TheStar Warsgalaxy is full of some very dangerous crime syndicates. Operating across an expansive galaxy-wide underworld, several criminal groups came to power (and thrived during the Imperial Era). At the same time, many of these syndicates were eventually replaced by others heading into the New Republic era and beyond.
Palpatine had his Galactic Empirewhich allowed him to rule the galaxy for decades. However, the galactic underworld was an entirely different matter. Some syndicates were ruled by those who at times worked with the Imperials, while others made major moves to eliminate not only their rival syndicates, but also the Empire itself.To that end, here’s every major crime syndicate inStar Wars’Skywalker saga.
12Crimson Dawn
Led By Maul, Then Lady Qi’ra
Rising to power just before the end of the Clone Wars, Crimson Dawn was created by the former Darth Maul to serve his interests in the criminal underworld. Dryden Vos served as the initial public face of the organization, while Maul himself became the shadow leader of four other major syndicates.This granted Maul a large amount of power he intended to use against Palpatine, his former Sith master.
Maul kept Crimson Dawn and the rest of the “Five Crime Syndicates” in line and under control for years.However, the syndicates quickly became rivals once more after Maul became stranded on Malachor and was eventually slain by Obi-Wan Kenobi on Tatooine just before the events ofA New Hope(seen inStar Wars Rebels). That said,Lady Qi’ra took over Crimson Dawn in the wake of Maul’s death(having killed Vos herself as seen inSolo: A Star War Story).
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Cast
Solo: A Star Wars Story explores the early adventures of Han Solo, showcasing his beginnings and key encounters with significant characters in the Star Wars universe. Set in a backdrop of galactic turmoil, the film delves into the origins of his famed relationships and his rise as a rebellious smuggler.
Intending to finish what Maul could not, Qi’ra sought to rid the galaxy of the Sith by igniting a major Syndicate War in between Episodes V-VI, the events of which can be seen in both Marvel’s canonicalStar Warscomics andStar Wars: Outlaws.While Qi’ra nearly succeeded in defeating both Palpatine and Darth Vader, she ultimately failed with Crimson Dawn falling apart near the end of the Galactic Civil Warand the start of the New Republic Era (though she did live to see the Empire’s fall).
11The Hutt Clan
Bigger Than Jabba Alone
Jabba the Hutt’s criminal empire on Tatooine was only part of a much larger criminal enterprise controlled by the Hutt Clan. Also a member of Maul’s Five Crime Syndicates, the Hutts exist in theStar Warstimeline as one of the oldest crime syndicates, which is largely due to the impressive lifespans of the Hutts themselves. Led by its ruling Grand Hutt Council on Nar Shadaa, the Hutts had a hand in smuggling and all sorts of illegal and illicit business activities, and also maintained control of various hyperspace lanes.
The Hutts were often allied with the Empireto help keep smaller criminal enterprises in line. However, Crimson Dawn’s interference between Episodes V-VI saw Darth Vader killing the Hutt Council, leaving Jabba alone as the sole ruler of the entire Hutt Clan. Once Jabba himself died at the hands of Princess Leia inReturn of the Jedi, the Hutt Clan began to rapidly decline heading into the New Republic Era.
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
Return of the Jedi concludes George Lucas’s original Star Wars trilogy with Luke Skywalker and his allies seeking to rescue Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt and facing a renewed threat as the Emperor attempts to obliterate the Rebellion through a second Death Star, broadening the epic battle between good and evil.
10The Pykes
Controlling The Spice Mines of Kessel
The third major member of Maul’s Five Crime Syndicates, the Pykes' wealth and power was built on the back of its impressive spice production based out of the planet Kessel. However, the planet Oba Diah served as the homeworld of the Pykes themselves.While the Pykes were notably featured inThe Clone Warsas part of Maul’s Shadow Collective, they were also featured in live-action for the first time inSolo: A Star Wars Story.
InThe Book of Boba Fett,The Pykes formed a major rivalry with Boba Fettafter they tried claiming the late Jabba’s holdings on Tatooine Fett had already claimed for himself. Ultimately, Fett and his allies were able to drive the Pykes and their spice operations off Tatooine altogether. While they would supposedly continue operating during the New Republic, it’s been suggested that their power was diminished in the new era.
9The Crymorah
A Group Of Powerful Crime Families
A lesser-known faction of Maul’s Five Crime Syndicates,The Crymorah was still a force to be reckoned with. Composed of multiple species and crime families who had allied together as one large network, the Crymorah was an impressive organization that was largely responsbile for granting Jabba the Hutt his position on the Grand Hutt Council. The Crymorah also served the Empire, providing underworld intelligence as needed while also serving as envoys with the various other syndicates on the Empire’s behalf.
