Darth Revan vs. Darth Nihilus: Who Was More Powerful?

Introduction

Few Star Wars debates are as intense as the battle between the kings of Knights of the Old Republic: Darth Revan and Darth Nihilus. These two Sith Lords from the Old Republic era changed the Star Wars universe forever as they wielded incredible power throughout their respective stories, but their strengths and fighting styles couldn’t be more different.

Revan was a master of strategy and combat, balancing his deep knowledge of both the light and dark sides of the Force. He built an empire, led armies, and outmaneuvered nearly every opponent he faced. Nihilus, on the other hand, wasn’t just a Sith—he was a void in the Force, a being who could consume entire planets and erase civilizations in an instant.

So, if these two ever faced off, who would win?

Having played through KOTOR and KOTOR II multiple times and explored their expanded lore in novels and comics, I’ll break down their combat skills, Force abilities, intelligence, and weaknesses to determine who would come out on top.

Let’s dive in.

Background & Origins of the Sith Lords

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Before comparing their abilities, we need to understand how Revan and Nihilus became the Sith Lords we know today. Their stories shaped their fighting styles and ultimately influenced how they approached battle.

Revan’s path began as a Jedi Knight and a brilliant military leader. Recognizing his potential, the Jedi took him in and began his training as a Jedi Knight. Much of his training and significant moments in his journey took place at the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine, highlighting its importance in his development.

During the Mandalorian Wars, he defied the Jedi Council and took command of the Republic’s forces, leading them to victory. But after traveling to the Unknown Regions, he encountered the Sith Emperor (Vitiate) and fell to the dark side.

Returning as a Sith Lord, he created a powerful Sith Empire, using the ancient Star Forge to construct an unstoppable fleet. His reign ended when his apprentice, Darth Malak, betrayed him, leading to his capture and redemption by the Jedi. Instead of returning fully to the light, Revan chose his own path, walking the line between Jedi and Sith.

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Nihilus, on the other hand, wasn’t shaped by war—he was shaped by destruction. He was a survivor of Malachor V, a planet ravaged by the Mass Shadow Generator, a superweapon that wiped out entire fleets. The devastation left a wound in the Force so powerful that it twisted Nihilus into something unnatural. To survive, he began draining the life energy of others, but his hunger became insatiable.

He was discovered by Darth Traya, who helped him harness his abilities and form the Sith Triumvirate alongside Darth Sion. But Nihilus’ hunger soon consumed him, reducing him to little more than a ghost bound to his armor, existing only to feed.

Revan was a leader, a thinker, and a warrior. Nihilus was a force of destruction, unable to control the power that defined him.

Lightsaber Combat & Fighting Style

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If Revan and Nihilus clashed in a pure lightsaber duel, the fight wouldn’t last long—because Nihilus would be at a severe disadvantage.

Revan was a skilled duelist, trained in multiple forms of lightsaber combat. He mastered Jar’Kai, which allowed him to dual-wield two lightsabers (one purple and one red according to certain artists) for speed and unpredictability. He also excelled in Djem So, a powerful offensive form that let him overwhelm opponents with brute strength. His balanced approach made him deadly in close combat, whether against Mandalore the Ultimate, Darth Malak, or the Sith Emperor himself.

Nihilus, however, barely relied on his lightsaber. His technique was unrefined, and he often fought with one-handed, minimal movement, focusing instead on draining his enemies’ life force before they could strike. His battle with Meetra Surik (the Jedi Exile) exposed just how weak he was without the Force—when his Force Drain failed, he was easily overwhelmed and defeated in a duel.

In a fight where the Force isn’t a factor, Revan wins. He was the superior warrior, the better tactician, and the more experienced combatant.

Force Powers & Abilities

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While Revan may dominate in a duel, Nihilus had one of the most terrifying Force abilities in all of Star Wars. If their battle was fought through raw power, Nihilus would be nearly unstoppable.

