Anakin Skywalker is considered by many fans, Jedi, and Sith to be among the greatest Force-user who ever lived for a lot of good reasons. The Chosen One's difficult path put him through immense physical and emotional strain and yet he still managed to make the crucial choice when it mattered and save the Galaxy. Furthermore, Obi-Wan Kenobi's apprentice was an exceptional lightsaber duelist.
His powers with the Force grew even more after his transformation into Darth Vader took place. That being said, in the expanded universe, there are a number of Knights whose name also echoed throughout the galaxy's history because of their tremendous powers and exploits. Here are 5 formidable Jedi from Legends that Anakin is capable of defeating and 5 that can beat him.
10 Can Beat: Mara Jade
There was hardly ever a Star Wars character whose skillset was as diverse as Mara Jade's. However, even though Luke Skywalker's wife displayed some abilities, which Anakin never did such as Force-assisted levitation and altering her internal organs via the Force, Vader's resume includes defeating a vastly larger number of more powerful opponents. During his time as the Emperor's enforcer, Anakin learned how to easily defend himself against Jade's strongest attack - Force Lightning.
9 Can't Beat: Cade Skywalker
Luke Skywalker is not the only Skywalker that can put a beating to Anakin. Cade, one of the latest members of the powerful family had mastered some incredible powers. The Force was so strong in him that he was capable of throwing a spaceship at an enemy in a fit of rage. He was capable of projecting protection bubbles that were resilient enough to withstand destructive blasts. Best of all, Cade was one of the few Force-users who had learned how to revive the dead. Simply put, Anakin's descendant outguns him in terms of Force abilities.
8 Can Beat: Ulic Qel-Droma
A hero of several wars and a Jedi of impressive capabilities, Ulic Qel-Droma has a very tragic history, just like Anakin but ultimately failed to reach the level of the Chosen One's powers.
In truth, he shared many of Anakin's talents - a terrific pilot, adept at both one-on-one dogfights as well as a skilled duellist who was able to take on multiple ferocious enemies at the same time, including powerful Sith lords. That being said, Qel-Droma suffered a couple of embarrassing incidents including losing his first battle as a commander and almost dying to an enemy droid.
7 Can't Beat: Nomi Sunrider
Nomi Sunrider is one of the most distinguished heroes in the battles against Freedon Nadd and Exar Kun and had powers that all Sith, including Vader, should fear. She was dangerous because of her lightsaber skills and effortless use of the Force but what really made her a threat to Jedi enemies was her unique ability to permanently deprive dark-side users of their connection with the mysterious power. For all of his might, that is one trick, which would neutralize Skywalker in a direct confrontation for good.
6 Can Beat: Corran Horn
Initially a Special Investigator during the time of the New Republic and later a Jedi Master, Corran Horn grew to develop spectacular Force abilities. The Knight could slow time to give himself extra speed. Force Meld was also part of his skillset - several Jedi gaining strength from each other.
He could also heal and absorb energies. While the range of his powers was in some ways, wider than that of Anakin, he found it difficult to move objects with the Force - a flaw that would ensure his downfall in a duel against Vader.
5 Can't Beat: Meetra Surik
Famously known as the Jedi Exile, Meetra Surik was the reason for the defeat of many Sith and their factions. Meetra was capable of feeding off of her dead enemies' energies and was proficient in a number of rare force abilities like Force Valor that boosts the warrior's morale and Force Enlightenment that increased a Jedi's power to its full potential. Numerous Sith like Sion, Traya, and Nihilus fell to her lightsaber. Meetra had the kind of skills, which Vader never had.
4 Can Beat: Jaina Solo
One of the New Jedi Order's most prominent members, Jaina Solo did her part in the battle against the Dark side. What is so intriguing about her is that she is capable of countering many of Vader's signature moves. She can break the Force Choke grip while being trained in a number of advanced regeneration techniques and she can perform Shatterpoint - opening an individual's old wounds. This makes her surprisingly superior to Vader. However, if she was to face Anakin in his peak form - right after the slaying of the Separatists in Revenge of the Sith when he is still uninjured and the Dark Side is growing within him, he would defeat Jaina through lightsaber combat skill alone.
3 Can't Beat: Starkiller
Some of the greatest battles from Legends, which Lord Vader ended up losing were against his own apprentice - Galen Marek, otherwise known as Starkiller in both Star Wars: The Force Unleashed games.
Because of his extensive training and raw talent, Galen was a formidable dual-lightsaber duellist and was capable of matching both Yoda and Sidious. One-on-one, he was particularly dangerous since he mixed melee combat with Force attacks. Famously, his Force powers were so ridiculous that he was capable of altering the course of Star Destroyers with his telekinetic abilities.
2 Can Beat: Satele Shan
One of the greatest warriors to take part in the Cold War and the Galactic War, Satele Shan was undoubtedly a mighty Jedi that was exceptionally talented in weaponizing telekinesis. Wielding a double-bladed lightsaber, she was instrumental in the defeat of Darth Malgus. Facing Vader would be more difficult. He is a formidable user of telekinesis himself and although he is not nearly as agile as Shan, his powerful swings can match her athleticism. Victory would be his in the end because of his greater experience against powerful Force-users.
1 Can't Beat: Revan
Both Revan and Vader have incredible multi-layered stories filled with failure and triumph. Their hypothetical contest would only be fair if it is fought between versions of the characters at the peak of their powers - Anakin right before his duel on Mustafar and Revan after he was reborn. Both of them have been responsible for the eradication of hundreds of powerful Force-users and both warriors were masters of telekinesis and lightsaber combat. Revan triumphs in this contest mostly through statistics. He was the greatest warrior of his time, while Anakin was not. Also, Revan could interfere with cosmic bodies like meteors through his Force powers. Vader never achieved such feats.