Let’s get real: Star Wars fans love nothing more than debating who’s the most powerful being in a galaxy far, far away. With decades of movies, TV shows, books, games, and comics, the list of heavy hitters is extensive—but some characters just sit atop the rest when it comes to power, influence, and pure impact. Here’s a glance at 10 of the strongest Star Wars characters, combining both Legends and canon. And yes, it’s sure to create controversy.
10. Kylo Ren
Leading off the list is Kylo Ren—originally Ben Solo, Anakin Skywalker’s grandson. Kylo provided us with some of the most dramatic Force moments on screen, such as freezing a blaster bolt in space. And as half of the notorious Force dyad with Rey, he helped take down both Snoke and Palpatine. But his divisive personality and uneven wins hold him back from being higher. But with Skywalker blood comes plenty of inherent power.
9. Rey Skywalker
Rey’s path from scavenger to Jedi icon is straight from legend. She learns Force abilities at a breathtaking rate, develops her lightsaber skills rapidly, and eventually taps enough energy to kill Palpatine himself. By the conclusion of the sequel trilogy, her natural ability is on par with anyone in the history books—impressive given how little formal instruction she had. Her saga isn’t over, and if she returns, she may well move up higher on this list.
8. Bendu
Casual fans might have missed him, but Star Wars Rebels brought us Bendu, a huge Force-sensitive being who is the personification of balance—”the one in the middle.” Neither Jedi nor Sith, Bendu has huge abilities: sensing emotions far away, seeing glimpses of the future, and even becoming a storm that stops armies. He can disappear—or maybe teleport—whenever he wants, making him much more powerful than anything seen in most Force users.
7. Darth Revan
Revan’s own legacy is one of duality: initially a heroic Jedi Knight, and subsequently a terrorizing Sith Lord. His military genius won the Mandalorian Wars, and as a Sith, he almost remade the galaxy. Revan’s strategic mind and ability within the Force created a threat to both Jedi and Sith alike. He is one of the most interesting Star Wars stories of ambition and fall.
6. Darth Nihilus
Darth Nihilus is not only a bad guy—he’s an almost Force-nightmare. He survived the destruction of Malachor V and became a blight in the Force, able to drain life energy from entire worlds. Fueled by his ravenous appetite, he was feared even by the Sith. His creepy mask and power to kill through his very presence ensure that he remains one of Lethe’s gents’ most fearsome figures.
5. Darth Sidious (Emperor Palpatine)
Fewer villains have ever manipulated events quite as masterfully as Palpatine. A dark-side prodigy and consummate manipulator, he orchestrated the destruction of the Republic and the Jedi while pretending to be a faithful politician. Sidious not only lived through battles with masters Yoda and Mace Windu, but came closest to dominating death itself. His combination of political savvy and mastery of the Force makes him one of the saga’s greatest power players.
4. Yoda
The Jedi Grand Master was the cornerstone of the Order for centuries. Yoda instructed thousands of Jedi, provided unrivaled wisdom, and was among the most adept Force users in history. Even in death, his connection to the Force remained—enabling him to manifest as a guiding spirit. His greatest failing was his absolute adherence to the Jedi Order, but his influence and legacy cannot be matched.
3. Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader)
The Chosen One’s fate defined the galaxy itself. The Force potential of Anakin was unmatched—so much so that Qui-Gon Jinn felt he was born of the Force itself. As a warrior and leader, no one was his match, but his turn to the dark side altered galactic history. Still, his final redemption—killing Sidious and restoring balance—solidifies his status as one of Star Wars’ most dominant characters.
2. Luke Skywalker
Luke’s development from farm boy to galactic icon is one of Star Wars’ most definitive arcs. He withstood the dark side when others did not, redeemed his father, and destroyed the Empire. Later, his power to project himself throughout the galaxy using the Force was nothing less than mythic. Both as a warrior and as a symbol, Luke embodies the height of Jedi power.
1. Tenebrae (Vitiate)
At the apex sits Tenebrae, also referred to as Vitiate—the Sith Emperor who ruled for more than a millennium. He made himself nearly immortal by transferring his consciousness into new bodies, controlled thousands of Sith simultaneously with his mind, and consumed entire worlds. His unparalleled scope of manipulation and sheer longevity render him perhaps the most formidable Force user in all Star Wars history.
From conflicted prodigies to ancient conquerors, these characters demonstrate just how expansive the Star Wars universe actually is. Whether you’re in agreement or believe your favorite was overlooked, one thing’s for sure: when it comes to Star Wars, the argument over “most powerful” is as timeless as the Force itself.