Star Wars Pirates

It can be a bit difficult to narrow down what exactly a Star Wars pirate is. However, generally its someone who robs and plunders the innocent, committing violent crimes. A privateer is a pirate hired by a government, to steal from their foes and deny them supplies. A smuggler on the other hand, is a bit less on the assault side and more on the side of simply transporting illicit goods. Most pirates are vicious robbers, whereas as Solo is more the ‘take the goods from point a to point b’ type, although the goods may have well have pirate connections.

Pirates will often lay in wait along hyperspace routes. They may work for their pirates or be independent operaters. Some deal in slavery, spice or stolen goods or even ships.

Finhead Stonebone

This fellow lived in the days of the Old Republic, just before the Great Sith War. Finhead raided ships by piercing the hull of the victim’s ship, using an old asteroid miner he called Marauder Starjacker. Then, venting the atmosphere, he sucked the contents of the hold into his own ship. Unfortunately the pirate ran afoul of a ship that was under the protection of Bogga the hutt. This resulted in the deaths of several crew, and Stonebone was now forced to pay fees and obey the Hutt. Bogga also demanded he retrieve adegan crystals for a Jedi Master known as Thon. This quest was doomed to failure, and he was forced to return empty handed.

Source: Tales of the Jedi (comics, graphic novels)

Nym – A Complicated Star Wars Pirate

This male Feeorin had a hatred of the Trade Federation, especially after he was imprisoned and tortured by them. After escaping, he became a scourge to them. He wasn’t big on law enforcement, for obvious reasons. But after they took down his base, he joined forces with Vana Sage and Reece Dallows to stick it to them, when they were invading Naboo. His aid in that could’ve gotten him a job with the Royal Security Force, a full pardon and a reward. He ignored it all to go hunting a new stake and crew so he could return to piracy.

After a brief stint on Rodia, that ended with him making off with his alleged employer and his clan, as well as a stack of cash, he was soon hired to deal with a fellow pirate, Sixxus, who was thrashing the Trade Federation. The employer didn’t disagree with the opinion of the Trade Federation, they just didn’t want their people caught in the middle. Our clever Star Wars pirate Nym, turned this situation to his advantage.

Afterward, Nym’s latest base was once more attacked by the Trade Federation. To his consternation, hils ally, Reti, led a Jedi there right at the same time. But the Jedi, Adi Gallia, was there to investigate the Trade Federation so he once more reluctantly agreed to team up. Nym yet again found himself a Star Wars pirate turned hero as the quest leads him to battle in the skies over Geonosis.

Years later, Nym still has a base on Lok during the Galactic Civil War and loosely has been known to assist the rebels on occasion.

Sources: Star Wars Starfighter (Video Game), Star Wars Crossbones (Comic), Star Wars Jedi Starfighter (Video Game), Star Wars Galaxies, A Galaxy Divided (Video Game), Star Wars Ruins of Dantooine (book)

Captain Arwen Cohl

A rmale Mirialin he helped win a war between his planet and another. But his colleagues betrayed him, knowing the people would raise him up as a leader in the government. Arwen Cohl became a space pirate. He particularly was known to work with the Nebula Front, a group totally against the Trade Federation, and it’s harsh policy to destroy all competition, leaving outer rim planets at their mercy in trade. Cohl took down a Federation ship at Dorvalla, gaining it’s secret cargo of auridiium ingots. His crew included a close female friend, Rella, and a Rodian named Boiny. He was pursued by two Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn.

But Cohl was betrayed by the Nebula Front leader Havoc, and left for dead., along with his team Cohl and Boiny eventually were met up by the Jedi, both in bad shape. Cohl led them to Havoc but it cost him all.

Sources: Cloak of Deception (novel)

Krayne – A Pirate Slaver

This particular Star Wars pirate was the worst kind. A male T’surr whose primary plunder was taking people for slaves. In addition to working the space lanes, he also raided outer rim settlements and even managed to hijack the slave implants and steal those already enslaved from their current owners. He supplied slaves directly to the Colicoids to supply their plants on Nar Shaddaa.

Krayne’s wickedness was so bold that he came to the attention of the Jedi. Siri Tachi, a Jedi padawan, was sent on her final mission to infiltrate as a woman named Zora. When Obi-Wan and Anakin were investigating, she covered for Anakin when he was captured, hiding that he was a Jedi. In pursuit, Obi-Wan came in under cover as an observer for the Coloicoids, and was forced to take out Krayn’es wookiee associate, Rashtah.

