I just rewatched the epic Maul vs. Sidious duel in The Clone Wars, and something stood out—Maul mimics Obi-Wan’s defensive stance during the fight.
For someone like Maul, who’s all about aggressive offense, it felt surprising to see him switch tactics.
But why would Maul, a Sith trained for pure attack, adopt a defensive approach against his former master? Facing Sidious, Maul wasn’t just trying to win—he was fighting for survival.
Let’s take a closer look at why Maul made this unexpected move and how it changes our understanding of his fight against Sidious.
Table of Contents
Maul’s Aggressive Fighting Style Shifts to a Defensive Stance Against Sidious
Darth Maul, throughout The Phantom Menace and The Clone Wars, is known for his raw, aggressive fighting style.
He’s a master of Juyo, the seventh lightsaber form, which emphasizes unrestrained aggression, offensive power, and unpredictable strikes.
Maul’s mastery of this form made him a terrifying opponent, overwhelming his enemies with sheer speed and brute force.
When we first see Maul in The Phantom Menace, his attacks against Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are fast and ferocious, forcing the Jedi into defensive positions.
Maul thrives on exploiting weaknesses through relentless pressure, making his combat style as dangerous as it is intimidating.
But fast forward to The Clone Wars, specifically his duel with Sidious, and we notice something different.
There’s a slight shift in his approach, as Maul adopts a more defensive stance, a move we wouldn’t typically expect from someone so aggressive.
So why does Maul, who’s always relied on offense, suddenly try to use Obi-Wan’s Soresu stance?
Keep reading, and we’ll break down why this shift was more than just a desperate move.
Obi-Wan’s Stance: Pros and Cons of Soresu
Pros
Form III: Soresu, also known as the “Resilience Form,” is the ultimate defensive lightsaber technique, built for endurance and survival.
It excels at allowing the practitioner to remain calm and focused while conserving energy throughout long engagements.
This form emphasizes creating an impenetrable defense by deflecting and absorbing attacks until the opponent becomes fatigued or makes a mistake.
For Obi-Wan Kenobi, Soresu’s strengths became essential in his battles. One of the most significant advantages of Soresu is its precision.
Obi-Wan could deflect blaster fire and counter saber strikes with minimal movement, making it incredibly efficient in conserving his energy.
Against opponents like Maul and General Grievous, who relied on overwhelming offense and relentless attacks, Obi-Wan’s mastery of Soresu allowed him to absorb their assaults and wait for the perfect moment to counter.
Another key benefit is that Soresu is designed for prolonged survival. It’s not about overpowering the enemy immediately but about outlasting them.
In Obi-Wan’s duels, especially against Grievous, we saw how his patience, discipline, and ability to stay composed under pressure allowed him to withstand his opponent’s aggressive tactics.
Cons
While Form III: Soresu is a masterclass in defense, it has its limitations. The most significant drawback is its lack of offensive capability.
Soresu practitioners, like Obi-Wan, often rely on wearing down their opponent over time, which can be a disadvantage when facing enemies who are quick and aggressive.
In situations where a fast, decisive strike is needed, Soresu’s focus on defense can leave its user at a tactical disadvantage.
Another limitation of Soresu is that it requires immense patience and discipline. In long, drawn-out battles, a user must stay calm and focused, waiting for the opponent to make a mistake.
This approach doesn’t work as well against adversaries who don’t tire easily or make significant errors, like Darth Sidious.
Finally, Soresu isn’t as effective in environments where retreat or repositioning isn’t possible.
If a practitioner is backed into a corner or forced into a confined space, their defensive strategy may falter, as the form relies on constant movement and fluidity to redirect and deflect attacks.
Why Would Maul Mimic Obi-Wan’s Defensive Stance?
We all know that Maul, being a master of Form VII: Juyo, thrives on overwhelming his enemies with aggressive, unpredictable strikes.
So, when you see him fight Sidious in The Clone Wars, it might seem surprising to watch him adopt a more defensive approach. But when you think about it, it actually makes a lot of sense.
Remember, Maul isn’t just fighting any opponent—he’s facing Sidious, his former master, the one who trained Maul and knows his every move.
Maul understands that Sidious is far more powerful, both in lightsaber combat and the Force. Charging in with his usual aggression would have been reckless and potentially fatal.
Over the years, Maul had encountered Obi-Wan Kenobi multiple times and experienced firsthand the effectiveness of Form III: Soresu, the defensive lightsaber form.
Obi-Wan’s resilience and ability to defend until finding the perfect moment to strike frustrated Maul during their duels.
Maul saw how powerful a strong defense could be, especially when facing an overwhelmingly strong opponent.
When Maul switches to a more defensive stance against Sidious, it’s a survival instinct. And, for a while, it actually works.
Together with Savage Opress, Maul manages to hold his own, even gaining the upper hand at moments. But Sidious isn’t like the Jedi—he doesn’t just rely on lightsabers.
Sidious uses the Force, and every time Sidious gains the upper hand in the fight, it’s through his mastery of the dark side, using Force attacks to overwhelm Maul and Opress.
The turning point comes when Sidious Force pushes Maul aside, leaving him briefly disoriented. Seizing the moment, Sidious quickly kills Opress.
This is where Maul loses control. Filled with rage and grief, he abandons his defensive stance, attacking Sidious with both his red lightsaber and the Darksaber.
But as we all know, Maul’s desperate offensive move is no match for Sidious, and the Sith Lord utterly defeats him.