Questions tagged [darth-vader]

For questions about the character "Darth Vader", the primary antagonist in the original Star Wars films. Only use for questions about the character himself and not for those that simply mention him. Always use in conjunction with the [star-wars] tag and any other relevant work tags.

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Out of Universe, was Vader always planned to be Luke's father?

I was watching the original series and got to "I am your father". I thought: is this something the author planned all along or thought of while writing The Empire Strikes Back?
King-Ink's user avatar
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52 votes
5 answers
32k views

What did the general public know about Darth Vader?

When Darth Vader first becomes Palpatine's apprentice, very few know of his existence and connection to the Emperor: the members of the Trade Federation (whom he dispatches) and Yoda, Kenobi, Organa, ...
gnovice's user avatar
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46 votes
7 answers
14k views

If Anakin Skywalker didn't get what he wanted as a Sith (to save Padmé), why was he still a Sith?

In the prequels, the primary reason Anakin was willing to become the Chancellor's apprentice is because he wanted to save Padmé; ANAKIN: I will do whatever you ask. PALPATINE: Good. ...
kabahaly's user avatar
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36 votes
6 answers
14k views

Why didn't the Emperor realize that torturing Luke to death in front of Vader might be a bad idea?

I know he's supposed to be an evil super-genius, but the Emperor seems to lack common sense here. He sensed that Vader's feelings about Luke weren't clear pretty early on, and while he was using ...
Wad Cheber's user avatar
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58 votes
7 answers
49k views

How did Vader saving Luke turn him to the good side?

Couldn't Vader save his son and continue being a Sith Lord? Couldn't he have let Luke go and basically become the Emperor and have the Galaxy to himself? I don't think killing the Emperor to save your ...
Christopher Henderson's user avatar
52 votes
5 answers
69k views

Origin of Darth Vader's name

Who came up with the name Darth Vader? According to Wiktionary (apparently Darth Vader now warrants a dictionary entry meaning "a malevolent, dominating and threatening force" :o): Derived from the ...
coleopterist's user avatar
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37 votes
5 answers
17k views

Was Vader's true identity a secret?

It seems as though, by the time of A New Hope Darth Vader's real identity was unknown by most people. Were Anakin and his alterations kept secret from everyone? Who knew who Darth Vader really was? ...
AncientSwordRage's user avatar
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44 votes
1 answer
31k views

How did Obi-Wan know Darth Vader was Anakin?

As noted in this question (similar, but not duplicate), Obi-Wan did know that Anakin was not dead, and that he was, in fact, Darth Vader. In this question, it is clear that the fact that Anakin was ...
The Fallen's user avatar
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95 votes
3 answers
25k views

Since when has Darth Vader had a sense of humor?

After Force-choking Director Krennic, Darth Vader makes the comment Be careful not to choke on your aspirations, Director. This comment displays a sense of humor that seems entirely out of ...
Timpanus's user avatar
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80 votes
11 answers
89k views

Why did Obi-Wan leave Vader on Mustafar?

When Obi-Wan defeats Vader on Mustafar, he leaves Vader alive. Sure, he's missing his legs and has just caught on fire; but when Obi-Wan walks away, Vader is still alive. I think it's likely that ...
Anthony's user avatar
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73 votes
8 answers
10k views

Is Vader sincere with Luke in ESB?

Near the end of Empire Strikes Back, Darth Vader has a big proposal for Luke: "Luke, you can destroy the Emperor. He has foreseen this. It is your destiny! Join me, and together, we can rule the ...
Giuseppe's user avatar
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65 votes
9 answers
28k views

The use of 'Darth' as Vader's name, not title, in Star Wars

I watched Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope for the first time in a while a few days ago (the first step in taking my Daughter through the Machete Order). One thing that stood out was the pre-duel ...
Bogdanovist's user avatar
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55 votes
8 answers
27k views

Why did Darth Vader choose to take shots from Han Solo?

In Episode V, in Cloud City, Lando Calrissian brings Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Chewbacca into an trap, where Darth Vader is sitting in a room. Han immediately takes his gun out and shoots at Vader. ...
spong's user avatar
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46 votes
6 answers
82k views

How did Anakin learn how to become a ghost after his death?

Qui-Gon discovered how to become a force ghost after death and talk to the living (if they are receptive). At the end of episode 3, Yoda had learned that from him and told Obi-Wan that he would teach ...
Olaf's user avatar
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19 votes
2 answers
7k views

When/How does the Empire say Anakin Skywalker died?

According to official Imperial records/propaganda, when & how did Anakin Skywalker die? Given that the identity of Darth Vader is a secret in-universe, we also know that the galaxy at large ...
Omegacron's user avatar
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55 votes
2 answers
11k views

Why were the Imperials rude to Vader in the beginning of A New Hope?

It was my understanding that Vader was the second in command of the Emperor in the Empire. However in the beginning of the movie one of the generals taunts Vader that his abilities in the Force have ...
user13267's user avatar
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46 votes
7 answers
163k views

Did Darth Vader know that this character was his daughter from the start?

