The rise of the First Order brought forth two of its most formidable leaders—General Armitage Hux and Captain Phasma. Domhnall Gleeson portrayed Hux, the ambitious and calculating general, while Gwendoline Christie played Captain Phasma, the elite stormtrooper commander whose loyalty to the First Order was absolute. Both figures commanded fear and respect, enforcing Supreme Leader Snoke’s will across the galaxy. Together, they shaped the First Order’s military dominance, employing ruthless tactics to crush any opposition.
The Rise of General Hux
Armitage Hux was the son of Brendol Hux, a former officer of the Galactic Empire. Brendol played a key role in designing the training programs for the Empire’s stormtrooper legions, and his teachings laid the foundation for the First Order’s military doctrine. Unlike his father, Armitage was not a warrior but a strategist who believed in ruling through fear and technological supremacy.
Born into the remnants of the Empire, Hux was raised to believe in the superiority of authoritarian rule. Unlike the warlords who splintered the Empire after the fall of Emperor Palpatine, the growing First Order operated in secrecy, preparing for its resurgence. Hux excelled within this system, using his intellect and political cunning to rise through the ranks. A deep resentment toward his father and a relentless desire for power drove Hux to surpass expectations, proving that strength came from ambition, not lineage.
Upon becoming a general, Hux played a crucial role in the development of Starkiller Base, the First Order’s superweapon designed to surpass the Death Star. Unlike the Empire’s previous attempts at ruling through planetary destruction, Hux envisioned Starkiller Base as an instrument of complete domination. By harnessing the power of a star, the weapon could annihilate multiple planets in a single attack. This capability solidified the First Order’s position as the galaxy’s new ruling force.
During the First Order’s attack on the New Republic, Hux stood before thousands of stormtroopers, delivering a fiery speech that showcased his unwavering belief in the Order’s destiny. The destruction of the Hosnian system marked the First Order’s official emergence from the shadows. However, Starkiller Base’s triumph was short-lived. The Resistance launched a daring assault, led by Han Solo and Poe Dameron, crippling the base’s defenses. As the battle escalated, Supreme Leader Snoke ordered Hux to retrieve Kylo Ren before the station’s destruction. Forced to abandon his greatest achievement, Hux evacuated with Kylo, setting the stage for a new chapter in the war.
Captain Phasma: The Chrome-Clad Enforcer
Captain Phasma was unlike any other stormtrooper commander in the history of the First Order. Clad in custom-made chromium armor, salvaged from a Naboo starship once owned by Emperor Palpatine, Phasma stood apart from the rank-and-file troops. This reflective armor symbolized Phasma’s status and unwavering commitment to the First Order’s ideals.
Born on the harsh world of Parnassos, Phasma’s early life was defined by survival. Raised among warriors, Phasma learned to fight ruthlessly, abandoning weakness in favor of strength. When Brendol Hux arrived on Parnassos, seeking the best fighters to shape the future of the First Order, Phasma betrayed her own people to secure a place among the rising military force. This act of cold ambition defined Phasma’s leadership style—loyalty to the strongest, no matter the cost.
As the commander of the stormtrooper legions, Phasma redefined the training program, eliminating the weaknesses that had plagued the Imperial stormtroopers. Unlike the clone troopers of the Grand Army of the Republic, the First Order’s stormtroopers were taken as children and conditioned to be loyal soldiers, free of individuality. Phasma enforced this doctrine without mercy, ensuring that the First Order’s forces operated with precision and discipline.
Phasma’s leadership came under scrutiny when FN-2187, later known as Finn, defected during the attack on Jakku. This rare case of rebellion within the First Order’s ranks was a direct challenge to Phasma’s training methods. Later, when Finn, Han Solo, and Chewbacca infiltrated Starkiller Base, Phasma was captured and forced to lower the station’s shields. The humiliating defeat, followed by the destruction of the base, tarnished Phasma’s reputation. However, survival remained Phasma’s greatest strength. Emerging from the wreckage, Phasma plotted revenge against Finn, determined to erase any sign of weakness.
Power Struggles and Betrayal
As the war escalated, tensions between Hux and Kylo Ren grew stronger. Unlike the Sith and Imperial officers of the past, the First Order was led by two opposing ideologies—Hux’s reliance on military strategy and Kylo Ren’s belief in the dark side of the Force. Both sought to shape the future of the First Order, yet neither trusted the other.
Following the death of Supreme Leader Snoke aboard the Supremacy, Kylo Ren declared himself the new leader of the First Order. Hux, refusing to bow to Kylo’s rule, attempted to challenge his authority but was quickly subdued. Forced to serve under Kylo’s command, Hux remained outwardly loyal while secretly working to undermine Kylo’s leadership. This rivalry led Hux to commit an act of ultimate betrayal—leaking information to the Resistance.
Hux did not turn traitor out of sympathy for the Resistance’s cause but out of pure hatred for Kylo Ren. Viewing himself as the rightful leader of the First Order, Hux believed that any setback Kylo suffered would open an opportunity for him to seize control. This calculated risk failed when Allegiant General Pryde discovered Hux’s deception. Without hesitation, Pryde executed Hux, eliminating him as a threat to the First Order’s hierarchy.
Meanwhile, Phasma’s final battle took place aboard the Supremacy. During the Resistance’s escape, Phasma confronted Finn, seeking revenge for past betrayals. In a fierce duel, Phasma overpowered Finn initially, showcasing superior combat skills. However, Finn, refusing to be intimidated, fought back and struck a decisive blow. As the ship crumbled around them, Phasma fell into a fiery abyss, meeting a brutal end. Even in her final moments, Phasma refused to acknowledge defeat, proving her unwavering commitment to power and survival.
Legacy of the First Order’s Commanders
General Hux and Captain Phasma played pivotal roles in shaping the First Order’s military dominance. Hux, a master of strategy and propaganda, sought to rule through technological superiority and fear. Phasma, an elite warrior, enforced discipline with ruthless efficiency, ensuring the stormtroopers remained a formidable force. Together, they represented the Order’s strength and brutality.
Despite their ambition, both commanders met tragic ends. Hux’s thirst for power led to betrayal, only to be discarded by a superior officer. Phasma, a warrior without equal, fell not to an army but to an individual who refused to submit. Their failures mirrored the collapse of the First Order itself, proving that internal conflict was just as destructive as any external enemy.
Though their deaths marked the end of their direct influence, the legacy of General Hux and Captain Phasma endured. Their methods shaped the future of warfare in the galaxy, leaving a lasting impact on those who followed in their footsteps. Even in defeat, their presence echoed throughout history, a reminder of the First Order’s relentless pursuit of power.
