Summary
Darth Vader wasStar Wars' first Sith Lord, and he set a pattern for many Sith to wear absolutely stunning armor. In truth, armor is quite unusual for the Sith; many, such as Darth Maul and even Darth Sidious, tend to be seen wearing dark robes instead. Still, following Darth Vader’s pattern, otherSith inStar Warshave donned armor that’s spectacular to see, each iconic for its own different reasons.
Darth Vader, of course, wore armor for a very simple reason: he had no choice. Many of the other Sith armors on this list are purely aesthetic, while others serve an important function as well.Here’s our pick of the best Sith armors in canon and Legends.
The 10 Best Sith Helmets In Star Wars Canon & Legends
Sith helmets are a long-standing tradition in Star Wars, and these 10 are the very best from canon and Legends movies, books, and TV shows.
10Darth Bane Wore Two Powerful Suits Of Armor
His Armor Was Alive In Star Wars Legends
Known best as the Sith who instituted theRule of Two, the spirit of Darth Bane was shown inStar Wars: The Clone Warswearing an impressive suit of armor. In canon, Darth Bane wore what has been called the Ancient Sith Armor, a dark and impressive outfit that is deliberately evocative of Darth Vader. Looking at Legends, though, he wore something rather different.
In Legends, Darth Bane encountered a parasitic race known as orbalisks while visiting the planet Dxun. Orbaliisk hides were so strong they could even deflect lightsaber blades; they settled across Darth Bane’s body, feeding off his dark side energy, burrowing into his skin but preserving his life in a dark form of symbiosis. While wearing the orbalisk armor, Darth Bane was essentially invulnerable.
Star Wars' New Sith Lord Has A Legends Connection To Darth Bane, Founder Of The Rule Of Two
The Acolyte’s new Sith Lord, The Stranger, may be part of Darth Bane’s Sith, but that’s not his only connection to the dark side master’s past.
9Naga Sadow’s Armor Was Inspired By Real Ancient Armor
It Was Elaborate And Plated With Gold
In canon, the Sith Lord Naga Sadow has only been briefly mentioned in Michael Kogge’sStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: A Junior Novel. Here, Naga Sadow is described as leading the Sith during the Great Hyperspace War. However,Star Wars Legendspaints a detailed picture of a terrifying warlord and master alchemist.
Naga Sadow’s armor, which can best be seen in the MMORPGStar Wars: The Old Republic, looks to have been based on the armor of Roman military officials. Also described as ancient Sith armor inStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Naga Sadow’s armor was buried along with his body on theSith planet Korriban.Though it held no special characteristics of its own, it was important enough that Naga Sadow decided to be buried in it.
8Sith Trooper Armor Appears Differently In KOTOR And In Canon
Their Armor Looks More Like That Of A Stormtrooper In Canon
Depending on whether a person is referring to canon orStar Wars Legends, a Sith trooper can look very different. InKnights of the Old Republic, Sith troopers were the infantry deployed by Darth Revan and Darth Malak during the Jedi Civil War.These troops wore silver armor specifically designed to invoke fear, making these troops almost look faceless in the process.They clearly foreshadowed Imperial stormtroopers.
In canon, however, these Sith troopers appear as a part of Darth Sidious’ Sith Eternal inStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.These loyal troops served to protect the reborn Sith, dedicated to the rebirth and protection of Darth Sidious. Their armor, while strikingly similar to that of the stormtroopers, is instead dyed an imposing shade of red.
7The Emperor’s Royal Guard Has A Simple Set Of Armor
Their Main Job Was Protecting The Emperor
Similar to the Sith troopers that would come later inStar Warscanon, the Emperor’s Royal Guard were tasked with the protection of Darth Sidious during the reign of the Empire.These outfits were created before the fall of the Republic during the Separatist Crisis, when Chancellor Palpatine created the Red Guard to slowly take over protection of the Senate.This impressive force was later composed only of the most skilled from the Imperial military.
Best known for their flowing red robes and sleek helmets, these guards were incredibly dangerous in a fight. Aside from their robed uniform, they also sometimes wore light armor to accompany the Emperor to more dangerous locations. When wearing their robes, they hid several weapons, such as electrostaffs and blasters.
6The Emperor’s Shadow Guard Has Armor That Reflects Their Name
This Special Sect Of The Emperor’s Guard Could Use The Force
The red-wearing faction of the Royal Guard was not the only one in Star Wars Legends, as there was also a Shadow Guard beholden to the Emperor as well. Trained by Darth Vader himself, this section of the Guard was composed exclusively of Force-sensitive individuals.They could not speak, having been completely broken by the Empire, but could have once been Jedi before the Great Jedi Purge.
