Force lightning was an offensive technique which involved a discharge of electrical energy from the practitioner’s hands and was capable of killing or inflicting severe pain on the target of this attack as well as possible disfigurement or even disintegrating them.

In some cases, the intensity of Force lightning was so high that the victim’s skeletal system glowed and could be seen through his or her skin—as demonstrated with Mace Windu—or even through heavy armor. Force lightning could also have other effects in rare instances. During the mission to Pasaana, while battling Kylo Ren, the Jedi Rey released a burst of Force lightning so powerful it was able to obliterate a First Order troop transport ship. Shortly after, during the Battle of Exegol, Darth Sidious unleashed a barrage of Force Lightning that completely disabled the ships in the citizens’ fleet above.