Given the relative ease of production and disposability of clones, it’s no wonder that they take the brunt of some of the harshest battles within Star Wars. Although there are times when Jedi are there to aid in the fight and help protect them, in most cases battalions of clones must fend for themselves on the front lines and are often killed in droves.

Still, the deaths in these battles are simple and momentary compared to some of the more brutal deaths other clones face. Often times they happen to named characters which the viewer gets to know, amplifying the spectacle and emotional impact of the event. It’s due to this impact that I’ve chosen to also include deaths which are emotionally heavy, even if the death itself wasn’t particularly violent.

7. Commander CC-1004, “Gree” and Captain “Jek”

Upon receiving Order 66, both Commander Gree and Captain Jek quickly close in on Jedi Master Yoda. Sensing this, Yoda swiftly decapitates both clones in one fell swoop. Yoda is then helped by two Wookie soldiers to find a safer location. Although these deaths were less brutal in terms of suffering, I’ve included it for the on-screen depiction of their heads being cut off.

6. CT-4040, “Cutup”

One of the first deaths in The Clone Wars is also one of the most gruesome. While escaping the Rishi Station base, which was under a Separatist attack, Cutup was eaten whole by a Rishi eel. Due to the eel’s skin being impenetrable by blaster fire, he surely died a slow death via the digestive acids in the eel. While much quicker than being eaten by a sarlacc, it could not have been pleasant.

5. CL-9632, “Trap”

The introduction of Genosian brain worms to a supply ship in the episode “Brain Invaders” in The Clone Wars, culminates in Lieutenant Trap being infected. As directed by the parasite, he bided his time until it was deemed the right time to strike. Both Ahsoka and Barriss Offee were distracted, which provided him the perfect opportunity. His attack was then swiftly ended when Barriss ignited her lightsaber right up against his chest.

4. Unidentified 212th Attack Battalion Clone

Although short, one scene in the Citadel arc of The Clone Wars stands out. During the escape from The Citadel, the 212th Attack Battalion is faced with the threat of security doors shutting, posing both the danger of being trapped and being caught in them.

Here, an unidentified 212th clone is hanging off the ledge of a security shaft, desperately trying to pull himself up with the help of two other clones. Unfortunately, they are too late and in a single frame you can see the security doors closing between his abdomen, followed by a suffocated scream. Given the thickness of the doors, it’s likely that his body was crushed flat before being completely severed in half.

3. ARC Commander “Colt”

While defending Tipoca City from Separatists on his own during the Battle of Kamino, Commander Colt was met with the assassin Asaji Ventress. Though he held his ground as best he could, he was no match for her and was promptly force choked and pressed against a wall. Ventress then ignited her lightsaber and force pulled him towards her, piercing him through the chest, before kissing his cheek. She disengaged her lightsaber, leaving his lifeless body to drop to the floor.

2. CT-5385, “Tup”

Tup’s death is one I have included not for its violence, but for its heart-wrenching emotional impact. Fives signals a false alarm to give him and AZI-3, a medical droid, time to remove the implant responsible for overwriting clones’ free will during Order 66. The extraction goes smoothly, but there were unspecified complications after the fact.

Although Fives though he had saved him, Tup passes away shortly after speaking closely with Fives, his last words being “Of the nightmare, I’m free.” Still holding his hand, Fives grieves the sudden loss of his clone brother and closest friend.

1. CT-27-5555, “Fives”

The death of Fives is, likewise, an emotional one, in no small part due to his lengthy presence in The Clone Wars.

Fueled by his grief over the death of Tup, Fives became more persistent in his personal mission to expose the conspiracy of the inhibition chips responsible for the clones enacting Order 66. After instructing AZI-3 to remove his chip, Fives entered an unconscious state. This allowed Nala Se, a Kaminoan doctor, to covertly poison him with a drug that induced a state of stupor. Even after the drug wore off, the traumatic experience left him in a lengthy delirium.

In his attempt to get someone, anyone, to believe him, he requested a secluded meeting with Anakin Skywalker and clone trooper Rex. Upon meeting, his incoherent state caused the two to be suspicious of his actions. Rex, doubtful of their trust, then trapped them both in a ray shield cage.

After ranting to them about Emperor Palpatine’s complicity and orchestration of Order 66, Fives was descended upon by Commander Fox and a number of Coruscant guards. In his degraded mental state, Fives rushes for a blaster to defend himself, but is too slow and shot through the chest by Fox. With the situation deescalated and the ray shield disabled, Rex calls for a medic before Fives dies in his arms.

Conclusion

Star Wars, and particularly The Clone Wars, is chock-full of clone deaths, both violent and emotionally brutal. Although there are many more out there in comics and books, I find that the film depictions of them strike a harder chord, especially after having watched an episodic series where you get to connect to the characters.

Although some of these rankings are a bit blurry, I firmly place Fives’ death as number one due to how strongly I feel about it. He is easily one of my favorite characters, and to see him know the truth yet be induced into madness is tough to watch.