Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte episode 5
Summary
The new Sith Lord inThe Acolytehas revealed a key new advantage with the ability to deactivate Jedi lightsabers during combat. As seen inThe Acolyteepisode 5, all eight Jedi Knights on Khofar find themselves face to face with this new Sith Lord. However, it’s revealed that he’s armed with more than just his lightsaber and the dark side of the Force alone.
InThe Acolyteepisode 5,the new Sith Lord is revealed to be none other than Qimir, the trader who helped Mae poison Master Torbin inThe Acolyteepisode 2. This unmasking comes mid-battle when Master Sol and his Padawan Jecki Lon break his intimidating helmet.This is because the mask had already received some major damage as it was used to deactivate several lightsabers, confirming it’s made from a very rareStar Warsmetal.
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The Sith Lord’s Gauntlet & Helmet Are Made Of Cortosis Ore
Providing A Lethal Advantage
TheStar Warsgalaxy contains various metals that can resist lightsaber strikes, the most notable in recent years being Mandalorian beskar.However, cortosis is particularly notable due to its ability to temporarily deactivate lightsabers upon contact, rendering them useless for a short time. This is seen for the first time in live-action thanks toThe Acolyteepisode 5 with Qimir brutally headbutting lightsaber strikes from the Jedi and blocking with his gauntlet, both seemingly made from the same cortosis ore.
As established in theStar Warscanon,cortosis has a very high energy absorption rate. This means that the energy of an incoming blaster bolt can be dissipated, as well as lightsaber strikes.Cortosis can also short out a ligthsaber blade temporarily, as seen whenever Qimir uses his helmet and/or his gauntlet.
Cortosis Is So Rare, Jedi Don’t Really Know How To Fight It
It Isn’t Seen In Star Wars Very Often
In the establishedStar Warscanon as well as in Legends, cortosis is quite rare. As such, it makes sense that the Jedi would struggle to combat against it inThe Acolyteepisode 5. Thanks to his helmet and gauntlet, Qimir was able to effectively take on eight Jedi at a time, eventually murdering seven of them before the episode’s end. By the episode’s end,Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae)was the only survivor along with his former Padawan Osha. Qimir’s pupil Mae also survived as well.
That being said, it’s also implied inThe Acolytethat cortosis holds another impressive ability to defend against Jedi attacks.InThe Acolyteepisode 5, it’s suggested that Qimir’s cortosis mask helped block the Jedi’s ability to read his mind. As such,This new Sith helmet is not unlike Magneto’s from Marvel Comicswhich he wore to block his thoughts from the X-Men’s Professor Xavier. However, cortosis is not without its flaws in theStar Warscanon, even with this newly revealed ability.
Cortosis Ore Is Brittle, So Easily Broken
It Didn’t Take Long For Qimir To Be Unmasked
The trade-off is that cortosis is quite brittle despite its unique ability to deactivate lightsabers. It’s why cortosis armor isn’t really a thing in theStar Warscanon, even if it wasn’t so rare to begin with. As such, this explains why Qimir’s mask eventually breaks while dueling Sol and Jecki, as it had already taken quite a bit of damage throughout the battle in its entirety.
At any rate, it’s very exciting to see such a classic and uniqueStar Warsmetal finally make its way to live-action. Likewise, it’s even more exciting that it’s in the hands of a Sith Lord who used it to fashion his dark and intimidating mask.While likely not meant to last for any long duration, the mask and gauntlet did provide the lethal advantage Qimir needed as he battled eight Jedi single-handedlyin this new episode ofThe Acolyte.
The Acolyteepisode 4 is now streaming. New episodes release Tuesdays on Disney+.
The Acolyte
Cast
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
