Pre Vizsla

During the era of the Clone Wars, Pre Vizsla, a male [Human](/article/human-legends] Mandalorian native to the planet of Mandalore, lived. Around 22 BBY, Vizsla ascended to the leadership of the Death Watch, a splinter group that opposed the pacifistic policies of Duchess Satine Kryze and her peaceful New Mandalorian organization, which held political sway over Mandalore. Vizsla believed that this government betrayed the Mandalorian's age-old warrior traditions. While secretly heading the Death Watch, Vizsla outwardly supported Kryze, seemingly disavowing his connections to clan, and became a trusted confidant. He rose to the position of governor of Concordia, Mandalore's moon, a distinct province operating independently from the New Mandalorians' administration. Vizsla transformed several abandoned mining camps into clandestine staging areas.

Vizsla eventually acquired the Darksaber, a black-bladed lightsaber that his ancestors had pilfered from the Jedi Temple during the decline of the Old Republic. Many Jedi subsequently met their demise at its blade. Vizsla harbored a desire to reignite the conflict between the Jedi and the Mandalorians, as they had been adversaries in the past. To overthrow Duchess Kryze and her New Mandalorians, Vizsla sought the support of Count Dooku and his Confederacy of Independent Systems, who pledged their assistance in Vizsla's efforts to undermine Kryze's rule and seize control of Mandalore. The Death Watch initiated acts of terrorism in Sundari, the New Mandalorian capital city, and on the neighboring world of Kalevala to weaken Kryze's authority and sow discord among the populace. Vizsla himself maintained Kryze's trust by feigning leadership in the search for the Death Watch, ensuring that the warriors could be apprehended.

Following a Mandalorian saboteur's attacked on a Republic cruiser, the Galactic Senate received reports suggesting that Kryze was secretly building her own army to fight for the Confederacy. Consequently, Mandalore became the destination for Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, dispatched by the Jedi High Council to investigate allegations of treason. Upon learning of Kenobi's presence on Mandalore, Vizsla contacted Count Dooku holographically from the Death Watch's clandestine Concordian military camp, expressing his concern over Kenobi's arrival. Initially, Vizsla struggled to comprehend Dooku's apparent indifference to the Jedi Master's presence, reminding Dooku of his commitment to assist in overthrowing Kryze and her government. Vizsla asserted that if the Republic were to intervene at that moment, the Death Watch would be unable to seize control of Mandalore. Dooku, however, advised patience, asserting that the Republic's continued involvement in Mandalorian affairs, coupled with the Senate's impending order to deploy troops to maintain order on Mandalore, would incite discontent among the Mandalorian populace, leading them to rebel. Vizsla then realized that Dooku's strategy was to position Death Watch as the people's liberator, thereby bolstering the renegade faction's insurgency.

Subsequently, Governor Vizsla, accompanied by several guards, greeted Kenobi and Kryze in the hangar of a Concordian governmental complex when the two arrived on Concordia aboard a Mandalorian shuttle to deliver the deceased body of the instigator behind a Death Watch bombing of Sundari's memorial shrine. Following his introduction to Kenobi, Vizsla attempted to refute the rumors of Kryze's alliance with the Separatists, to which Kenobi responded that his sole directive was to "seek the truth." Vizsla then took possession of the bomber's remains, who had chosen to die rather than be captured, and departed with his men to attend to it. Later, while Vizsla was composing a condolence letter to the man's family on his datapad in his Concordia residence and arranging for the body's retrieval, Kryze joined him, stating that Kenobi would be arriving shortly, as he needed to meditate. Over refreshments, Kryze shared her concerns that someone was disseminating misinformation to the Republic, suggesting that the Death Watch was taking over Mandalore, and suspected that an external force was aiding the Mandalorian renegades. Vizsla speculated that the party would need to be very influential in the Separatist Alliance and mused that Kryze herself was being targeted for her role as leader of the Council of Neutral Systems, which directly conflicted with the Separatists' conquest of the galaxy.

