BIOGRAPHY
The history of the Jedi Order contains many heroes, but very few can match the Legacy left behind by Satele Shan. A descendant of the legendary Jedi Revan and Bastila Shan, Satele had the misfortune of serving the Jedi during the time of the Ancient Sith Empire's return. However, Shan proved her worth throughout the Great Galactic War, becoming a hero of great renown despite many personal tragedy's. The lose of her Master and her brief secret relationship did not deter Shan from fighting on the front lines of the war, saving countless innocents and claiming the lives of many more Sith. After the Sith sacking of Coruscant and the tentative peace between the Republic and Empire, Shan continued to make a name for herself, eventually being appointed the title of Grandmaster. With grace and wisdom, Shan lead the Jedi Order throughout the Cold War and resulting Second Galactic War. Playing an instrumental part in the defeats of the Sith Emperor and reborn Revan, Shan played an integral part in Galactic politics even later in life. Although she eventually passed on into the Force, Shan left a legacy as one of the greatest Jedi in history.
MARTIAL ARTS
Satele Shan, as with most members of her Order from the era, was what is known a "Battlefield Jedi". Basically, this means that Shan was more focused on battlefield engagements than single combat. Her skill set was built around defeating one target as quickly as possible and then immediately moving on to a new fight. Now this is not to say that Shan was useless in a one on one fight: Although she had zero problem fighting multiple enemies at once and blaster wielders, she can also carry herself very well in single combat and is certainly very skilled when it comes to dueling. Although it has never been officially confirmed, it is commonly theorized that Satele Shan's Lightsaber Form of choice was Form four Ataru, due to her swift and agile fighting style. Although I am inclined to agree, I also believe Shan had some practical knowledge of Soresu and Nimen, as her conduct in combat also shows signs of these Forms. Shan's fighting style was largely based around acrobatic moves and swift strikes, dancing about the battlefield with graceful efficiency. Instructed by three different Master's, including the BattleMaster Kao Cen Darach, Shan had a wide range of skills, including being equally skilled with SaberStaffs and more normal Lightsabers. Shan has proven her skill in combat on a number of occasions: While still an Apprentice she managed to contend with Darths Malgus and Vindican, although she was solidly outclassed. By the time of the battle of Alderan however, she was capably of effortlessly cutting down seven Sith in seconds as well fighting with Darth Malgus on equal terms, only being put on her back-foot when her weapon was destroyed. Before that, she managed to even out Malgus's overwhelming physical advantage, at least somewhat, with her superior Force powers. She is also mentioned as fighting Darth Mekhis to a stalemate, before Shan grievously wounded her. At the same time as the truce between the Republic and Empire Shan was also shown briefly engaging Darth Baras in two separate duels, although neither lasted long enough to establish a victor. By the time of the treaty of Alderan there is very little doubt in my mind that Satele Shan was one of the best duelists in the Order. However, Shan herself admitted as a Grandmaster that she was no longer on the same level as the likes of the Hero of Tython and Barsen'thor. That being said, even taking this atrophy into account, I believe there are very few who could stand up against this graceful lady of war.
FORCE POWERS
Although she was undoubtedly a skilled swordswoman and fleet commander, as with all Jedi Consulars, Satele Shan's focus was first in foremost on the Force. And her strength in this area can not be denied. Her most obvious, and quite possibly most powerful, ability in this regard was her considerable skill with telekinesis. She was powerful enough to utterly destroy a large dursteel door and precise enough to send three Sith flying in the air. She also had zero problem using this in suture with her other attacks, felling a huge tree in middle of a blade-lock for example. A good example of Shan's telekinetic prowess was her engagements with the Hexs. Hex droids, similarly to the Yuuzhan Vong, are naturally resistant to Force attacks, making them a threat to most Jedi and Sith. Shan however easily ragdolled them, going as far as to disable Hexs with a glance and keep a half dozen of them at bay at once. However, as impressed as all that is, her most advanced ability in this regard was with the Force push. Or, more accurately, her ability to create an orb of pure telekinetic power capable of basically destroying a small mountain. Shan was not restricted to telekinesis however. Possessing a limited ability to see the future and possessing a deep connection to at least one other individual, Shan was notable telepathically as well. One of Shan's masters, Darnala, also theorized that Shan had inherited Bastila Shan's incredible strength with Battle Meditation as well, something later confirmed during the battle against Revan, where Shan hung back and empowered her comrades rather than get involved directly. However, Shan was slightly less accomplished when it came to defending herself from other's Force attacks. While a Jedi Knight, Darth Malgus managed to send her flying, and later on Revan replicated this. However, it should be noted that this was a purely Dark Side Revan, on Yavin 4 and possessed by the Sith Emperor (In other words, he likely could have sent anyone flying) and in more normal conditions Shan erected a Force Shield powerful enough to defend herself from the Vacuum of Space. Shan was also an extremely advanced practitioner of Tutaminis, even being capable of blocking Lightsaber blades with her bare hands. As should be expected from a Grandmaster, Satele Shan not only knew how to use her powers to perfectly augment her fighting style, but was also positively overwhelming in a straight up Force battle.
