Summary

• Clone commanders played a crucial role in battles, with some standing out for their tactical and combat abilities.
• Despite their genetics, each clone commander had a different personality and a uniquely tragic fate.
• The 15 best clone commanders in the Clone Wars were ranked based on their coolness, importance, and strength in battle.

The clone army was one of the most fearsome fighting forces the galaxy had ever seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and part of their effectiveness came from clone commanders. Even though there were several voice actors in The Clone Wars' cast, only one person voiced every clone: Dee Bradley Baker. Almost all clones, except for Clone Force 99, were genetically identical to each other, but they all had distinctive personalities, and Baker's voice helped distinguish them. The personalities he imbued in the clones also helped explain why some clones disobeyed Order 66 despite their behavioral chips.

Throughout the timeline of the Clone Wars, commanders were some of the most influential clones on the battlefield, and their contributions could win or lose entire battles. Many clone commanders were capable of incredible tactical and strategic thinking, which was one of their main advantages over the Separatists' droid forces. While they may have been genetically identical, not all clone commanders were on the same level. Here are the 15 best clone commanders in the Clone Wars, based on how cool, important, or strong they were.

Commander Blackout

A mysterious but incredibly cool commander with very little screen time

Commander Blackout only appeared in one episode of The Clone Wars, but like so many of the various clone trooper variants, he stood out, even in such a small role. Blackout was a Special Ops Commander seen aiding Anakin and Wulf Yularen in delivering supplies to Christophsis. In the episode, he took Spark under his wing and inducted him into his crew after taking out Admiral Trench's ship. With his unique all-black armor with red patterns, Blackout looked incredibly cool. This is even more true because he had Jaig Eyes, a combat honor that decorated armor and helmets on distinguished warriors.

Rancor Battalion

Commanders Havoc, Colt, Hammer, and Blitz all trained clone cadets on Kamino

Commander Havoc, Blitz, Hammer, and Colt of Rancor Battalion were three ARC Commanders stationed on Kamino to oversee the training of the clone troopers, all three of whom fought at the Battle of Kamino. Colt and Havoc both died in the battle, with Blitz and Hammer surviving, and despite their short screen time, their deaths were devastating. As ARC Troopers, the three of them look incredibly cool, and with their DC weapons and reputation for being incredible soldiers, these three troopers stood out in their two episodes.

Commander Ponds

One of the first commanders seen on-screen, before being killed by Boba Fett

Serving under Mace Windu, Commander Ponds specialized in military reconnaissance and even arranged the special commando units at the Battle of Geonosis. In fact, Ponds made his big-screen debut in Attack of the Clones at the First Battle of Geonosis. Though unidentified at the time, Ponds was the trooper with a hue of yellow on his armor to indicate his status as a commander. Ponds was one of the most selfless commanders, opting to stay aboard the cruiser Endurance before its inevitable demise. He met his unfortunate demise on Boba Fett's ship, executed by Aura Sing.

Commander Appo

He was a member of the 501st and served under Pong Krell during the Umbara campaign

Commander Appo is a clone trooper who served valiantly in the Umbara campaign under Pong Krell. Appo was promoted from Sergeant to Commander within the 501st Legion after it was divided and split between Coruscant and Mandalore. He was an extremely loyal clone, which caused him to fail to question Pong Krell until he revealed himself as a traitor to the Republic. Appo was the commander of the 501st during Darth Vader's attack on the Jedi Temple. He was eventually struck down by Padawan Zett Jukassa, and he died still loyal to the Empire.

Commander Grey

Depa Billaba's commander who sacrificed himself for Caleb Dume after Order 66

Commander Grey was one of the many high-ranking troopers to turn on their Jedi generals during Order 66. However, Grey's story is one of redemption as he ensured no more Jedi would die at his hand. After killing his Jedi General, Depa Billaba, he continued to hunt for her Padawan, Caleb Dume. Grey eventually found Dume, who would later become Kanan Jarrus, but he had become guilty due to his involvement in Order 66, and he sacrificed himself to ensure the young Padawan could escape.

Commander Gree

Second in command to Luminara Unduli who attempted to kill Yoda during Order 66

The green-armored Commander Gree was the clone commander assigned to Luminara Unduli, but during Order 66, he fought with, and tried to kill, Yoda. Gree was all about loyalty and honorably turned down a tempting offer from Nute Gunray's bribe without hesitancy. He lived by the clone code and was the best soldier a general could ask for, obeying commands without delay. He never had a chance to show his loyalty to the Jedi, though, as Yoda killed him as soon as his behavioral chip kicked in.

Commander Fox

Leader of the Coruscant guard and the clone who killed Fives

Fox was the commander of the Coruscant guard, which was tasked with protecting Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. Fox's job was one of the most important, which earned him the label as one of the most respected clone troopers in the Republic. Like commander Gree, Fox was loyal to the bone and often did the Dark Lord's bidding unwillingly. He killed the rogue clone Fives, and he had Ahsoka Tano arrested as a suspect in the murder of Letta Turrmond. His sense of duty continued on after Order 66, as he served Darth Vader as a Shock Trooper and instilled fear into citizens.

