The 10 Strongest Star Wars Characters in Movies & TV
Look, it’s in the name. Star Wars™ is about combat. Whether those are huge, sweeping battles between armies or emotionally charged duels, we can expect lots of action in a galaxy far, far away. That means the characters who reside in this universe need to be strong if they want to survive. But who is the strongest Star Wars character?
Below, we’re ranking the top 10 strongest Star Wars characters. See if you agree with our list.
10. The Mandalorian
The Mandalorian™ is our only non-Jedi on the list. And it’s not just because he can wield the Darksaber™, although that’s definitely part of it. No, it’s primarily because this bounty hunter is physically intimidating and powerful. In his profession, if you want to survive, you have to be. Din Djarin is smart about his fights, and he gives those fights his all. He has to — because there’s no making a single mistake in his career if he wants to keep living and working.
We have no doubt Din Djarin™ could duke it out with the best of them and emerge somewhat unscathed. Plus, even if he gets injured, he’ll keep going to protect Grogu™ and the rest of his Mandalorian™ clan. We know that from his daring, Guild-defying escape with the Child in season 1, as well as his climactic battle with Moff Gideon™ in the most recent season. That purpose to protect is what gives him his strength.
9. Mace Windu
Mace Windu™ often doesn’t get enough credit. He’s such a capable, respected, and revered warrior that he even leads the Jedi Council. While we barely see him fight onscreen in the live-action movies, his mere presence demands our attention. How could we not be in awe of him after witnessing him easily behead Jango Fett™ on Geonosis™? At least the prequel series The Clone Wars™ gives us a little more insight as to Windu’s prowess on the field.
Even without those examples, we know this man has seen and lived through his fair share of combat. He’s just sitting in a chair on Coruscant™, and we know he’s someone with enough experience to warrant reverence. And as mentioned above, we do get glimpses of it in the Geonosian™ arena. Then, finally we recall his confrontation against the Emperor in Revenge of the Sith™. Unfortunately, Mace Windu doesn’t make it out of that fight alive — but he really did almost defeat the greatest adversary the galaxy has ever known.
8. Darth Maul
Darth Maul™ got cut in half during the first movie we saw him in. But, spoiler alert, he survives! The time he spends in solitary, rebuilding his legs, leaves his intelligent mind a little scarred. He scrambles for purpose, place, and revenge. However, he reclaims some of his power and reputation by being a formidable strategist. Thus the Zabrak™ conquers the planet of Mandalore™ almost singlehandedly after converting an entire militia to his side.
It also helps that anybody who goes against him will meet the red-hot blades of his dual Lightsaber™. Darth Maul’s most impressive ability is how he can fight multiple adversaries at once. In The Phantom Menace™, it’s what gives Maul a distinct advantage over Qui-Gon Jinn™ — whom he unforgettably kills. Later in The Clone Wars, this iconic weapon is what keeps Ahsoka Tano™ on her toes as she attempts to capture him.
7. Asajj Ventress
What happens when you mix magic with the dark side? And you also add natural charisma, flexibility, and a ferocious heart? Well, you get Asajj Ventress™. The Sith™ Apprentice mostly just looks out for herself. That, coupled with her distrust of others and quest for power, creates a dangerous combination. She fights like she has nothing to lose. Later, after the fall of the Republic, she does manage to find some inner balance.
Yet that peace never diminishes her abilities. Recently, Ventress encountered the Bad Batch™ — a group of tough and unique clone troopers. While Hunter™, Wrecker™, and Crosshair™ are confident in their abilities (and rightfully so), Ventress manages to subdue them with ease. Essentially, she’s playing with her toys. She has just the skillset to have that kind of fun when the occasion calls for it.
6. Rey Skywalker
Rey Skywalker’s™ strength comes from her infinite compassion and a drive to do and be better. At the start of her story, she has raw power but no skills. She needs a teacher, but her path is blocked by her fate. As a Dyad within the Force, her relationship with the Force itself is rocky — she’s drawn toward both dark and light. Eventually, she is able to get that under control. Once she does, she’s basically unstoppable.
She trains hard and fights harder. Rey’s fighting style is as brutal and unique as her past. She wields her hope as a weapon and achieves justice for the Resistance because of it. Her first two duels with Kylo Ren™ illustrate her growth as a warrior and a person. In The Force Awakens™ she is scared and relying on instinct but later in her journey of growth and understanding, she is confident and capable in The Rise of Skywalker™.
5. Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader
He might not have been granted the rank of Master, but Anakin Skywalker™ ranks fifth on our list! Anakin’s strength comes from sheer ambition and passion — and often unchecked rage. As Anakin, he executes reckless and risky plans that go well due to his abilities in battle and natural Force sight. We’d expect nothing less from the Chosen One. Who could forget him catching a bounty hunter in the busy airspace of Coruscant by simply jumping from his vehicle?
As Darth Vader™, he takes care of numerous enemies all at once with a most impressive command of the dark side. We’re thinking specifically of the ruthless slaughters that occurred on screen in Rogue One™ and Obi-Wan Kenobi™. When Darth Vader wants something, nothing gets in his way. So one thing’s for certain: You should never underestimate his power. Unless you’re Obi-Wan Kenobi™ and you have the high ground.
4. Yoda
Size matters not. Yoda™ proves this time and time again throughout Star Wars. In the prequel series, he showcases immense power and agility as a younger Jedi. Obviously we’re all thinking of his flip-filled, complex combat with Darth Sidious™. His encounter with Count Dooku™ in Attack of the Clones™ is equally impressive, though. It’s a slower fight but the control and restrained strength that Yoda wields are awesome to behold.
However, the reason Yoda ranks so high in fourth place is because of his command of the Force even in his old age. Those levels of patience, wisdom, and perseverance illustrate true strength. Plus, lifting an entire X-Wing™ out of a swamp does, too. He calls himself young at only 900 years old, and we believe him when he helps Luke Skywalker™ leave Dagobah™.
3. Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious
Of course, we have to give Darth Sidious a spot in the top three. After all, the Sith Lord™ is both intelligent and physically strong. His Lightsaber duel with Yoda as Emperor Palpatine™ is evidence enough. But also, we can’t leave out those dark side lightning powers. Although they are ultimately his undoing, they grant him a distinct advantage over Mace Windu, Darth Vader, and many others.
Additionally, Darth Sidious can cheat death. He has achieved near-immortality through cloning while also sustaining his m-count, or the midi-chlorian™ levels that allow a person to connect to and command the Force. The Sith “rule of two” always has to account for him throughout the Skywalker Saga™ because of his omnipresence throughout the galaxy. While he spent his later years nefariously plotting in the shadows, he displays his usual capabilities in a battle against Kylo Ren and Rey … and almost defeats them. Almost. Which is why he stays rooted at #3. Unlimited power has its limits.
2. Luke Skywalker
Star Wars‘ original protagonist takes our #2 spot. Luke Skywalker’s hero’s journey allows us to watch his strength grow over time. From a scrawny moisture farmer to a calm and focused Jedi warrior, Luke Skywalker shows us the determination and willpower it takes to achieve greatness. Once he has trained and gone through so much to save the galaxy, he becomes strong enough to be the Empire’s greatest threat.
And they’re right to be scared, since he eventually topples the regime altogether. After losing to Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back™, Luke returns to overcome all obstacles aboard the Death Star™. In Return of the Jedi™, Luke brings balance to the Force by defeating his father as well as bringing him back to the light. In turn, Darth Vader helps his son defeat the evil Emperor.
1. Ahsoka Tano
Ahsoka Tano is the strongest Star Wars character. She is a focused, cunning, and capable warrior. Wielding two sabers, she illustrates highly developed martial arts and acrobatic skills. The Force flows naturally and readily through her — also allowing her access to the World Between Worlds where she sees past, present, and future. This means she is the strongest in both body and mind with a connection to the Force that is unlike any her peers have.
She has also defeated near-insurmountable enemies such as clone troopers during Order 66™, Darth Vader himself, and the Jedi-hunting Inquisitors™ all on her own. This is showcased most often in the animated series. Ahsoka proves her immense strength and skill in The Clone Wars finale when she incapacitates an entire ship’s worth of troopers without killing them. In Rebels, Ahsoka is also the reason Ezra Bridger™ escapes from the Sith Temple on Malachor™. Without her help, Grand Admiral Thrawn™ would have won a long time ago. Not to mention Ahsoka makes a worthy Padawan™ out of Sabine Wren™. Considering Huyang called the young Mandalorian the worst Padawan he had ever met, this further proves Ahsoka’s profound connection to the Force.
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