First Order (Star Wars)
On the planet Jakku, the final battle of the Galactic Civil War ended with thousands of worlds rising to join the Rebel Alliance. The disorganized Empire fell victim to warlordism after its defeat at the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY. One year later, a massive Imperial counter-offensive reached its climax on that same world. The New Republic deemed the remaining sectors too small a threat to justify liberating them through high-cost warfare. They forced the Empire to accept the Galactic Concordance, an armistice imposing strict disarmament and punishing reparations. Admiral Rae Sloane and Commandant Brendol Hux became the de facto founders of what would become the First Order. Fugitives reorganized themselves into a hermit kingdom spending three decades instigating a cold war against the New Republic. They secretly pushed into the Unknown Regions to seize new undeveloped worlds for resources. By six years before The Force Awakens, Centrist worlds seceded from the New Republic to reunite with these holdout remnants. These conspirators publicly revealed Leia Organa was the daughter of Darth Vader to harm her political standing among Populists.
The First Order lacks the galaxy-wide resources the old Empire once commanded. Their military adapted to a quality over quantity philosophy to make efficient use of few resources. Culturally, Sith-influenced philosophies were incorporated and streamlined into their doctrine. Survival of the fittest rules their ranks; if one soldier cannot fulfill duty, they die serving the Order. A major plot point in The Last Jedi involves hyperspace tracking technology allowing pursuit of enemy vessels through jumps. This tech existed as a research project almost forty years prior during the time of A New Hope. Star Destroyers like the Resurgent-class are nearly twice as large as the Imperial-class models they replaced. TIE fighters designated TIE/fo show greater concern for unit stamina and survivability than previous models. Visual design reversed solar panels to white on dark metal frames compared to black on light grey. Kylo Ren pilots his own personal TIE silencer fighter which is wider and more elongated than standard interceptors. The Supremacy measures 60 kilometers at its greatest width, equal to about 18 Resurgent-class ships lined up end to end.
Supreme Leader Snoke secretly created by the resurrected Emperor Palpatine controlled the First Order after purging previous leadership. Snoke seduced Ben Solo, Leia's son, to the dark side who renamed himself Kylo Ren. On turning to the dark side, Ben slaughtered most of Luke Skywalker's other Jedi apprentices. He destroyed his uncle's new academy before fleeing into self-imposed exile. Kylo took a position as Snoke's right hand within the military structure. Rivalry between Kylo and General Hux competed for Snoke's approval alongside Captain Phasma. In The Last Jedi, Kylo killed Snoke replacing him as Supreme Leader of the First Order. Allegiant General Pryde joined General Hux at the top of the hierarchy after Snoke's death. Kylo discovered physically impaired Palpatine in exile on the Sith world Exegol. Palpatine revealed he created Snoke as a puppet to control the First Order. Kylo eventually abandoned the dark side to reclaim his true identity as Ben Solo after seeing a vision of Han Solo through memory.
First Order stormtroopers are kidnapped from their home worlds and trained from birth. They spend their entire lives raised for no purpose other than serving the military. Soldiers undergo constant training in war games and simulations making them effective one-on-one against conscripts. Mental indoctrination and propaganda programs ensure fanatical loyalty without hesitation or questioning orders. Troops receive serial numbers like FN-2187 instead of individual names. Deployed in squads of ten with the tenth spot reserved for heavy weapons specialists. Armor design bears resemblance to Empire models but features extended filters and practical improvements. Captain Phasma claims not even a Wookiee could crush said armor. High ranks indicated by shoulder pauldron colors: white for squad leaders, black for sergeants, red for officers. Some earn blaster proof capes upon reaching captain rank. Captain Cardinal received almost all-red armor from his superior as a sign of trust. New jet troopers equipped with G125 projectile launchers appeared during The Rise of Skywalker.
The First Order serves as primary antagonist across three films starting with The Force Awakens in 2015. Their base Starkiller Base converts ice planet Ilum into mobile superweapon capable of destroying star systems via hyperspace firing. A pre-emptive strike on Hosnian Prime kills most Galactic Senate leadership and wipes out core military fleets. This paves way for Blitzkrieg using disproportionately powerful rebuilt military over past three decades. In The Last Jedi, fleet attacks Resistance base on D'Qar while Poe Dameron destroys Mandator IV-class Siege Dreadnought at cost of bomber wing. Hyperspace tracking leads to siege-like battle where smaller ships run out of fuel and destroyed one by one. Kylo Ren descends to duel Luke Skywalker only to find him a Force projection allowing survivors escape. The Rise of Skywalker takes place a year later revealing Palpatine's Sith Eternal fleet called Final Order. Rey confronts Kylo on Kef Bir wreckage of second Death Star before healing him through Force connection. Lando Calrissian arrives with reinforcements from across galaxy to destroy remaining Sith forces killing Pryde. Ultimately the galaxy rises up after 14 years of existence ending grand total of 54 years Imperial power.