8Black Sun
Rose To Power During The Clone Wars
Largely led by the species known as The Falleen, Black Sun came into power during the Clone Wars as the Jedi Order began focusing less on the underworld and more on the war where they were serving as the Republic’s generals and commanders.Also part of Maul’s Five Crime Syndicates, Black Sun was essentially forced into joining Maul after many of their leaders were slain by Savage Oppress. Black Sun had large operations on both Mustafar and Ord Mantell, one of the most prominent operations being “sentient-trafficking”.
During the New Republic Era, Black Sun attempted to bribe various senators to prolong the Galactic Civil War to maintain wartime profits. However, they ultimately failed. Black Sun was originally created in the previous Legends continuity, and was brought back into the officialStar Warscanon thanks toThe Clone Warsanimated series.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Star Wars: The Clone Wars is an animated series that explores the intense conflict between the Republic and the Separatists. Featuring a mix of loyalty shifts and alliances, it delves into complex mysteries of the Force and showcases pivotal moments for characters like Anakin Skywalker and Master Yoda.
7Son-tuul Pride
The Secret Sixth Member of Maul’s Five Crime Syndicates
While much smaller,the Son-tuul Pride was often considered to be the secret sixth member of Maul’s Syndicates. Made up of various species, the Pride ruthlessly killed its own members in the face of failure. The Son-tuul Pride also found itself targeted by the Empire and Darth Vader himself shortly after the Battle of Yavin. They were also present at Crimson Dawn’s auction where Qi’ra was selling Han Solo frozen in carbonite to the highest bidder, the start of the original trilogy’s Syndicate War, and survived into the New Republic Era.
6Ashiga Clan
Weapons Manufacturing On Kijimi
The Ashiga Clan is a newer syndicate created for theStar Wars: Outlawsvideo game.Based out of Kijimi, the Ashiga Clan was led by the Melitto with origins dating back to the High Republic Era. All of their operations (such as weapons manufacturing) were based around their hierarchical hive led by Queen Ashiga between Episodes V-VI. While Queen Ashiga sought to work with the Empire to expand their own operations, her own daughter opposed these goals and led a coup against her, one that was supported by Lady Qi’ra and Crimson Dawn to further sow more underworld chaos.
Star Wars Outlaws
Set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Star Wars Outlaws is an open-world action-adventure game where players hop into the scoundrel boots of Kay Vess, a woman who travels the galaxy Looking for a better life. Together with her furry partner Nix and new allies she meets along the way, Kay will navigate the various landscapes, towns, and planets across the galaxy while outsmarting both Crime Syndicates and the Empire.
5Zerek Besh
Harboring A Dark Secret
Warning! This section contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: OutlawsAs seen inOutlaws,Zerek Besh seemingly emerged during the Galactic Civil War. Led by Sliro Barsha,Zerek Besh had great influence and resources. However, the syndicate was in truth a covert operation by the Imperial Security Bureau, of which Sliro was a member. Using Zerek Besh, Barsha was able to gain intelligence on the various syndicates for the Empire’s use, while also hunting down members of the Rebel Alliance.
4Droid Gotra
Replacing The Crymorah
Originally serving as enforcers for the Crymorah,The Droid Gotra eventually came into its own as a major organization during the New Republic and beyond. Originally, the Droid Gotra was meant to serve as key antagonists forthe canceled Star Wars game1313, though they lived on in the canon, existing as former Separatist droids supporting droid rights who were unhappy with the Empire abandoning them after the end of the Clone Wars. As such, it wouldn’t be surprising ifOutlaws’liberated commando droid ND-5 has afflictions with the Gotra.
3Guavian Death Gang
Cybernetic Enforcers
First appearing inThe Force Awakens,and unhappy with Han Solo having taken advantage of them,members of the Guavian Death Gang were given red cybernetic armor as well as chemicals that helped increase their strength and aggression. They were also featured in the animated seriesStar Wars Resistance. Along with the Son-tuul Pride, it was said that the Guavian Death Gang replaced Crimson Dawn during the New Republic.
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
Star Wars: The Force Awakens takes place 30 years after the fall of the Galactic Empire. It follows Han Solo and new allies, including Finn and Rey, as they confront the rising threat of Kylo Ren and his army of Stormtroopers while seeking the elusive Luke Skywalker.
