In Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Rey claimed the Force was all about "lifting rocks." While telekinesis is a powerful Force ability, attuned individuals can accomplish so much more. Fans of the Star Wars movies are familiar with Force powers like lightning projection and mind control, but Star Wars Legends novels and expanded universe content introduced a large variety of fun, inventive uses of the Force. The Force is a deep, intertwined relationship with the world surrounding the Jedi and Sith, and how the Force's midi-chlorian hosts react to these interactions.
As the Force reacts differently to its particular user, the more advanced and taxing techniques may not be available to all. Some techniques are so difficult that only a small handful of masters can wield their power. And, of course, there are Force abilities so powerful that practicing them will lead to the demise of the user and the target.
Updated on October 6, 2022 by Cole Kennedy: With the recent release of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, the ongoing release of Andor, and the upcoming third season of the Mandolorian, Star Wars fans have a lot to be excited about. Disney+ is expanding the canonical universe and Andor is unlike anything produced in modern Star Wars. Though the show doesn't revolve around Force-users, the presence of the Force is always felt in any Star Wars production with the Starkiller armor tease and the early establishment of the Rebellion.
20 Telekinesis
When most people think of Force abilities, especially those who strictly watch the movies, it is more often than not telekinesis that they see. Whether it is a Vader Force Choke, Luke reaching out to his lightsaber, or Obi-Wan jumping up numerous stories, they all derive from the same power base.
How can Force users do this? What allows Yoda to fling a giant stone at Count Dooku? The Force allows users a certain degree of power in manipulating matter and this manipulation can occur from a distance. The greater the distance, size of the object or stress on the user, the greater the consequence on the Force users ability to manipulate the object in question.
19 Force Sense
One of the most ubiquitous Force abilities, Force Sense, is simply a Force-user's ability to feel the ripples flowing throughout the universe. These ripples in the Force can be caused by anything, such as traumatic events, physical danger to a loved one, or the general vibe of a particular being.
Obi-Wan felt the destruction of Alderaan through Force Sense. Darth Vader also knew Obi-Wan was on the Death Star without having seen him in years. This ability brings a level of connectivity to the universe and hints at the long-term repercussions that any one particular act can have.
18 Theran Force-Listening
Theran Force-Listening is a technique developed by the Theran race on Nam Chorios to speak with Force-sensitive crystals. This ability allows the user to communicate with someone while not speaking their native tongue.
There have been multiple instances of this technique being used within proper Star Wars canon and Legends. Both Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn use this technique, as well as Ahsoka Tano. Within Legends, both Solo twins have used the technique at different times as they were taught the ability by Therans after the Yuuzhan Vong War.
17 Levitation
The power to levitate utilizes the same basic Force techniques as telekinesis. The distinct difference between the two is that general Force Telekinesis is the manipulation of an object other than the Force user, while levitation is self-manipulation. Necessitating a much larger degree of power, levitation is not a common power amongst Force users.
For those who can levitate, an extremely powerful individual can perform Force Flight. The skill, which is extremely difficult and only possible to the most accomplished masters, allows the user to maintain flight for a small distance. Rey used Force Levitation during her training in The Rise of Skywalker.
16 Force Whisper
Force Whisper, or its more common name, the Jedi Mind Trick, is the ability to manipulate a sentient creature's mind. Jedi utilize the technique to acquire information utilizing a non-violent method. While Dark Side users perform the technique to pull information from their target's mind or plant suggestions that are otherwise untrue.
While the technique is highly powerful, it can only be utilized on those whose minds are easily manipulated and open to suggestions. Several species within the universe are immune to the technique including Hutts, Toydarians, Falleen, and Dashade. Given the ramifications of mind control, Jedi are very careful in implementing this technique as it can easily lead to the Dark Side.
15 Pyrokinesis
Pyrokinesis is the ability to create fire from thin air. Related to a Force-user's telekinetic powers, the fire is initiated by the extreme rubbing of air molecules. This rubbing creates enough friction to initiate a blaze without any real incendiary material.