Siri with Obi-Wan convinced the Colicoids the factories would earn more profit using employees instead of slaves, since Krayne was about to lose control. Anakin, meanwhile, led the slaves in a revolt. The Jedi Operation ended Krayne, and for the time being at least, the slave trade on Nar Shaddaa.

Sources: Jedi Quest originally had no subtitle, then Path to the Truth. (YA novel), Jedi Quest (comics)

Lorian Nod

Lorian spent time in prison only to try and worm his way to power on another world. But this time, after getting out, he turned his life around. He left crime and piracy behind him to aid the Jedi against Dooku, now a Sith.

Source: Star Wars Legacy of the Jedi (book)

Pirates of Iridium

Star Wars Pirates of Iridium used a rare power gem that was able to strip their opponents shields, making them easy to plunder. The Jedi Knights took down the group, leaving Raskar the last survivor. Han Solo managed to get a hold of the last power gem, which was almost depleted, from him to help the rebel fleet. Raskar attempted one last plunder, thinking Han had a hidden stash on Hoth when he tracked him there. By accident, they found a dragon slug and rare lumni spice. For a share, Raskar agreed to leave him alone.

Source: Star Wars the Classic Newspaper Strips Volume 3 (graphic novel, colorized). Newspaper Strips: Power Gem, A New Beginning, Showdown. Hyperspace

Zozridor Slayke

A Captain of a Judicial ship, The Scarlet Thranta, he went rogue when he percieved the Separatist movement as a threat. He began hitting the Trade Federation shipping with his crew and was declared a pirate. Nejaa Halcyon, a Jedi Master, was sent to capture him. But he outmanuevered Halcyon and stole his ship. Slayke was Captain of the Freedom’s Sons. Captain Slayke was pardoned when the Clone Wars broke out and boldly attacked the occupying force that had just taken the communications center at Praesitlyn. He joined forces with Nejaa Halcyon and Anakin Skywalker to liberate the planet.

Source: Jedi Trial (book)

Hondo Ohnaka

This pirate was sold as a child into slavery. On his escape, he formed a pirate gang that was into extortion, spice running and kidnapping for ransom. He was so bold he even tried to kidnap and ransom Jedi and Sith.

Source: The Clone Wars 2008 (TV)

Drea Renthal

This Star Wars pirate queen thought of herself as more businesswoman than pirate, and preferred plunder to murder and mayhem. She was known to dress in a wildly mismatched fashion. Her preference was to steal whatever ship she raided, and take rich captives to be ransomed.

Renthal was hired by the Hutts to defend Nal Hutta when the Empire determined to stop the smuggling throught the system. Since the Empire planned to raze the smuggler moon to groundrock, the smuggler’s were determined to go down fighting. She joined forces with their ambitious plan, and her crew acquitted themselves well. The Empire fled, in no small part due to the unexpected strategy of the smugglers (though some odd political machinations were involved as well.)

As a friend of Han and a former lover of Lando Calrissian, she was persuaded to rescue Lando and Han’s ex girlfriend from Boba Fett when they were captured by the bounty hunter on a ship she was plundering. She used the plunder money to buy their freedom from Fett.

Sources: Han Solo The Hutt Gambit (book) Han Solo The Rebel Dawn (book)

Gor Kybo Ren-Cha aka Kybo Ren

Ultimately, Lord Toda didn’t trust Kybo. And Jan, Jessica, R2, 3PO and Mon Julpa were able to free her and take down Kybo Ren.

Sources: Droids: The adventures of R2-D2 and C3PO (animated), Star Wars Guide to the Star Wars Universe (2nd edition)

Crimson Jack

Leader of a band of Star Wars pirates in the outer rim. This human male, made off with a damaged imperial cruiser from Toprawa. He also had managed to aquire TIE fighters, Y-Wings and even some X-Wings.

Crimson Jack managed to capture Han, and steal the reward the Rebels had given him for rescuing the Princess. But unsatisfied with the haul that would’ve freed Han from Jabba’s wrath, he planted a tracer. He later recaptured Han and this time, the Princess as well. He hoped to ransom her, and threatened them with slow torture.

Han, however, managed to outsmart the greedy, vicious pirate by pretending the Rebels had a treasure. He finally managed to get Crimson Jack in a situation where he could kill him, permanently ending the threat.

