The rise of Supreme Leader Snoke was no coincidence. Played by Andy Serkis, this enigmatic figure appeared as the ultimate authority behind the First Order, wielding immense power and commanding absolute loyalty. From the shadows, a sinister plan unfolded, designed to ensure the survival of Sith influence after the fall of the Galactic Empire.
Unknown to most, Snoke was never a natural being. Created through Sith alchemy and genetic engineering, this artificial entity served a singular purpose: to manipulate the remnants of the Empire and shape the next generation of dark side warriors. Despite wielding no lightsaber, Snoke possessed mastery over the Force, demonstrating abilities beyond even the most powerful Sith Lords.
But how did this puppet ruler rise to power? How did Snoke become the Supreme Leader of the First Order, and why did his reign end in betrayal? The answers lie deep within the dark history of the Sith Eternal, the remnants of the Empire, and the corruption of Ben Solo.
The Creation of Snoke: A Puppet of the Sith Eternal
Snoke was not born but engineered. In the hidden depths of Exegol, Sith cultists and scientists carried out the final will of Emperor Palpatine, constructing a being that could lead the First Order while concealing the true mastermind behind it all. The Sith Eternal, an ancient cult dedicated to the dark side, worked tirelessly to clone, modify, and perfect this creation.
Multiple failed attempts led to grotesque, deformed versions of Snoke, stored in vats of dark fluids deep within the Sith laboratories. The final version, though scarred and unnatural in appearance, possessed the intelligence, strength, and charisma needed to command a new empire. Unlike Palpatine, Snoke did not claim the title of Sith Lord. Instead, this creation presented itself as something beyond the Jedi and Sith, a self-proclaimed master of the Force with knowledge surpassing both traditions.
Infused with ancient Sith knowledge, Snoke became a powerful wielder of the dark side. Unlike the Sith Lords before, Snoke never wielded a lightsaber. However, deep knowledge of lightsaber combat was evident in the training of Kylo Ren. Preference leaned toward Form II, Makashi, the elegant and precise dueling technique favored by Sith Lords such as Count Dooku. Kylo Ren, under Snoke’s brutal guidance, developed an unpredictable and aggressive fighting style, shaped by his master’s knowledge.
The Fall of the Empire and the Birth of the First Order
The fall of the Galactic Empire created a power vacuum that the New Republic struggled to fill. While the Rebellion celebrated victory, remnants of the Empire regrouped in the Unknown Regions, following Palpatine’s final contingency plan. Operation Cinder, a brutal campaign of destruction, was designed to punish worlds loyal to the Emperor and ensure that only the strongest Imperial leaders survived.
Many of these survivors fled into deep space, following hidden coordinates stored in Palpatine’s observatories. These loyalists, including officers like Brendol Hux and Rae Sloane, became the foundation of the First Order. Cut off from the galaxy, these remnants rebuilt their strength, constructing powerful new warships and training a fresh generation of stormtroopers.
It was during this time that Snoke emerged, seemingly from the Unknown Regions. Claiming vast knowledge of the dark side, this enigmatic leader gained the loyalty of the surviving Imperials. With a commanding presence and undeniable power, Snoke positioned himself as the Supreme Leader of the First Order, unchallenged by any who remained.
But this rise to power was no accident. From the shadows, Darth Sidious ensured that his creation held enough strength to deceive even the most devoted followers of the Empire. The First Order, believing Snoke to be their true leader, unknowingly followed the will of the Sith Eternal.
Snoke’s Influence on Ben Solo: The Fall of a Skywalker
The true goal of Snoke was not merely to lead the First Order but to shape the future of the dark side. Ben Solo, the grandson of Darth Vader and the last hope of the Skywalker lineage, became the primary target of Snoke’s influence.
From an early age, Snoke manipulated Ben’s emotions, whispering into his mind and exploiting his deepest fears. Luke Skywalker, sensing darkness in his nephew, grew increasingly wary of Ben’s potential. The tension between master and student escalated until one fateful night, when Luke Skywalker, in a moment of fear, considered striking Ben down.
That single moment of hesitation sealed Ben’s fate. Feeling betrayed by his uncle, Ben Solo lashed out, destroying Luke’s Jedi Temple and slaughtering his fellow students. Fleeing into exile, Ben sought refuge in the teachings of the dark side, where Snoke awaited him with open arms.
Under Snoke’s command, Ben Solo took on a new name—Kylo Ren, the heir to the dark side. A new leader for the Knights of Ren, a mysterious order of dark side warriors, Kylo Ren became the enforcer of the First Order.
Snoke’s manipulation did not end there. The Supreme Leader subjected Kylo Ren to harsh training, pushing the young warrior to abandon all weakness. Every mission, every battle, every failure was a test, ensuring that Kylo Ren would evolve into a Sith-worthy apprentice. Unlike the Rule of Two, which defined Sith training for generations, Snoke’s methods were far more brutal, emphasizing pain, loss, and rage as the true path to power.
The First Order’s War Against the Resistance
Under Snoke’s rule, the First Order waged war against the New Republic and the Resistance. With advanced Star Destroyers, a well-trained military, and a relentless pursuit of galactic domination, Snoke stood poised to overthrow the fragile peace established after the fall of the Empire.
The greatest weapon of the First Order, Starkiller Base, symbolized the Supreme Leader’s might. A planet-sized superweapon capable of destroying entire star systems, Starkiller Base was a testament to the First Order’s technological superiority. The destruction of the Hosnian system, home to the New Republic’s government, sent shockwaves across the galaxy, proving that the First Order was unstoppable.
But Snoke’s ambitions went beyond mere conquest. The ultimate goal was the total destruction of the Jedi. Rey, a Force-sensitive scavenger from Jakku, caught the Supreme Leader’s attention. Recognizing the potential in Rey, Snoke sought to turn this powerful individual to the dark side, just as had been done with Kylo Ren.
The Fall of Snoke: Betrayed by His Own Apprentice
Despite unparalleled power, Snoke failed to foresee the one thing that would lead to his downfall—Kylo Ren’s ambition.
During a confrontation aboard the Supremacy, the Supreme Leader sought to break Rey, forcing Kylo Ren to prove loyalty by executing her. But instead of striking Rey down, Kylo Ren turned his lightsaber toward Snoke himself.
Using Anakin Skywalker’s blue lightsaber, Kylo Ren secretly manipulated the Force, activating the weapon and slicing Snoke in half. The Supreme Leader, once the most feared ruler in the galaxy, fell in an instant. With his master dead, Kylo Ren seized control of the First Order, declaring himself the new Supreme Leader.
Snoke’s Legacy: A Pawn in a Greater Game
The death of Snoke did not mark the end of the Sith’s influence. The Sith Eternal, still hidden on Exegol, continued to work toward their final plan. Palpatine, having orchestrated every event from the beginning, revealed his return. Snoke, despite his power, was never meant to be the true ruler—only a tool to ensure the rise of the Final Order.
Even after death, remnants of Snoke’s existence remained. Cloned bodies, identical to the fallen Supreme Leader, floated in containment vats deep within Exegol’s laboratories. The galaxy never knew the truth: Snoke was merely an experiment, a vessel for a far greater evil.
Though Snoke’s reign ended in betrayal, the Supreme Leader succeeded in his primary mission—shaping Kylo Ren into the ultimate dark side warrior. Even in death, Snoke’s influence persisted, proving that the Sith’s grip on the galaxy was far from over.
