Star Wars: The Most Powerful Darth Vader Quotes

Darth Vader has always been good for a quota, and here are his most unforgettable lines in Star Wars canon. Introduced in the first Star Wars movie, Darth Vader’s imposing visage and booming voice immediately made him a hit in popular culture. His mystique has only grown over the decades, with George Lucas pulling back the mask and revealing the fallen and fallible Jedi behind it.

Born the Chosen One, Darth Vader is one of the most powerful beings to have ever lived. When he isn’t Force-choking his way through enemies and allies who’ve disappointed him, he enjoys frightening all around him with some truly intimidating quotes. Here are Darth Vader’s most chilling, exciting, and even disturbing one-liners.

25 “I Have You Now!”

Star Wars (aka A New Hope)

Is there anything Darth Vader can’t do? The Sith Lord is a terrifying warrior, wielding phenomenal power in the Force. He’s also one of the greatest starfighter pilots in the galaxy, and the extent of his skills can be seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. “I have you now,” Darth Vader intones as he locks his sights on Luke Skywalker in the first Star Wars movie – only for Han Solo to jet in and save the day.

24 “I’ve Killed Very Many Fathers. You’ll Have To Be More Specific.”

Star Wars (2015) #2

The first comic series of the rebooted Disney canon, Star Wars #2 by Jason Aaron and John Cassady reveals that Darth Vader fought Luke Skywalker years before The Empire Strikes Back. Vader casually dismisses Luke’s anger over his father’s murder and takes pride in having slain so many, unbalancing Luke even more. If Vader had been able to mention that Luke’s lightsaber once belonged to him, Luke may have found out that his father was right in front of him three years earlier.

23 “He Will Join Us Or Die, Master!”

The Empire Strikes Back

“Now I am the master,” Darth Vader bragged to Obi-Wan Kenobi in their fateful final duel. But Darth Vader was actually just the Sith Apprentice, a fact Obi-Wan knew all too well. In The Empire Strikes Back, Vader receives orders to seduce his son to the dark side or kill him. He swears to do as he has been commanded. The Sith Rule of Two adds another dimension to this, of course; both Vader and Sidious know there can only be two Sith at any one time, and bringing Luke in will inevitably result in one of their deaths. The Sith Lords are playing a dangerous game.

22 “I Gave You A Choice. Live… or die.”

Ahsoka season 1, episode 5 “Part Five: Shadow Warrior”

Ahsoka season 1 reunited Ahsoka Tano with the spirit of her former master, Anakin Skywalker, but he switched to his Darth Vader persona as the final test for her lesson. Although this line was already said earlier in the episode, it’s impressive how intimidating it is when given new context. Combined with the red lightsaber and the menace in Anakin’s eyes, Ahsoka is right to want to avoid a fight.

21 “If You’re Not With Me, Then You’re My Enemy!”

Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith

Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith is technically the birth of Darth Vader, as Anakin Skywalker embraces the dark side and becomes a Sith. His old master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, pursues Anakin to the planet Mustafar, and this leads to a duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan in the most Hellish landscape imaginable. Even more disturbing, though, is the perspective Anakin has already adopted; “If you’re not with me, then you’re my enemy,” he tells Obi-Wan before the lightsabers are drawn. Fear, anger, resentment, and most of all, a lust for power shine through in this Darth Vader quote.

20 “You Were Weak When I Found You. Now, Your Hatred Has Become Your Strength. At Last, The Dark Side Is Your Ally.”

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (Legends)

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed may no longer be part of the official canon, but it still contains some of the best Darth Vader moments in the franchise. The game begins with Vader deeming his Sith apprentice, Starkiller, worthy of standing by his side, solidifying that he has embraced the dark side. It’s a powerful way to start the game and show Vader’s intimidating premise through the eyes of his young apprentice.

19 “The Emperor Is Not As Forgiving As I Am.”

Return of the Jedi

This is one of the most chilling Darth Vader quotes. Continuing his conversation with Jerjerrod, Darth Vader warns that – as intimidating and dangerous as he may be – he isn’t the one the Moff should be worried about. “The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am,” he observes. The comment serves an additional purpose for viewers, telling them that Palpatine makes Darth Vader look meek and mild.

18 “I Am Altering The Deal. Pray I Don’t Alter It Any Further!”

The Empire Strikes Back

Lando Calrissian learns the hard way that you don’t strike a deal with Darth Vader. In The Empire Strikes Back, Lando is forced into a situation where he must betray his friends. When Calrissian begins to protest at Vader’s unilateral rewriting of their gentleman’s agreement, Vader swiftly puts him in his place. “I am altering the deal,” he tells Lando. “Pray I don’t alter it any further!” Vader leaves Lando in no doubt about who has the power in this unwilling alliance.

17 “Be Careful Not To Choke On Your Aspirations, Director!”

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

This particular Darth Vader quote is something of an acquired taste. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story featured some of the most thrilling Darth Vader scenes to date, but the Dark Lord of the Sith makes his first appearance when the ambitious Director Krennic attempts to go over Grand Moff Tarkin’s head by appealing to Vader. Needless to say, Darth Vader isn’t impressed by petty politicking. “Be careful not to choke on your aspirations, director,” Darth Vader tells him after giving Krennic a taste of Force choke.

