Cal Kestis and Ezra Bridger are pivotal characters in theStar Warsgalaxy, but how comparable are their power levels?Ezra Bridgerwas first introduced inStar Wars Rebelsas a young boy living on the streets of Lothal, trying to survive the Empire’s wrath. He was discovered by Order 66 survivor Kanan Jarrus and the rest of the Ghost Crew, and the rest is history.Cal Kestis, introduced in the gameStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, was anOrder 66 survivor, too, hiding away on Bracca until he was forced to reveal his true self. Both Jedi fought against the Empire in their own ways.
As athirdStar Wars Jedigameis officially in development –Fallen Order’s sequel,Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, released in 2023 – Cal’s story is far from over. As this isStar Wars, there’s a good chance he’ll survive well into the New Republic era, hopefully joining theMandalorianfranchise in his first live-action appearance. Should that happen, it would be exciting to see Cal and Ezra interact, as the latter has only just returned home from exile.Together, they’d make a formidable duo in the war against the Imperial Remnant.How formidable, exactly?
Cal Kestis And Ezra Bridger Have Dedicated Their Lives To Fighting The Empire
Both Jedi dedicated their lives to fighting the Empire. Cal joined forces with the Mantis Crew, consisting of pilot Greez Dritus, former Jedi Master Cere Junda, and Dathomirian Nightsister Merrin. Ezra joinedthe Ghost Crew, alongside his Master Kanan Jarrus, pilot Hera Syndulla, her droid Chopper, Lasat warrior Garazeb Orrelios, and the Mandalorian Sabine Wren. Each crew had a different purpose – inFallen Order, the Mantis Crew worked tirelessly to prevent the Empire from getting its hands on a list of Force-sensitive children, and inRebels, the Ghost Crew worked diligently to help those in need and liberate Lothal from the Empire.
InSurvivor, Cal, with a little help from Merrin, became a pivotal player forthe Hidden Path, a covert network of operatives who help smuggle people threatened by the Empire. Though Cal’s tale inSurvivoris, on the whole, a tragedy, he never gave up. The same could be said for Ezra Bridger. InStar Wars Rebelsseason 4, Ezra lived up to the example set by Kanan, sacrificing his future with his newfound family to ensure Lothal’s freedom and forcing Grand Admiral Thrawn, one of the Empire’s most revered tactical minds, into exile.
Neither Jedi Has Reached Their Full Potential
Despite their many impressive accomplishments, neither Jedi has reached their full potential.Cal’s story isn’t over yet. He’s got a whole game left to learn new tricks and Force-related abilities, and his travels across the galaxy – he’s even briefly interacted with the High Republic era – have given him an incredible breadth of knowledge, despite the destruction of Cere’s renewed Jedi archives.
Ezra, too, has yet to reach his full potential. Though he may have been stranded on Peridea without his lightsaber, there’s plenty to suggest that Peridea is an unusually Force-rich planet. The Great Mothers of the Nightsisters resided there, after all, and it has a connection with the Mortis gods. Perhaps, without his lightsaber to protect him, Ezra’s connection with the Force became even more powerful during his exile – he may have even picked up a few new skills. Who’s to say what he’s capable of now that he’s back inStar Wars’ primary galaxy?
Does Ezra’s Extraordinary Ability Outweigh Cal’s Many Talents?
Cal’s powers are, to some extent, dictated by the needs of video games as a narrative medium.His powers enhance the game’s playability and affect how the story moves forward. As such, Cal has a range of common and rare Force-abilities that affect his overall power level. For instance, Cal practices psychometry, an incredibly unique power – though admittedly,Star Warscanon is making it less unique – that allows the wielder to feel, see, hear, and experience a memory simply by touching an object. This lets Cal (and the player) gain valuable insight into his surroundings and the characters in his life.
