Summary
- The Knights of Ren originate from the Unknown Regions and have existed for centuries as dark side legends.
- The Knights are not Jedi nor Sith, though they wield the dark side which they call "The Shadow", wielding the Force as a blunt instrument according to both Luke Skywalker and Palpatine.
- Kylo Ren became their leader by slaying the preceding Ren and claiming his title.
Although the Knights of Ren are fascinating and a force to be reckoned with in the Led by Ben Solo's Kylo Ren during the New Republic era, the Knights of Ren were his enforcers operating in the background until The Rise of Skywalker when their true allegiance to Palpatine was revealed. However, the legacy of the Knights of Ren goes back much further beyond Darth Vader's grandson.
Credited by Supreme Leader Snoke as "master of the Knights of Ren" in The Force Awakens, Kylo Ren's group of marauding dark-side s were briefly shown during Rey's first Force vision but didn't fully debut until The Rise of Skywalker. However, not much was revealed about the Knights in the final chapter of the Skywalker saga, though visual guides and comics set in the established Star Wars canon have revealed a handful of key insights. To that end, here's everything we know about the Knights of Ren, its , and their history.
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Every Member Of The Knights Of Ren In The Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Era
Led By Kylo Ren
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
Vicrul |
The Reaper of Souls |
Cardo |
A Walking Arsenal |
Ushar |
A Merciless Punisher |
Trudgen |
The Trophy Collector |
Kuruk |
Force-Sensitive Sniper and Pilot |
Ap'lek |
Deception And Strategy |
The most prominent Knights of Ren roster is featured during the New Republic era as seen in the sequel trilogy. However, the Knights' various names of its and their respective personalities were revealed elsewhere through various visual guides, canon comics, and even trading cards. For example, two of the longest serving are Vicrul and Cardo, both of whom were Knights during the Imperial Era, long before Ben Solo took the reins of the dark side faction as Kylo Ren following his corruption to the dark side.
A "reaper of souls", Vicrul believed every kill increased his power in the dark side, untamed as it was just like the rest of the Knights with their limited Force-sensitivity. Cardo was a walking arsenal, preferring long-range weapons as opposed to close combat. Ushar was without mercy, preferring to slowly punish prisoners, while Trudgen was obsessed with collecting trophies (his helmet was forged from an Imperial Death Trooper). Kuruk served as the Knights' pilot and sniper, his focus enhanced by the dark side, and Ap'lek preferred to deceive his targets by relying on stealth and deception to kill his prey.
The Knights Of Ren Originate In The Galaxy's Unknown Regions
Mysterious Dark Side Legends
It's been confirmed that the Knights of Ren originally came from the Unknown Regions in the Star Wars galaxy. Although the details are scarce, it does make sense that the Unknown Regions was a sector in which they largely operated for large portions of the Star Wars timeline. This would explain the Knights' lack of presence at earlier points in the Skywlker saga, only coming out of the shadows during the Empire's rule when the Jedi were believed to have become extinct.
The Knights Of Ren Have Existed For Centuries
Long Before Kylo Ren
While not much is known about the Knights of Ren and their inception, it's been confirmed that they've existed for centuries as dark side legends. However, it's been suggested in Star Wars: Crimson Reign that the more current Knights of Ren operating during the Galactic Civil War and beyond were pale imitations of dark side warriors from the ancient past. The implication is that the current Knights were simply using the name and its legend to increase their reputation (while not sharing in their same levels of power).
The Knights Of Ren Are Force-Sensitives... But Neither Jedi Nor Sith
The Knights Wield The Shadow
While neither Jedi nor Sith, the Knights of Ren are dark side wielders. Referring to the dark side as "The Shadow", the Knights of Ren are far less disciplined and trained in the dark side of the Force compared to their Sith Lord counterparts. At one point, Luke Skywalker confirmed the Knights' use of the Force was akin to wielding a hammer, while Jedi wield the Force with more precision and grace like a blade.
The Emperor still saw the Knights' value, coercing their service in the final months of the Galactic Civil War.
To that end, even Emperor Palpatine himself reiterated this perception by referring to the Knights as "blunt instruments". However, the Emperor still saw the Knights' value, coercing their service in the final months of the Galactic Civil War with his greater power. After turning on Lady Qi'ra and Crimson Dawn to save the Emperor and Darth Vader as seen in Hidden Empire, the Knights became Palpatine's secret agents out of fear (setting up their ongoing loyalty as seen in Rise of Skywalker).
