The Force is strong with this one! Star Wars fans, get ready to dive into the dark side as we rank the 15 most powerful Sith in the galaxy. From the movies to the expanded universe, these villains will leave you questioning the balance of the Force.
The Eternal Struggle
At the heart of Star Wars lies an epic battle between good and evil, with characters divided by their allegiance to the light or dark side of the Force. Those who embrace the darkness find themselves in the elite ranks of the Sith, a group defined by their 'Darth' prefix, a title that signifies their dark lord status.
The Sith seek ultimate freedom to wield the Force as they wish, drawing power from anger, greed, and desire. They aim to subjugate the galaxy to their will, and with so many powerful Sith throughout the Star Wars lore, it's time to uncover who reigns supreme.
15. Starkiller
Galen Marek, aka Starkiller, could have been an incredible Jedi, but fate had other plans. Born to Jedi parents who abandoned the Order, he was found by Darth Vader as a baby. Vader sensed a powerful Force connection and took Galen as his apprentice, training him in secret.
While The Force Unleashed may not be canon, Starkiller's power is undeniable. In a shocking twist, you can even kill Darth Vader at the game's end, though it's a short-lived victory. The sequel introduces cloning, a concept that later influences Palpatine's return. Starkiller's story is a fascinating 'what if' scenario, a reminder of the infinite possibilities within the Star Wars universe.
14. The Stranger
Qimir, or The Stranger, was a powerful Sith with much potential. Sadly, The Acolyte series was canceled after one season, leaving us with only a glimpse of his abilities. He opposed the Jedi, killing six Jedi Knights and a Padawan in the episode 'Night.' His fighting style was brutal, and his cortosis helmet allowed him to short out lightsabers with headbutts. But his true strength lay in manipulation, as he wiped Mae's memory and gained Osha's allegiance.
13. Savage Opress
Savage Opress, Darth Maul's brother, deserves more recognition beyond his sibling connection. In The Clone Wars, he serves as Maul's right-hand man, but his potential extends far beyond that role. Infused with the Force by the Nightsisters of Dathomir, he gained great power and a twisted mind. The ritual opened his rage receptors, enhancing his connection to the dark side. Despite limited training, his magical abilities made him a formidable foe. Sadly, his skills weren't enough against Darth Sidious in one of the franchise's most underrated lightsaber duels.
12. Asajj Ventress
Asajj Ventress, trained in the dark side by Count Dooku, is hard to classify as a true Sith. In The Clone Wars, she commands a droid army, but her true power is revealed when she battles Yoda. She's a ruthless combatant, able to conceal her Force abilities with Nightsister magic. Her growing power in the Force alarmed Darth Sidious, who ordered Dooku to kill her. Betrayed, Asajj abandoned the Sith way and became a bounty hunter, eventually returning to the light side. Had Sidious allowed her training to continue, she could have been one of the most powerful Sith.
11. Count Dooku
Count Dooku, also known as Darth Tyranus, holds a unique place in Star Wars history. Trained by both a powerful Jedi (Yoda) and a powerful Sith (Darth Sidious), he honed his Force Lightning abilities while still under the Jedi. His role in the Clone Wars is pivotal, and his duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker in Episode II showcases his skill. He even cuts off Anakin's hand! Despite his formidable presence, Dooku was merely a pawn in Sidious' plan to acquire Anakin as his apprentice, leading to Dooku's tragic demise.
10. Darth Maul
Darth Maul's cool design is just the beginning of his story. Introduced in Episode I as Sidious' apprentice, he battles Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn simultaneously in the iconic Duel of the Fates. He kills Qui-Gon, but Obi-Wan slices him in half. Maul returns in The Clone Wars, even more ruthless than before. Fueled by hatred for Obi-Wan, he accesses his dark side powers to conquer Mandalore and kill Duchess Satine, right in front of Obi-Wan. Maul isn't powerful in the traditional sense; his pettiness makes him terrifying.
9. Darth Bane
Darth Bane is more of a mythical figure in the mainline Star Wars continuity. He helped shape the Sith as we know them today, foreseeing internal strife that could break the order. To prevent this, he created the Rule of Two, ensuring only a master and an apprentice at any given time, with the apprentice eventually taking over. Without Bane, the Sith might have torn themselves apart. His vision and physical strength make him a powerful Sith, and his name alone inspires fear.
8. Darth Sion
Darth Sion, an antagonist in Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II, is a heavy metal Sith. He pursues immortality, and he's achieved it as a necrotic husk, his anger and hatred keeping him alive. In the game, you must break his will to defeat him, as physical attacks are insufficient. He'd make a terrifying addition to any future Star Wars project, as the mainline films and series have only scratched the surface of Sith history.
