I feel that the skills of the Jedi diminished over time. 4000 years ago, it was only the Jedi Knights who carried lightsabers. Many Jedi masters used their own weapons, imbuned with the power of the force to make them invincible to any attack.

Eg: Vodo Siosk Bass and his Staff

Many Masters did not even have to carry weapons to defeat their foes.

Eg: Arca Jeth and his use of Jedi Battle Meditaion

I remember someone who managed to be able to do the meditation one and he was in the Jedi Council. I'll have to go to starwars.com to find out exactly what his name is. I'll try to get it soon.

Also, I agree with you on the overal statement. The Knights of the Old Republuc during the times of war were much stronger mainly because there were a more intense situation. Their were more lightsabers and less destructive force behind the blasters. It made the Jedi during the Episode 1 time be more focused on the defense against blasters than that of lightsabers.

Thats why Yoda is such a skilled guy, because he was around between those times. He probably gained some great skills from his Master who was closer to the time of the war aswell as learned how to work against blasters as he aged.

It also could have been treatening for the Old Republic so they might have diminished it's significants in the galaxy because it could be used against them if they found the technology to create the armour.

Also, I have made a mistake. The one I thought was able to use the battle meditating techinque can put images into the mind that can stop the enemy from attacking him.

And there is another one like him, who is named Oppo Rancisis who is an extremely hairy man. He was also in the Jedi Council and he has the ability to make his target dizzy or be affected by nausa(sp?). This is not a permant situation, but as long as he need. Probably not more than an hour or so.

ROTFLMAO!!!!!