Jedi who fall to the dark side are among the most dangerous Sith in Star Wars—and there’s a reason for that. Star Wars’ most powerful Sith comprise a mix of Jedi who fell to the dark side of the Force and Sith Lords who were only ever on the dark side. There’s no question that many Sith who were never Jedi are still formidable, such as Palpatine.
By nature of being raised in the Jedi Temple and learning the way of the Jedi before turning to the dark side, though, the Sith who are fallen Jedi pose quite the threat. These Sith know the light side of the Force as well as the dark side, and they are intimately familiar with the weaknesses of the Jedi, which they can then exploit. Because of that, Fallen Jedi make the most dangerous Sith—and these 5 Sith in Star Wars prove it.
5
Qimir
The Acolyte’s Sith Had No Trouble Wiping Out The Jedi
Although The Acolyte proved to be incredibly controversial for myriad reasons, many viewers liked Qimir/the Stranger, the newest Sith in Star Wars movies and TV shows. This plot was only minimally explored, and it was clear the intention was for this story to be a focus in a second season (that never came to be), but The Acolyte revealed that Qimir was the former Padawan of Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh. Evidently, that history made him extremely dangerous.
Qimir was the former Padawan of Jedi Master Vernestra Rwoh.
In The Acolyte episode 5, Qimir absolutely decimated an entire group of Jedi, cutting many of them down in one blow. Although certain Jedi impressively held their own, such as Padawan Jecki Lon, it was clear that Qimir had a mᴀssive upper-hand. Part of this was because these Jedi hadn’t been trained to be soldiers the way the prequel trilogy Jedi had, but it was also obvious that Qimir’s connection to the dark side and his knowledge of the Jedi made him a major threat.
4
Count Dooku
Palpatine Played Dooku, But Dooku Was A Formidable Opponent
Although Count Dooku was manipulated by Palpatine, as was everyone else in the prequel trilogy era, he was also a powerful Sith. In fact, Dooku managed to hold his own in battles with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Yoda, some of Star Wars’ most powerful Jedi, in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. This is really the perfect example of how being trained as a Jedi makes a Sith all the more powerful, given Dooku’s Jedi Master was Yoda himself.
Dooku’s Jedi Master was Yoda himself.
Yoda’s influence and training undoubtedly shaped Dooku into the Jedi—and, inadvertently, the Sith—that he became, as his control of the Force was a major factor in why he was so powerful. Star Wars: The Clone Wars also revealed just how crafty Count Dooku was, not only because of his role as the leader of the Separatists during the Clone Wars but also because of his dealings with characters like Asajj Ventress. Arguably, had Dooku not gotten caught up in Palpatine’s master plan, he could have become an even greater Sith Lord.
3
Darth Nihilus
Darth Nihilus Is A Truly Terrifying Sith Lord
Darth Nihilus is one of the most terrifying Sith in Star Wars, not only because his mask is so horrifying (although it is), but also because he wielded immense power. Originally, Nihilus was a Jedi Knight who fought in the Mandalorian Wars. After watching the destruction of Malachor, however, Nihilus became twisted and turned to the dark side. Darth Nihilus then became one of the most dangerous Sith in all of Star Wars.
Darth Nihilus was known as the Lord of Hunger because he had the ability to consume planets. This is a power the likes of which have never been shown on screen in Star Wars. Although little is known about Nihilus’ time as a Jedi, it’s clear that he already possessed incredible strength in the Force, and he absolutely became one of Star Wars’ most terrifying and formidable Sith.
Darth Nihilus was known as the Lord of Hunger because he had the ability to consume planets.
2
Darth Revan
Darth Revan Is Perhaps The Most Popular Sith In All Of Star Wars
Darth Revan is a fan-favorite Sith Lord in Star Wars, and while he hasn’t been shown on screen yet, Darth Revan has been canonized. He has become so popular in part because of his power but also because of his story. Revan began as a Jedi, but he was also an idealist who was frustrated when he felt the Jedi Order wasn’t doing enough, specifically when it came to the Mandalorian conflicts. Despite that origin, Revan was ultimately turned to the dark side by the Sith Emperor.
His story only gets all the more complicated from there, but this complexity has made Revan one of few characters who truly brought together the light and the dark side. It will be interesting to see if Disney Star Wars explores Revan’s story on screen in the future, but even without that, it’s undeniable that Darth Revan was one of Star Wars’ best Sith. His affiliation (off and on) with the Jedi only made him all the more dangerous.
1
Darth Vader
Darth Vader Is The Most Terrifying Jedi Turned Sith
Out of all the Jedi who became Sith, Darth Vader is certainly the most powerful and the most dangerous. When he was a Jedi, Anakin Skywalker was already among the most powerful Force users of all time, which was evident enough given he was the Chosen One. When he turned to the dark side and became Darth Vader, his power grew that much more. In fact, had Obi-Wan not damaged Anakin/Vader so severely on Mustafar, it’s difficult to say how powerful he would have become.
Anakin/Vader’s history as a Jedi absolutely contributed to his dangerousness as a Sith. After all, that is precisely how Vader managed to get into the Jedi Order during Order 66 and wipe out so many of the Jedi. Of all the Sith who began as Jedi in Star Wars, Darth Vader was certainly the most dangerous, but each of these Sith Lords proves that it is fallen Jedi who become the most formidable Sith.
