A thought shield, also sometimes called a mental shield, was a Force technique used by Force users in order to keep their thoughts, emotions, and motives secret from others. It was taught from the earliest age, to Padawans, apprentices, and sometimes even diplomats, in order to keep their thoughts and emotions from being read and interpreted.
In battle, this was crucial as an enemy may sometimes be able to predict an unshielded opponent's next movement and easily counter-attack or evade their attacks. Apparently, all that was involved in the shield was a strong, mental will, and the ability to concentrate for long periods of time. Eventually, this concentration would become second nature, and subconscious. By focusing, a being could raise and lower the shield as they saw fit, but usually it was kept raised.
Atton Rand was particularly skilled in this technique, having been trained in the Echani arts to hunt down Jedi during his days as a Sith special forces unit. His main method of this was to "play pazaak," albeit in his mind, as a way to keep it occupied. While he was for the most part effective in this, he was nevertheless unable to block out Kreia's telepathic abilities. During his time with Meetra Surik, he also taught her this ability.[1]
Obi-Wan make use of this power when Dooku invaded his mind while he was a captive on Geonosis.[2] Mara Jade also used a thought shield as a mental barrier against the Dark Jedi Joruus C'baoth when he was attempting to turn her to his side during the Thrawn campaign.[3]
Appearances
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
- Darth Plagueis (and audiobook)
- Jedi Apprentice: The Hidden Past
- Precipice
- MedStar II: Jedi Healer
- Dark Forces: Rebel Agent (as mental shield)
- Dark Force Rising (and unabridged audiobook) (First appearance, in book)
- The Last Command (and unabridged audiobook) (First identified as thought shield, in book)
- Jedi Search
- The New Jedi Order: Dark Journey (as mental shield)