The Armor Of The Knights Of Ren Was Crafted At A Sith Forge
Served By The Sith Alchemist Albrekh
Having their own dark forge aboard their ship, the Knights employed the services of the Sith Alchemist Albrekh to craft and repair their weapons and armor in between their raids and hunts. This includes the restoration of Kylo Ren's helmet as seen in The Rise of Skywalker. To that end, Albrek's only appearance in the Star Wars canon thus far has been in The Rise of Skywalker when he put Ren's helmet back together, and much of his past and history has remained a mystery.
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The Knights Of Ren Traveled Aboard The Night Buzzard
A Heavily Modified Dungeon Ship
The Knights of Ren's primary mode of transportation was an all-black cruiser known as the Night Buzzard which was briefly shown in Rise of Skywalker. Billowing noxious black smoke as it traveled across the galaxy, the Night Buzzard originated from a planet in the Unknown Regions known as Osseriton where it was built as a dungeon ship the Knights heavily modified for their needs, all of which was first confirmed in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Visual Dictionary.
The Knights Of Ren Worked For Crimson Dawn (Against Darth Vader)
Led By Star Wars Original Ren
This major heist resulted in one of the Knights' deaths and a brief duel between Ren, the Knights' then-leader, and Vader himself before the marauders ultimately made their escape with Qi'ra's prize.
One of the Knights' biggest moments was their confrontation with Darth Vader in the aftermath of The Empire Strikes Back. Before their allegiance was given to Palaptine, the Knights were in league with Crimson Dawn's Lady Qi'ra who sought to destroy the Sith and their grip on the galaxy at large. To that end, Qi'ra has the Knights steal an ancient artifact from Vader's own fortress on Mustafar. This major heist resulted in one of the Knights' deaths and a brief duel between Ren, the Knights' then-leader, and Vader himself before the marauders ultimately made their escape with Qi'ra's prize.
How Kylo Ren Became Leader Of The Knights Of Ren
Slaying The Preceding Ren
The Knights of Ren were originally led by Ren who inherited the title from the previous leader, a tradition that had been ed down for centuries. Although Ren led the Knights during the Imperial era and most of the New Republic era, Ben Solo's corruption to the dark side led to a change in leadership. Having burned down his uncle's Jedi academy, Ben Solo was motivated by Snoke to take up a new name and to the Knights of Ren.
As a result, Kylo ends up challenging Ren and bests him in combat due to his greater power in the Force. As such, Ben Solo officially became Kylo Ren shortly before creating his red-bladed crossguard lightsaber in the Star Wars timeline. However, the Knights of Ren would continue to secretly be loyal to Palpatine.
Other Known Of The Knights Of Ren
The Imperial Era Led By Ren
During the Imperial Era, the Knights of Ren's roster was somewhat different. Beyond Ren as their original leader along with Vicrul and Cardo who survived into the New Republic to be led by Kylo Ren, there were four Knights who made their debut in canonical comics when the dark siders were briefly allied with Crimson Dawn.
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
Marinda |
Ren's Right Hand (And Former Jedi?) |
Bazzra |
Foul-Mouthed Warrior |
Fyodor |
Spit In Vader's Bacta |
Massif |
The Smallest Knight |
While Marinda seemed to have Ren's ear and trust (and may have once been a Jedi), Bazzra was known for being incredibly foul-mouthed and ultimately perished during Crimson Dawn's attempts to destroy the Sith. Likewise, Fyodor massively disrespected Darth Vader by spitting into his healing bacta tanks during the Mustafar heist, only to be killed by Vader himself moments later. Massif was also an original member of the Knights of Ren during the Imperial Era was notable for his diminutive height. That said, the ultimate fates of both Marinda and Massif are unknown in the Star Wars canon.
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- Release Date
- December 18, 2019
- Runtime
- 142 minutes
- Director
- J.J. Abrams
Cast
Rey
Kylo Ren / Ben Solo
WHERE TO WATCH
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker concludes the Skywalker saga with Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron leading the Resistance against the First Order. As the final battle unfolds, they draw upon the wisdom and strength of previous generations to confront their adversaries. Released in 2019, the film concludes the sequel trilogy.
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