Kinetite/Legends



Kinetite was a sphere of restrained kinetic energy which could be thrown at an enemy. The ball was fist-sized and could batter down most obstacles in its path. Some Sith Masters had been known to flatten ferrocrete bunkers with kinetite. Nevertheless, if the target of the kinetite employed the Force defensively, the kinetite could be easily deflected back to its owner.

Darth Vader used this power in an attempt to kill Luke Skywalker on Mimban. Skywalker, however, managed to deflect it with Obi-Wan Kenobi's help, and later escaping to safety.

Behind the scenes
Although the comic adaptation of Splinter of the Mind's Eye depicts Darth Vader using a power superficially similar to Force lightning, the Revenge of the Sith Visual Dictionary'' has stated that it is impossible for Vader to directly channel Force energy through his mechanical arms. Explained Pablo Hidalgo in Star Wars Insider Magazine, Issue 80, "Though the comic adaptation of Splinter'', published in the mid-1990s, depicts this action with something that looks an awful lot like Force lightning, the energy that Vader hurls isn't exactly that. It is pure kinetic energy—the ball that strikes Luke is called a kinetite, or "restrained energy globe." It's possible it's not even a result of a Force power at all but rather a device that Vader built into his suit."

However, The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader offers a far different explanation, stating that it was Vader’s close proximity to the Kaiburr crystal which allowed him to summon "Force energized lightning." These conflicting sources have yet to be resolved, however it can be assumed that it is in fact a Force power of some kind.

Appearances

 * Splinter of the Mind's Eye
 * The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader