Darth Vader vs. Palpatine: All 9 Canon Battles in Star Wars and Their Outcomes

In the expansive Star Wars universe, the tumultuous relationship between **Emperor Palpatine** and **Darth Vader** has been fraught with conflict, exemplified by numerous confrontations highlighted in the canon. Beginning with Vader’s transformation into Palpatine’s apprentice in Revenge of the Sith, attempts to defy and even eliminate his master have consistently underscored the dynamic of their bond. Despite Palpatine’s repeated triumphs until Vader’s redemption in Return of the Jedi, there were moments in their encounters that showcased a thrilling balance of power, some culminating in stalemates.

According to **Darth Bane’s Rule of Two**, every Sith must have a master who embodies the dark side and an apprentice who aspires to surpass him. This philosophy naturally leads to the apprentice seeking to gain enough strength to overthrow and kill the master, subsequently taking an apprentice of their own. Hence, it is not surprising that Vader made several attempts to vanquish Palpatine before the Emperor’s eventual downfall. Below is a comprehensive overview of the confrontations between Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, detailing who emerged victorious in each.

9 The Immediate Aftermath of Revenge of the Sith

Darth Vader #1 (2017)

After the events of Revenge of the Sith, the newly transformed Darth Vader is saved by Palpatine, following his devastating loss on Mustafar. Equipped with cybernetic armor, Vader awakens to the horrifying realization that he has inadvertently caused the death of his beloved wife, Padmé. Overcome with grief and fury, he initially lashes out and destroys surrounding droids. In Marvel’s 2017 series, this scene escalates as Vader retaliates against Palpatine, expressing his anger directed at his master for failing to fulfill their promise to save Padmé.

Using the Force, he violently slams Palpatine against a wall, but ultimately, Palpatine counters by unleashing a powerful blast of Force lightning, warning Vader against future attacks and asserting his dominance with the ominous declaration of completing “what Kenobi could not.”

8 Darth Vader’s Kyber Vision

Darth Vader #5 (2017)

Following the tragic events of his transformation, Vader receives a directive from Palpatine that compels him to kill a Jedi and corrupt their kyber crystal, an important rite of passage for Sith apprentices. However, while engaged in this task, he experiences a profound Force vision depicting an alternate reality in which he defeats Palpatine and seeks redemption by surrendering to Obi-Wan Kenobi.

In this vision, wielding a green lightsaber, Vader battles Palpatine, ultimately overcoming his master. While merely a vision reflecting what might have been, it emphasizes the potential for Vader’s redemption had he chosen a different path, one away from the dark side.

7 Vader and Palpatine Sparring on Coruscant

Star Wars #25 (2020)

In Star Wars #25 (2020), Palpatine and Vader engage in a sparring session shortly after Vader constructs his Sith lightsaber. Palpatine demonstrates that mastery over the dark side transcends mere lightsaber combat, emphasizing that true power lies within the Force. Vader learns the hard way when Palpatine skillfully disarms him and subsequently forces him into submission using overwhelming dark side abilities.

6 Darth Vader’s Droid Army vs Palpatine’s Apprentice Replacements

Darth Vader (2015)

In the aftermath of A New Hope, the 2015 Darth Vader series introduces the shocking moment when Vader uncovers the true identity of the Rebel pilot who destroyed the Death Star: his long-lost son. This revelation prompts Vader to devise a plan to usurp Palpatine by secretly assembling a droid army. Meanwhile, Palpatine, in his own machinations, recruits potential new apprentices, demonstrating his unease with Vader following their significant loss in the Battle of Yavin.

During this period, Vader proves his superiority, triumphing over all of Palpatine’s potential replacements, which rekindles a measure of respect from his master. Despite Palpatine’s awareness of Vader’s hidden aspirations, their conflict during this period culminates in a stalemate, highlighting the intricacies of their power struggle.

5 Darth Vader’s Punishment on Mustafar

Darth Vader #6 (2020)

Following the emotional turmoil post-The Empire Strikes Back when Luke rejects Vader’s offer to join him, Darth Vader’s refusal to heed Palpatine’s call leads to severe consequences. In the 2020 Darth Vader series, upon Vader’s return to Coruscant, Palpatine punishes him brutally by utilizing the Force to crush his cybernetic limbs. This punishment serves as a grim reminder of Palpatine’s unwavering control over Vader, as he casts him back onto the lava bank from which he once rescued him, renewing Darth Vader’s desperate desire for vengeance against his master.

4 Vader and Palpatine’s Clash on Exegol

Darth Vader #11 (2020)

In Darth Vader #11 (2020), Vader’s relentless pursuit of Palpatine leads him across the Blood Net to the secret Sith planet of Exegol. Here, he commandeers a monstrous creature known as a **Summa-Verminoth** to confront Palpatine with the intention of finally vanquishing him. In response, Palpatine, always several steps ahead, conjures two formidable crustacean beasts to engage Vader. After proving superior, Palpatine dispatches the Verminoth, cementing his dominance yet again over Vader.

3 Darth Vader and Palpatine Spar During Crimson Dawn Trilogy

Hidden Empire #4 (2022)

During the **Crimson Dawn** comics series, specifically in Hidden Empire #4, Palpatine and Vader engage in a sparring session prompted by Lady Qi’ra’s machinations. As they clash with lightsabers, they discuss the implications of the Rule of Two and the potential implications of a third Sith coming into play. Surprisingly, even as the sparring session concludes, Vader persists in his assault, aiming his weapon dangerously close to Palpatine’s head, only halting when Palpatine firmly calls out to him.

2 Darth Vader’s Final Dark Side Endgame

Darth Vader #50 (2020)

In the lead-up to Return of the Jedi, Darth Vader embarks on one final attempt to unseat Palpatine, as he yearns to impose order across the galaxy and ally his son, Luke, with him. Armed with new abilities, weaponry derived from a planet stripped of life, and a clandestine droid army alongside a coalition called the Schism Imperial, Vader sets his plans into motion.

Despite these developments, Palpatine anticipated Vader’s maneuvers and treated them as a strategic opportunity to prove his own mastery. As the confrontation reaches its peak, Vader finds himself once again bowing in submission to Palpatine, mirroring past encounters and fortifying the Emperor’s dominion over his apprentice. This incident serves as a crucial reminder that Palpatine, through careful manipulation, remained several steps ahead, leading to an unexpected outcome during Vader’s eventual redemption.

1 Darth Vader’s Redemption as the Chosen One

Return of the Jedi

In a poignant conclusion, Darth Vader ultimately overcomes Palpatine in Return of the Jedi. Driven by a fierce desire to protect his son, Luke, from the Emperor’s uncontrolled malice, Vader makes the fateful choice to redeem himself. Despite a lifetime of darkness as Darth Vader, he sacrifices his own life by hurling Palpatine into the reactor shaft, fulfilling his destiny as the Chosen One and ensuring the Emperor’s demise.

Upcoming Star Wars Movies	Release Date
The Mandalorian & Grogu	May 22, 2026

Source & Images