All 12 Major Star Wars Prequel & Clone Wars Villains, Ranked From Least Dangerous To Most

Summary The prequel era introduced powerful villains beyond just Sith, showcasing a range of threatening characters.

Villains like Nute Gunray and Jango Fett posed risks to key characters, proving non-Sith can be dangerous.

From Savage Opress to Mother Talzin, Force users and non-Force users alike were significant threats in the prequel era.

The Star Wars prequel trilogy and Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV show introduced a whole host of new thrilling villains and saw the return of iconic Sith; these 12 villains reflect the most major from the prequel era, ranked least to most dangerous. Throughout Star Wars TV shows and movies, several villains stand out as the franchise's most powerful. While many of these are Star Wars' most powerful Sith, not all major villains from The Clone Wars and Star Wars' prequel movies are Sith or even Force users.

In fact, the prequel trilogy and The Clone Wars showcased just how threatening non-Sith can be. From Star Wars' Force-sensitive witches to non-Force users who can wield lightsabers, the prequel trilogy expanded villains in the Star Wars galaxy far beyond the Sith duo of Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine from the original Star Wars trilogy. These 12 villains in particular are the most dangerous from The Clone Wars and the prequel trilogy, reflecting Force-users and non-Force-users alike.

Related Star Wars: All Of The Major Villains, Ranked By Power Star Wars is known for having some of the most impressive villains in history. Many of them were powerful in terms of rank, influence, and strength.

12 Nute Gunray's Vendetta Against Padmé Put Her Life At Risk

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

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Although Nute Gunray was by no means the most powerful or dangerous Star Wars villain, he did pose a threat in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. Specifically, Nute Gunray and the Trade Federation sought to take over Naboo, Padmé (then Queen) Amidala's home planet. When this plan ultimately failed, Nute Gunray went on to attempt to assassinate Padmé in Attack of the Clones, killing one of her handmaidens in the process.

Although Nute Gunray was little more than a pawn of Lord Sidious and he himself often had others do his dirty work, he was relatively dangerous. Specifically, his animosity towards Padmé put her life at risk multiple times, and, perhaps had Anakin Skywalker not had such a keen interest in her safety, the assassination may have been successful. Nute Gunray is certainly the weakest of the prequel trilogy villains, but it isn't as though he posed no threat.

Perhaps had Anakin Skywalker not had such a keen interest in her safety, the assassination may have been successful.

11 Savage Opress Became A Ruthless Killer

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

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Savage Opress was introduced in The Clone Wars as a Zabrak male, like his brother, Darth Maul. At first, he wasn't a villain at all; in fact, he seemed quite emotional and was mainly interested in protecting his brother, Feral. However, when he was identified by Mother Talzin as the perfect choice for the Nightsisters of Dathomir's assassination attempt on Count Dooku, she twisted him into a formidable dark side user obedient to Asajj Ventress. Most cruelly, this also led to him being forced to kill Feral.

Although Savage Opress did become more powerful under Asajj Ventress' teachings, he still remained low on the list of prequel-era threats. He was far from disciplined and instead exhibited a kind of reckless rage that made him less effective. Even when he was trained by Count Dooku as his new assassin (replacing Ventress), he was not a major threat to the Jedi.

10 Barriss Offee's Hatred Of The Jedi Took Lives

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

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Barriss Offee was at first a Padawan learner aligned with Ahsoka Tano in The Clone Wars. In fact, the two had a shared, touching arc in which they nearly died alongside one another. However, over time, Barriss became distrustful and eventually hateful of the Jedi because of their role in the Clone Wars. Perceiving the Jedi as the evil party—not unlike Anakin, eventually—Barriss played a key role in the bombing of the Jedi Temple that took multiple lives, including some Jedi.

When Ahsoka was on the heels of discovering the truth, Barriss killed the woman Ahsoka was speaking to, framing her for murder. What happened to Barriss after that was previously unclear other than that she went to prison; however, excitingly, her story will be continued in the upcoming Star Wars: Tales of the Empire TV show, set during the Dark Times. During The Clone Wars, though, Barriss did pose a serious threat with her clear willingness and ability to take Jedi lives.

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9 Jango Fett's Bounty Hunter Skills Made Him A Serious Threat

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

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Jango Fett was the specimen used to create the entire army of clone troopers, which made him dangerous enough. While he may not have been the mind behind the operation or even actively fighting in the war himself, he was the source of the army. However, his threat level doesn't end there. Jango Fett was also a bounty hunter, more than happy to kill for a job. In fact, he also played a role in the assassination attempt on Padmé in Attack of the Clones, hiring Zam Wessell to kill Padmé, although that ultimately failed.

