, so thanks again to Wolf Myth for the suggestion. Assuming the two arrogant dark siders would actually work together, I believe the battle would begin with Xanatos going after the Jedi he regonizied, leaving Starkiller to battle Katarn. Although the Sith lord would be able to match the battlemasters power in the force, Katarn completely outclasses him with a blade and he would subdue him in short order. This would would leave Xanatos facing two high level Jedi (assuming Dralig could survive to this point, which I believe him to be more than capable of doing). Although Xanatos is good, he is not that good. Even if the two switch oponnits, Katarn still would outrank his enemy and Starkiller is straightforward enough that Dralig might be able to defeat him outright as well. In the end, although both these dark siders present a threat to many Jedi, there is a reason there foes are referred to as "Battle masters". I declare Kyle Katarn and Cin Dralig the winners.