George Lucas had no idea how big Star Wars would be. The 1977 epic spawned eight more sequels and numerous TV shows. Beyond the established lore lies an expanded universe crafted with Lucas’s express authorization that explored the deepest parts of the faraway galaxy. The past, the present, and the future in Star Wars are defined by incredibly powerful characters dictating the destiny of races, planets, or galaxies to their whim.
Much of the expanded universe has been deemed non-canon after Disney acquired Lucasfilm. A costly mistake has enraged many fans who criticize the misguided notions of Kathleen Kennedy, who blatantlydeclared there were no guidelines to dictate the franchise’s future. Years later, many of these concepts have been slowly introduced back in Star Wars lore. Still, many elements need to find their way back to showcase the real deadly powers behind everything that happens in Star Wars.
It’s time to explore the deadliest characters in the Star Wars Universe. Our ranking will include elements from the Legends and the current timeline since we think many of these characters can find their way back into the canon again.
20The Force Priestesses
The Force Priestesses debuted inStar Wars: The Clone Wars, as Yoda sought their advice to face the great darkness engulfing the galaxy. These beings represent the balance between the living force used by the Jedi and the Cosmic Force used by those who become one with the force.
Each priest represents a manifestation of a single emotion, these being Serenity, Anger, Confusion, Joy, and Sadness. They are believed to be living extensions of the force, and their primary role is to teach the force to use the extent of their powers. Their role is primarily advisory since they usually tend to contradict each other. Only after reaching a consensus will they accept or deny the requests of those who seek them.
19The Bedlam Spirits
Alan Moore has always been a fan of the occult, so it’s no coincidencethe only contribution he made to Star Wars lorewas in the form of a group of all omnipotent beings named The Bedlam Spirits. Their appearance is relegated to a single obscure story published by Dark Horse Comics, but it showcases great potential.
The Bedlam Spirit are four separate entities with no connection to the force itself, but their powers allow them to control the fabric of reality. They can infuse or drain life as they see fit and manipulate the molecules of every living being. Their curious nature makes them engage in actions that are horrific to human nature but viewed as childish by the reader.
18The Father
For all intents and purposes, the Father is analogous to the Catholic representation of a God in the Star Wars Universe. The all-powerful being is a member of the order of “The Ones,“a group of beings that are living avatars for the force itself. The avatar that interacted with Anakin Skywalker in the Clone Wars show has been alive for nearly a million years.
He summoned the young Jedi since he knew he was the chosen one. He tries to warn him about the ongoing advance of the Dark Side in the form of Darth Sidious, as his mere existence creates a power imbalance that can bury the light for eternity. As a living God, The Father can’t be affected by other force users, and lightsabers mean nothing to him.
Abelot isa curious being from the Legends timeline. She’s neither a Jedi nor a Sith. At some point, she was a servant to The Ones, who learned enough about their secrets to find the Font of Power and The Pool of Knowledge. After submerging her human form in both, she becomes a being of negative energy who must absorb the life force of living beings to sustain herself and survive.
She would consume entire galaxies for 100.000 years until she faced Luke Skywalker. Now a fully formed Jedi Master after the events of The Return of the Jedi, Luke had to find the Dagger of Mortis to defeat her once and for all.
16Marka Ragnos
The reign of the Sith is infinitely more interesting than the side of the light. Or at least that’s what the Legends timeline would have you believe since the Jedi have always been keepers of the peace, whilethe Dark Side always gathers the most interesting characters. Marka Ragnos is an unchallenged and prosperous Sith Lord who learned everything he could from the Dark Side.
Marka grew the ranks of the Sith to the most significant numbers it ever gathered, with this time regarded as The Golden Age of the Sith. He collected so much knowledge and power that he could extend his lifespan to thousands of years. Although he never had a worthy opponent in the light, he still battled powerful foes with unconventional means. He despised lightsabers, choosing to use a handcrafted sword to siphon the Dark Side of the force itself without breaking a sweat.
Related:Why Is Kathleen Kennedy Ignoring Star Wars' Expanded Universe?
15Darth Revan
One of the most belovedpieces of media from the legends erais the videogameStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The widely beloved videogame introduced some of the most powerful force users and some of the deadliest duelists in the franchise. In a story set thousands of years ago, Revan is a former Jedi who goes rogue after the order declines to intervene in a conflict in Mandalore.
Seduced by the Dark Side of the Force, Revan becomes a Sith. The treachery and corruption of the order would make him deflect as well. The betrayal of his former friend Malik and the subsequent mind wipe by the Jedi turn him into an ambivalent force of chaos that answers to no one. He would eventually side with the Republic only to pursue his own interests.
14Darth Bane
Darth Bane is the most ruthless Sith ever to live. He’s the designer of the rule of two, as he perceived the power of the Dark Side too dispersed and unfocused. He wasn’t wrong since many bearers of the Darth title kept double-crossing and betraying each other to fulfill their own agendas.
In the legends timeline,he’s considered to be The Sith’ari or the chosen one of the Dark Side, and he brought to balance with swift efficiency by killing every single Sith in the galaxy on the planet Russan using a thought bomb, a plot he devised through treachery and fake goodwill gestures. After fulfilling his plans to perfection, he would corrupt a young force-sensitive girl named Rain and turn her into the first apprentice of the rule of two.
13Darth Plagueis
This powerful Sith lord was the master of Shiv Palpatine. Created by George Lucas, he’s been relegated to the Legends timeline, but his influencesplay a significant role in Palpatine’s actions, so he’s likely to become canon again soon enough. Born as Hego Damask II, this deadly Sith lord was known for his cunning guile and political skill. His mastery of the force was unparalleled, allowing him to manipulate life and death to his will.
His machinations led to the ultimate achievement of the Sith as he set the stage to control the galaxy without lifting a finger to fight a battle. He was able to kill his master Darth Tenebrous successfully and moved Palpatine in the political landscape to turn him into a fully fledge galactic chancellor. He indulged too much in his victories and got sloppy, allowing Palpatine an opening to get rid of him by simply poisoning his tea.
12Darth Vitiate
Darth Vitiate was the Sith emperorduring the events of Knights of the Old Republic. His mastery of the dark arts leaned towards the complete control of the mind for allies and enemies alike. He sifted the course of many battles by forcing bravery into his troops. He also manipulated Revan into doing terrible things.
As with many Siths, he found the knowledge to extend his life by absorbing the life force of living beings. He could live hundreds of years at the cost of multiple deaths. However, his mastery was not perfect since each time he drained the power from someone, his own body would decay. As time passed, he learned to transfer his life force and power to new vessels, but the dark side was too strong on him and consumed these bodies too fast.
11Darth Malgus
Darth Malgus is the antithesis of Darth Sidious. Born in the age of the Sith Empire in 3700 BBY, Veradun was born force sensitive. As the son of a high-ranking imperial family, he was sent to train in the Imperial capital of Dromund.He would become a valuable assetto his master Darth Vindican. Scarred and forced into using a respirator after a failed attempt at taking Alderan, Malgus became disillusioned with the Sith.
Malgus watched politicians compromise and take over the Empire by allowing their enemies to live to safeguard economic interests. Enraged at these events, he lashes out at the Sith order and declares a holy war unto everyone he considers an enemy. At the end of his crusade, he purged the Sith from all politicians while expanding the Empire beyond the regions of the outer rim.
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