Highlights
- Mastered the art of manipulation from an early age, Palpatine grew his political influence, paving the way for his Sith agenda.
- Earned the favor of Darth Plagueis, Palpatine impressed his master with unwavering dedication and affinity for the dark side.
- Orchestrated the blockade of Naboo as part of his master plan to conquer the galaxy, seizing power as the Supreme Chancellor.
None of the characters in Star Wars are as ruthless and conniving as Sheev Palpatine, also known as Darth Sidious. While Darth Vader is the most recognizable antagonist in the Star Wars franchise, Sidious acted as the puppet master behind him and multiple other characters, manipulating the entire galaxy to ensure his eventual rise as an Emperor.
However, Sidious had known accomplishments even before taking the throne. A coup to restore Sith’s power over the galaxy inevitably required scheming and planning. While most of his actions were done under the wing of his master, Darth Plagueis, Palpatine was always focused on building the seeds of his own power.
8 Mastered The Art Of Manipulation
An Experienced Career In Politics Grew His Abilities
Even before Palpatine became a Sith apprentice, he demonstrated several skills that would make him a fitting candidate for such a position. He was an heir to a noble family on Naboo, and he used his circumstances of birth to get as many connections and skills as possible, growing more masterful in politics over the years.
He would get into contact with various politicians who had dealings with his family, using their knowledge to enhance his own political skills. Despite not knowing the future that awaited him, Palpatine proved himself a skilled manipulator and politician who earned his place among them ever since childhood.
7 Became A Sith Prodigy
Earned The Favor Of Darth Plagueis
While exact details of how Palpatine’s origins as a Sith apprentice are unknown, he caught the attention of a Sith Lord, Darth Plagueis, who took him on. Considering the effects of the rule of two and the Sith Lord could only take upon one apprentice, it speaks a lot about Palpatine’s talent and affinity for the dark side that Plagueis chose him.
Palpatine impressed his master during his long training years as he demonstrated his unwavering dedication to the Sith code and their cause. He built his own lightsabers and increased his political influence on Naboo and beyond, striving to use it to further Sith’s agenda.
6 Strived To Seek Out Immortality
Came Close To Harnessing The Power To Cheat Death
While being Darth Plagueis’s apprentice, Palpatine strived for more. He would travel across the galaxy and collect various artifacts and readings related to the dark side, with his master unveiling their true purpose and power for Palpatine. He managed to make use of old parchments many would consider useless.
Palpatine learned more about Plagueis’s experiments regarding immortality as he took on all the knowledge that Plagueis gathered regarding transferring one’s soul to another body and creating vessels. Palpatine’s obsession with immortality would continue far beyond his years as an apprentice. As the Sith code wills, Palpatine was able to rise above and overshadow his own master, becoming the more dedicated Sith.
5 Became A Powerful, Influential Senator
Rose Up The Career Ladder As A Member Of Naboo
While it wasn’t without Plagueis’s help and influence that Palpatine got his position as a senator of Naboo, his own skill and natural charisma made him a beloved and respectable figure in the eyes of the people. He also rose up to become a representative of the Chommel sector of planets, which made him an official representative for 36 planets.
After getting into the senate, Palpatine took note of the corruption that spread throughout the Republic and discovered a large field to express his influence and power, subtly furthering the Sith cause. He contacted people he would later use as major allies and pawns, such as Wilhuf Tarkin who would later become an Imperial Grand Moff, allowing Palpatine to build a network from the shadows.
4 Trained An Apprentice, Darth Maul
A Young & Vulnerable Maul Became The Perfect Apprentice To Abuse
Despite still having a master, Palpatine decided to break the rule of two and began the search for a new apprentice on the planet Dathomir among the night sisters. He initially intended to take Mother Talzin but discovered a young boy, Maul, who was full of anger and rage and could not control it.
Through ruthless trials and torment, Sidious had Maul unlock his dark potential and strength. He took Maul as an apprentice instead of Talzin, causing the latter to feel vengeful. Sidious conducted training with Maul and showed him the powers and experiences of the old Sith Lords on Malachor, which allowed him to become a powerful asset.
3 Allied Himself With Count Dooku
Befriended & Manipulated Qui-Gon’s Master
Sidious gained as many influential pawns as possible, using current political events to his advantage. A shining example of this would be his alliance with Count Dooku. When Dooku left the Jedi Order to reclaim his title in his home world of Serenno, Palpatine contacted him.
He exploited Dooku’s disillusionment with the Jedi and the Republic, convincing the man that acting directly against their interests was the only option to prevent further corruption. This ended with Dooku killing a Jedi Master, Syfo Dias, and getting ownership over the clone army project that would later play a key role in the Empire’s formation.
2 Conspired Against Darth Plagueis
Sought A New Apprentice Underneath The Nose Of His Master
Palpatine was accustomed to the nature of Sith and their code, and he knew that they rarely co-exist. It was similar to his master, Plagueis. Palpatine understood that I may choose to betray and disavow his student at any point if he felt that he was becoming dangerous to him; that’s why Palpatine decided to always be one step ahead.
He used Plagueis and his knowledge to advance his political power and mastery of the dark side. Still, he was ready and willing to dispose of him the moment Plagueis outlived his usefulness. He did not intend to share the power he had gathered with the Plagues, as Palpatine allowed his master to believe that he overturned the rule of two, but Palpatine had other plans.
1 Orchestrated the Blockade of Naboo
Set In Motion His Master Plan To Conquer The Galaxy
Palpatine’s plan took many steps, few of which were as pivotal as his blockade of Naboo. After getting as much influence over the senators as possible, Palpatine made sure to stir debates and conflict regarding taxation, riling up the Trade Federation. He also granted the Federation a droid army built on Geonosis.
This gave them enough power to blockade Naboo, putting in motion the events of The Phantom Menace. The blockade caused unrest in the Republic, undermined the current government, and allowed Palpatine to seize power as the Supreme Chancellor. This later allowed him to orchestrate the Clone Wars and put his ultimate power grab in motion.
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