FORCE POWERS EDGE
To be perfectly honest, in a straight up Force powers battle between these two, the most likely outcome is a stalemate. When it comes to traditional, Vader style application of telekinesis, Shan and Dooku largely cancel each other out, as they have both been seen applying there powers in a similar fashion to a similar level of effectiveness. Whats more, they have both demonstrated zero problem changing these powers into there bladework, further perpetuating the stalemate. Going further, Shan's telepathic abilities will be next to useless against a master of the Force like Dooku, while Dooku's Force lightning will be effortlessly absorbed by Shan's Tutaminis. There other powers cancel each other out for the most part, with no noticeable difference either way. I guess one could argue that, unless she's concentrating on it, Shan has a weaker Force shield, but this is more than balanced out by Shan's destructive potential with Force blasts and waves. Ultimately, Dooku and Shan apply there Force powers in very different ways, as befitting there status as a Duelist and Consular respectively. Dooku prefers to augment his already impressive skill in swordsmanship to the point of being overwhelming, while Shan feels overwhelming Force powers in general is just fine thank you very much. At the end of the day, neither approach is necessarily better, just different, meaning that this comes down to who is the more naturally powerful Force user. And in this regard, Satele Shan and Count Dooku are equals in every sense of the word.
PHYSICAL SKILLS
By the time of the Revan crisis, Satele Shan was a Human female exactly 59 years of age. Despite this, due to her deep immersion in the Light Side of the Force, Shan remained unaffected by her old age, apart from a few wrinkles and gray hairs. Shan's greatest physical advantage was easily her agility and swiftness: acrobatics played a big role in her fighting style, with Shan constantly dodging about the battlefield and dancing circles around her enemies. Shan's speed was also notable, as even other trained Force users known for there speed had trouble keeping up with her. Despite her athletic build, Shan was also reasonably strong, able to meet Darth Malgus's blows head on and taking down Sith warriors with a single kick. Although Shan is no Kenobi, she could take part in marathon battlefield engagements and shrugged off being flung into a stone pillar. In short, although she's no Yoda, Satele Shan is physically capable of outdoing most opponents with her speed and agility.
PHYSICAL SKILLS EDGE
Now, before all you Dooku fans, myself included, rage out at this allow me to explain ourselves. Yes, I realize that recently, Dooku has lost several Versus match ups solely because he isn't as physically viable as some. Yes, he's certainly not a young man, but Dooku is no weakling and can still hold his own in unarmed engagements. However, we really don't have a choice here but to give the edge to Shan. She's just as fast and strong, more agile, has more stamina and, most importantly, is over twenty years younger. Considering that he kept pace with Yoda and stood up to the likes of Anakin, we can assume that Dooku will have little trouble with Shan's straight up physical abilities, but if this fight somehow comes down to a prolonged engagement, Shan would likely come out on top. It's far from a decisive edge, but the sixty year old light sider was pretty much guaranteed to always get the edge against the eighty year old dark sider.
WEAPONS & EQUIPMENT
Satele Shan wielded the traditional weapon associated with the Jedi Consular's of the day, An ornately designed Saberstaff reflecting the nature of the user and her order. Unlike traditional Consular weapons however, her weapon was powered by blue Lightsaber crystals. Instructed by the Orders BattleMaster, Shan was equally skilled with the use of more traditional Lightsaber's as well, temporarily carrying a standard green bladed weapon. Which brings us to one of Shan's most serious weaknesses: Over the course of her carer Shan went through no less than five separate weapons. It would seem that even Grandmaster's are not immune to the inherent weaknesses of the Saberstaff. Aside from her weapon of choice, there is really nothing to talk about in terms of equipment for Satele Shan.
No comments:
Post a Comment