With armor so similar to their regular Royal Guard counterparts, the Emperor’s Shadow Guard were only as imposing as their oppressive presence allowed. They were, however, abile to use a special sort of lightsaber known as a lightsaber pike. Being so similar to the Inquisitors that would come later, it is possible that they served as the initial inspiration.
5The Sith Stalker Armor Appeared In The Force Unleashed
It Was Worn By Darth Vader’s Apprentice, Starkiller
When a set of armor has its own name, it is sure to be something special. This is the case for the Sith Stalker Armor, famously worn by Galen Marek inStar Wars: The Force Unleashed.This armor is especially unique, as it was not only worn but directly grafted to the skin of those who wore it, specifically Sith assassins trained by the likes of Darth Vader.Galen initially saw this armor in a vision, and only puts it on should the player choose to finish the game with the dark side ending.
Not only is it quite frightening to look at, but the armor shares a few similarities with that of Darth Vader. The armor includes a breathing apparatus, though it is not quite as advanced as the one used by the Sith Lord himself. Many Sith assassins who were grafted into this armor had their hands replaced with dangerous prostheses as well, complete with a set of metal claws.Starkiller’s Sith armormade its way into canon in a surprisingAndorEaster egg, but its fate is unknown.
4Warb Null’s Armor Was Imbued With Sith Magic
It Enhanced His Abilities, But Slowed Him Down
Originally known as Shas Dovos, War Null was once a metalworker on the planet Onderon. However, his entire life was changed after he was tricked into making a suit of armor by a Sith spirit. This armor was filled with Sith magic after its construction, and once he put it on Shas Dovos was transformed into the “Dark Jedi” Warb Null.
Although the armor was incredibly imposing, it wasn’t particularly safe.It was only partially lightsaber resistant and had a specific weakness around Warb Null’s neck, which led to his eventual death at the hands of Jedi Knight Cay Qel-Droma.It also slowed him down considerably, leaving him to rely on his powerful Sith magic.
3Darth Malak’s Mouthpiece Replaces His Lower Jaw
It Is The Only Real Armor He Wears
Best known as the main villain ofKnights of the Old Republic,Darth Malak is an interesting showcase of what happens when a Jedi loses faith in the Jedi Order. Losing faith in them during the Mandalorian Wars, he fell to the dark side along with who would eventually become Darth Revan. The two would later be at odds throughout the course ofKnights of the Old Republic,with Revan fighting to stop Darth Malak from building his Sith Empire.
Though this was not the only time they were at odds.Revan is the one who severedMalak’s jawfrom the rest of his face, causing him to wear the big metal covering that he is so well known for. It is an interesting piece of armor with a specific bit of backstory, made even more apparent by the fact that it is the only armor that Malak wears.
2Darth Revan’s Armor Was Both Strong And Iconic
This Recognizable Armor Can Change Throughout The Game
Darth Revanis one of the most well-known Sith in all ofStar Wars Legends,appearing as the main protagonist of the beloved video gameKnights of the Old Republic.After having their memories ripped away from them by the Jedi, Revan was sent by the Republic to find the Jedi Knight Bastila Shan. This would eventually bring them into direct conflict with Darth Malak, their one-time Sith apprentice.
Although Revan is so well known for the mask featured in all of their promotional material, their armor actually changes throughout the game.However, Revan’s more recognizable Sith attire was actually created through the use of the Star Forge, an incredible machine capable of mass-producing countless items, including droids and ships.This was done by imbuing it with dark side energy, creating the armor so many know Revan for.
1Darth Vader’s Suit Was The Original Sith Armor
The Suit Kept Him Alive And Looked Intimidating In The Process
Easily the most iconic suit of armor in this list belongs to Darth Vader, shown as the earliest Sith on screen in 1977.This suit is made of sterner stuff, including obsidian and durasteel, allowing Darth Vader to weather blows others simply would not be able to. The boots of the suit even had magnetic clamps, allowing him to attach to any metal surface.
The most important fact about the suit is that Darth Vader simply would not be able to live without it. After his fight with Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mustafar, Anakin Skywalker was left wounded and disfigured. This iconic fight led to one of the most iconic sets of armor in all ofStar Wars, only adding to the legend that is Darth Vader.
