While tragically underutilized in the Star Wars movies, the Knights of Ren are nevertheless a fascinating group of dark side warriors separate from the Sith. Servants of “The Shadow”, the Knights of Ren and their history have gradually been revealed in books and comics since their 2015 debut in The Force Awakens.
Although they first appeared during the sequels, the Knights of Ren were an active group of darksiders decades prior, going back to the Imperial Era (and even earlier). Keeping that in mind, here’s every named, known (and teased) member of the Knights of Ren, ranked by their presumed threat level in the official Star Wars canon.
Knights of Ren During The Imperial Era (Most Didn’t Last Long)
As revealed in Marvel Comics’ canonical Crimson Dawn trilogy, set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, an Imperial Era roster of the Knights of Ren was revealed to be working with Solo’s Lady Qi’ra and her plot to destroy the Sith.
Only a couple of members survived to be led by Kylo Ren during the New Republic Era, so here’s our initial ranking for these lesser-known Knights of Ren (based on what little we know):
Fyodor – A member of the Imperial Era Knights, Fyodor helped the Knights steal from Darth Vader’s castle, only to be killed by the Dark Lord himself. However, his singular claim to fame was spitting in Vader’s healing bacta reserves just before he met his demise.
Bazzra – A Twi’lek member of the Knights, Bazzra was famously the most foul-mouthed of the Knights, who was similarly killed during the Knights of Ren’s partnership with Crimson Dawn (not long after Fyodor).
Massif – Seemingly named after the reptilian dogs found on Tatooine, Massif was the smallest member of the Knights during the Imperial era (though size matters not). While not part of the sequel trilogy’s Knights, the fate of Massif is currently unknown (his presumed survival giving him a leg-up over the two previously mentioned Knights).
Marinda – Marinda’s fate is also unknown, though she did have the trust and ear of their Ren at the time.
Additionally, Marinda’s twin white braids led many to speculate that she might have once secretly been the powerful Jedi Master Barash Silvain of the High Republic Era (and originator of the Jedi Order’s Barash Vow). Both characters share very similar braids (and are creations of Star Wars writer Charles Soule).
Trudgen
Trudgen was best known for his massive vibrocleaver and passion for collecting trophies from his past kills, hence his helmet coming from part of an Imperial Death Trooper, whom he’d once slain. Due to his stunted Force sensitivity, Trudgen rarely relied on his connection to The Shadow in combat, preferring physical combat instead.
Ap’lek
Ap’lek was one of the Knights’ more unorthodox members with his modified vibro-axe. Using the Force to enhance his strikes, Ap’lek’s specialty was ambushes and sneak attacks from behind, preferring deception as his primary weapon.
Kuruk
Kuruk was both the Knights’ pilot and sharpshooter. Using “The Shadow” to enhance his senses, Kuruk’s long-range prowess was unmatched, with himself and Cardo being the only two Knights to not have a primary melee weapon. As such, Kurk often kept his distance during battles, giving him a greater view of the conflict and targets to eliminate.
Ushar
A master of intimidation, Ushar was the Knights’ primary interrogator, thriving on his victims’ fear and submission.
Relishing when prisoners begged for mercy, canonical materials like The Rise of Skywalker’s visual dictionary confirm Ushar believed those who whimpered and begged for mercy deserved a slow punishment while those who fought back earned his respect and a quick death.
In combat, Ushar wielded a heavy war club capable of generating concussive blasts, as well as several devastating baradium charges.
Cardo
One of only two Knights who served during both the Imperial and New Republic Era, Cardo’s destructive potential was immense as “a walking turret.”
Outfitted with a custom-built arm cannon capable of firing blaster bolts, grenades, and flamethrower blasts, he functioned as the Knights’ heavy weapons specialist. His engineering expertise and adaptability elevated him as one of the Knights’ best armorers. However, like many of the Knights, he lacked refined Force discipline, keeping him just shy of elite status.
Vicrul
Vicrul was the other member who was active during both the Imperial and New Republic Era, displaying more Force-attunement than most of his fellow Knights.
Dubbed a “Reaper of Souls,” Vicrul is one of the most sadistic Knights of Ren. Using his vibro-scythe to cut down his foes, Vicrul gained strength from every soul he killed while using “The Shadow” to project immense fear in his foes. As a longstanding Knight, Vicrul was easily one of the most powerful members (who never became a leader).
Tava Ren
One of the most recent additions to the Star Wars canon, Tava Ren debuted in Marvel’s Legacy of Vader series, revealed to be the Knights’ leader after Kylo Ren left the group to lead the First Order just before The Force Awakens and before he resumed leadership in Rise of Skywalker.
Revealed to be a deadly rival to Kylo Ren between Episodes VIII and IX, Tava Ren managed to escape Kylo Ren following their initial duel (though things do not look good for her as Legacy of Vader continues).
Nevertheless, it’s been confirmed that Tava Ren possesses a strong connection to “The Shadow”, having taken command of the Knights with bold confidence backed by her dark side power and impressive lightsaber skills.
Ren, Leader of The Knights Before Kylo
The first confirmed leader of the modern Knights of Ren during the Imperial Era and New Republic before Kylo Ren, the singularly named Ren with his unique reflective mask was a charismatic dark side warrior first introduced in The Rise of Kylo Ren comic series.
Wielding a crimson lightsaber (like all leading Rens), Ren’s reign ended when Ben Solo killed him to claim leadership of the Knights at the encouragement of Snoke, shortly after Ben Solo destroyed Luke Skywalker’s Jedi academy on Ossus. However, Ren’s mastery of the dark side as a longstanding leader of the Knights makes him one of the more balanced and dangerous members.
Qimir/The Stranger (Teased As The First Ren)
It’s been teased that The Acolyte’s Qimir aka The Stranger was the First Ren, having founded the Knights and their ideology during the High Republic Era. As The Stranger, it was revealed that Qimir rejected both the ideals of the Jedi and the Sith, seeking pupils and the freedom to use the Force as he wished.
Likewise, it’s since been confirmed that Qimir’s helmet and visual appearance were intentionally meant to tease a connection to the Knights, and the same goes for a Kylo Ren musical cue in The Acolyte’s soundtrack.
If Star Wars ever confirms that Qimir is indeed the First Ren, it should go without saying that he’s easily one of their most powerful threats, having taken on an entire force of Jedi Knights with ease during the High Republic Era.