As time went on, Vizsla noticed that General Kenobi's meditation was lasting longer than anticipated and suggested that they commence dinner without him. However, Kryze—who had secretly been contacted by Kenobi, whose investigations had led to his captured by the Death Watch—excused herself from the governor's company. Kryze stated that she needed some fresh air and politely declined Vizsla's offer to escort her outside. Resuming his role as the Death Watch's leader, Vizsla arrived in full Mandalorian armor at the mining base where Kenobi was being held. When Kenobi—having been rescued by the Duchess—and Kryze emerged from a mining shaft near the camp where Vizsla and his men were stationed, the Death Watch immediately opened fire on the pair. Vizsla ordered three more of his men to advance and intercept Kenobi, and the trio activated their JT-12 jetpacks, flying toward the Jedi Master's position and focusing their fire on him. However, they were unable to accomplish their mission and were stopped before they could inflict any harm on the enemy pair. Resolving to personally address the situation, Vizsla ordered the remaining troops to evacuate Concordia. Once three of the Death Watch's Kom'rk-class transports had departed, Vizsla and several of his men advanced toward the outcrop where Kenobi and Kryze had sought refuge.

As he approached, Vizsla shot one of his men who had failed to stop Kenobi, expressing his disgust at his subordinate's failure. Kenobi emerged from cover, and Vizsla continued forward without his guards, removing his helmet to reveal himself as the Death Watch's leader. Ignoring Kryze's shock at discovering her ally's betrayal, Vizsla addressed Kenobi, asserting that Kryze had tarnished the Mandalorian name with her peace-seeking government. Returning Kenobi's lightsaber, which his men had confiscated during the Jedi's capture, Vizsla drew and activated the Darksaber. A lightsaber duel ensued, with both parties slashing at each other, dodging, and blocking their opponent's attacks. Kenobi forced Vizsla back twice, first with a Force-push that propelled him backward several meters, and then with a kick that sent his weapon flying. Undeterred, Vizsla continued at Kenobi, employing unarmed combat techniques to create a temporary opening in the fight to retrieve his fallen lightsaber.

This time, Vizsla used his jetpack to gain an altitude advantage in the fight, but Kenobi simply jumped up and intercepted him in the air, battering him back down to the ground, where his jetpack and lightsaber deactivated. Regaining his footing, Vizsla chose not to pursue Kenobi again and instead ordered his warriors to finish the Jedi Master themselves. The three Death Watch members each launched a missile from their rocket packs, forcing Kenobi and Kryze to retreat, jumping back down into the mine shaft to evade the explosives. The three warriors inspected the damage and inquired if they should pursue Kenobi; Vizsla ordered them not to, citing a lack of time, but noted that they would catch up with the Duchess soon enough.

After escaping Concordia, Kenobi and Kryze returned to Mandalore, from where they departed for the Republic capital of Coruscant under Republic escort aboard Kryze's starship, the Coronet, so that Kryze could plead her case directly to the Galactic Senate. Vizsla schemed with Mandalorian Senator Tal Merrik, a Death Watch agent and one of the Coronet's passengers, to capture Kryze. Merrik eventually reported his success in taking Kryze hostage to Vizsla and requested reinforcements so that he could transport her away. Pleased with Merrik's exploits, Vizsla replied that additional forces had been dispatched to cover his escape. In the ensuing battle aboard the Coronet, however, Merrik was killed, stabbed in the back by Anakin Skywalker, one of Kryze's Jedi escorts. Kryze was able to safely reach Coruscant, leaving the Death Watch with another failed attempt on her life.

Following the unsuccessful attempts on Kryze, Vizsla mobilized a Death Watch army at the Concordian base as preparation to take over Mandalore. The force consisted mainly of Death Watch warriors but was also supported by Separatist Armored Assault Tanks. With his army in place, Vizsla used a comm station to contact Dooku, who was elsewhere in space with a Separatist fleet. Vizsla was impatient, as both he and his men were anxious to fight, but Dooku recalled the plot that they had set into motion of manipulating the Republic Senate into ordering an occupation of Mandalore—which would subsequently cause Death Watch to appear as "liberators" when they struck back at the Republic occupation force and would thus gain Death Watch the people's support. Dooku ordered Vizsla to send a Death Watch assassin to Coruscant, as Kryze had to die if the Senate vote was to move forward and their plan was to succeed.

After failing twice to kill Kryze, the assassin reported to Vizsla that he had killed an informant that appeared to have handed something off to her. Vizsla reiterated the need to find her, emphasizing that whatever Kryze was carrying might compromise the plan. Eventually, however, word reached Vizsla and his Death Watch army that the assassin had failed to kill Kryze and that the Senate had voted against sending an occupational force to Mandalore, nullifying the Death Watch's opportunity to gain the Mandalore populace's support during the invasion. Livid about having to postpone his attack, Vizsla angrily strode through his men—who had been ordered to stand down and were rushing around the base—to a comm station and contacted Dooku. Seething, Vizsla used the Count as a target for his frustration and stated his intention to continue with the invasion. Dooku advised against such a rash action—despite the Death Watch's capability of conquering Mandalore, they would only be able to hold the planet for no more than a day if they did not have the people's support. Dooku cited Vizsla's inexperience in battle, attributing it to his rashness, and stated that he had other ways of accomplishing their goal.

Following Vizsla's aborted conquest of Mandalore, the Death Watch leader eventually met with Dooku in person. Vizsla managed to rile Dooku to the point of where the Sith Lord released his lightsaber and slashed Vizsla across his left cheek, leaving a prominent scar across his face. Furious, Vizsla broke ties with Dooku and the Separatists and vowed to kill the Count. On the run, the Death Watch found refuge on the planet Carlac, holding the local Ming Po hostage while pillaging their villages for women and supplies.

Vizsla found alliance with Lux Bonteri, a young Separatist from Onderon who also held a personal vendetta against Dooku for killing his mother, Mina. Vizsla sent Bonteri to Mandalore, where peace talks between the Republic and Confederacy were being hosted by Duchess Satine. By openly accusing the Count of treachery during the peace summit, he was able to provoke the Count into confronting him via hologram; this allowed Bonteri to use a holotrace device, revealing the Sith's whereabouts. Bonteri rendevouzed with the Death Watch on Carlac, where he was to present Vizsla the Count's coordinates.

To Vizsla's surprise, however, Bonteri brought the Jedi Ahsoka Tano, who was masquerading as Bonteri's betrothed, and her droid R2-D2. Vizsla was initially fooled by Tano's illusion, and welcomed her into the Death Watch ranks. At a feast later that night, Vizsla was approached by several members of the Ming Po, who demanded Death Watch to release the native women who were keeping as servants and then leave the planet. Vizsla appeared to comply to the cheiftant's demands, swearing to leave the planet by morning. In reality, Vizsla was planning the slaughter of the natives; when he arrived at the Ming Po village to present the captured women, he ordered his men to burn the village and the people in it, much to Bonteri's horror.

Ahsoka Tano, identifying herself as a Jedi, neutralized several Death Watch warriors before being captured. Back at the Death Watch camp, Vizsla voiced his displeasure with Bonteri for bringing a Jedi into their midst. Despite Bonteri's pleas for her life, Vizsla remained determined to execute her. Bonteri accused Vizsla of dishonorable murder, to which Vizsla responded that Bonteri was no different, harboring a desire for Dooku's blood. Bonteri maintained his desire for justice, not vengeance, but Vizsla refused to listen. Vizsla declared that just as Bonteri sought justice for his mother's death, he would execute Ahsoka for the Jedi Order's offenses against Mandalore, which he considered justice. Before Vizsla could carry out the execution, R2-D2 infiltrated the hut, creating a distraction and equipping Tano with her lightsabers. After freeing herself by leaping and beheading four Death Watch soldiers, Vizsla engaged her in a duel; however, when the Jedi's lightsaber caused Vizsla's jetpack to detonate, she and Bonteri made their escape.