Oddball

Also known as Commander Davijaan, he was a skilled pilot

From birth, many clones are raised and trained with various specialties in mind, with some going on to become extremely skilled pilots. One of the best clone pilots in The Clone Wars was Commander Davijaan. Also known as Oddball, his callsign, Davijaan piloted a variety of ships throughout the war and was often under the command of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. One thing that makes Oddball so great is the variety of battles he both participated in and survived, such as the Battle of Umbara, the Battle of Cato Nemoida, and the Battle of Coruscant.

Commander Bacara

A Nova Corps commander and killer of Ki-Adi-Mundi

Clone Trooper CT-1138 is a nod to George Lucas's THX-1138, a number that makes an appearance in numerous Star Wars movies like A New Hope. Unlike most other commanders, Bacara was known for his aggressive battle tactics and malice. That aggression earned him a spot in the Nova Corps and helped him kill Ki-Adi-Mundi, one of the most skilled Jedi ever, during Order 66. However, it doesn't stop there; Bacara was often considered a loner whose military mind often clashed with Ki-Adi-Mundi's Jedi way of life.

Commander Bly

A former ARC trooper who served under Aayla Secura

Commander Bly and Aayla Secura were a dynamic duo during the Clone Wars. The two embarked and emerged successful in their campaign on Felucia and after being stranded on Maridun. Before his service to Secura, Bly was an ARC trooper and was one of the first to be clones made a commander. His leadership capabilities made him the perfect candidate for a promotion. His friendship with Aalya Secura came to a bitter end, though, as he shot her in the back on Felucia as a result of Order 66.

Commander Thire

The first commander seen in The Clone Wars and a loyal servant of the Emperor

The first Clone commander seen in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars series, Thire worked closely with Master Yoda on an escort mission. Along with Commander Bly, Thire was originally an ARC Trooper before his promotion to commander. Like Commander Fox, Thire's mind revolved around loyalty as he became a Shock Trooper after the fall of the Republic. His fate was especially tragic after Yoda taught him to see the aspects of his personality that made him unique, but he couldn't overcome his behavioral chip, one of the things that united almost every clone.

Commander Neyo

The right hand of Stass Allie and commander of the D-Squad

Seen in Revenge of the Sith on his speeder during Order 66, Commander Neyo shared similar personality traits to Bacara as a cold-hearted soldier. He was originally Adi Gallia's commander, but after her death at the hands of Savage Opress, he was transferred to Stass Allie. Neyo also provided his personal droid to the D-squad, a group of droids sent on a mission to Saleucami. This move proved successful, as it led to the recovery of ARC trooper Gregor. However, his cold personality made it unsurprising that he would kill Gallia on his speeder bike.

Commander Wolffe

The strategically brilliant leader of the Wolfpack who served under Plo Koon

Boasting without a doubt the most stylish armor, Commander Wolffe was one of the most intelligent clone commanders in the Republic's army. Wolffe's mind was like a never-ending game of chess, as he was always one step ahead of his enemy. His knack for anticipation was praised and valued by both Jedi Commander Plo Koon and his famed Wolfpack Squadron. On top of that, he's one of the few clones to use a cybernetic eye, having lost his real one to Asajj Ventress. While he went into the Empire's service after Order 66, he had joined Rex's group of clones in Star Wars Rebels.

Commander Cody

The right hand of Obi-Wan Kenobi and the first clone to execute Order 66

Cody was one of the few clones to survive the entire war, making an appearance at almost every major battle in the Clone Wars. His ability to adapt to any situation made him one of the most capable commanders in the army, hence Obi-Wan-Kenobi's close relationship with him. He was also close friends with Captain Rex, as they served together several times due to Anakin and Obi-Wan's relationship. He was the first clone to ever be shown executing Order 66, and while he wasn't successful in killing Obi-Wan, he expressed remorse before deserting the Empire in The Bad Batch.

Commander Rex

The leader of the 501st and friend of both Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano

Rex was without a doubt the most prominent and important clone in The Clone Wars and its story, but for pretty much his whole life, he was Captain Rex. Then, for a brief time in season 7, Rex became a commander when the 501st was split, and the 332nd Company was formed to assist Ahsoka Tano during the Siege of Mandalore. As usual, he was phenomenal in the role and served with honor.

Rex went on to be one of the most prolific clones in the galaxy. Following Order 66, he created a network of rebel clones to save their brothers and battle the Empire in The Bad Batch. He also joined the Ghost squad and the Rebel Alliance in Star Wars Rebels. While he saw most of the galaxy throughout his life, his time in The Clone Wars ended tragically, as he had to fight his former brothers in the 332nd after removing his behavioral chip.

Source: Cardo