8 Key Star Wars Moments at Darth Vader’s Fortress on Mustafar

As a huge Star Wars fan, I’ve always been captivated by Darth Vader’s fortress on Mustafar. It’s such a visually striking and genuinely unsettling place in the whole saga. The fact that it’s built right over this incredibly strong point of dark side energy, and literally on top of where Anakin fell during his fight with Obi-Wan, just makes it even more powerful. To me, it really embodies everything about Vader and his whole story.

Fortress Vader has appeared throughout the history of Star Wars, often marking important steps in the Sith Lord’s descent into darkness. Here are 8 key moments from official Star Wars stories that happened at Fortress Vader, starting with its creation and continuing through its influence on Kylo Ren.

Darth Vader Builds His Fortress To Revive Padmé Amidala

According to official Star Wars lore, Fortress Vader was built soon after the events of Revenge of the Sith, with Emperor Palpatine overseeing the project. The fortress was constructed on Mustafar, a planet strong with the dark side, and its design came from the ghost of Darth Momin, a Sith architect. Momin’s spirit was trapped inside a mask given to Vader by Palpatine, and could control anyone who wore it.

After many unsuccessful attempts, Fortress Vader was finally constructed – a powerful structure designed to focus and amplify Darth Vader’s abilities, drawing on the energy of a unique nexus below. Using this amplified power, Vader attempted to reach the Netherworld and revive his late wife, Padmé Amidala, but his efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.

Darth Vader Ends His Hunt For Obi-Wan Kenobi

During the dark times of the Empire, Darth Vader was fixated on finding his old master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, after Obi-Wan reappeared in the 2022 series of the same name. They clashed twice as Obi-Wan tried to save a young Princess Leia and return her to her father. Obi-Wan ultimately defeated Vader on a distant moon, damaging Vader’s suit, and then retreated to Tatooine to continue watching over Luke Skywalker.

After returning to Fortress Vader to fix his armor, Darth Vader was still focused on finding Kenobi. But Darth Sidious warned him that dwelling on the past would have consequences, so Vader temporarily paused his search.

Darth Vader Tries To Resurrect Padme (Again)

In the Star Wars VR series Vader Immortal, Darth Vader tried a dangerous, dark magic ritual on Mustafar, using a powerful ancient artifact called an Aeon Engine, hoping to bring Padmé back to life. Although the ritual was stopped and the Engine broken, Vader briefly saw what appeared to be Padmé, hinting that the attempt might have partially succeeded.

A Rebel Infiltration Into Fortress Vader

From the creators of immersive VR experiences comes Secrets of the Empire. This adventure puts you in the role of Rebel spies who go undercover as stormtroopers to steal vital information and technology from an Imperial base near Vader’s fortress. The story takes place just before the events of A New Hope, and Darth Vader actually appears to stop them. Fortunately, the Rebels are rescued by K-2SO at the last moment.

Director Krennic Visits Fortress Vader

In Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Director Krennic travels to Mustafar to give Darth Vader a report. Vader, clearly intimidating, warned Krennic against any further mistakes and demanded he ensure Galen Erso hadn’t sabotaged the Death Star.

Believing he still oversaw the Death Star project, Krennic expected Lord Vader to vouch for him to the Emperor. Instead, Vader Force-choked Krennic, telling him to abandon his ambitions.

The Knights of Ren Infiltrate Fortress Vader

According to official Star Wars comics, the Knights of Ren secretly entered Fortress Vader while they were allied with Lady Qi’ra and the Crimson Dawn organization. This happened between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

Okay, so this scene on Mustafar was intense. We see Vader basically shut down one of the Knights of Ren – he killed him while they were trying to swipe this artifact called the Screaming Key, which Qi’ra desperately needed. The rest of the Knights, understandably, decided that was their cue to leave, and they high-tailed it out of there. It really showed Vader’s power and just how little the Knights stood a chance against him.

Anakin’s Force Ghost Saves Rebels From Fortress Vader

I recently learned something amazing from the Star Wars comics! Apparently, a team of Rebels actually got stuck inside Fortress Vader not long after the events of the original movies. They were captured and really suffered under the control of Vaneé, the castle’s caretaker. But here’s the incredible part: they didn’t escape on their own! Unknowingly, they were guided out by Anakin Skywalker’s Force ghost. It’s wild to think he was still helping people even after becoming a ghost!

Kylo Ren Discovers Fortress Vader’s Secret Vault

Custom Image by Kevin Erdmann

In the recent Legacy of Vader comic, set between The Last Jedi and Rise of Skywalker, Supreme Leader Kylo Ren traveled to Darth Vader’s castle on Mustafar. There, he found Vaneé, who had become mostly machine after many years since Darth Vader’s death.

Kylo Ren discovered more about Darth Vader’s history and the origins of his strength through Vaneé. The series culminates with Kylo Ren exploring the hidden vault within Fortress Vader, a pivotal moment of self-discovery in his journey with the Force, similar to Luke Skywalker’s time on Dagobah.

This vision of Ben Solo appears to Kylo Ren, reminding him of the Jedi he once was and could be again. It shows him that he can’t escape his past, which is a crucial step in his journey towards becoming Ben Solo once more in Rise of Skywalker.

2026-01-31 23:02