Following Tano and Bonteri's departure, the Republic tracked a Munificent-class star frigate to Carlac. After shooting it down, they landed to eliminate the remaining droids. They encountered resistance from Death Watch, including three camps. The Republic established a outpost to defend against the Death Watch, initiating the Skirmish on Carlac. A Jedi Knight joined the fray, obliterating the three camps, eliminating Sergeant Kellov, and infiltrating a village held captive by Death Watch, who threatened its destruction if the Republic did not withdraw its forces. The Jedi Knight infiltrated the village, but was discovered, leading the Death Watch to set it ablaze. The Republic deployed a LAAT/i to extinguish the flames, but they persisted. The Jedi Knight vanquished Kherr Dawar, Kro Lann, Mord Jayran, and Vizsla himself, although he managed to escape.

After the events that transpired on Carlac, Vizsla and his Death Watch faction established a base of operations on the swamp moon of Zanbar. Once again, they began to formulate plans to bring about the downfall of Duchess Satine and to reinstate the Mandalorian's warrior traditions.

During a journey through space, the Death Watch stumbled upon the escape pod containing Maul and Savage, two fugitives who identified themselves as Dark Lords of the Sith and Zabrak brothers. They were severely injured following their previous defeat at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Despite Bo-Katan's suggestion to execute the brothers, Vizsla chose to spare them, recognizing their shared animosity towards the Jedi and seeing the potential for a beneficial alliance.

Vizsla ordered the brothers to be transported to the Death Watch's camp on Zanbar. There, Maul received new cybernetic legs to replace the makeshift ones created by Mother Talzin, while Savage was given an artificial replacement for the arm lost to Obi-Wan Kenobi's lightsaber. Maul and Vizsla discovered their mutual hatred for Obi-Wan Kenobi, leading them to form a tenuous alliance.

Following the establishment of their alliance, Vizsla urged an immediate assault on Mandalore, asserting that he had loyal men ready and waiting on the planet. However, Maul countered that the Death Watch warriors were not yet prepared to seize control of Mandalore. Instead, Maul proposed recruiting the Black Sun, located on Mustafar, to begin building an army. Vizsla, along with the Death Watch members, would travel to the planet. Upon meeting with the Black Sun leaders, Vizsla and the brothers were met with mockery, as the leaders stated that they were not mercenaries for hire. However, when Opress killed the leaders of the Black Sun, Ziton Moj decided to join Maul.

After the Black Sun's submission, Vizsla declared that they had acquired the necessary supplies for their cause. However, Maul and Vizsla soon clashed over their visions for taking over Mandalore, each insisting that their own vision was the key to success. Frustrated by Maul's continued army building, Vizsla reluctantly obeyed Maul's orders, all the while plotting to seize control of the situation. Shortly after returning to Zanbar, the Pyke Syndicate, led by Lom Pyke, offered their support in overthrowing the Duchess.

Following the Pykes' integration into Darth Maul's Shadow Collective, they journeyed to Nal Hutta to seek assistance from the Hutt Grand Council. After negotiations failed, bounty hunters pursued the brothers and Vizsla outside, where Bo-Katan and her Nite Owls awaited their return. While Bo and her warriors engaged the Hutt guards, Maul, Vizsla, and Savage confronted Sugi and Embo. Despite the bounty hunters' eventual escape, the Death Watch warriors managed to capture Oruba. After learning that Jabba had fled to his palace on Tatooine, Maul ordered Opress to execute Oruba, resulting in his immediate death.

Shortly after discovering that the Hutts had sought refuge at Jabba's Palace on Tatooine, the Brothers and Death Watch launched a small attack to give Jabba one final chance to join their cause. After witnessing the Shadow Collective's capabilities in action, the Hutts agreed to join them. However, outside the castle, Vizsla cautioned Bo to remain vigilant, as they planned to seize control of Mandalore and eliminate Maul, Opress, and the Duchess.

