Force Lightning and False Limbs, what's Lucas' view?

I've read in more then one article that Lucas says Anakin Skywalker can't use or block Force Lightning with his mechanical arm. Everyone has there own ideas and I'm no different, but what does Lucas say the reason is?

Also, can Luke use Force Lightning with his false hand?

 

I'm guessing that the Force needs a living conduit to conduct a direct attack such as lightning. Vader does hand motions in relation to things like choking, but he doesn't *always* do it. I think it's just habit.

 

Yeah, they say the hand motions are not necessary, they're just a way to concentrate. But Force Lightning needs a limb to direct the energy.

But does anyone know for sure why a false limb won't work?

 

Watch ROTJ and see what happens when lightning goes near metallic body parts.

 

It looks like electricity meeting water. The lightning seemed to play across Vader's helmet longer then the rest of his body.

 

I know it may not be considered "canon", but in the ROTS X-box game when you play as Darth Vader you can use force lightning; I figured maybe we just never see Vader use Force Lightning in the OT because
A. It wasn't invented until RoJ
B. Vader didn't want to use lightning against Kenobi because he knew Kenobi could block it (ala AotC), and he wanted the satisfaction of finally beating his old master/friend in a sword duel.
C. Vader didn't want to use lightning to kill Luke's innards, especially if Vader wanted Luke to join him in overthrowing the Emperor.

That's my opinion, at least.

 

Well when we go with official Star Wars explanation (with GL at the top), Vader is unable to use force lightning. Even if he would somehow be able to use it, he still won't be able to do it without killing himself, because as the Ep-3 visual dictionary explains, his life support system is quite vulnerable to force lightning - that using it or getting hit by it means the end for Vader ("Nothing can stop that now.").

 

And the Vader using Force lightning in the RoTS game has been written off as game mechanics.

 

Yes, Star Wars Insider Magazine addressed the fact that Anakin uses Force Lightning with his false arm and they said it isn't canon. Though there's no reason he can't do it with his left hand. At least before his little "fall"

 

Also, the majority of people who buy the game aren't expecting the mechanics to be canon, it would be a severe disappointment if they couldn't do some cool and flashy (perhaps all) force tricks with Vader, which would affect the game rating, and the same is true with any "main" player character in a game.

 

We know Lucas says a person can't use Force Lightning with a false arm, but what about a false hand like Luke?

 

Luke has used lightning before, but I belive it's shown with his other hand (in TUF too). Also, we have to think about something - Luke's hand isn't purely mechanical, it's synthetic, he feels pain too

 

In UF he uses his left hand, but Dark Empire, he uses his right.

I guess in can be disputed if he's using Force Lightning in Dark Empire or just force push though.

 

so.. are ROTS video game spoilers considered movie spoilers?

 

Or perhaps his auto force regeneration ability (as shown in CoPL) made it possible for him to use his hand.

 

Does anyone happen to have the Lucas quote about Vader not being able to use lightning? I'd like to see how he phrased it.

 

so.. are ROTS video game spoilers considered movie spoilers?

I'd say yes, except in the case of game mechanics. For example, Anakin/Vader dying many times only to come back to life and continue (save/load) have nothing to do with the movie Still it's safe to avoid it all together.

 

For example, Anakin/Vader dying many times only to come back to life and continue (save/load) have nothing to do with the movie

Or the fact that we're talking about Vader using Force Lightning, and he's only in mulitiplayer mode (hardly spoiler-ific ) and the bonus ANH duel with Kenobi on the Death Star. And if you haven't seen ANH, then you might wanna get outta here quick, because there might be some spoilers for the whole OT!

 

Dude, black that out before you get banned.

 

My personal opinion is that Force Lightning can only be sent out through flesh and blood. Anakin lost his arm above the elbow. If he used Force Lightning, it would fire into his arm and fry the more sesitive components in his prosthetic.

Now, if he leaves the prosthetic off, I believe he could shoot Force Lightning out the stump.

 

In UF he uses his left hand, but Dark Empire, he uses his right.


Does this mean that DE isn't canon?!?!?!?!

 

^^^ I would love to see that too...

Emperor: Lord Stumpy...

Vader: Yes my master...

Emperor: Riiise...

Vader: Uhm... well...

Emperor: *pulls up hoverchair* So sorry, I forget sometimes...

 

Does this mean that DE isn't canon?!?!?!?!

Err..what if his regeneration allowed him to use it, bypassing any mechanical elements in his synthetic hand? Of course, if DE isn't canon, then anything in the EU is not canon, just as it applies to any of the horribly written books (unfortunately) In the extreme case, it would be changed from his right to left hand as the fix.

Vader: Uhm... well...

Emperor: *pulls up hoverchair* So sorry, I forget sometimes...

 

Now, if he leaves the prosthetic off, I believe he could shoot Force Lightning out the stump.

Now, would the stumpage mean that the Force Lightning is less controllable than normal? Or any less powerful?