10 Minor Character Deaths That Changed Star Wars FOREVER
Were it not for these sacrifices, murders, and other deaths, Star Wars would look very different.
Death is just a part of life, and it's a part of life which has regularly made a gigantic impact within the galaxy far, far away.
Over the past few decades, everything from the demise of a beloved Jedi Master, to the killing (and then killing again) of an evil emperor has altered this galaxy far, far away for better and for worse.
But everyone knows just how important the deaths of Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Emperor Palpatine and many other major players within the Star Wars universe were in the story of the Skywalker Saga.
These aren't the only sacrifices and murders which changed everything for the folks living in this never-dull galaxy, however.
They may not have been classed as main characters, and some would even be quick to label them as "just" background figures in some cases, but each and every one of these individuals' passing had a substantial knock-on effect that cannot be ignored.
So, from the cutting down of less high-profile Jedi Council members, to many a valiant sacrifice to give our heroes a chance at victory - and with a respectful salute to the r/StarWars post that inspired this list - here are those "minor" Star Wars characters whose deaths forever changed the galaxy you know and love.
10. Yaddle's Death Cements Dooku's Turn
Yaddle didn't even utter a line during her only prequel appearance, which of course came in Episode I - The Phantom Menace.
One of the only other members of Yoda's race then mysteriously vanished from the Skywalker Saga by the time of Episode II - Attack of the Clones, leaving many to wonder what exactly happened to her in the new canon. In Legends, she sacrificed herself to save the city of Naatan before being replaced on the council by Shaak Ti.
Things were thankfully cleared up in the new canon during the Tales of the Jedi animated series.
Here, Yaddle (voiced here by Bryce Dallas Howard) not only confirmed that not every one of her species chats like Yoda, but that she also played a vital part in the fall of a certain Jedi Master by the name of Dooku.
After stepping down from the Council following the Battle of Naboo, Yaddle would eventually discover that Dooku was working with Darth Sidious on Coruscant. She'd then offer Dooku a chance to make up for his actions by bringing his new master to justice, but it was too late. Yaddle would ultimately be killed by Qui-Gon Jinn's former master, a death which cemented the still somewhat conflicted soul's turn to the dark side. (And we all know what happened next.)
Now sure, had Dooku taken Yaddle's offer here instead of murdering her, there's every chance Palpatine would have just killed both of them and turned his attention to a new apprentice. But the years that followed this fateful interaction would have certainly looked entirely different without Dooku leading the Separatists or walking on the dark side.