With the Shadow Collective now formed, Maul asserted his dominance over Death Watch, leading Vizsla and Bo-Katan to plot his demise. Utilizing his 'army' to attack various targets throughout Sundari, the capital city, Maul dispatched Vizsla and Death Watch to 'capture' the attackers and bring them to justice, effectively portraying themselves as saviors. Vizsla garnered public support by demonstrating the Dutchess's inability to protect them. He arrested Kryze, but upon Maul's arrival in the city, Vizsla revealed his intention to confine their success to Mandalore, excluding the other 2,000 neutral systems. Vizsla's men arrested Maul, but before he and Opress were taken to the Sundari prison, Vizsla assured Maul that he would still honor their agreement to eliminate Kenobi, but only if Maul submitted to Vizsla's rule.

After imprisoning Maul and Oppress, he moved to take the title of Mandalore for himself. To Vizsla's dismay, Maul and Opress, aided by Almec, managed to break free from their confinement. Upon entering the throne room, Maul challenged Vizsla to a duel, which Vizsla accepted. He ordered Bo-Katan to provide Maul with his lightsaber. With a battle cry, he charged at the Zabrak, initiating a fierce confrontation. They battled throughout the throne room, Vizsla employing his jetpack, blaster pistols, grenades, and the Darksaber in an attempt to gain an advantage over Maul, mirroring his earlier encounter with Kenobi. Vizsla's unpredictable fighting style allowed him to hold his own against the Sith Lord, but ultimately, Maul proved to be the stronger combatant. He forced Vizsla to the ground and executed a sai cha move using the Darksaber, Vizsla's own weapon.

Following Vizsla's death at the hands of Darth Maul, Almec succeeded him as Prime Minister of Mandalore. Almec publicly declared that Vizsla had been murdered by Duchess Satine Kryze and that the people of Mandalore would remember him as a hero who had saved them in their time of need, while Kryze had fled. Maul, meanwhile, claimed the Darksaber as his own and proclaimed himself the new leader of Death Watch. Some Death Watch members pledged their allegiance to Maul, becoming known as Mandalorian super commandos. Others, including Bo-Katan and the Nite Owls, refused to follow an outsider and remained loyal to Vizsla's memory. The resulting conflict between the two factions culminated in the Battle of Sundari.

Pre Vizsla presented himself as a champion of the Mandalorians' warrior heritage, a legacy that included conflicts with the Jedi Order. He sought to restore Mandalore and its people to what he considered their rightful state by leading Death Watch in their quest to seize control of their homeworld. Following the death of Mand'alor Jango Fett during the Battle of Geonosis, Vizsla saw himself as upholding the traditions of the Mand'alor, embodying the Mandalorian ideal of the "one ruler." However, his actions often contradicted his claims, as he was willing to engage in dishonorable tactics, such as cheating in combat, senselessly massacring villages, and orchestrating invasions to appear as a hero, thereby tarnishing the very culture he claimed to defend. He also sought to reignite the ancient feud between the Jedi and the Mandalorians, aiming to make his people enemies of the Jedi once more. Vizsla opposed Duchess Satine Kryze and her New Mandalorian government, viewing them as weak and cowardly, unworthy of the Mandalorian name. Vizsla was prepared to align himself with Count Dooku and the Confederacy of Independent Systems if it meant that Death Watch could triumph over Kryze's government and realize his vision of a resurgence of the Mandalorians' warrior culture over the New Mandalorians' pacifistic ideals. Vizsla also conspired with the corrupt Senator Tal Merrik to capture Kryze, though Merrik's efforts were unsuccessful. However, as the loyal governor of Concordia and a leading figure in the search for Death Watch, Vizsla managed to conceal his true allegiances from Kryze for a considerable time, even being considered one of her trusted allies.

Vizsla opted not to engage Kenobi when the latter was unarmed and even returned Kenobi's lightsaber before their duel, confident in his ability to add Kenobi to the list of Jedi defeated by the Darksaber. However, when the battle did not go as planned, he became frustrated. After being pushed back twice by Kenobi, Vizsla ordered three of his troops to eliminate the Jedi Master. Furthermore, when the plot to manipulate the Republic Senate into occupying Mandalore failed, Vizsla became enraged and allowed his frustration to cloud his judgment. He intended to proceed with the invasion of Mandalore, despite lacking public support, and only postponed the attack at Count Dooku's urging. Dooku attributed Vizsla's impulsive desires to his lack of experience in battle.

