Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Acolyte episode 5.
Summary
The Acolytehas introduced a new character who brutally cut down seven Jedi in his first ever appearance – and he seems to have big connections to several dark side groups, including the Sith. The Stranger, or Qimir as he was known beforeThe Acolyteepisode 5, has instantly made ripples in theStar Warscommunity. His action scenes have gained a lot of attention, but one of his most prominent Sith connections actually has to do with his armor.
As seen during the fight sequence, The Stranger wears a distinct helmet and gauntlet that allows him to short out Jedi lightsabers and deflect their blows. This armor is made of a copper-colored metal calledcortosis. Cortosis has appeared in tons ofStar Warsbooks, games, and comics, but this is its true live-action debut. Interestingly enough, cortosis actually does have a connection to the Sith inStar WarsLegends- to Darth Bane particularly.
The New Sith Lord’s Lightsaber Form Explained: Why It Makes Him So Dangerous To The Acolyte’s Jedi
The Acolyte’s Sith Lord absolutely dominated an entire group of Jedi in episode 5 - but what is his lightsaber form and how did he win?
Darth Bane Has A Legends Connection To Cortosis
The Sith Lord Who Started The Rule Of Two
As a Sith during theHigh Republic era, The Stranger is part of the “Banite Sith.” These are Sith Lords, masters and apprentices, that are descended from Darth Bane’s line of Sith succession, following theRule of Two. Before he was the only remaining Sith master in the galaxy, however, and long before he was ever aligned with the Sith,Bane worked in a cortosis mine.
Since this is from the oldStar WarsLegends timeline, particularly Drew Karpyshyn’sDarth Banenovels, it’s no longer canon. With the introduction of cortosis in live-action, however, this backstory could be leaned into. At just 16, Bane worked in a cortosis mine on the planet Apatros during the New Sith Wars era, before joining the Sith Brotherhood of Darkness as a foot soldier.
Did The Sith Use Cortosis Before In Star Wars Canon?
The Lightsaber Proof Metal
While Bane has this distinct connection to cortosis, did any Sith ever actually use the material? Not in canon, but interestingly,cortosis was used by a group fighting against the Sith. The Ascendant was a dark side cult that the Sith sought to destroy, and thus created a sword of cortosis alloy to fight them, but it was never completed.
In the Legendstimeline, though, cortosis was a bit more prominent. Old Republic era Sith were even known to use it. The Jensaarai group in Legends also wore cortosis armor and were directly inspired by Sith teachings found in the Jedi Archives. Either way, the connection between cortosis and Darth Bane is very clear following the most recent episode ofThe Acolyte, which will certainly make its future even more interesting.
The Acolyteepisode 5 is now streaming. New episodes are released Tuesdays at 9 PM ET on Disney+.
The Acolyte
Cast
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
