In the movies of Star Wars, an important rule is explained that allowed the Sith Order to become successful and powerful over centuries. However, one of the strongest Sith deliberately broke the rule, which has a specific reason.
What rule is it? The so-called “Rule of Two” is an essential order that has fundamentally shaped the Sith. It was introduced by the powerful Darth Bane, one of the strongest Sith of all time. The rule states that there can only be two Sith Lords at any one time – a master and an apprentice.
The master possesses great power, and the apprentice craves it. This ultimately leads to the apprentice murdering the master. This way, Darth Bane wanted to ensure that there are not too many Sith in power at the same time and that order prevails.
Thus, the rule also implies that there can never be two or more apprentices. They could band together and kill the master – and then disputes would arise over who takes over leadership.
Darth Sidious aka Palpatine has repeatedly broken this rule. He had a good reason for that, albeit a self-serving one.
Two apprentices at the same time
What did Palpatine do? It has long been suspected that Palpatine had two apprentices during the time of Episode 1. One of them is prominently seen in the film: Darth Maul.
The other, however, only appears in Episode 2, namely Count Dooku. As a new comic titled “Jedi Knights #5” shows, Dooku was already serving his master during the time of Maul. Technically, Maul does not die at the end of Episode 1; he is only severely injured, but survives the fall down the shaft and is put back together.
Palpatine then allows him to live. By the way, he was not the first Sith to accept more than two apprentices. In the case of his predecessor Darth Plagueis, there was a similar situation: Here, Plagueis was one of two apprentices of the master Darth Tenebrous, the other secret apprentice being Darth Venamis.
There is a compelling reason why Darth Sidious ignored the Rule of Two.
Why did he break the rule? Palpatine was very convinced of himself and his power. To him, the rule was of no use since he did not plan to relinquish his position or be killed by his apprentice.
He saw himself as the supreme Sith, who could not be outdone. This was, of course, naive, as in the end he is overthrown – twice, as the original trilogy and the sequels show.
Already in Episode 6, Darth Sidious failed because of his own conviction. He thought his plan was perfect, making him untouchable. He did not foresee that his apprentice Vader would turn against him. Accordingly, we have an article for you on MeinMMO: Darth Vader repeatedly rebelled against the Emperor, using a technique from his childhood
