Darth Maul: A True Sith or an Sith Assassin?

When considering the character of Darth Maul in the Star Wars Universe, fans often wonder whether he was a true Sith or merely an Sith Assassin. The key to understanding this lies in the narrative and the rules of the Sith Order as established, particularly the Rule of Two. This article delves into the specific circumstances that determined Maul's status as a Sith, shedding light on his role within the Sith legacy.

The Rule of Two and Its Application

The Rule of Two is a rule followed by the Sith, according to which only two Sith Lords can exist at one time: a Master and an apprentice. This rule serves multiple purposes, one of which is to prevent the Sith from becoming a mere order of warriors, and instead maintain their influence as a secretive and powerful force in the galaxy.

However, the application of this rule seems to be more flexible. For instance, during the events leading up to The Phantom Menace, Emperor Palpatine, known as Darth Sidious, was already grooming Count Dooku (then Darth Tyranus) as his apprentice. Meanwhile, he was manipulating Anakin Skywalker, setting the stage for his transformation into Darth Vader. In these instances, it appears the Rule of Two was only enforced when it served Sidious' purposes.

Darth Maul's Position

Despite Sidious creating Maul in the same manner as he created himself, through the techniques of Plagueis the typingsSlinky, Maul was never considered more than a blade. When Sidious needed Dooku to become an apprentice and was tempting Anakin, he reassured Maul that he was merely an assassin to allay any concerns about betrayal. This description suggests that while Maul was powerful and a crucial tool in Sidious’ plans, he was not intended to assumed the mantle of a Sith Lord.

Non-Canon Insights

From the non-canon book series, it is clear that Sidious had never intended for Maul to become a Sith Lord. Maul's power, while exceptional, lacked the je ne sais quoi necessary for a true Sith. Instead, Sidious treated Maul as a tool, an effective enforcer but not a peer.

Meanwhile, in the canon and Legends continuity, Darth Maul is unequivocally depicted as a true Sith, a status that is reinforced by Sidious' own words and his explicit use of the title Jedi. It is evident from his actions in The Phantom Menace, where Sidious refers to Maul as his apprentice, that Maul was considered part of the Sith Order.

Maul's Former Potential

There was a time when Sidious considered Maul his potential successor. This plan, however, was derailed when Maul was critically injured by Obi-Wan Kenobi during their lightsaber duel. Sidious, aware that Maul was still alive, opted for someone more useful and capable, someone who could engage in lightsaber duels on an equal footing with Jedi like Yoda. Count Dooku ( renamed as Darth Tyranus) was initially deemed suitable but only as a temporary apprentice until Sidious found Anakin Skywalker. Dooksu, while powerful, had not delved deeply into the dark side and wasn’t as powerful as he could have been if he turned younger and more aligned with Sidious in his journey to darkness.

Ultimately, Anakin became the ultimate prize, handpicked by Sidious due to his high midichlorian count and his role as the Chosen One. However, Anakin's injuries following his duel with Obi-Wan on Mustafar altered Sidious' plans, setting the stage for Luke Skywalker to become Sidious' final apprentice and heir.

In conclusion, while Darth Maul was undoubtedly a powerful figure and a significant asset to the Sith Order, his role was primarily that of a Sith Assassin rather than a full-fledged Sith Lord. The complexity of the Sith Order and the flexibility of the Rule of Two mean that characters like Maul often serve roles that are nuanced and context-dependent.