Darth Vader is often framed asStar Wars’ultimate evil incarnate, positioned as Darth Sidious’ best soldier. Encouraging Anakin Skywalker to rebel against the Jedi remains Palpatine’s greatest achievement, but it was far from the only ace up the Emperor’s sleeve. In Sidious’ mind, there was always a Plan B.
Darth Sidious always stood prepared for a worst-case scenario in which Vader either fell in battle or decided to turn on him.Sidious had contingencyplans dated as far back asAttack of the Clones, so it should come as no surprise that he kept another trump card in his back pocket in the form of an emergency reserve.
8Morit Astarte is the Most Dangerous of the Astarte Twins
Ruthless Enough to Murder His Twin
Introduced in the 6th issue of Marvel’s 2015Darth Vaderseries, Morit and Aiolin Astarte were created by Doctor Cylo-V on the orders of Darth Sidious, who wanted the twins built specifically to challenge Darth Vader. Despite Vader proving himself, Sidious regularly tested Vader’s loyalty and capabilities to ensure he made the right call in drafting him into his ranks.
InDarth Vader#19 by Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larocca, while dueling on the bridges of Sho-Torun with the title character, Aiolin starts to doubt that she and her brother have what it takes to destroy Vader. Recognizing her first sign of weakness, Morit pushes his twin off the bridge and into the molten lava of Sho-Torun.
The twins are formidable because their cybernetic implants make them faster and stronger than the average person. Between the two, though, one can argue that Morit has a sharper killer instinct. Although he’deventually be killed by Vader, he doesn’t hesitate to kill Aiolin when she starts to doubt if they can kill Vader during their battle.
7Aiolin Astarte is the Wiser and More Skilled Twin
On the contrary, Aiolin’s doubts at that moment aren’t necessarily a sign of weakness, but a well-thought-out realization that they need to retreat and regroup once they are outmatchedby Darth Vader’s maximum power. Aiolin takes a rational approach, a theme that was a recurring element during Aiolin and Morit’s time on-panel during the series.
In fact, between the two twins, an argument can be made about Aiolin having the better potential for being Darth Sidious' next apprentice. Yes, Morit was more sadistic, but also more arrogant and self-destructive. Aiolin was quick to think things through before leaping into any scenario, even if she wore her emotions on her sleeve.
6Tulon Voidgazer Was a Different Kind of Asset to Darth Sidious
Not a Warrior, But Instrumental in Building Sidious' Army and Weaponry
Tulon Voidgazer was instrumental in her own right in Darth Sidious' attempts to challenge Darth Vader, not as a cybernetic creation, but as a cyberneticist herself. She worked closely alongside Doctor Cylo in creating cyborgs. She was Doctor Cylo’s assistant in building cyborgs and proved efficient as a weapons designer, even using her droids to overwhelm Vader in #22.
Tulon was always more of a scientist than a fighter, so she could never be the warrior that Sidious wanted by his side. However, Sidious always viewed Tulon as a useful tool in his arsenal, perhaps even one with the potential to surpass Cylo-V one day. That is, if Vader hadn’t had her killed later down the line.
5Commander Karbin Was Sidious' Military Expert
His Overconfidence Stunted His Potential
Not everyStar Warsreader may be familiar with Commander Karbin, so for those who aren’t, it’s best to think of him as amore advanced version of General Grievous. A fatal injury during the Clone Wars forced the commander to spend years cybernetically enhancing his body to turn himself into the ideal war machine.
While Sidious never outright groomed Karbin to be Vader’s successor, he kept the militarian in a high-ranking position as one of his skilled tacticians during the Galactic Civil War and as another obstacle to testing Vader. Granted, had Karbin not been cocky enough in his abilities to underestimate Vader, he might have had more substantial potential and still been alive.
4The Cyberanimate is the Next Stage of Rancor
This Super-Rancor Came Closer than Most to Replacing Darth Vader
Two things separate the Cyberanimate from other potential Darth Vader replacements. One key difference is that the Cyberanimate is more of a creature than a human, asit is a Rancor that Cylo-V modified with a cyberanimate system, enabling the beast to possess enhanced functions. The other is thatPalpatine nearly replaced Vader with it.
There are several Dark Side members who Sidious is either directly pampered for the role or viewed as a reasonable choice to replace Vader, but with its abilities making it immune to most of Vader’s tactics, the Cyberanimate stands a better chance at defeating Vader than others who have stepped up to the plate.
3Laurita Tohm Became an Archrival to Darth Vader for Sidious' Affections
Hand-picked by Darth Sidious to Succeed Darth Vader as His Apprentice
A loyal Imperial graduate, Laurita Tohm was chosen as a secret heir and, in Palpatine’s eyes,a"worthy successor"to Darth Vader’sthrone. Darth Sidious was utterly impressed by Laurita Tohm at every turn, personally promoting him to Admiral. Sidious was convinced that if Vader ever fell, Tohm was the best choice to replace him.
This made an enemy out of Darth Vader, no longer considered the undisputed golden goose in Sidious’s palm. Jealousy toward Tohm is perhaps a sign that Vader was more than intimidated. Not physically intimidated, as Tohm is the smaller of the two and, in Vader’s mind, weaker, but knowing he could be so easily replaced is enough to compel Vader to kill Tohm.
2The Sith Eternal is Darth Sidious’s Cult
Technically, They Do Replace Darth Vader in the Sequel Trilogy
Audiences first catch a glimpse of Darth Sidious' cult of worshipers inStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,but audiences don’t get full context as to who they are or where they come from until 2021’sDarth Vader#11 by Greg Pak and Raffaele Ienco. While these cultists aren’t Sith, they arePalpatine’s self-proclaimed Sith Eternal.
They initially reveal themselves on the Sith planet Exegol, and are quickly dismissed by Vader as not being real members of the Sith.SIdious responds,“But they could be … should you fall.“The Sith Lord is confident their combined forces can be just as useful to him as an equivalent to Vader, and years later, upon his resurrection, he’s proven right.
1Darth Sidious Wanted Luke Skywalker to Replace Darth Vader
He Commanded Luke to Kill His Father and Take His Place
Upon meeting his son for the first time, Darth Vader proclaimed that they could rule the galaxy together as father and son. In actuality, Darth Sidious fully intended for Luke to surpass his old man as his apprentice. When Luke and Vader are interlocked in a duel that Luke is winning, Sidious tries to tempt Luke to finish the job.
Sidious made it clear that he wanted Luke to take Vader’s place on the throne. This obviously backfired on Sidious, but had he agreed, he would have successfully killed Vader and become the Dark Side’s newest force to be reckoned with. AStar Wars"What If?“scenario of Luke Skywalker surpassing Darth Vader in Sidious' favor remains a fascinating prospect.