While pyrokinesis is an extreme ability, plenty of Force-users are adept at fire manipulation. There are many instances within the proper Star Wars canon as well as Legends that show both Jedi and Sith manipulating fire. Even fringe users such as the Nightsisters of Dathomir can manipulate fire as a weapon and tool.
14 Revitalize
Jedi are able to manipulate the Force to revitalize a fallen or injured comrade. The technique only functions on organic creatures and is a personal process necessitating the recipient to open up to the Force user.
Long used by the Jedi throughout battles, Revitalize is very effective but can leave the practitioner drained. As such, it must be used sparingly and with a gentle touch. Luke Skywalker performed this technique on his Legends wife, Mara Jade, while Kylo used it to heal Rey at the end of The Rise of Skywalker.
13 Hibernation Trance
While Jedi could use a Revitalize technique to heal those around them, an individual could use a similar technique on themselves. Known as a Healing Trance or Hibernation Trance, the objective remained the same in which the user would slow the heart and metabolic rate down to a fraction of the normal state, allowing their body to divert resources and heal as needed.
Some users would use a Hibernation Trance to prolong their ability to survive in the face of limited resources, such as water or air. A trance could also be used as a tool to trick others into thinking the Force-user was deceased.
12 Protection Bubble
A Protection Bubble is a technique utilized by both the Jedi and Sith, and for all intents and purposes, it is exactly the same as Sue Richards's ability from the Fantastic Four, or Violet's ability from The Incredibles.
For a Force-user, creating a Protection Bubble is a difficult task. The bubble usually takes on a blue-ish hue, although the Nightsisters of Dathomir are able to create green bubbles. Protection Bubbles can be quite strong and deflect blaster bolts, physical material, as well as Force Lightning in extreme cases.
11 Force Light
Force Light is a physical manifestation of the Light Side of the Force. By utilizing the technique, a user is directly attacking a Dark Side user's connection to the Force and negating their ability to communicate with it.
Extreme cases of Force Light bring a glowing aura to the user. Numerous Jedi have used this ability throughout time, including Luke Skywalker and Jacen Solo. Jacen used Force Light to reach a level of oneness with the Force during the climactic battle against the Yuuzhan Vong. The most adept Jedi to wield Force Light are Yoda, Thon and Nomi Sunrider.
10 Force Weapon
An ancient technique utilized by the Jedi of the Old Republic, Force Weapon is a ceremony that allows the user to channel and ultimately bond the Force unto a particular weapon. The clear benefits to this are increasing the weapon's ability to inflict and absorb damage. The ceremony also increases the user's bond to a particular weapon, creating a symbiosis.
To some extent, all lightsabers have a degree of the Force within them. However, the technique has been most famously used by Vodo-Siosk Baas, whose Force-imbued walking stick was strong enough to block and parry Exar Kun's lightsaber.
9 Force Illusion
A Force Illusion is an extreme example of Jedi Mind Control and is ultimately used by either side of the Force. This skill can take dramatic iterations as the user can conjure projections and apparitions.
The most skilled users of this technique utilize it to blend almost seemingly into their surroundings. Obi-Wan is a prime example, incorporating this technique in a subtle form, masking himself for decades. Of course, the most recent example of this was Luke Skywalker's Force projection during The Last Jedi. Ultimately, the amount of interaction that a projection can have with the physical world is up for debate.
8 Sever Force
Severe Force is a technique used predominantly by Light Side practitioners to shield an individual's connection to the Force. While the connotation of the technique makes it seem that the target is having their powers removed, in actuality, a wall of light simply blocks their connection to the Force.
Many consider this the most powerful maneuver a Jedi can perform. There have been numerous instances of this technique being used, most famously by Vergere against Jacen Solo during the Yuuzhan Vong War, and then by Jacen himself on his younger cousin, Ben Skywalker.
