Sith and Other Sinister Organizations in Star Wars

Creeps and criminals abound. Wretched hives of scum and villainy surround our heroes. After all, where there is light, there must also be darkness. And in Star Wars™, many of the bad guys prefer to stick together. Whether it’s the Sith in teams of two or entire groups dedicated to dastardly deeds, they’re banding together to bring out the worst of the galaxy — or at least create worse conditions for everyone trying to better it.

That’s balance! After all, you can’t imagine a Rebellion or Resistance without an Empire or First Order. And who would the Inquisitors be without the Ghost crew to combat them? Within fiction, enemies define each other. Darkness’ presence makes the light shine much brighter. Therefore, every protagonist needs a shady operative to rise up against.

Below, see which organizations lurk in the shadows of the Star Wars universe. Do you think you’d fall in with any of these tough crowds?

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Crimson Dawn and the Shadow Collective

During the Clone Wars, Darth Maul unites various criminal organizations into the Shadow Collective. A rogue Sith, Maul aims to compete with the existing Sith for intergalactic control and power. Maul succeeds in becoming regent of Mandalore, even wielding the Darksaber, yet he is ultimately defeated. Out of the Siege of Mandalore emerges the ruthless and bloodthirsty society known as Crimson Dawn.

Darth Maul is the leader of Crimson Dawn. However, he employs Dryden Vos as the syndicate’s public facing representative. In order to keep Vos in check, Maul secretly trains an Apprentice, Q’ira, in the ways of the dark side. Q’ira eventually kills Vos before joining her Master.

The Empire defeated Crimson Dawn

So, what happened to Crimson Dawn? After Maul’s death, Q’ira attempts to lead her agents against the Empire and Darth Vader. But the Imperial forces overwhelm and destroy Crimson Dawn, leaving it as only a scary story to tell younglings at night.

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Sith Eternal

Also called Sith cultists, these worshippers devote themselves to dark side ideals. While they do not wield the Force, they revere those who do, especially Darth Sidious. Gathering on the lost world Exegol, the Sith Eternal venerate whomever claims the title of Dark Lord of the Sith and aim to bring about an era of eternal Sith rule. At his weakest, Darth Sidious relies on these cultists to clone and care for him, as well as combine their legions with the First Order, for total domination and dominion in the galaxy.

Don’t discount the Jedi

We often point to the Sith as the root of all evil. But we cannot ignore the problems inherent in the Jedi Order. Like Sith Cultists, the Jedi demand total fealty and deny individualism for the sake of the collective. Ultimately, the Jedi are somewhat better since they champion peace. Although, their constant involvement in intergalactic conflicts diminishes their moral high ground.

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Knights of Ren

The Knights of Ren are named after their leader and founder, Kylo Ren. They are an enclave of elite masked warriors who enforce Kylo Ren’s will. Their loyalties are to him first and foremost, and secondarily to the First Order. However, when Kylo Ren betrays the First Order, it is his Knights who fight him first. Ben Solo must rely on his psychic connection with the Jedi Rey in order to defeat these dark disciples.

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Hutt Criminal Empire

Crime runs in the family. Before Boba Fett’s harmonious rule, the Hutts established themselves as criminal kingpins on the planet Tatooine. Most infamous of these sentient slug-like gangsters is Jabba the Hutt, who presides over Tatooine and dumps his enemies in the sarlaac pit. Additionally, Jabba freezes people who wrong him such as Han Solo in carbonite so he can hang them up as decorative trophies. But hey, Jabba does know how to throw the best parties at his palace.

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Bounty Hunters’ Guild

Mercenaries are considered a necessary evil in the galaxy. Taking on any job for the right price, they follow their own moral codes and bow to few authorities. The only people bounty hunters really have to answer to are the Guild. As Guild members, bounty hunters get first dibs on the best jobs. However, they’re beholden to the Guild’s rules and authority. So while The Mandalorian, Cad Bane, and others can basically do whatever they want to nab their targets, they have to go through the Guild first.

Most interestingly, betraying the Guild is very serious business. The Mandalorian refuses to kidnap the Child, refusing both the Guild and their client. As a result, various Guild members attack Din Djarin on his quest to keep Grogu safe.

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Pyke Syndicate

The Pykes are the galaxy’s preeminent spice dealers. They control the vast majority of the trade through brute force, intimidation, and murder. In charge of the Kessel mines, they deal in the lucrative back alleys of Coruscant, utilizing powerful buyers’ influence to avoid legal ramifications. Because the spice trade runs throughout the entire galaxy, the Pykes have representatives and stakes in almost every planet and place. Not many dare to stand in their way. Only Boba Fett, protecting Mos Espa, challenges their authority.

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Ohnaka Pirate Gang

They may be shady, but you can’t deny they’ve got style. Hondo Ohnaka’s pirates operate in the Outer Rim territories under the leadership of their greedy yet pragmatic captain. Since many of them are part of the Weequay species, these ransacking bandits also go by the title “Weequay pirates.” But the gang also includes droid, Nikto, and Jawa members.

Active during the Clone Wars, Hondo’s gang dissolves while Hondo pursues small-time schemes and smuggling work, as well as helping Ezra Bridger. Captain Skragg regroups the gang during the reign of the Empire, although his leadership brings out a much nastier side of the crew.

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Do you love villains? We certainly do! Discuss these gangs and groups with other Star Wars fans at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network. And as always, don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!