Aye, but then again Sidious was not the sort of guy to fight at any sort of disadvantage, if he felt he was, he changed the circumstances to suit him. While he may have been able to kill his "powerless" master (Not sure where that came from, just probably something he threw in), it was possibly due to the fact if they both clashed, Sidious was aware that he possibly may fail. So he removed all probabity of himself losing by taking an advangerous situation.

Coward? Not really, again he did face down and defeat several Jedi Masters within seconds of eachother and probably could of easily killed off Mace in that space of time, just either Mace suddenly started paying attention, or Palp shifted down a gear to at least make the look closer. He even let Luke swing at him in the confort Vader would block him, even though they both despise eachother. He allowed himself to be placed on a Sepritist ship that could of easily ended in tragidy if Ani had failed to land the wreaked ship.

Just as far as I am conserned, Palp is not one to take risks often. He only placed himself in danger when he actually needed to. The fact he killed 3 masters in a incrediably brief time with one of the most powerful Jedi Masters in his pressence indicates that when he needs to, he can prove how strong he is.

Keep in mind the Duel on Tython. With Zannah merely proving a distraction for the two Knights sent there (one of whom eventually switches to fighting Bane), Bane takes on two Masters (and later also one knight) who are being enhanced by battle meditation. In the end, it's a clear victory for Bane (except for the weakness of the orbalisks; keep in mind that it is made clear in Dynasty of Evil that Bane post-orbalisk was stronger than Bane with the orbalisks).

Seeing as two of the Masters Palpatine fought didn't even raise their guards, it's clear that Bane was facing better opponents. (I won't reiterate Evotrooper's statements, but I do agree that Palpatine fought some really weak Jedi).

Also, I don't really understand how killing his master in his sleep because he might die otherwise was not a cowardly act for Palpatine. For all we know, Plagueis was the strongest Sith ever (which would make sense considering each new Sith in the Rule of Two was stronger than the one before).

When it comes to lightsaber combat the Rule of Two really doesn't need to utilize it as much because the Sith can't take on the entire Jedi Order by simply wiping them out with lightsaber combat.

Bane began a tradition of using manipulation and subtlety to bring down the Order and it worked.

He obviously was a master practioner of lightsaber combat, but he was also devious and maniuplative and that's his legacy.

Sidious was the fulfillment of Bane's philosophy. He could take down Fisto and Kolar and Tiin, but he worked through others to advance his agenda.

He created the Republic Army, turned Anakin Skywalker, and altered the political landscape. That's what it took to bring down the Jedi.

Now, the Jedi and the Sith have never wiped each other out completely and that will never happen, but Bane began something that Sidious finished and they are both to be commended for it, but I don't see either one being greater than the other. Sidious woul not have been able to do what he did if not for Bane and Bane would not have been successful if not for Sidious.

They both needed each other and I think they are just the beginning and the end of an idea that was almost completely successful.