Jango Fett also put up a fair fight against Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi in Attack of the Clones, proving that he did have considerable power. Although he died at Mace Windu's hands, even that reflects that he was quite dangerous to the Star Wars galaxy. His son, Boba Fett, was fueled by vengeance and hatred at the loss of his father, which led him to become a ruthless bounty hunter like his father had been. While perhaps inadvertent, Jango Fett therefore was even responsible for yet another dangerous addition to Star Wars.

8 Rogue Jedi Pong Krell Was A Brutal Leader

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

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Pong Krell was perhaps one of the most odious characters in all of The Clone Wars, which is quite a feat given everything else that transpired in the show. Krell began as a Jedi Master; however, by the time of his arc in The Clone Wars, he had already fallen to the dark side and gone rogue. During the Clone Wars, Krell switched sides, secretly sabotaging the Republic to aid the Separatists.

Pong Krell was perhaps one of the most odious characters in all of The Clone Wars.

Worst of all was Krell's treatment of the clones. Not only did he treat the clone troopers like expendable sub-human soldiers, but he also killed several of them, viciously stabbing some through with his lightsaber. Ultimately, Krell was shot and killed, ridding the Star Wars galaxy of any further terrible actions. However, Krell did represent a fairly significant threat prior to his death. In addition to ruthlessly wiping out clones as though they were little more than droids, he was working against the Republic from the inside, with insider knowledge of the Jedi as well.

7 General Grievous's Four Lightsabers Were Truly Daunting

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

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General Grievous was no doubt a formidable danger to the Jedi, the Republic, and essentially anyone who got in his way during the prequel trilogy and The Clone Wars. Although he did not possess the Force, that didn't stop him from expertly wielding multiple lightsabers at once, which he would terrifyingly swing in unison, one in each of his four arms, as an attack. General Grievous posed such a threat, in fact, that the Jedi believed that his death alone would end the Clone Wars.

Of course, that was incorrect, as it was really Palpatine who was behind everything. Even so, though, the Jedi weren't mistaken that Grievous was incredibly dangerous. Perhaps no group knows that better than the Nightsisters of Dathomir, most of whom were massacred by Grievous in The Clone Wars. This moment, interestingly, is also set to be captured in Tales of the Empire. Moreover, although Obi-Wan ultimately won, Grievous did put up a strong fight against Obi-Wan, one of Star Wars' most powerful Jedi.

6 Darth Maul Was A Cunning Sith Apprentice

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

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Darth Maul was an incredibly daunting villain in The Phantom Menace specifically. After the original trilogy, Darth Maul was the very first Sith apprentice, and his terrifying visage ensured that he was going to be a major opponent for the Jedi. As proof of his high rank on the list of most dangerous villains during the prequel trilogy and The Clone Wars, Darth Maul single-handedly killed Qui-Gon Jinn, yet another of Star Wars' powerful Jedi.

Maul also made a shocking return in The Clone Wars after seemingly dying in The Phantom Menace at Obi-Wan's hands. The Clone Wars then saw Maul become perhaps even more dangerous, taking over Mandalore and killing Obi-Wan's secret love interest, Satine Kryze, in front of him. Maul's returning role in Star Wars Rebels and his brief, surprising cameo in Solo: A Star Wars Story both demonstrate a longevity in the franchise reflective of his status as a serious villain.

5 Asajj Ventress' Dark Side Powers Proved Powerful Against Even The Best Jedi

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

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Asajj Ventress Created By George Lucas , Genndy Tartakovsky Cast Nika Futterman , grey delisle First Appearance Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003) Alliance Sith, Bounty Hunters

Asajj Ventress was no doubt one of the most fearsome villains in The Clone Wars. Originally, Ventress was Count Dooku's apprentice and assassin, carrying out orders that often involved attacking the Jedi. As proof of her strength and danger as a prequels-era villain, Ventress managed to hold her own while fighting the likes of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. Later, after being discarded by Count Dooku, she even took on the great Sith apprentice.

However, Ventress has also entered the ranks of Star Wars' redeemed villains. Thrillingly, she made an appearance in Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 3, this time with yellow lightsabers, signaling a major change from her dark side days. Even more exciting, Star Wars has confirmed that Ventress' story is not over, and she will officially be returning to the franchise. While the exact project on the horizon hasn't yet been identified, this is an amazing update for the character.

4 Mother Talzin's Magick Rivaled The Jedi And The Sith

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

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As dangerous as Asajj Ventress was, Mother Talzin was even more so. Given her status as the leader of the Nightsisters of Dathomir, Mother Talzin wielded incredible power and was respected and feared by countless major Star Wars characters. The Nightsisters in general posed a serious threat to the Jedi (and the Sith, as they even sought to kill Count Dooku). Despite being Force-wielders, the Nightsisters fell neither on the side of the Jedi nor the Sith, making them unpredictable and not beholden to anyone.

