In a shocking reversal of franchise lore,Star Warshas introduced a new way to harness the Force that has nothing to do with Midi-Chlorians or natural aptitude. For decades, the ability to wield the Force has been a matter of biology - some people can do it, and some can’t. The prequel trilogy confirmed thatthis ability is due to midi-chlorians- microscopic symbionts that act as a conduit for the life force that emanates from all living beings. Now, it seems that just changed.
Luke Skywalker denies this new technology can be possible, but when he hooks himself up, he instantly finds his Force connection supercharged…
Star Wars Introduces a Way for ANYONE to Use the Force
It’s No Longer About Your Midi-Chlorian Count
The new lore comes inStar Wars: Doctor Aphra - Chaos Agent #1 (from Cherish Chen, Gabriel Guzman, Mike Atiyeh and Joe Caramagna.) In the issue,Aphra and Luke team up to acquire a powerful artifact which can channel the Force, acting as a technological conduit. Its smuggler owner Baff Baksheen confirms that he has used it to unleash the Force himself, and when the gauntlet ends up on Luke’s hand, it supercharges his Force connection, causing him tounleash a blast of Force Lightning.
The Luovian Gauntlet Can Harness the Force Via Tech
But Luke Skywalker Refuses to Accept This Technology Can Exist
When the amoral archeologist Doctor Aphra is captured by the Rebels, she’s tasked with helping Luke take control of an experimental Luovian Gauntlet which can harness a new power source. That power source turns out to be the Force,allowing any wearer to wield Force Lightning. While Luke insists that the gauntlet’s technology can’t possibly be real, it certainly appears to be, as the device which connects normal people to the Force immediately overcharges Luke’s own connection, turning him into a maelstrom of energy.
If this technology is everything the issue claims, it’s a huge change toStar Warslore. The franchise has long been strict that Force connection is a binary process - some people can do it, and some can’t. While some have a more natural link to the Force, it’s official lore that anyone can achieve a deeper connection by studying and communing with the Force, pushing at a door that is either already open or definitively closed on the basis of biology.The only way to change this is via experimental midi-chlorians transplants, which have a spotty success rate.
Even if the Luovian Gauntlet proves to be unique, it would still allow at least one character to access the Force without a natural connection, totally changing the rulebook of what’s possible in the galaxy far, far away. Even that is the best case scenario, asthe Luovian Gauntletcouldbe mass produced, especially if a certain Dark Side cult are making a stealthy return…
Is This the Return of the Ascendant Cult?
The Dark Side Adepts Technologized the Force
It’s possible that the Luovian Gauntlet is based onthe technology of the Ascendant Cult. A recent addition toStar Warslore,the Ascendants were Dark Side adherents who wanted to make the Force available to everyone. They attempted to harness the Force via technological means but eventually settled for recreating it, using an advanced AI known as the Spark to connect them to a variety of technology that allowed them to fake Force powers. Sadly, the Ascendant Cult was wiped out by the Sith, with the Spark evolving into a galactic threat.
However, if the Luovian Gauntlet can truly harness the Force, it would represent everything the Ascendant Cult were trying to achieve, and could mean some members are still alive in the present day, continuing to work on their goals. Of course, it’s still possible that the artifact is a fake which onlyappearsto harness the Force, but given Luke Skywalker’s explosive interaction with it, the young Jedi will need a lot of evidence to disprove whatStar Warsfans have seen so far.
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra - Chaos Agent #1is available now from Marvel Comics.
