Darth Malgus: The Old Republic's Butcher (Legends)
Darth Malgus, born Veradun, is one of the most formidable Sith Lords of the ancient era, rising to prominence during the Great Galactic War and the subsequent conflicts of the Old Republic. His career is marked by unparalleled aggression and a sheer, brute-force application of the Dark Side.
- Real Name: Veradun
- Affiliation: Sith Empire
- Era: The Old Republic (approximately 3,700 BBY)
- Homeworld: Dromund Kaas
- Key Feat: Led the devastating Sacking of Coruscant, personally killing Jedi Master Ven Zallow
- Nickname: The False Emperor
- Status: His status in the *SWTOR* storyline is complex, involving periods of capture, re-emergence, and being a recurring threat, solidifying his near-immortal presence in the era.
The Lightsaber Duel: Djem So Masters Face Off
The most immediate point of comparison is their shared lightsaber style. Both Malgus and Vader are masters of Form V, specifically the heavy, strength-focused variant known as Djem So. This form emphasizes overwhelming an opponent with powerful, continuous strikes and using their own momentum against them.
1. The Djem So Comparison: Vader's Technical Edge
While Malgus is a brutal and relentless duelist, often likened to a tank in combat, Darth Vader is frequently argued to be the superior technician of the Djem So form.
- Darth Malgus: His style is raw, fueled by rage, and incredibly powerful. He utilized his immense physical strength to crush defenses, as seen during the Sacking of Coruscant against Jedi Master Ven Zallow. His combat is often described as a whirlwind of aggression.
- Darth Vader: Vader, despite his cybernetic limitations, is arguably the most accomplished Jedi killer in galactic history. His Djem So is precise, patient, and perfectly adapted to his mechanical body, turning his immense strength and weight into crushing blows. Many analysts argue that Vader is "essentially just a better version of Malgus" because he maintained the technical mastery of Anakin Skywalker while gaining the sheer, mechanical power of his suit.
Verdict on Dueling: Vader holds a slight, but critical, advantage. His refined Djem So, combined with the suit's crushing physical power, would likely allow him to weather Malgus's initial assault and exploit any technical openings.
The Force Power Showdown: Raw Brute Force vs. Controlled Might
The true deciding factor in this battle often comes down to the Force. Both Sith Lords possess staggering power, but they manifest it in fundamentally different ways.
2. Malgus's Force Scream and Environmental Destruction
Darth Malgus's Force feats are often more overt and destructive. He is renowned for his ability to unleash a "Force Scream," a wave of Dark Side energy that can effortlessly destroy a building or melt a starfighter squadron with his voice.
- Malgus's Feats: He has demonstrated the ability to defeat the entire Dark Council alone and is known for massive, area-of-effect Force attacks. This raw, unbridled power is a hallmark of the Old Republic era Sith.
3. Vader's Telekinetic Mastery and Scaling
Darth Vader's Force power, particularly in his prime (post-Mustafar, pre-Return of the Jedi), is consistently scaled higher in the new canon. His feats include staggering displays of telekinesis, such as holding back an ocean's worth of water or single-handedly slaying a giant kaiju-like monster known as the Ender.
- Vader's Feats: He has been shown to be strong enough to open a portal while the Force actively resisted him. While Malgus’s feats are impressive, Vader's power is consistently portrayed as being on a higher, more controlled, and technically difficult level.
Verdict on Force Power: While Malgus's Force Scream is a terrifying weapon, Vader's telekinetic control and superior scaling—especially in the post-Anakin prime—suggest he could counter or deflect Malgus’s attacks and use the environment against him with greater precision.
The Ultimate Decider: Physicality and The Rule of Two
The final, and perhaps most crucial, points of comparison are the physical advantages and the canonical scaling of their respective eras.
4. Physicality and Durability: The Cybernetic Advantage
Both warriors are durable, but Vader’s cybernetics offer a unique, almost unfair advantage. Malgus is a human tank, but Vader is a machine encased in armor designed to withstand blaster fire and the vacuum of space.
- Darth Malgus: While incredibly resilient, Malgus is still susceptible to conventional lightsaber wounds. He suffered severe injuries, including the loss of his jaw and a need for a rebreather, but he continued to fight.
- Darth Vader: Vader’s armor is a weakness against Force Lightning but provides superior physical protection and enhanced strength. His strength feats are superior, allowing him to crush objects and opponents with ease. In a pure physical contest, Vader’s mechanical limbs provide a crushing, relentless power that Malgus cannot match.
5. The Rule of Two Scaling Argument
The most compelling argument in favor of Darth Vader is the "Rule of Two" scaling. The Sith philosophy dictates that each successive Dark Lord must be more powerful than the last, culminating in a progressive increase in power across the millennia.
- The Argument: Since Vader is the apprentice of Darth Sidious (Palpatine), who is the culmination of the Rule of Two, his power is canonically scaled to be exponentially greater than any Sith Lord from the Old Republic era, including Malgus, who existed thousands of years before the Rule of Two's inception.
- The Counter: Malgus’s supporters often argue that the Old Republic Sith, operating outside the Rule of Two's constraints, were free to amass tremendous power without fear of their master, giving them a raw, untamed edge. However, in a structured power-scaling debate, the canonical progression of the Dark Side lineage is difficult to ignore.
The Final Verdict: Who Would Win the Sith Clash?
The debate between Darth Malgus and Darth Vader is a battle between raw, ancient power and refined, canonical might. Malgus is a terrifying, warlord-level threat—a true butcher of the Jedi Order. However, Vader's power scales higher.
Darth Vader would win this fight.
While Malgus's brute-force approach and powerful Force Screams would make the fight an "extreme diff" struggle, Vader's advantages are simply too great. His superior, more controlled application of the Force, his refined Djem So technique, and the overwhelming physical durability and strength granted by his cybernetic suit give him the edge. The Rule of Two scaling further solidifies Vader's position as the superior duelist and Force user in the grand scheme of Sith history.
Malgus would push Vader to his limits, but the Dark Lord of the Sith would ultimately prevail, using his tactical genius and superior power to dismantle the Old Republic's greatest weapon.
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