16 “Your Strength Has Returned, But The Weakness Still Remains.”

Obi-Wan Kenobi season 1, episode 3 “Part III”

Darth Vader’s rematch with Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Disney+ TV show leaves the Sith Lord shaken. “Your strength has returned,” he is forced to acknowledge, “but the weakness still remains.” That weakness is compassion – and though Vader does not know it, it is love and compassion that will ultimately be the defeat of the Sith.

15 “The Emperor Will Show You The True Nature Of The Force. He Is Your Master Now.”

Return of the Jedi

Luke Skywalker surrenders to his father in Return of the Jedi, believing he can keep his enemies distracted so the rebels have a chance of success. Again, the dialogue serves to emphasize the truth that the Emperor is far more dangerous than Darth Vader; he is the one Palpatine calls master. The words are steeped in the arrogance and overconfidence that is so characteristic of the Sith.

14 “Then You Will Die Braver Than Most.”

Star Wars Rebels season 2, episode 22 “Twilight of the Apprentice: Part 2”

Darth Vader is one of the few Star Wars villains who can seamlessly turn a line of dialogue into a compliment and a taunt simultaneously. When Ezra Bridger boldly states that he is not afraid of Vader, the Sith Lord simply acknowledges that he’ll be brave as he is inevitably killed. It’s interesting to see Vader recognize strength in his enemies, even if his overconfidence makes him believe he will always emerge victorious.

13 “There Is No Escape! Don’t Make Me Destroy You!”

The Empire Strikes Back

The battle between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back is decidedly one-sided; Luke had only trained on Dagobah for a little while, after all, and he was still a rookie with a lightsaber. Vader ends the duel by slicing Luke’s hand off at the wrist. With nowhere to run, Darth Vader warns Luke that he faces a stark choice; “There is no escape,” he intones. “Don’t make me destroy you!”

12 “Your Destiny Lies With Me, Skywalker! Obi-Wan Knew This To Be True.”

The Empire Strikes Back

By the time of Return of the Jedi, Darth Vader has become convinced Luke Skywalker’s destiny lies with him. There’s a sense in which he’s fighting to make this true, of course; while Jedi submit to the will of the Force, Sith attempt to subvert their own will upon it. This is the destiny Darth Vader wants to force on his son – but Luke refuses.

11 “You Don’t Know The Power Of The Dark Side!”

Return of the Jedi

Sith Lords crave power above all else, and Darth Vader is no different. Offered redemption by Luke, he initially rejects it; “You don’t know the power of the dark side,” he replies. But the dark side is not more powerful than the light, as Vader would swiftly learn. His mind rejects Luke’s arguments, but his heart pursues redemption when he sees his son being tortured by the Emperor.

10 “Have You Come To Destroy Me, Obi-Wan?”

Obi-Wan Kenobi season 1, episode 6 “Part VI”

For many years, the Jedi believed Darth Vader to be the Chosen One – and interpreted that prophecy as meaning they would destroy the Sith. Darth Vader became a Sith, however, and in the Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ TV show, he considers the possibility his former master has taken it upon him to destroy him. The intent is inverted, of course; Darth Vader is the one who has come to destroy. Though Obi-Wan triumphs in this second duel, he cannot kill Anakin Skywalker.

9 “As Long As She Lives, I Will Always Control You.”

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II (Legends)

The second Force Unleashed game ends with the roles reversed for Darth Vader and Starkiller, with the Sith Lord in chains and the former apprentice free of his power. However, as Starkiller calmly walks away, Vader gets the last word by reminding him that he will always be afraid to lose his love, Juno Eclipse, something Vader can use against him. Anakin’s own history of losing Padmé Amidala adds greater context to the scene, and it is likely one of the few moments where Vader can sympathize with his apprentice.

8 “If You Will Not Turn To The Dark Side, Then Perhaps She Will!”

Return of the Jedi

Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader both played a long game; the goal was to turn the other back to their respective side. As the Emperor watched the two fight, so too did he pay close attention to the emotional battle going on underneath the surface. Darth Vader uses his Force powers to peer into Luke’s mind, catching a glimpse of Leia in his son’s thoughts. This is all that is needed to provoke Luke into lashing out in rage.

7 “I Am What You Made Me!”

Obi-Wan Kenobi season 1, episode 3 “Part III”

The Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ TV show features two confrontations between Darth Vader and his former master. In the first, Obi-Wan is weak and weary, filled with remorse, and practically cut off from the Force. Darth Vader effortlessly breaks through his defenses, tossing him around with the Force and leaving him badly burned. But words are his greatest weapon, as he taunts his old friend. “I am what you made me,” Darth Vader tells him.

6 “Anakin Skywalker Was Weak. I Destroyed Him.”

Star Wars Rebels season 2, episode 22 “Twilight of the Apprentice: Part 2”

Star Wars Rebels‘ season 2 finale saw Darth Vader confront his own former apprentice, Ahsoka Tano, on the ancient Sith world of Malachor. Ahsoka has figured out Darth Vader’s true identity and initially tries to reach him. She’s immediately put in her place by Darth Vader; “Anakin Skywalker was weak,” he tells her. “I destroyed him.”