Hmmm....one needs to back up statements. I think there's a fair few who can beat Yoda and Mace for sure. Recent descriptions of GM Luke makes it difficult to assess who in the Universe can beat him easily (before the Vong, I can list quite a number - now it's different).
I can't imagine anyone saying Obi-Wan can actually take on any of the Sith Lords or Yoda/Mace. C'mon! Look at the movies. He defeated Maul by a stroke of luck, got trounced by Dooku in both AotC and RotS. Yoda stated too that he was no match for Sidious. The SW Universe keeps describing the Jedi Council of that era as having powerful members but I would agree only for Yoda and Mace. Everyone else seems to get killed mighty quick by Sidious. General Grievious in the Clone Wars also kicks every Jedi butt, but I can see the redeeming point for Obi Wan seeing as he did defeat Grevious. That puts him a rank higher than all the other Jedi save Mace and Yoda. And let's face it, I personally found his 'victory' over Anakin to be anti-climactic. He was at the losing end for much of the battle.
Yoda and Mace are certainly very powerful, but this is curbed by their inability to defect Sidious. Yoda also wasn't able to clearly defeat Dooku in AotC. Yet Dooku got busted by Anakin.
From all accounts though, however Sidious may be, we don't see much of his power except seen through his deception, lightsaber and force lightning. Darth Vader's powers are now seemingly dminished by new books/comics that are released. His ability to use the Force was reduced due to his cybernetic state. He was greviously injured by 8 Jedi in the SW: Purge comic. He got beaten by Luke Skywalker, who in turn got his a** handed to him by Palpatine. Vader just doesn't seem to realise his much touted potential ever. To have his lightsaber pulled away by the Force Unleashed baby protagonist reinforces that point too.
Compare this against other Dark Lords of the past in SW canon:
Exar Kun - first dual bladed lightsaber duelist (and with a shorter hilt). Used Sith alchemy, holocrons and amulets, temples to focus Dark Side powers. Caused the destruction of Ossus. Able to draw energy from other lifeforces. Commanded an entire army of Force sensitive Massassi warriors. Held the Republic senate hostage (like Sidious). Able to preserve his spirit for millenia from sacrifices. Corrupted many other Jedi to the Dark Side. Communed with ancient Dark Lords of the Sith. Instigated the Great Sith War. Lasted so long as to pose a threat to Luke Skywalker. But it's hard to justify he is from 'a generation of more powerful Sith Lords', unless you are also counting Revan. Revan was only 40 years after Exar Kun. You can't mean Naga Sadow, or Marka Ragnos considering they are over 1000 years before Exar Kun.
Revan - greatest Force user to combine Dark and Light Side powers. May have chosen to 'fall' in order to save the galaxy. Recognised and controlled the use of the Star Forge. From all accounts, a very powerful Force user. Described as the 'Heart of the Force'. Great leader and brilliant tactician and strategist. Single-handed defeated many Sith and Jedi, as well as Mandalore the Ultimate. Instrumental in soundly defeating the Mandalorian invasion, and the combined Jedi/Republic forces in the first Jedi Civil War. Corrupted even more Jedi than Exar Kun, or any other Sith Lords hence. Left a legacy for Darth Bane to follow in the 'reign of two' philosophy, which ultimately had an indirect effect on the events of RotS.
To defeat Yoda, Mace: I would argue Exar Kun, Revan, Tulak Hord (the KOTOR II game did suggest current dueling is like playing with toys relative to his ancient lightsaber skills) maybe Bane, Nihilus (ability to consume whole planets and Jedi at one go is astounding), Arca (through command of the Force maybe), maybe Vodo (his stick fighting is quite impressive).
GM Luke - can't really say though I'm inclined to say Revan, and perhaps the more ancient Dark Lords proficient in lightsaber dueling and great Force powers.
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