Known for his ruthless tactics and cold demeanor, Darth Vader proves to be one of the more effective Sith in the Star Wars universe. It was largely due to him that the Galactic Empire was even able to form and that it continued to do so throughout the original trilogy. With the addition of the ever so controversial prequels as well as Star Wars: The Clone Wars series among other shows, fans were shown a deeper side of Darth Vader in the form of Anakin Skywalker.
It showed his progression from a Jedi destined to bring balance to the force to a Sith corrupted by the dark side. Despite his somewhat pure origins as a Jedi, Darth Vader definitely has plenty of moments where he enjoys what he does.
10 Killing Palpatine's Political Enemies Before The Formation Of The Empire
This followed closely after Anakin Skywalker's especially brutal murder of the younglings in the Jedi Temple. With many of the Jedi slaughtered or in hiding due to Order 66, there was still work to be done to make way for the Emperor. One such thing was the removal of 13 different politicians who would stand in Palpatine's way to taking his place as Emperor.
On Palpatine's orders, Darth Vader decapitated and cut down the 13 politicians in short order. While not nearly as brutal as the murder of the younglings, Vader saw these killings too as necessary for the establishment of the Galactic Empire.
9 Executing Trilla Siduri During The Events Of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
The recent video game, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, released in 2019 follows the story of Cal Kestis, a padawan whose master was killed by clone troopers as a result of Order 66. Throughout the story, the main antagonist was Trilla Siduri, the Second Sister and Inquisitorius formerly trained in the Jedi arts. The climax of the story saw Cal face off against Trilla, besting her alongside former Jedi Knight Cere Junda when Darth Vader unexpectedly arrives and executes her for her failure.
This murder is as ruthless as it is unexpected and what follows is a truly epic chase scene between Cal, Cere and Vader. It is another example of Darth Vader laying down the law and not tolerating any sign of weakness in his subordinates.
8 Turning On Ahsoka Tano In Star Wars: Rebels
As part of Anakin Skywalker's expanded backstory, it is revealed that he had an apprentice himself, Ahsoka Tano. While they were often at odds disagreeing about a number of things, they had a very close relationship which fans grew very fond of. Their bond was almost familial and with that came much love between them.
This bond, however, was not enough to spare Ahsoka Tano from Darth Vader's wrath during the events of Order 66. Vader has a direct hand in hunting down most of the Jedi, Ahsoka included. The duel between the two was heart-wrenching and showed the full extent of Vader's transformation.
7 Killing Obi-Wan Kenobi, One Of The Few Known Jedi At The Time
The next example is very similar in that it also involves a confrontation with a former loved one of Anakin Skywalker's. Prior to becoming Darth Vader, Anakin was a Jedi who trained under Obi-Wan Kenobi. As Anakin betrayed the Jedi and assisted Palpatine, he and Obi-Wan dueled in epic fashion on Mustafar. It was at the end of this battle that Anakin suffered serious burns and needed the Darth Vader suit to save him.
It is because of these injuries along with the fact that Obi-Wan is one of the few remaining Jedi that Vader seeks to destroy that lead to their confrontation. Darth Vader strikes down his former mentor in a move filled with hatred that he sees as furthering his extinction of the Jedi order.
6 Blowing Up An Entire Planet (Alderaan)
In one of the more shocking and grand displays of power, the Galactic Empire uses the newly constructed Death Star to blow up Alderaan. This planet holds special significance as it is the home planet of Princess Leia who is also Vader's daughter (unbeknownst to them at the time.) It is one of the most devastating atrocities the Empire is responsible for and dealt a huge blow to the Rebellion.
Regardless, it still seems a bit extreme of a move to intimidate Princess Leia and weaken the cause. While Darth Vader did not give the order, he had a significant role in the act, sitting back and watching as it happened.
5 Mentoring Galen Marek In Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
The Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and the sequel game follow the story of Galen Marek, a secret apprentice to none other than Darth Vader himself. The game sees the young apprentice gaining more and more power as he completes various missions for Vader. Lord Vader recruited Marek in the hopes that he could one day help him overthrow the Emperor.
While he did take Galen under his wing with specific motives in mind, that does not mean he didn't care for his apprentice. As one might expect, he was very stern in his dealings with him and even cruel at times. In spite of this, he also showed compassion towards Galen Marek, something that few others in the galaxy can boast.
4 His Time Serving Alongside Palpatine Up To And Leading Up To The Empire
With the killing of the politicians and the Jedi to everything that followed, Darth Vader was a huge reason why the Galactic Empire came to fruition in the first place. With that in mind, he committed many atrocities at the Emperor's behest before he became a more independent, powerful force to be reckoned with in his own right. Regardless, the terrible acts that followed the Empire's establishment were done alongside the Emperor himself.
Darth Vader came to fully embrace the Sith way and found true purpose in bringing order to the galaxy. While the relationship with the Emperor could be rocky, it does not change the fact that Vader stood by his side and either watched or took an active part in various unspeakable acts.
3 Frequently Force Choking His Subordinates
It is a well-known fact that Darth Vader does not particularly get along with most of the Imperial Officers that he works with. This dislike even goes far beyond the occasional talking to or reprimand. Vader's dislike for those under him coupled with his low tolerance of failure leads him to very often use the force to teach his subordinates a lesson.
One famous instance is when Admiral Motti questions the force itself to which Vader replies, "I find your lack of faith disturbing" and proceeds to force choke him. Another instance sees him force choke and kill Captain Lorth Needa after he fails to capture the Millennium Falcon. While not as brutal as some of the other entries, this is something Vader enjoys on a more frequent basis.
2 Working Alongside Wrenga Jixton
Galen Marek was certainly not the only person in the galaxy that Vader has shown some form of emotion with. Wrenga Jixton is an Imperial Agent who serves directly under Darth Vader himself. The expanded Star Wars comics universe sees Vader form a bond with Jixton throughout the narrative.
On one occasion, Wrenga Jixton even saved Darth Vader's life in an act that greatly furthered their relationship and Vader's respect for him. It is true that Jixton was not by any means a major character in the universe, but this does not mean he did not form a close relationship with Darth Vader and the two enjoyed their time together to some extent.
1 Forming An Actual Friendship With Erv Lekauf
Speaking of those Darth Vader grew rather close with, this list would not be complete without Erv Lekauf. He was an Imperial Officer who served as Vader's personal aide during the early years of the Galactic Empire. After being ambushed by assassins and a Dark Jedi, Sa Cuis, Lekauf showed his mettle to Vader in his determination to stand by his side and fight.
Darth Vader felt most of his subordinates lacked a spine and were prone to disloyalty while Erv showed him true loyalty and courage in his actions. He even recommended and had Erv Lekauf cloned in a secret imperial cloning program. Lekauf even suffered serious burns which led Vader to lash out at those responsible. It is for this reason among others that Darth Vader saw himself in Erv Lekauf and even considered him a friend.