They've clashed several times, but Darth Vader has never been able to defeat Obi-Wan Kenobi. Why not?





To see Ewan McGregor back as the wise Obi-Wan Kenobi was a sight to behold. Fans had waited years for the Scotsman to reprise the role he inherited from the mighty Alec Guinness, and he didn't disappoint.The generally favorable Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney+ gave us a look into a different chapter of Kenobi's relationship with his former friend and apprentice, Anakin Skywalker AKA Darth Vader.But by the end of the series, a stark question came to head: Why couldn't Darth Vader ever beat Obi-Wan Kenobi? Isn't Vader said to be stronger than nearly every Jedi? What's going on here?


Let's dive into the lore behind the incredible relationship between Obi-Wan and Anakin, where we'll find several reasons why Darth Vader could never defeat his former master.Of the many theories why Darth Vader can't beat Obi-Wan in battle, the chief reason is due to the special hatred Vader has for his former Master.In their past, Obi-Wan trained Anakin to be as good as a Jedi can be and he passed his strengths on to Anakin, all while Obi-Wan sought to promote the ideals he held as a Jedi himself, too.


Obi-Wan was once reckless and foolish as a Padawan, but as he grew older, a calm came over him—a calm that was inherited from Qui-Gon Jinn, a calm that would stay with him for the rest of his days.However, Anakin never could learn the lesson of patience. Instead, he restlessly fought to acquire everything he felt he needed, to the point that it caused his fall to the Dark Side.Now, whenever Darth Vader meets Obi-Wan Kenobi in battle, the anger that's always brewing under his skin is amplified by the presence of his former Master, and it causes him to fight emotionally.


Only against Obi-Wan does Darth Vader take reckless swings and shots that would never work against a Jedi as powerful as Kenobi, and that's why Obi-Wan will always hold the advantage over Anakin in any duel.In Obi-Wan Kenobi, there was a scene that highlighted another reason why Obi-Wan always has the edge over Darth Vader: Kenobi himself trained Anakin in the ways of the Jedi, including how to fight with a lightsaber and the Force. Obi-Wan knows how Anakin likes to fight. 


Obviously, the sheer savagery of Darth Vader is something Kenobi never bestowed on him, but the fundamental fighting techniques are rooted in those days when Obi-Wan taught Anakin. That left Obi-Wan with a deep knowledge of Anakin's movements and weaknesses.In the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, we see a flashback to the pair engaging in a sparring match in the Jedi temple, with Anakin showing off his skills as a Padawan and nearly beating Kenobi.