One to embody power, the other to crave it.” The Rule contextualizes the master and apprentice dynamic through a ritualistic act of murder, but why was it implemented in the first place?Īfter a period of infighting in ancient times, the Sith were all but wiped out in a conflict against the Jedi. Aaron McBride / Del Rey BooksĬreated by the Ancient Sith Lord Darth Bane, the Rule of Two was a guiding philosophy for the Sith for a millennium. Here’s how.Ĭover art for 'Star Wars: Lords of the Sith'. In a radical way, this retcons what we know about the Sith Rule of Two, the Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise, and some of the biggest moments in Star Wars history. He urges Rey to kill him so that his spirit can possess her, and she/they would then rule the galaxy as “Empress Palpatine.” Grandpappy Palps claims that all of the Sith live in him. Instead, after Rey defeats Kylo Ren and heads to Exegol to confront her grandfather Palpatine, the Emperor drops perhaps the biggest of all Star Wars retcons.

Huge spoilers follow for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.Īt the start of Episode IX, Palpatine lures Kylo Ren to Exegol and promises him the Sith fleet if he kills Rey, but by the end of the film this feels like either a flat-out lie or a bold piece of misdirection. One of the biggest canonical changes that impacts the film’s climax retroactively makes us look at Darth Plageuis and the infamous “Rule of Two” in particular in a totally new light. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker introduces new aspects to the Force that’ll forever change the way we think about the Jedi and the Sith.

Bane the rule of two