Hello FishChaser, thank you for joining me today. This is my first debate on DebateArt, and I am excited to see how this goes. First of all, I would like to explain a bit more on what my hopes are for this debate. I want this debate to be a friendly debate for fun and not extremely competitive. Even though I will be very strong with my points, I want to make sure it is clear that I am just here to have fun. Thank you.
Now to begin.
While progressing through this debate, I will be making my points better and more persuasive as the debate goes on. In other words, I will be saving my best points for last.
Point Number 1: Light Speed Skipping (Mentioned in The Rise of Skywalker)
Point Goal: I will be proving the inconsistency of the new hyperspace strategy introduced in The Rise of Skywalker by Poe Dameron called "Lightspeed Skipping" and how it directly contradicts how hyperspace works in both the original and prequel trilogies.
Violation of Gravity Well Rules
- In earlier Star Wars films and expanded lore, ships cannot enter hyperspace while within a planet’s gravity well. This is why ships traditionally need to clear planetary mass before making the jump. However, in The Rise of Skywalker, Poe Dameron performs multiple rapid hyperspace jumps while still within planetary atmospheres, contradicting this fundamental rule.
Lack of Navigation Calculations
- Hyperspace travel has always required precise calculations to avoid collisions with celestial bodies. The Millennium Falcon’s Navicomputer or Force-assisted piloting (as seen with Luke Skywalker in A New Hope) ensures safe travel. Lightspeed skipping, however, involves jumping randomly without calculations, which should result in catastrophic collisions.
Contradiction with Hyperspace Tracking
- In The Last Jedi, the First Order develops hyperspace tracking, allowing them to follow ships through hyperspace. If lightspeed skipping were a viable tactic, it would have been used by the Resistance to evade pursuit rather than relying on slow sublight travel.
Stress on the Ship
- The film briefly mentions that lightspeed skipping puts undue stress on the Millennium Falcon, yet the ship continues functioning without major consequences. This contradicts previous instances where hyperspace malfunctions (such as in The Empire Strikes Back) led to severe mechanical failures.
Conclusion
Lightspeed skipping appears to be a narrative convenience rather than a logical extension of Star Wars hyperspace mechanics. It disregards established rules regarding gravity wells, navigation, and ship durability, making it inconsistent to the older trilogies.
QUESTIONS FOR CONTENDER REGARDING THIS POINT:
Question 1: If lightspeed skipping aligns with Star Wars physics, why does it contradict established hyperspace rules explained in films, books, and official sources like the Star Wars Encyclopedia?
Question 2: Lightspeed skipping was never mentioned in previous Star Wars films. If it were possible, why wouldn’t pilots like Han Solo, Obi-Wan, or even the Empire have used it in situations where evasion was critical?
Question 3: If lightspeed skipping is a viable way to evade pursuit, why wasn’t it used in The Last Jedi when the Resistance was being tracked through hyperspace?
Thank you.
Your opponent may return, but if not, then just “Somehow Palpatine returned” as your remaining rounds is optimal.
Either way, I’d launch this debate again for a new opponent.