Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic features a powerful Force ability called Battle Meditation. But as this move is not seen in the prequel trilogy, which starts with Episode I - The Phantom Menace and ends in Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, many wonder if this is part of the canon. And to finally end the fans’ doubt, the franchise has confirmed it’s part of the story.
Released in 2003, Knights of the Old Republic, often abbreviated as KOTOR, is a video game series set in the Star Wars universe, taking place thousands of years before the films. It features Darth Revan’s apprentice, Darth Malak, as he unleashes a Sith armada against the Republic. With its timeline, many doubt if it’s part of the franchise’s canon. But as some of its elements are now being reintroduced in the Star Wars world, it just confirmed one thing: it’s part of the canon.
This was even clarified at the recent Lucasfilm panel at the New York Comic-Con 2023 (via ScreenRant), where it was revealed that one of the powerful Force abilities in the game had been used by Porter Engle, an Ikkrukkian Jedi Master who lives in the High Republic Era and a character from the novel series Star Wars: The High Republic. In the book The Rising Storm, he used Battle Meditation to let the other Jedi fly in formation on his own ship during the Nihil’s attack on the planet Valo.
Why is Battle Meditation not part of the Star Wars prequel trilogy?
As The High Republic happens before the prequel trilogy begins, it’s a question to many as to why Battle Meditation wasn’t part of the said movies. One reason is probably because the franchise’s creator, George Lucas, hadn’t created its concept when the prequels’ production started. But knowing the series must provide a concrete reason why this Force ability wasn’t seen in The Phantom Menace, Lucasfilm might explain that Jedi during the prequel era might have forgotten this move when the Republic ended.
Considering this Force came from the Old Republic, which took place thousands of years before the High Republic began, it might be enough reason to claim that it had faded from their memories. As the Jedi’s connection to the Force was diminished by the shadow of the Sith, this might have led them to forget their other Force abilities, including Battle Meditation.
Now, the question is, will fans see this Force ability make its way to the mainstream? With its strong prowess, many hope so.
