Here are the most powerfulStar Warscharacters in canon - beings powerful enough to reshape the history of the galaxy. What does it mean for a being to claim they are “powerful?” There are so many different types of power; political power, economic power, even technological power. Imperials such as Grand Moff Tarkin and Admiral Motti believed true power lay in the hands of those who commanded a vast military and industrial complex, usingsuperweapons to control theStar Warsgalaxy.
Most viewers, of course, would disagree with these military leaders. They’d agree with Darth Vader’s assessment; “The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force.” That point was proven at theend ofStar Wars Rebels, when one of the most powerful militiary leaders in the Empire - Grand Admiral Thrawn - was thwarted by a teenage Jedi Padawan whose last-ditch plan was prompted by the guidance of the Force. Following Darth Vader’s lead, then,who are the most powerful beings in theStar Warsgalaxy?
16Avar Kriss
One of the most remarkable Jedi Masters of all time
Jedi Master Avar Kriss is one of the most impressive Jedi of theHigh Republic Era, and she became famed across the entire galaxy. She experiences the Force as music, with each Jedi sensed as a unique tone and instrument in the Force. She can draw the power of all Jedi across the entire galaxy together, achieving feats beyond any individual Force user. In Charles Soule’sLight of the Jedi, she’s able to save a star system from destruction when a canister of liquid Tibanna strikes the sun at near-lightspeed.
“Across the system, Jedi reached out to the Force. Some closed their eyes, some lifted their arms, some stood, some sat meditating on the ground while others hovered above it. Some were in starships, others on the surface. Many were alone, but others were with members of their Order, or were surrounded by small groups of people who could sense, somehow, the import of what was happening, even if they themselves could not touch the Force.
Dozens of Jedi, acting as one.”
Avar Kriss' story is still being told
Avar Kriss' story is far from over, of course; Lucasfiilm’sStar Wars: The High Republictransmedia initiative is still ongoing, and her adventures will continue in Tessa Gratton’sTemptation of the Force. This has teased a thrilling story in which Avar finds herself tempted towards a forbidden Jedi romance with her old lover, Elzar Mann. Everybody inStar Warsfeels the call of the dark side, but the most powerful feel it the most; will Avar and Elzar fall?
15Darth Tenebrous
A mathematical genius whose power lay in predicting the future
The master of Darth Plagueis, the Sith Lord known as Darth Tenebrous is generally considered one of the most powerful. His particular skill lay with mathematics, and he developed a reputation for being able to predict the future with unerring accuracy. This no doubt came in very useful given the Sith mission to restore their Empire and overthrow the Jedi.
Darth Tenebrous appeared in James Luceno’s Legends novelPlagueis, where his Bith science made him a true force to be reckoned with. Many Sith seek immortality, but Tenebrous was one of few who actually sensed their own impending death. It’s unknown where Tenebrous is canon; he’s referenced in one obscureBuild the Millennium Falconissue, but later reprints of the magazine have edited his name out.
14Obi-Wan Kenobi
The ultimate Jedi
Some readers may be surprised to see Obi-Wan Kenobi on this list, but the Jedi Master shouldn’t be underestimated. Obi-Wan was at the height of his powers byStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, and his phenomenal skill was the reason he was sent to defeat General Grievous. According to Matt Stover’s novelization of the movie - written in consultation with George Lucas himself - Obi-Wan was considered by many to be the definitive Jedi Master.
Obi-Wan’s midi-chlorian count may have been nowhere near as high as Anakin Skywalker’s, but he still defeated him twice - once on Mustafar, and again in theObi-Wan KenobiDisney+ TV show. He grew in skill and ability throughout his years on Tatooine, even ending his long rivalry against Darth Maul - with devastating ease. There can be no doubtObi-Wan’s death in the firstStar Warsmovie was a conscious choice on his partbecause he was ready to become one with the Force.
13Exar Kun
A being who became the Devil himself
One of the most remarkable Sith in Legends, Exar Kun was a fallen Jedi Knight who knew more about the dark side than almost any other Sith. He enslaved the Massassi of Yavin 4, and had them construct massive temples designed to amplify the power of the dark side. Exar Kun attempted to conduct a ritual that would send his spirit out into the cosmos to wreak havoc, but wound up trapped on Yavin 4.
Luke Skywalker established his Jedi Academy on Yavin 4 in Legends, and Exar Kun preyed on one of his students, Kyp Durron. To give an idea of Exar Kun’s power, Kevin J. Anderson’sJedi Academy Trilogyessentially used him as the Devil himself, the counter to Luke Skywalker’s Messianic figure. He was eventually destroyed when Luke’s Jedi combined their light against him.