7 Mind Probe
Derived from the same technique as the Jedi Mind Trick, a Force Probe or Mind Probe is far more aggressive. By utilizing a Mind Probe, the Force-user can forcibly penetrate an individual's mind to extract information.
While this may result in the successful acquisition of the desired information, it can leave the recipient's mind fractured and damaged. The damage can be too much for many, leaving some people comatose and unable to function. Given the severity of the technique, it is almost exclusively performed by Sith.
6 Force Lightning
Force Lightning remains one of the most visually impressive weapons in the Sith arsenal. Conjuring lightning from their fingertips, Force Lightning is highly effective and can cause significant damage. Lightsaber and energy shields can block Force Lightning. Skilled masters, such as Yoda, can block the lightning with the Force itself.
Contrary to popular belief, the scarring that Palpatine suffers as his lightning is turned back on him by Mace Windu is not caused by his Force Lightning hitting him, but rather the overexertion that taxed Palpatine's body.
5 Sith Alchemy
A Dark Side technique that expounds on Force Weapon, Sith Alchemy takes the Jedi ceremony one step further and utilizes it to imbue Dark Side energies on weapons, armors, toxins, and even creatures. Sith Alchemy can even bring about the undead.
One of the greatest practitioners of this dark art was Darth Plagueis, who subsequently taught it to his apprentice, Darth Sidious. Fans speculate that during Anakin Skywalker's transformation into Darth Vader, Darth Sidious utilized Sith Alchemy to cement Anakin's bond with the Dark Side of the Force, making him that greater Sith weapon.
4 Battle Meditation
Battle Meditation is one of the most effective and powerful weapons a Force-user can utilize during a large-scale battle. The technique requires an extremely powerful individual to envelop all or the majority of the troops under their control. By bringing all these individuals together, the direction and actions occurring throughout the battle are openly visible to the commanding Force-user.
With this information, the Force-user can make informed decisions and sway their armies. This effectively makes them a better fighting unit. Similar strategies can be seen in the hive mind actions of particular species, as they are able to take information and distribute commands to all their warriors in seconds.
3 Spirit Transference
During Darth Sidious's wooing of Anakin Skywalker to the Dark Side, one of the tales he told was that of Darth Plagueis who was strong enough to cheat death. While Darth Plagueis utilized Midi-chlorian Manipulation, he taught his apprentice the art of Spirit Transference.
In this ceremony, the Dark Side user is able to transfer their essence into that of another host, thereby granting themselves a degree of immortality. In the Dark Empire comic series, Palpatine transfered his mind from his original body into clone bodies after the Battle of Yavin. Darth Bane, the founder of the modern Sith religion, attempted Spirit Transference but was only partially successful.
2 Thought Bomb
Utilized by Darth Bane to annihilate the last remaining vestiges of the ancient Sith Order, the Thought Bomb is an incredibly powerful weapon that can completely destroy all physical and spiritual bodies of the Force-users within its vicinity.
A successful Thought Bomb requires the cooperation of many Sith masters working in unison. This quorum of power must then detonate the bomb, instantly unleashing the full power of the Dark Side. The resulting annihilation pools the spirits of all Force-users in its wake to a central orb that emerges at the heart of the bomb. This orb then houses the spirits of the fallen.
1 Midi-Chlorian Manipulation
Midi-chlorian Manipulation is a rare technique that has only been seen a handful of times, mostly used by Darth Plagueis. The technique requires an extreme degree of manipulation to convince the midi-chlorians to create life. Darth Plagueis and Palpatine used it to manipulate the Force into creating Anakin Skywalker, resulting in his mother spontaneously becoming pregnant.
While Palpatine knew of the technique and had assisted his former master in performing it, he was unable to perform it alone. Palpatine used this technique and the lure of saving those to turn Anakin to the Dark Side in Revenge of the Sith.