As dangerous as Asajj Ventress was, Mother Talzin was even more so.

Instead, the Nightsisters effectively acted as free agents, and they did not hold back in their willingness to use their powers to achieve their own ends. Moreover, they often outsourced their various attacks, raising Zabraks such as Savage Opress to do their bidding. Although Mother Talzin died at the hands of General Grievous, her incredible power and status as one of the most dangerous villains in the prequel era cannot be overlooked.

3 Count Dooku's Knowledge Of The Jedi Increased His Threat Level

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack Of The Clones

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Count Dooku was the third most dangerous villain in the Star Wars prequel trilogy and The Clone Wars, outranked only by his fellow Sith. As a fallen Jedi who knew the Jedi Order and its inner workings well, Dooku posed a significant threat to the Order, particularly as he was working so closely alongside Palpatine/Lord Sidious. Moreover, Count Dooku was at the helm of the Separatists. Although the war was entirely manipulated by Palpatine, this nevertheless reflected Dooku's ability to cause significant loss of life.

Dooku's role was also further fleshed out in The Clone Wars, which showed how much he caused behind the scenes in terms of the Jedi and the Republic. Of course, the prequels alone proved his strength, too; after all, he was the person who took Anakin Skywalker's hand. Despite dying to Anakin Skywalker at the beginning of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Dooku no doubt remained one of the most dangerous villains throughout the prequel era.

2 Darth Vader Is One Of Star Wars' Most Powerful Sith

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith

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Darth Vader is inarguably one of the most dangerous villains in all of Star Wars, let alone the prequel trilogy. Although not christened Darth Vader until later in Revenge of the Sith, Anakin's path to the dark side of the Force was a bit of a bloodbath throughout the prequels, and that only worsened once he embraced his new role as Palpatine's Sith apprentice. Most obviously, Vader proved how dangerous he was during Order 66 when he helped to nearly eradicate the Jedi. His worst act during that brutal battle was his murder of the roomful of younglings.

However, the danger Vader posed was only beginning, as he went on to rule the galaxy beside Darth Sidious, killing countless people and continuing to hunt down and kill off the Jedi through his Inquisitors. While the original trilogy had already established how violent and evil Vader was, the prequels revealed the origins and extent of that power. Through scenes such as his murder of the Tusken Raiders while still Anakin Skywalker, his slaughter of the Trade Federation even after Order 66, and his attacks on Padmé and Obi-Wan, the prequels showed just how dangerous Vader really was.

1:58 Related Star Wars: All 14 Inquisitors In Canon Explained Star Wars' Inquisitors were Darth Vader's elite death squad of Jedi-killing dark side users. Who were these Imperial agents and what were their fates?

1 Palpatine's Power Was Unmatched

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith

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In terms of threat level and power, Palpatine will always come out on top. Even when he was pretending to be a senator and then the chancellor, Palpatine was incredibly dangerous to everyone around him. Not only was he a major threat to the Jedi as a Sith Lord, but he was also a danger to both the Republic and the Separatists, as he was playing both sides of the war. Palpatine was also clearly willing to kill his own, as he encouraged Anakin to kill Dooku, who was still his apprentice at the time.

While Star Wars will no doubt continue to introduce new villains, thus far, none have proven nearly as daunting as Palpatine (which is perhaps why Star Wars brought him back in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker). However, the prequel era did introduce a number of other rather daunting villains. These 12 villains from both the Star Wars prequel trilogy and Star Wars: The Clone Wars represent the most dangerous from throughout that era.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars The animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars takes place between Episodes 2 and 3 of the Star Wars film saga. The fan-favorite series expands the story of the prequel trilogy through characters including Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, and more fan-favorite jedi.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace The beginning of the Skywalker Saga, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace sees young Anakin Skywalker put on his path to discovering his ability to influence the Force. While attempting to thwart the nefarious Trade Federation in their plans for the planet of Naboo, two Jedi discover an exceptionally-gifted slave with the ability to wield the Force. Little do they know, rescuing him is just the beginning of a saga that will span generations of the Skywalker family.

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones Years after the events of The Phantom Menace, the Skywalker Saga continues with Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. When Senator Padme Amidala's life is threatened, Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are tasked with her protection. While Obi-Wan uncovers a clone army made in secret, Anakin falls in love with Padme, marking the beginning of his inevitable fall to the dark side of the Force.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith is the sixth film in the Star Wars franchise and chronologically the third in the Skywalker Saga. Set three years after the events of Attack of the Clones, Anakin Skywalker is tasked with keeping an eye on Chancellor Palpatine while other Jedi battle across the galaxy. In the background, however, a mysterious Sith lord begins to make their move to destroy the Jedi once and for all.

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