Source: Classic Marvel Star Wars 7, 9, 11-15, Star Wars A Long Time Ago Vol 1 Doomworld (colorized), Scoundrels (book)

Indobok Pirates

These Star Wars pirates were an odd bunch, ending up in a life of crime when a meal they cooked displeased their patron. Yes, indeed, they were cooks. The Hutt sent them to work in the mines (shocking! Jabba would’ve killed them!) But they escaped. They ran into when plundering the ship they were on, and R2 and 3PO who had to work for them. On a bet, R2 won a race and became the new leader! R2 and 3PO helped save them from the Olag Greck, who had poisoned the Hutt’s meal and framed them. Then they went their separate ways, R2 deciding the pirate life was not for him.

Source: Droids 1994 – 1995 comic

Merson Pirates

Bonestar Pirates

These particular cold blooded pirates an in the corellian system and were run by Loka Hask, before he joined the Empire. Corsec was on the hunt for them for various crimes. Determined to escape, they took off without disconnecting properly from a feul depot. The Depot was owned by the Antillies who fought to save the station,leaving their son orphaned. The pirates were destroyed, except for Hask, when Booster Terrik and Wedge pursued them.

Source: X-Wing Rogue Squadron the Phantom Affair (comics, graphic novel)

Eiattu pirates / TIE pirates

These were Imperial pilots who preyed on New Republic shipping post Endor. Lando and his team destroyed them.

Source: Lando Commando’s On Eagles Wings – Star Wars Tales 5 (comic)

Lumini pirates

They were led by the smuggler Kaerobani. they were preying on New Republic ships and stole a Jedi holocron when raiding a republic ship guarded by Mara Jade.

You can see gameplay of the ship level here and Kaeorbani’s base level here.

Source: Mysteries of the Sith (video game)

Cavrilhu Pirates.

Led by Zothip. They teamed up with Moff Disra and preyed on the New Republic, sewing havoc when they were dealing with internal member disputes. They also had a battle with the Jedi, Luke and Mara

Source: Specter of the Past and Vision of the Future (duology, books)

Bloodscars

The pirate gang were based on Gellperin, led by a man called the Commodore and Caaldra. They ran afoul of both Mara Jade and rogue troopers known as the Hand of Judgement. The Bloodscars had ties to corrupt Imperial officers.

Source: Allegiance (book)

The Invids

The Invids were a coalition of pirate bands, led by Leonia Tavira. Rogue Squadron had to solve the riddle of how they always seemed to avoid every trap set. Ultimately, it took Corran Horn and his new Jedi powers to deal with it, along with Luke Skywalker. Groups included Khuiumin Survivors and Shala the Hutt’s gang. They flew custom ‘Clutches’ ,tri shaped fighters and preyed on the New Republic shipping lanes. The ship that transported them was the Invidious, an Imperial Star Destroyer.

Source: I,Jedi (book)

Black Sun

Black Sun was more a criminal empire than mere pirates. They, like the Hutt Cartels, were those who hired the pirates. They had their fingers in everything from spice to slave runners, gambling. They were extremely cut throat and lasted in power from the pre-Ruusan days of the Old Republic until the Empire, when Vader killed their head and Skywalker and his companions destroyed their main palace on Coruscant.

Black Sun did regroup enough to choose a new leader under the Imperial Remnant. They were involved in a clever scheme with Nom Anor to replace the Ruling Council with clones. At the same time, the New Republic shipping was being hit. This led Mirith Sinn to investigate their ally Grappa the Hutt while one of their top people, Macus Kayniph, was there and uncover the truth. Black Sun’s plot to take over the Empire screeched to a halt and between Grappa’s temper and the New Republic attacks, at least one of their bases was totally destroyed.

Source: Star Wars the Old Republic (video game), Shadows of the Empire (multimedia), Darth Maul (comics), Darth Maul Shadowhunter (book), Coruscant Nights (book Trilogy), Bounty Hunter Trilogy (books), Crimson /Empire 2: Council of Blood

Black Nebula

These survivors of Black Sun tried to pick up where Black Sun left off, led by a former foe of Han Solo. They ran Spice, weapons and attempted to infiltrate the New Republic only to be foiled by the newest generation of Jedi

Source: Young Jedi Knights series Return to Ord Mantell, Trouble on Cloud City, Crisis on Crystal Reef (books)

Twin Suns

This pirate gang that operated in the Old Republic during the Sith Wars long before Bane or the Ruusan Reformations. They were most known to hang out on Tatooine.

Source: Star Wars the Old Republic (game)

Naboo pirates (name unknown)

were trouble during the galactic civil war. They kidnapped royalty and held them for ransom.

Source: Star Wars Galaxies an Empire Divided

Sand Slum pirates

These Tatooine pirates made the mistake of harassing the locals, until some were captured by the locals.

Source: Star Wars Galaxies an Empire Divided