Summary

Star Warshas given the Sith one Force power that makesEmperor Palpatinealmost unbeatable . For a thousand years , the Jedi believed the Sith to be extinct . In reality , the Sith shroud in the shadows , restrict their turn allot to theRule of Two- a mandate that require there to be only two Sith at any one time , a master and an apprentice . The Rule of Two was set up by Darth Bane , and he believed it would ensure every Sith was great than their master .

The Jedi learned just how dangerous the Sith were inStar war : Episode III - Revenge of the Sith . Mace Windu led two other Jedi Masters to arrest Palpatine , but he wipe out two of them with ease . Later , Master Yoda engage Darth Sidious in a one - on - one duel , swiftly discovering he was outclassed . This point is driven home inMatt Stover ’s novelization ofRevenge of the Sith , which depict Yoda ’s shock as he realizes the Sith have acquire and the Jedi remained static . But now , 19 years afterRevenge of the Sith , Star Warshas revealed just why Palpatine was so invincible .

The greatest villain of Star Wars , the Sith are the Jedi ’s most terrible enemies . Here are all 36 Dark Lords of the Sith revealed to date .

Darth Vader, Darth Maul, and Palpatine

The Acolyte Made The Sith So Much More Dangerous

Introducing a new Force power

The Acolytemay have been call off , but one matter ’s for certain ; the Disney+ TV show featured some of the best lightsaber choreography ever seen inStar Wars . lay out a century before the Skywalker saga , at the end of the Jedi Order ’s golden age , it saw a group of Jedi discover the existence of a mysterious Sith Lord . act as by Manny Jacinto , The Acolyte ’s Sith Lord- formally known only as the Stranger - was dictated to ensure his existence remained a closed book . InThe Acolyteepisode 5 , he took on the Jedi in a crushing battle .

This dark side power explains why , a hundred after , Palpatine would be able to effortlessly pop two Jedi Masters in battle .

There had never been anything quite like it inStar Warsbefore ; a live - action clank between a large group of Jedi and a single Sith , who lashed out with brutal efficiency . Most troubling of all , though , was the fact that he demonstrated a pernicious and dangerousForce powerthat gave him in edge in scrap ; he got into his enemies ' minds , confusing them , make them doubt themselves , slow up their reactions . This dark side power explain why , a one C later , Palpatine would be able to effortlessly kill two Jedi Masters in battle .

Keanu Reeves looking over one shoulder as John Wick in Ballerina

Palpatine Could Only Be Defeated Through Spontaneous Reaction, Rather Than Strategy

We now understand why he lost

Return of the Jediarguably set up this Force major power , because Palpatine is clearly search Luke Skywalker ’s persuasion and emotions all the way of life through their brush . The Acolytetakes an melodic theme that was already present , though , and effectively weaponizes it- just as the Sith would do . It becomes the enigma to the near - invincibility of the Sith . But it also explains why Palpatine could only be defeated through something really self-generated - as check in bothReturn of the JediandStar Wars : The Rise of Skywalker .

As hefty as he may be in the dark side , Palpatine ’s vision of the future was cloud by the light . He could n’t envision a reality in which Darth Vader turn on him because of love , not detest , and so was wrong - footed when his learner assault him in Luke ’s defense . too , he had no approximation the spirits of the Jedi would add up to Rey ’s assistance on Exegol , meaning he could n’t anticipate her defense lawyers . The Sith really are almost unvanquishable inStar Wars- but they still have a major weakness .

The senator for Naboo , Palpatine uprise to big businessman and influence during the die 24-hour interval of the Republic . In world , his public persona was just a masquerade ; he was really Darth Sidious , corking of the Sith Lords , and he used his political skills and Machiavellian craftiness to convey down both the Republic and the Jedi . Palpatine harness his Galactic Empire for decades , until he was wander by his apprentice , Darth Vader . Even this was n’t enough to stop the Emperor , however , as he was raise by his followers - only to be shoot down once again .

A collage image of Luke Skywalker in A New Hope

Star Wars Palpatine and Force Lightning

Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars Return of the Jedi

The senator for Naboo, Palpatine rose to power and influence during the dying days of the Republic. In reality, his public persona was just a mask; he was really Darth Sidious, greatest of the Sith Lords, and he used his political skills and Machiavellian cunning to bring down both the Republic and the Jedi. Palpatine ruled his Galactic Empire for decades, until he was betrayed by his apprentice, Darth Vader. Even this wasn’t enough to stop the Emperor, however, as he was resurrected by his followers - only to be defeated once again.

Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious

Star Wars