7. Darth Revan
Darth Revan, the player character in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, performs astounding feats throughout the game. In the Shadow of Revan expansion, you fight Darth Revan, who has an absurdly high health bar, making the battle a lengthy affair. He uses the Force to hurl meteors at you, showcasing his immense power. Revan returns to the light side after his memory is wiped, making him one of the strongest Jedi and Sith, if you're willing to venture outside of canon. His existence in canon was confirmed in The Rise of Skywalker, but his story in the mainline continuity remains untold.
6. Darth Plagueis
Darth Plagueis, as described by Palpatine in Episode III, had an incredible knowledge of the dark side. He could manipulate midi-chlorians to prevent the deaths of those he cared about, something that intrigued Anakin. Plagueis' success in this endeavor ultimately led to his downfall, as his fear of losing power caused him to be killed by his apprentice, Darth Sidious. Plagueis' main contribution to Star Wars canon is setting the stage for Palpatine's rise as the ruthless emperor. He taught Palpatine about the dark side and expanded his political influence, as seen in the novel Darth Plagueis, one of the best Star Wars books. Sidious learned the secrets of immortality and how to gain the galaxy's surrender, so even though Plagueis didn't live to see the Empire's rise, he's directly responsible for it.
5. Darth Vader
Darth Vader is the iconic face of Star Wars, one of the most renowned movie villains ever. As Anakin, he was already a powerful Jedi, killing Count Dooku and even Mace Windu as he descended into the dark side. As Darth Vader, he had some truly brutal moments, murdering rebel squadrons in Rogue One and the Vader Down comic. Despite his prominence, he wasn't the main villain; that title belongs to Darth Sidious, whom Vader eventually kills in Episode VI. Sidious returns later, but Vader's influence on the galaxy is undeniable, even if he returned to the light side at the end of his life.
4. Marka Ragnos
Marka Ragnos, a Sith from Star Wars Legends, remains mostly a myth in the canon. The films and TV series haven't explored him due to his existence thousands of years prior. He was the most powerful Sith of his time, and his influence persisted even in death. He could infuse artifacts with Sith power, and his spirit lingered long after his demise. A plot in the video game Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy to resurrect Ragnos almost succeeds, showcasing his immense power. This storyline, though non-canon, would make for a fascinating modern-day Star Wars tale, highlighting Ragnos' strength.
3. Darth Nihilus
One of the most terrifying aspects of the Sith is their dehumanization through their constant connection to the dark side. Many become vestiges of organic beings, adopting otherworldly or robotic aesthetics. Darth Nihilus embodies this, practically an apparition who communicates via the Force. He's so powerful he can drain the Force from nearby individuals, making him a Sith vampire. His most destructive feat is annihilating the planet Kataar by draining its essence. To remain physically present in the galaxy, he binds his spirit to his iconic mask and armor. Thankfully, most of his feats exist within the Legends non-canon, as he'd be nearly impossible for any Jedi to defeat. A statue resembling Nihilus appears in The Rise of Skywalker, hopefully giving more fans a glimpse of his power.
2. Darth Vitiate
Darth Vitiate, from the non-canon Old Republic video game, is one of the most powerful beings in Star Wars history. His powers manifested at a young age, drawing the attention of Marko Ragnos. He became a powerful Sith in his own right, ruling the galaxy for many years. He wasn't just a threat to Jedi; he performed a powerful ritual, draining other Sith of their Force power to increase his own. He even drained an entire planet of its essence. He mastered various Force abilities, including telepathically controlling powerful Force users, a skill beyond the simple Jedi mind trick. His mental prowess made him nearly invincible, as he could transfer his consciousness into another host. These abilities, though non-canon, showcase his immense power.
1. Darth Sidious
Darth Sidious, aka Emperor Palpatine, is the clear winner when it comes to the most powerful Sith of all time. He's held multiple apprentices, killed his master, and his schemes extend beyond the Force. He acquired his power as the Emperor legitimately, with other planets bestowing emergency powers upon him. Palpatine is more than a political strategist; he's known for his Force lightning proficiency, but he's even stronger outside the main films. He's mastered the power of creating a Force Storm, capable of displacing spaceships and tearing apart planets. He conquered death through Project Necromancer, returning from the dead by the time of The Rise of Skywalker. His ability to know when to get rid of an apprentice, killing his master and replacing his apprentices to maintain his power, is a testament to his strength. Until a stronger Sith appears in a movie, Darth Sidious remains the strongest influence on the main Star Wars story as we know it canonically.
So, Star Wars fans, who do you think is the most powerful Sith? Do you agree with our ranking? Let us know in the comments, and may the Force be with you!