The First Order introduced as fictional military movement in 2015 film The Force Awakens created by J.J. Abrams. Secretly guided by resurrected Sith Lord Palpatine aims to destroy New Republic and rule galaxy as autocratic dictatorship. Official reorganization into name occurred about six years prior to film release according to Star Wars: Bloodline novel. Various related media expanded lore including novels like Aftermath trilogy by Chuck Wendig. Comic book writer Charles Soule explained cold war position between factions immediately preceding events of first movie. Marvel Comics series Star Wars: Poe Dameron explored tensions leading up to conflict. Visual Dictionary published alongside film provided detailed background on origins and structure. Trade press covered development milestones throughout production cycle spanning multiple years. Merchandise lines featured new ship designs and character figures reflecting updated aesthetic choices made during creation process.
Critical analysis reviewed organization's design philosophy contrasting quality over quantity approach against old Empire tactics. Merchandise sales reflected strong consumer interest in new TIE variants and stormtrooper armor updates. Legacy within broader franchise examined through comparison with original Rebel Alliance dynamics. Fans debated effectiveness of hyperspace tracking technology implementation across sequel trilogy installments. Discussion focused heavily on psychological conditioning methods used on ground forces compared to cloning programs. Critics noted visual reversal of solar panel colors from black to white as significant stylistic shift. Sales data indicated high demand for Supremacy model replicas despite size constraints affecting manufacturing costs. Public reception varied regarding portrayal of Kylo Ren's internal struggle versus external military dominance displayed throughout films.
Common questions
Who founded the First Order in Star Wars?
Admiral Rae Sloane and Commandant Brendol Hux became the de facto founders of what would become the First Order. They reorganized fugitive Imperial remnants into a hermit kingdom spending three decades instigating a cold war against the New Republic.
When did the First Order appear in Star Wars films?
The First Order introduced as fictional military movement in 2015 film The Force Awakens created by J.J. Abrams. Official reorganization into name occurred about six years prior to film release according to Star Wars: Bloodline novel.
Where is the First Order based in the Star Wars galaxy?
Fugitives reorganized themselves into a hermit kingdom spending three decades instigating a cold war against the New Republic. They secretly pushed into the Unknown Regions to seize new undeveloped worlds for resources.
Why does the First Order use quality over quantity tactics?
The First Order lacks the galaxy-wide resources the old Empire once commanded. Their military adapted to a quality over quantity philosophy to make efficient use of few resources.
How were First Order stormtroopers trained from birth?
First Order stormtroopers are kidnapped from their home worlds and trained from birth. Soldiers undergo constant training in war games and simulations making them effective one-on-one against conscripts.
All sources
23 references cited across the entry
- 1webThe First Order
- 3webStar Wars: Biggest Reveals From The Rise Of Skywalker Visual DictionaryThomas Bacon — Screen Rant — January 1, 2020
- 4magazineA Guide to All the Old Star Wars References in The Rise of SkywalkerJoanna Robinson et al. — Condé Nast — December 20, 2019
- 5bookStar Wars: The Force Awakens: The Visual DictionaryPablo Hidalgo — DK — 2015
- 6bookStar Wars: AftermathChuck Wendig — Del Rey Books — 2015
- 8magazineStar Wars: Aftermath novel reveals tragic, violent uprising after Return of the JediAnthony Breznican — July 16, 2015
- 9webEverything That Aftermath: Empire's End Reveals About the New Star Wars UniverseKatharine Trendacosta — February 22, 2017
- 10bookStar Wars: Aftermath: Empire's EndChuck Wendig — Del Rey — 2017
- 11webSoule & Noto Fill In Poe Dameron's Pre-Star Wars: The Force Awakens HistoryDave Richards — Comic Book Resources — February 29, 2016
- 12webStar Wars 7: The First Order's Superweapon Eclipses The Death StarsRob Keyes — Screen Rant — September 4, 2015
- 13webDatabank: First Order Riot Control StormtroopersStarWars.com
- 14webDatabank: First Order Special Forces TIE FighterStarWars.com
- 15journalExclusive: Empire reveals names of new Star Wars planetsPhil De Semlyen — November 26, 2015
- 16webDatabank: General HuxStarWars.com
- 17webStar Wars 7: Kylo Ren & The First Order ExplainedSandy Schaefer — Screen Rant — August 25, 2015
- 18webStar Wars: The Force Awakens Easter Eggs and Reference Guide (Kylo Ren/Ben Solo and the Knights of Ren)John Saavedra — Den of Geek — December 17, 2015
- 19web14 things Star Wars fans will love about The Force AwakensDecember 17, 2015
- 20webDatabank: Captain PhasmaStarWars.com
- 21av mediaStar Wars: The Last JediWalt Disney Studios Motion Pictures — 2017
- 22magazineThe Casual Star Wars Fan's Guide to The Rise of SkywalkerMarissa Martinelli — The Slate Group — December 19, 2019
- 23webEmperor Palpatine actor was done with Star Wars. Then J.J. Abrams calledChristina Schoellkopf — December 17, 2019
- 24webBreaking Down That Shocking Rey Reveal in Star Wars: The Rise of SkywalkerMegan McCluskey — Meredith Corporation — December 20, 2019