Throughout Star Wars Canon and Legends, Jedi have turned to the Sith. Anakin Skywalker is the most notable, having become Darth Vader in Episode III.
Skywalker is one of many Jedi who have turned to the Dark Side for a variety of reasons, but he isn’t the only one.
Jedi can use Sith powers since they both stem from the Force. While Jedi can become Sith, Sith can also become Jedi, like Anakin Skywalker in the Canon and Flint in the Legends.
Being a Jedi is not a requirement to become a Sith, but Force-sensitivity, among others, is.
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Can Jedi Become Sith?
The Jedi can become Sith. Anakin Skywalker is the most notable, but Count Dooku, Kylo Ren, and Darth Revan are other familiar names.
Below are a few instances of Jedi turning to the Sith, their causes, and their ultimate fate.
Anakin Skywalker
Skywalker is the most notable Jedi turned Sith. In The Phantom Menace, Yoda sensed fear in Anakin, and also insisted he was too old to begin Jedi training.
Another reason is that Anakin already built emotional connections, which contradicts the Jedi Code.
Qui-Gon Jinn was supposed to train Anakin, and perhaps under Jinn’s leadership, Anakin never falls victim to the Dark Side. However, Darth Maul mortally wounded Qui-Gon Jinn, leaving new Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi to train Anakin.
Obi-Wan was ill-equipped for the job, as shown numerous times in Attack of the Clones, calling Anakin out in public and turning a deaf ear toward Anakin’s accusations that Obi-Wan was holding him back.
A tragic tale, Skywalker’s fall from the Jedi foreshadowed itself in Episode I, but he spiraled out of control following Darth Sidious’ tale regarding Darth Plagueis, said to be able to use the Dark Side to create life and prevent death.
Anakin, fearing for the life of Padamé, becomes even more tempted and falls victim, transforming into one of the most distinguished villains in both Star Wars and cinematic history: Darth Vader.
Count Dooku
Unlike Anakin, Dooku joined the Jedi Order at a much younger age and therefore, did not have the emotional attachment fallacy. After training under Yoda, Dooku rose through the ranks and took Qui-Gon Jinn as his Padawan.
Dooku’s turn to the Dark Side came after Jinn rose from the Padawan rank. After years of noticing flaws in the Jedi Order, the final straw came after Darth Maul killed Jinn. Not long after, he became known as Darth Tyranus and a staple during the Clone Wars.
His greatest accomplishment came upon training General Grievous, a cyborg Jedi Hunter. Ironically, it was Anakin Skywalker who killed Dooku at Chancellor Palpatine’s order, bringing Skywalker yet another step closer to the Dark Side.
Can Jedi Use Sith Powers?
Jedi can use Sith powers at any time if they know how to utilize them. However, Jedi Code forbids them to use them. For example, the Jedi, even if they don’t know how to use Force Lightning, they can absorb and dispel it.
The same goes for the Force Choke, which made its appearance in A New Hope. Since Jedi cannot initiate force or cause physical harm unless in self-defense, they limit their power to telepathy.
At most, Jedi evoke mind control, as Obi-Wan demonstrates on a Stormtrooper in A New Hope. Since they can read and, if necessary, control one’s action, they can use the Force to cause physical harm. They just choose not to, lest they risk turning to the Dark Side.
The primary reason Jedi can use Sith powers, and vice versa, is because they both derive their powers from the Force. And, just as the Jedi choose not to use (or learn) Sith powers, the Sith typically choose not to use powers from the Light Side.
Is there a Sith that turned Jedi?
Just as he turned into a Sith Lord, Darth Vader turned Jedi during the climax of Return of the Jedi when he chose to save Luke, rather than watch him die at Darth Sidious’ hands. But Darth Vader was not the only Sith to turn Jedi.
Story of Flint
Flint is one of the best examples of a dangerous Sith Lord who later redeemed himself.
After initially admiring the Jedi, especially Luke Skywalker, he wanted to become Luke’s apprentice. However, Luke did not yet acknowledge his own status as a Jedi and rebuked him.
When Flint grew bitter following Luke’s rebuttal and the death of his mother, Darth Vader chose him to become his next apprentice.
Devastated following Vader’s death in the events after Return of the Jedi, Flint found a new master in Lumiya, who eventually gave him the mission to kill Luke Skywalker.
During the campaign to hunt Luke, Flint’s troupe ended up on Naldar, killing the royal family except for Princess Villa, who crossed paths with Luke, Leia, and Flint’s former best friend, Barney.
Meanwhile, Anakin Skywalker’s Force Ghost told Luke only he could redeem Flint. Flint, realizing Luke was on his way, told his Stormtroopers to stand down so that he could battle Luke for himself.
Flint won the lightsaber duel via interference from one of his Stormtroopers, who hit Luke in the arm with a blaster.
However, it wasn’t Luke, but Barney, who would actually turn Flint from the Dark Side. While it took Flint years to become fully reformed, he would become so and return to his home planet of Balderone.
Tragically, Lumiya tracked Flint down and killed him for betraying the Sith.
There are other stories of Sith having rebuked their old ways and turned Light. Like Flint, you won’t find them in canon other than Anakin Skywalker’s redemption. But there are at least four other examples next to Flint and Anakin of Sith who turned Jedi.
Do You Have to Be a Jedi to Become a Sith?
One doesn’t need to be a Jedi to become a Sith. However, they need to be Force-sensitive. However, it’s often thought the Sith held a higher regard over whom they accepted.
For example, Darth Revan required students to be sponsored. Lord Khan required Force-sensitivity and overall strength to withstand rigorous training.
Other Sith Lords just wanted to see a specific level of sacrifice. Killing a loved one serves as a fine example of sacrifice.
Sion Fawkes has been covering Star Wars since January 2022, expanding his expertise in both Star Wars Canon and Legends. When not writing, you can find Sion in the gym or running trails. He also likes watching sports and listening to audiobooks.