Played by Andy Serkis, Snoke was introduced as the Supreme Leader of the First Order, a mysterious figure shrouded in darkness. From the moment Supreme Leader Snoke appeared in The Force Awakens, questions surrounded the origins, power, and influence of this towering dark side wielder. Unlike previous Sith Lords, Snoke did not claim the title of Darth, yet wielded immense power over the First Order and its enforcers, particularly Kylo Ren. The character’s grotesque appearance, immense Force abilities, and cryptic knowledge of the Force suggested a long history in the dark side. However, the truth was far more sinister. Snoke was not an independent mastermind but a carefully engineered creation of Emperor Palpatine, designed to serve as a puppet leader for the First Order.
The Rise of Supreme Leader Snoke
The First Order emerged from the remnants of the Galactic Empire, built in secret by Imperial loyalists who fled into the Unknown Regions after the fall of Palpatine. Despite its military strength, the First Order needed a central figure of power to lead its forces. This role fell to Supreme Leader Snoke, a being who appeared to command absolute authority.
Snoke’s rise to power was shrouded in mystery. No records of Supreme Leader Snoke existed before the collapse of the Empire. Yet, figures like General Armitage Hux followed orders without hesitation. His presence gave the First Order a figurehead to rally behind, allowing the organization to operate in the shadows before revealing itself as a full-fledged military power.
Kylo Ren, the grandson of Darth Vader, became Snoke’s most prized disciple. Unlike the Sith before, Snoke did not strictly adhere to the Rule of Two. Instead, multiple dark side enforcers operated under the Supreme Leader’s command, including the Knights of Ren.
Snoke’s Force Powers and Lightsaber Combat
Snoke wielded immense power in the dark side of the Force. Unlike Palpatine, who concealed his abilities before revealing his true nature, Snoke openly displayed Force mastery. Supreme Leader Snoke used the Force for brutal displays of power, effortlessly tossing enemies across the room, breaking their bones, and even killing from a distance. One of the most terrifying abilities was Force mind probing, which allowed Snoke to extract information from unwilling victims.
Snoke also demonstrated Force vision and foresight, using these abilities to manipulate Kylo Ren and anticipate the actions of the Resistance. The Supreme Leader claimed to have foreseen the fall of Luke Skywalker and the rise of Kylo Ren, shaping events from the shadows.
Despite such immense power, Snoke never wielded a lightsaber in battle. The Supreme Leader preferred psychological and Force-based dominance rather than physical combat. However, the style of control and movement resembled Form II: Makashi, a lightsaber form associated with elegance, precision, and deception. This suggests that if Snoke had used a lightsaber, it would have followed this refined technique.
Snoke’s Manipulation of Kylo Ren
Ben Solo, the son of Leia Organa and Han Solo, showed strong Force sensitivity from birth. From a young age, Snoke whispered into Ben’s mind, exploiting fears and insecurities. This psychological manipulation created doubt within Ben, leading to an internal struggle between the light and dark sides of the Force.
Luke Skywalker sensed this growing darkness and, in a moment of weakness, considered striking down his nephew. Ben awoke to see his master standing over him with an ignited lightsaber, confirming his worst fears. This pivotal moment led Ben Solo to fully embrace the dark side, taking the name Kylo Ren and aligning with Snoke.
Snoke’s teachings were brutal. Supreme Leader Snoke constantly tested Kylo Ren’s loyalty, forcing the apprentice to prove himself through violence and destruction. One of the greatest trials was the execution of Han Solo. The Supreme Leader knew that only by severing the last emotional ties to his past could Kylo fully embrace the dark side. Kylo hesitated but ultimately killed his father, believing it would strengthen his connection to the dark side.
Despite these actions, Snoke continued to belittle Kylo Ren, calling him weak and unworthy of Darth Vader’s legacy. This constant degradation pushed Kylo further into anger and resentment.
The Truth Behind Snoke: A Creation of Darth Sidious
The biggest revelation about Snoke’s origins came in The Rise of Skywalker. The Supreme Leader was not a self-made dark side user or a long-lost Sith Lord. Instead, Snoke was an artificially engineered being, created by Emperor Palpatine on Exegol.
Deep within the Sith Eternal laboratories, Palpatine constructed Snoke as a puppet to command the First Order. Multiple clones of Snoke existed, suspended in vats, ensuring that even if one was destroyed, another could take its place. This explained the grotesque, scarred appearance—Snoke was an imperfect clone, unlike the more precise clones of Jango Fett.
Although Snoke had some level of free will, every action was influenced by Palpatine. The Supreme Leader was merely a tool used to shape events, preparing the galaxy for the Final Order and the eventual return of the Sith.
The Fall of Snoke
Despite claiming to see all, Snoke failed to predict Kylo Ren’s final betrayal. In The Last Jedi, Supreme Leader Snoke brought Kylo Ren and Rey before the throne, demanding Kylo execute the Jedi. Snoke’s overconfidence led to fatal arrogance. Believing Kylo was fully under control, Snoke failed to sense the deception.
While speaking, Snoke commanded Kylo to strike down Rey with his weapon. At the same moment, Kylo secretly turned Anakin Skywalker’s blue lightsaber toward Snoke, activating it with the Force. The blade ignited, cutting Snoke in half instantly. The Supreme Leader died without realizing what had happened.
Kylo Ren took Snoke’s place as the Supreme Leader of the First Order. However, Snoke’s death did not end the dark side’s grip on Kylo. The true master—Palpatine—remained, waiting in the shadows.
Snoke’s Legacy in the Galaxy
The role of Snoke in the Star Wars timeline was unique. Unlike Sith Lords such as Darth Sidious and Darth Vader, Snoke did not seek power for personal ambition. The Supreme Leader was designed to serve a specific purpose: to control the First Order and prepare the galaxy for the return of the Sith. Despite being a puppet, Snoke played a crucial role in shaping the events that led to the final battle between the Resistance and the Final Order.
Kylo Ren’s transformation from apprentice to Supreme Leader would not have been possible without Snoke’s influence. Every trial, every test, and every moment of suffering under Snoke’s rule shaped Kylo into the warrior who would later confront Palpatine. Even after death, the legacy of Snoke continued to influence the fate of the galaxy.