12Yoda
In the end, he just didn’t have it
Some may be surprised to see Yoda appear so far down on this list; after all, hismidi-chlorian countwas second only to Anakin Skywalker’s, after all. But Yoda understood that feats and wisdom are not the same thing, and in truth he sought the latter. Heartbreakingly, even this wasn’t enough to prevent the destruction of the Jedi Order he had built, and Yoda was forced to flee from Darth Sidious in battle. Matt Stover’s novelization ofStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithputs this so well:
Finally, he saw the truth.
This truth that he, the avatar of light, Supreme Master of the Jedi Order, the fiercest, most implacable, most devastatingly powerful foe the darkness had ever known…
just -
didn’t -
He had lost before he was born.
Yoda’s greatest feat is so easy to overlook
It’s so easy to overlook Yoda’s greatest feat; he is one of the few Jedi to learn how to become aForce ghost, an abiliity only attainable to those who surrender themselves to the light side of the Force. What’s more,Star Wars: The Last Jedirevealed just how powerful Yoda’s Force ghost really was - whenhe was able to summon lightning from the heavens even after all those years. Yoda has well-earned his place on this list.
11Bendu
His true nature is a mystery
Discovered slumbering on the planet Atollon inStar Wars Rebels, Bendu is different to most other Force-users on this list. “Jedi and Sith wield Ashla and Bogan,” he claimed, “The light and the dark.I’m the one in the middle.” Bendu was immensely powerful, able to appear and disappear at will - possibly teleporting. His true power was unleashed when Grand Admiral Thrawn attacked Atollon, and he summoned devastating storms that drove back the Empire. Bendu proved the Force should never be underestimated.
The nemesis of Grand Admiral Thrawn
Grand Admiral Thrawnlearned the hard way not to underestimate the Force when he crossed paths with Bendu. The Force storms wreaked havoc with Thrawn’s forces, but he was able to launch an orbital bombardment that seemed to injure his enemy. Thrawn attempted to kill Bendu - only for the mysterious alien to simply vanish. He has’t been seen since.
10Darth Plagueis
Considered one of the most powerful Sith of all time
Mentor to Palpatine himself, Darth Plagueis was first mentioned inStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. There, Darth Sidious revealedhis master was powerful enough to have discovered the secret of conquering death. When he told Anakin Skywalker about Darth Plagueis, he subtly hinted that he killed him - in accordance with the Rule of Two - before doing so became impossible. That alone suggests Palpatine wasn’t exaggerating.
In Legends, Darth Plagueis' tale is told inPlagueis, an excellent novel by James Luceno. His story is still a mystery in canon, and likely to remain so; he appeared at theend ofThe Acolyte, setting up a return, but that show has been canceled.It can only be hoped Darth Plagueis' tale will be told elsewhere.
9Darth Nihilus
A consuming power that threatened the Force itself
Subtly canonized viaStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Darth Nihilus is easily one of the most terrifying villains inKOTOR. In Legends, Darth Nihilus was on the outskirts of the Battle of Malachor, a survivor of an ancient Sith superweapon that transformed him into a void in the Force itself.He was left craving Force energy, essentially a vampire who drew the Force out of his victims.
Darth Nihilus led one of history’s greatest Jedi Purges, claiming the title Lord of Hunger because of his desire to consume the Force. He was responsible for many horrific acts of genocide, before ultimately dying when three powerful enemies teamed up against him at last. Even then, Darth Nihilus' spirit survived, and it was entombed on the Sith homeworld.
8Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader
The Chosen One never fulfilled his potential
Born by the will of the Force itself,Anakin Skywalker was the Chosen Onedestined to bring balance to the Force. A living Force vergence, Anakin had the potential to be the most powerful being in the entireStar Warsgalaxy, but he never fulfiled that potential. This can be seen inStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, when - in the middle of a duel with his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi -the amped-up dark side Anakin can only match Obi-Wan telekinetically, not overwhelm him.
Darth Vader was a fearsome warrior, and he can boast some truly staggering feats. But he was never able to match his master Palpatine, as the Emperor proved on so many occasions over the years. As powerful as Darth Vader may have been, there’s no way he comes top in this ranking.
7Luke Skywalker
The son of the Chosen One should not be underestimated
According to George Lucas, Luke Skywalker inherited all of Anakin’s potential - but he didn’t share his father’s weakness, and never fell to the dark side.Star Warscanon has offered only the faintest glimpse of Luke’s powers, with the Jedi Master effortlessly defeating a droid army inThe Mandalorianseason 2’s finale. His greatest feat was unquestionably inStar Wars: The Last Jedi, though, whenLuke sacrificed himself by projecting his image across the galaxyto save the Resistance from Kylo Ren.
A beacon of hope in the New Republic Era
The MandalorianandAhsokaare set during the New Republic Era, when Luke Skywalker was at the height of his powers. This means it’s entirely possible Mark Hamill will return to play the part once again, demonstrating just how powerful Luke really is. One thing is certain; this is a man Palpatine came to fear, which means further feats may see him ascend on this ranking.
