The Definitive Ranking of All the Villains in the Star Wars Saga Films

7. Count Dooku

Count Dooku was no fool. First, he taught Qui-Gon Jinn. Jinn then became a very powerful Jedi Master, who found the Chosen One on Tatooine and learned the path to immortality with the Force.

After teaching Qui-Gon and turning away from the Jedi Order, Count Dooku orchestrated the Clone Wars and became a powerful politician. Along with Viceroy Nute Gunray, Count Dooku led the Separatist Movement. He rallied several planets and systems to join the Confederacy of Independent Systems.

Unlike Emperor Palpatine, who wanted absolute power, Dooku seemed to understand that he’d need allies to maintain peace throughout the galaxy. At one point, he shared with Qui-Gon Jinn that a Sith Lord presided over the Republic, which proves that he didn’t necessarily believe in Palpatine’s vision.

He further proved to be a very powerful Sith when confronted by Anakin and Obi-Wan on Geonosis. He bested both and escaped from even the powerful Master Yoda. Unfortunately, by Revenge of the Sith, Palpatine manipulated Anakin into executing Count Dooku.

One must wonder, though, if Count Dooku and Grievous survived, would the Empire have risen so easily?