Sith Troopers are officially part of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and will be featured at San Diego Comic-Con. Here’s what we know so far about the Sith Troopers, speculation of what their role will be, and questions we still have.
The latest episode of The Star Wars Show revealed the first look at the newest addition to the forces of the First Order. It was teased in the episode that “The Sith Trooper is the next evolution of the Imperial First Order’s soldiers and bears a more modern and menacing look worthy of its namesake.”
Those who attend San Diego Comic-Con will be able to see the Sith Trooper armor firsthand, along with the costume designs for other soldiers from the Empire and First Order, such as the Imperial Stormtrooper, Imperial TIE Pilot, Deathtrooper, Shoretrooper, Biker Scout, First Order Stormtrooper, and First Order TIE Pilot. Products such as a Sith Trooper Funko Pops will also be available to purchase at SDCC.
While we don’t know what their exact role yet, the Sith Troopers will likely be akin to the Deathtroopers who appeared in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Unlike the standard Stormtroopers, the elite Deathtroopers were far more menacing and felt like more of a real threat. They actually managed to hit their targets and killed a number of significant characters, including Lyra Erso, Bodhi Rook, Chirrut Îmwe, and Baze Malbus. They accompanied high-ranking Imperial officials like Director Orson Krennic in Rogue One, and were often by Grand Admiral Thrawn’s side in Star Wars Rebels.
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As a more evolved and elite version of the First Order’s Stormtroopers, they will likely accompany high-ranking First Order characters like Supreme Leader Kylo Ren, General Hux, or Allegiant General Pryde in The Rise of Skywalker. If they’re anything like the Death Troopers, they could pose a serious threat to the Resistance, and maybe even kill or seriously harm some of the protagonists.
A major question regarding the Sith Trooper is what it means for the Sith in the sequel trilogy era. Kylo Ren is not supposed to be a Sith, and neither was Supreme Leader Snoke. The Sith are thought to have gone extinct with the demises of Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine in Return of the Jedi.
Does this mean the Sith Troopers are connected to the mysterious role Palpatine will be playing in The Rise of Skywalker? Or are they just called Sith Troopers because of the red armor and as a homage to the past?
Regardless, it’s exciting to see a new Stormtrooper design for The Rise of Skywalker and the possible implications it contains for the story. Those who attend SDCC will be fortunate enough to get a closer look at the Sith Troopers.
Are you excited by the news of Sith Troopers for The Rise of Skywalker and SDCC? Sound off in the comments!