When Darth Vader and Princess Leia meet on board the Tantive IV in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope for the first time, does Darth Vader know she's his daughter?
Curtis's user avatar
  • 609
30 votes
12 answers
19k views

If the Emperor and Vader agree to recruit Luke, doesn't that violate the Rule of Two?

I understand the Rule of Two, there's always a master and an apprentice. But if that's true, then there should be exactly two Sith at any given time. In The Empire Strikes Back, Vader and the Emperor ...
Doug T.'s user avatar
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30 votes
4 answers
5k views

Why does Darth Vader need to use a targeting grid on his Tie Advanced in ANH?

When Darth Vader - one of the best pilots and shooters in the Galaxy thanks to being a powerful Force user and Sith Lord - is hunting for rebel starfighters above Death Star in his Tie Advanced x1 ...
DVK-on-Ahch-To's user avatar
27 votes
5 answers
42k views

Did Yoda definitely know who the other hope was?

When Yoda said "there is another," I always figured it had to do with Darth Vader. The ending makes much more sense that way. The counter-argument that I keep seeing is that Yoda was specifically ...
Misha R's user avatar
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23 votes
1 answer
5k views

How does Darth Vader eliminate waste from his body?

I've always wondered what the deal was with Darth Vader's "crotch door". Does he use a catheter (due to all his injuries) or does he simply flip the door up and whip it out? I've never really seen the ...
iMerchant's user avatar
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23 votes
4 answers
16k views

Who gave the order to kill Owen and Beru Lars?

The EU book The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader reveals that Vader personally gave the stormtroopers the order to kill Owen and Beru Lars, and that he knew who he was condemning to death before he gave ...
Wad Cheber's user avatar
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14 votes
1 answer
4k views

Why didn't it ring a bell to Vader that the escape pod with the plans landed on Tatooine?

Why didn't it ring a bell to Vader that the escape pod with the plans landed on Tatooine?
Alexandre Brière's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
5k views

Why was Darth Vader's cape fluttering at the end of Rogue One?

At the end of Rogue One, Darth Vader and two stormtroopers watch Tantive IV leave the Profundity. It looks like they are outside the airlock, but his cape is fluttering as if there is a stiff breeze ...
RichS's user avatar
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6 votes
4 answers
3k views

Was Anakin redeemable because he was not fully fallen?

In his 20+ years as Darth Vader, was Anakin ever fully fallen to the dark side? Before Padme's arrival on Mustafar, he was crying and regretting the mess he had gotten himself into. When Luke tried to ...
thegreatjedi's user avatar
71 votes
8 answers
51k views

Why Did Sidious Tell Vader Who Luke Was?

In the ret-con version of Episode V (The Empire Strikes Back), the scene between Darth Vader and Darth Sidious (at the time of the changes, still only known as the Emperor) was changed so Sidious ...
Tango's user avatar
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65 votes
5 answers
18k views

How did Darth Vader know the rebel base was on Hoth?

In The Empire Strikes Back, Darth Vader looks at a picture of a shield generator on an ice planet and declares that's the rebel base. How could he know merely by looking at the picture from the probe? ...
RichS's user avatar
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58 votes
2 answers
38k views

Why did Palpatine pick 'Vader' as a name for Anakin?

When Anakin turned to the Dark Side Darth Sidious obviously saw fit to give him a new name: PALPATINE: Henceforth you shall be known as Darth...Vader. ANAKIN: Thank you, my master. I've seen the ...
The Dark Lord's user avatar
49 votes
9 answers
21k views

What exactly did Darth Vader leave unfinished that Kylo Ren intended to finish?

In a Star Wars: The Force Awakens TV Spot there is a scene of Kylo Ren saying "I will finish what you've started" to Darth Vader's mask. Do we know what exactly Kylo Ren means? What does he want to ...
Mirek Długosz's user avatar
42 votes
4 answers
17k views

What and how does Darth Vader see?

Are there any sources that talk about about Darth Vader's visual acuity? His life-supporting armour is quite advanced but does it provide any useful augmentation to his visual abilities?
dllhell's user avatar
  • 531
35 votes
4 answers
25k views

Can Darth Vader use Force Lightning?

He is only the most potent Force user ever. He is a dark side practitioner. The Emperor and others use it. Why didn't Darth Vader ever use Force Lightning?
Athena Widget's user avatar
31 votes
3 answers
15k views

What was Darth Vader's official role (or rank) in the Empire?

Darth Vader was a man of great importance. He carried out highly sensitive missions for the Emperor, ranging from killing Jedi in the Great Jedi Purge to retrieving the top secret Death Star plans in ...
webejaxx's user avatar
  • 1,000
22 votes
2 answers
10k views

Why didn't Darth Vader tell Sidious that Obi-Wan disappeared instead of dying?

After the events of A New Hope, Sidious believed Obi-Wan was dead. Vader apparently never told Sidious that Obi-Wan disappeared instead of being sliced in two on the original Death Star. From the 1983 ...
RichS's user avatar
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14 votes
3 answers
7k views

How did Vader know that Obi-Wan was helping Luke?

