Summary
The canonStar Warstimeline is a fickle thing. In its original iteration,Star Wars' timeline only really contained the original trilogy, with the vast array of novels and comics that came out after it all being categorized under the Expanded Universe banner, though many could technically fit on the timeline if fans wanted them to. Then the prequel trilogy came out, and the timeline changed once again, with some of that Expanded Universe material being definitively made non-canon. WhileStar Warsvideo gameswere never really considered canon either, there were some exceptions, such asStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, a game set thousands of years before the movies and thus one that didn’t really get in the way of the timeline.
But then Disney came along in 2012 and wiped the slate clean completely. Initially, Disney stated that only the movies were canon, but that’s since also expanded out to mostStar Warsanimated shows likeThe Clone Wars. And now, the current canonStar Warstimeline is starting to borrow elements from the old Expanded Universe, and the canonization ofKnights of the Old Republic’s Battle Meditation is the latest example.
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How Star Wars KOTOR’s Battle Meditation Has Just Been Canonized
What Star Wars KOTOR’s Battle Meditation Power Is
Introduced inStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, the Battle Meditation Force power isn’t explained all that well in its original format. InKnights of the Old Republic,Jedi Knight Bastila Shanis famed for her expertise with the Battle Meditation power, which is apparently very rare even in this era where millions of Force-users exist. In the game, Bastila says that her Battle Meditation allows her to link the minds of all her allies on a battlefield and ensure that they’re performing at peak efficiency. It’s a little confusing and vague, but Battle Meditation can apparently turn the tide of a losing battle, and is therefore deemed a huge asset for the Jedi.
Star Wars Has Just Canonized Battle Meditation in The High Republic
WhileStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republicis now well and truly deemed non-canon, that hasn’t stopped little references and tidbits from escaping and making their way over to the canonStar Warstimeline. The latest reference to do so isKOTOR’s Battle Meditation Force power. During a Lucasfilm publishing panel at the recent New York Comic Con, a newStar Warsvisual encyclopedia was revealed. TitledStar Wars: The High RepublicCharacter Encyclopedia, this book details some of this new canon era’s most important heroes and villains.
One of these canon characters is Jedi Master Porter Engle, also known as the “Blade of Bardotta.” Apparently regarded as one of the best duelists in the galaxy, Jedi Porter Engle wields a unique cutlass-like lightsaber, and is also an expert pilot. On the encyclopedia’s page on Porter Engle, fans noticed a line that rather nonchalantly canonizesKOTOR’s Battle Meditation power, claiming that the Jedi used the power to “unite the minds of other Jedi to fly their starships in formation with his.”
Technically, one of the first canon mentions of the Battle Meditation Force ability appeared in the Star Wars: Legion miniatures board game, where it appears on an upgrade card, though this card shows Luke Skywalker using the ability and not Bastila Shan or any Old Republic/High Republic character.
What The Canonization of Battle Meditation Could Mean for the Future of Star Wars
Though the game itself and its narrative will probably never be canonized fully,Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republicis slowly bleeding into the canonStar Warstimeline bit by bit, whether it’s a little reference to the Rakata species inAndor, or this canonization of the Battle Meditation Force power. If Grand Admiral Thrawn can become canon once again, and even potentially have his own series based ontheHeir to the Empirenovels, then it doesn’t seem like a wild possibility to have characters like Darth Revan come into the canon timeline in the near future.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
WHERE TO PLAY
Choose Your Path.It is four thousand years before the Galactic Empire and hundreds of Jedi Knights have fallen in battle against the ruthless Sith. You are the last hope of the Jedi Order. Can you master the awesome power of the Force on your quest to save the Republic? Or will you fall to the lure of the dark side? Hero or villain, saviour or conqueror… you alone will determine the destiny of the entire galaxy!A brand new Star Wars role-playing experience with unique characters, creatures, vehicles and planets.Learn to use the Force with over 40 different powers and build your own lightsaber.Adventure through some of the most popular Star Wars locations, including Tatooine and the Wookiee homeworld Kashyyyk.Choose your party from nine customisable characters, including Twi’leks, droids and Wookiees.Travel to eight enormous worlds in your own starship, the Ebon Hawk.
