The first season of Ahsoka had a lot of memorable scenes but one of the truly jaw-dropping moments was the intense lightsaber duel between Ahsoka Tano and Baylan Skoll in Episode 4. Despite Ahsoka's extensive experience facing various lightsaber users in the Star Wars universe, she found herself soundly defeated by the Grey Jedi. While her internal emotional conflict played a role, there's a more plausible explanation within the Star Wars Canon for her inability to overpower him.
Ahsoka's decision to engage Baylan with just one lightsaber is sometimes suggested as the reason for her loss, but this explanation doesn't quite hold up. In Ahsoka Episode 7, she confronts Baylan again, this time wielding both of her lightsabers. While this gave her a better chance at escaping, she still couldn't defeat Baylan. It became apparent that Baylan had an undisclosed advantage over Ahsoka.
So what made Baylan Skoll such a formidable opponent? Although some fans note that it was his size that led to victory, there are two other important factors that made him an effective fighter.
Baylan Chose a Powerful Weapon and Modified it to His Fighting Style
One factor is suggested to be the unique lightsaber he wielded which differs significantly from other weapons that Ahsoka has encountered. It's believed to be a "great lightsaber," a weapon that originates from an obscure corner of Star Wars Canon, mentioned in the Knights of Fate sourcebook for the Star Wars: Force and Destiny role-playing game.
The sourcebook describes great lightsabers as distinct from traditional ones, being larger and heavier. Similar to the large greatswords of the Middle Ages, they require the use of both hands and are challenging to wield one-handed. The unique design allows users to channel their strength into powerful, extended strokes. Despite the outward resemblance to standard lightsabers, the reinforced hilt of a great lightsaber makes each strike potentially lethal. Ahsoka's previous encounters never involved a great lightsaber, which likely contributed to her defeat in the duel against Baylan.
Moreover, Baylan adapted his lightsaber combat style to complement his formidable blade. He employed Form V, specifically Shien, a lightsaber form that Ahsoka would recognize since her own style is an offshoot of Form V. However, Baylan's significant modification of Form V to accommodate his heavy great lightsaber maximized his ability to deliver powerful strikes. Despite Ahsoka's best efforts to defend herself, her primary response was to deflect Baylan's heavy blows to stay alive.
The unfamiliarity with the great lightsaber and its unique characteristics, combined with Baylan's mastery of his customized fighting style, ultimately tipped the scales in his favor during their intense duel.
The revelation of the great lightsaber in Ahsoka not only adds depth to the Star Wars Canon but also serves as a reminder that even the most seasoned Jedi can face new and unexpected challenges in their battles.
But will we see Baylan in action again in Ahsoka Season 2? Since the character's story arc remains unfinished, there is a huge chance that Lucasfilm and Disney will bring back the character despite Ray Stevenson's unfortunate passing and Baylan could be recast with an equally powerful actor. However, it is important to note that the second season has not yet been officially confirmed although it is currently in consideration. Check this page for the latest news on the Star Wars show.