Revan was a master of both light and dark side abilities, making him one of the most well-rounded Force users of his time. He could unleash Force Lightning, crush opponents with telekinesis, and even enhance entire armies using Battle Meditation. His mental strength was unmatched—when captured by the Sith Emperor, he resisted mind domination for years, a feat that few could accomplish.

But Nihilus? His connection to the Force was a bit more intense as he literally fed on the Force itself. Unlike Sith Lords who used Force Drain on individuals, Nihilus could wipe out entire civilizations in an instant. His hunger was so overwhelming that just being near him weakened those sensitive to the Force. He communicated through the Force itself, and those who heard his voice felt their life energy being pulled away.

In terms of destructive potential, Nihilus had the upper hand. His power was overwhelming, and despite the cost that ended up leading to his own destruction, Nihilus easily ensures Revan’s defeat when it comes to pure power.

Intelligence & Strategy

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Revan was more than just powerful—he was a strategic mastermind. His ability to plan ahead and manipulate events made him a dominant force both on and off the battlefield.

As a Jedi, he led Republic forces to victory in the Mandalorian Wars, outmaneuvering one of the greatest warrior cultures in the galaxy. As a Sith Lord, he preserved infrastructure instead of destroying it, ensuring that his empire could sustain itself long-term.

Revan claimed that his strategic decisions were essential for the survival of his empire, and this claim significantly influenced characters like Meetra Surik, who saw him as a mentor and leader. Even after his memory was wiped, his instincts as a tactician remained sharp, allowing him to outthink the Sith and Jedi alike.

Nihilus, by contrast, had no strategy beyond feeding. He wasn’t a ruler, a commander, or a manipulator—he was a predator. He didn’t build alliances, govern an empire, or make calculated decisions. His hunger dictated his actions, and that lack of control ultimately led to his downfall.

In terms of raw intelligence and strategic ability, Revan wins without question.

Weaknesses & Fatal Flaws

Revan’s greatest weakness was his overconfidence. He believed he could control both the light and dark sides, but that arrogance led to his downfall at the hands of Malak. He also had emotional ties—his connections to figures like Bastila Shan influenced his decisions, sometimes clouding his judgment.

Nihilus’ weakness, however, was far more severe. His entire existence revolved around feeding. If he went too long without consuming life energy, he weakened and risked fading away. Worse, he was vulnerable to opponents who could resist the Force—Meetra Surik was able to sever his connection, rendering him powerless.

While Revan’s flaws were human, Nihilus’ weaknesses were fatal.

Who Would Win? Final Verdict

Scenario 1: A One-on-One Duel

If Revan and Nihilus engaged in a straight-up lightsaber battle, Revan would easily win. Nihilus’ lack of dueling ability would leave him defenseless against a skilled warrior like Revan.

Scenario 2: A Full-Scale War

In a larger war with one Sith fleet trying to take down another, completely devoid of the advantages of lightsaber combat and Force powers, Revan’s strategic mind would allow him to outmaneuver Nihilus. While Nihilus could consume entire armies, his lack of control would lead to his own downfall despite his immense power.

Overall Winner: Darth Revan

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Revan was the better duelist, the smarter tactician, and the more well-rounded Force user. Nihilus was terrifying, but his lack of control and battle skills made him vulnerable to an opponent who could think ahead and counter his attacks.

Conclusion & Further Reading

Both Nihilus and Revan are some of the greatest Sith Lords in the history of Star Wars. From waging war against Jedi to wielding almost unfathomable dark energy, their legacy in the Sith Order is unquestionable.

However…while Nihilus’ power remains almost unmatched to this day, he was ultimately a slave to his hunger - especially once he lost his physical form. Revan, on the other hand, mastered his own destiny, adapting to every challenge he faced.

The two Sith Lords would certainly put on a showdown for the ages, but it’s hard to imagine a world where Revan doesn’t come out as the victor.

Want more Sith lore? Check out our full Darth Nihilus and Darth Revan guides for a deeper dive into their legacies!