Vizsla displayed extreme brutality on Carlac, ordering his warriors to slaughter an entire village simply because they dared to defy him. In his view, the weak should never dictate terms to the strong, and those who did deserved to die. He was also vengeful, seeking to kill Count Dooku for betraying and scarring him. Lux Bonteri argued that Vizsla was no better than the Sith Lord.

After forming an alliance with Darth Maul and Savage Opress, Vizsla revealed his intention to betray them to Bo-Katan and subsequently imprisoned them. However, when the brothers escaped, he accepted Maul's challenge to a one-on-one duel, and unlike his encounter with Kenobi, he did not allow his allies to interfere. Just before his death, Vizsla reaffirmed his belief that only the strongest should rule, and he died with pride and dignity.

Pre Vizsla was a highly proficient combatant, capable of holding his own against the experienced Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi in a lightsaber duel for a limited time. In close combat, Vizsla wielded the Darksaber and attempted to leverage both brute strength and the height advantage provided by his jetpack. Despite his skill, Vizsla, lacking the benefit of the Force, was ultimately unable to defeat Kenobi and was bested by the Jedi Master.

Vizsla's proficiency with the Darksaber improved significantly over time, allowing him to fight Ahsoka Tano to a standstill on Carlac. His abilities even progressed to the point where he could contend with Darth Maul. Employing the Darksaber, his flamethrower, jetpack, blasters, and hand-to-hand combat, Vizsla put up a formidable fight but was ultimately defeated by the Sith Lord, who had received training from a former member of Death Watch.

Vizsla was also a skilled diplomat, and as the leader of Death Watch, his orders were executed swiftly, such as when he dispatched an assassin to eliminate Kryze. Furthermore, his troops were willing to sacrifice themselves in pursuit of their missions, as demonstrated by the sabotage of a Republic cruiser and the bombing of Sundari's memorial shrine. Demanding excellence, Vizsla was quick to execute those who failed to meet his expectations.

Vizsla donned a suit of black and blue Mandalorian armor, complete with a T-visor helmet adorned with a distinctive cream-colored trident symbol above the visor. He also wore a striped light gray cape displaying his clan marking, the symbol of Death Watch. His shoulder pads featured a red-and-white rank insignia. Vizsla utilized a variety of equipment in combat, including a pair of WESTAR-35 blaster pistols and a JT-12 jetpack, as well as the flat-edged, black-bladed Darksaber that his ancestors had stolen from the Jedi Temple long before the Clone Wars.

Vizsla also possessed a Kom'rk-class fighter/transport named the Gauntlet, which served as his personal vessel.

The character of Pre Vizsla was created for the Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series, debuting in the series' 2010 second season after being mentioned in several issues of Star Wars Insider magazine. He served as the primary antagonist in the episodes "The Mandalore Plot," "Voyage of Temptation," and "Duchess of Mandalore," forming a story arc focused on the Mandalorians. Vizsla was voiced by American actor Jon Favreau, director of the Iron Man film series, marking his first contribution to Star Wars canon. Favreau was cast by Series Director Dave Filoni. According to an interview with Filoni in Star Wars Insider 115, "Pre" is a title of stature, like "pre-eminent," while "Vizsla" came from Tor Vizsla, the original leader of Death Watch in the 2002 Jango Fett: Open Seasons comic book series. Vizsla was featured in The Clone Wars Character Encyclopedia, released in June 2010, and in Hasbro's 2010 toy figure line.

A concept art model sheet published in Star Wars Insider 116 indicated that Vizsla's name was originally spelled "Visla." The same sheet depicted the Mandalorian symbol on his cape, suggesting it was originally the symbol of the Mandalorians before being adjusted for "The Mandalore Plot." Due to "Voyage of Temptation" being produced during the series' first season, before the other Mandalorian story arc installments, the character model used for Vizsla was based on the Phase I clone trooper armor design, disguised by his serape, instead of the finalized character design used later.