Other Jedi who can canonically wield psychometry include Vernestra Rwoh, a High Republic-era Jedi, Quinlan Voss, a Clone Wars-era Jedi, Ahsoka Tano, and Rey Skywalker.
Additionally, Cal can also wall-run, his Force-pull and Force-push are extremely powerful, he’s able to connect with creatures easily, and he’s incredibly talented with a lightsaber, capable of using multiple types of lightsabers, including single-bladed, double-bladed, two lightsabers, and a heavier crossguard lightsaber. He can even wield a lightsaber and a blaster simultaneously.Cal’s talents are truly incredible – though again, this is partially due to the game’s mechanics – and there’s no telling what he’ll learn in the nextStar Wars Jedigame.
All in all, judging a Jedi’s power levels is a very subjective question. What matters most to that particular Jedi?
However, Ezra Bridger is no slouch either. In fact,his talent for connecting with creatures far exceeds Cal’s.Ezra has been in tune with the Force and the species around him since his first few weeks of training. He’s inherently connected to the wildlife on Lothal, including the powerful, space and time-traveling Loth-wolves. He also built a lasting connection with the purrgil,Star Wars’ hyperspace-traversing space whales, to such an extent that he managed to defeat the Empire and Grand Admiral Thrawn with their help. Ezra’s “taming beasts” ability is genuinely extraordinary.
Ezra may not have as many Force-related talents as Cal, and he may not be as proficient with a lightsaber – especially after his stint on Peridea, as he’d left his lightsaber with Sabine Wren – but that doesn’t necessarily mean that Cal will always be more powerful. All in all, judging a Jedi’s power levels is a very subjective question. What matters most to that particular Jedi?
What If Ezra Bridger Had Joined Cal Kestis, Not Kanan Jarrus?
Kanan Jarrus turned Ezra Bridger into a great Jedi over the course of Star Wars Rebels, but how would Cal Kestis have fared as his Master?
Overall, Cal may have proven by the end ofSurvivor that he’s physically stronger and more capable than Ezra. He’s killed Inquisitors and other Dark Jedi, he killed the Gen’Dai warrior Rayvis, he survived multiple encounters with Darth Vader, and his Force abilities are undeniably impressive.Emotionally, though, Ezra may yet prove to be stronger than Cal.Both Jedi have been tempted by the dark side. Ezra was forced to face his fears – and Darth Maul’s manipulation – inStar Wars Rebelsseason 3, while Cal was briefly overwhelmed by his grief and betrayal inSurvivor, brought back from the brink by his friend and lover, Merrin.
The end ofSurvivorproved that Cal isn’t completely over his darkness yet.He may have a newfound sense of purpose, and he may have finally accepted Cere’s death, but there’s still something lurking beneath the surface. There’s a chance it may come out and overwhelm him in a thirdStar Wars Jedigame. If that happens, will he be strong enough to claw his way back to the light once more?
So, what makes one Jedi stronger than another? Is it their physical prowess, connection to the Force, or emotional fortitude?
On the other hand,Ezra overcame his loneliness and fears for years on Peridea alone, just waiting for someone to take him home. He’s as joyous and funny as ever, as proven inAhsokaseason 1. He worked through his grief over his Master’s death as a Jedi should – selflessly. So, what makes one Jedi stronger than another? Is it their physical prowess, connection to the Force, or emotional fortitude? A combination of all three, perhaps, but in this case, Ezra’s heart and determination may just edge out Cal’s. We won’t know for sure, though, untilStar Warscontinues their stories.
Ezra Bridger
Hailing from the planet Lothal, Ezra Bridger’s Force potential was discovered by Order 66 survivor Kanan Jarrus. Ezra became Kanan’s apprentice, working as a key asset in the Lothal rebel cell. He sacrificed himself in a desperate gambit to defeat Grand Admiral Thrawn, becoming stranded for years in a distant galaxy on the planet Peridea. Ezra has now returned, thanks to the efforts of his friend Sabine Wren.