Vader: He's just a boy. Obi-Wan can no longer help him (Empire Strikes Back) How does Vader know that Obi-Wan helped Luke before? He doesn't know that Luke grew up on Tatooine even if he guessed, he ...
yoda's user avatar
  • 141
72 votes
9 answers
64k views

Why didn't Vader let Luke kill the Emperor, or even kill him himself?

As we saw here, Vader made this proposal to Luke: Luke, you can destroy the Emperor. He has foreseen this. It is your destiny! Join me, and together, we can rule the galaxy as father and son! Come ...
DavRob60's user avatar
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68 votes
5 answers
16k views

Why didn't Yoda or Obi-Wan tell Luke the truth about his father?

Is the reason neither Yoda or Obi-Wan thought it a good idea to inform Luke that ever discussed? Were they hoping that didn't realize this, and that it wouldn't come up? Or was there an explicit ...
MrDuk's user avatar
  • 1,575
66 votes
6 answers
21k views

When did Obi-Wan Kenobi learn that Anakin was "dead"?

Obi-Wan left Anakin for dead, and one movie later (in A New Hope) he was saying Anakin had been killed by Darth Vader. What exactly did Obi-Wan know about Anakin and Darth Vader before A New Hope ...
MatthewMartin's user avatar
45 votes
7 answers
29k views

Why was Darth Vader called Lord Vader?

In episodes three, four, five and six of Star Wars Darth Vader is sometimes called Lord Vader. What does this title, "Lord", represent? At this point in the Star Wars history knowledge of the Jedi is ...
Xantec's user avatar
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42 votes
2 answers
52k views

Did Vader actually kill Obi-Wan?

So I was looking at this question: Did Obi-Wan need to sacrifice himself to Vader? And it occurred to me... did Vader actually kill Obi-Wan? At the end of the fight, Obi-Wan lifts his lightsaber and ...
Tim's user avatar
  • 6,187
39 votes
11 answers
20k views

Why doesn't there seem to be any fallout from Sidious's lie to Vader?

At the end of Revenge of the Sith, when Anakin faces Obi-Wan for the big lightsaber battle After this duel But then, at the start of Episode V, Vader is searching for "Young Skywalker," and has ...
Tango's user avatar
  • 107k
39 votes
2 answers
8k views

Why is Darth Vader's body suit considered an upgrade to General Grievous'?

It is said that Darth Vader's body armour suit is a direct upgrade of how General Grievous was created. But I can't understand how this is an "upgrade". It was heavier, immobile (compared to Grievous),...
Jared's user avatar
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38 votes
6 answers
10k views

How could Luke hide from Vader during the duel on Death Star II?

In Return of the Jedi, Vader throws his lightsaber at Luke causing the catwalk come crashing down. Luke uses this in his advantage and hides from him under the throne room platform. Unable to locate ...
Essen's user avatar
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33 votes
4 answers
31k views

Did Obi-Wan need to sacrifice himself to Vader?

As far as I understand it, Obi-Wan Kenobi's motivation for engaging Darth Vader in combat and was to buy time for Luke et al to escape from the Death Star. After the battle, he urges Luke, "Run, ...
sigil's user avatar
  • 830
28 votes
8 answers
11k views

Is Darth Vader really afraid of the Emperor?

In Episode VI, during their conversation before meeting the Emperor, Luke asks Vader to give up on the Emperor and join him instead, at which Vader replies: "You don't know the power of the Dark Side, ...
Bogdan Alexandru's user avatar
26 votes
4 answers
8k views

What was Darth Vader adjusting on his joystick controller?

Here we see Darth Vader piloting his fighter while hunting for Rebel starfighters above the Death Star: He does it in multiple scenes. Was this some sort of targeting configuration controller?
Jared's user avatar
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24 votes
3 answers
5k views

Did Darth Sidious know that Anakin was the product of his Master's experiment?

It is now canon that Anakin's birth was a result (un-planned for) of an attempt by Darth Plagueis to create a life that would be a Sith weapon. 1) Is there any canon information regarding whether ...
DVK-on-Ahch-To's user avatar
22 votes
4 answers
4k views

Would Vader Know He's Becoming Redundant?

In Revenge of the Sith: And in The Empire Strikes Back: But this would create problems with the Rule of Two, since that would result in three powerful Sith. And later, in The Return of the Jedi: I ...
Tango's user avatar
  • 107k
18 votes
5 answers
23k views

Why didn't Vader detect the Force in Leia?

In the original trilogy of Star Wars, one of the first scenes is Leia meeting Darth Vader, as Vader is asking her where the plans for the Death Star were hidden. Leia claims ignorance and says that ...
ASH-Aisyah's user avatar
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15 votes
3 answers
1k views

When did Darth Vader learn that Luke took part in Leia's rescue from the Death Star?

While answering this, I ran into the following assertion by OP: from what I can tell, Vader wasn't aware that Luke was in the Millennium Falcon when the Death Star captured it after blowing up ...
DVK-on-Ahch-To's user avatar
12 votes
2 answers
4k views

How does Vader know that escape is not Obi-Wan's plan?

In Episode IV, Vader senses Obi-Wan's presence on the Death Star. In a conversation with Governor Tarkin, he states that, "Escape is not his plan. I must face him alone". How does he know what Obi-...
coleopterist's user avatar
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