It's undeniable that Darth Vader belongs at the top of this list. He is the "Chosen One," after all. It can be argued that throughout all the suffering and destruction he caused, Anakin Skywalker did eventually bring balance to the Force.
During his prime as a General in the Clone War, Anakin was a daring warrior with incredible lightsaber skills that helped him take down Count Dooku. He was a reckless but successful tactician. Anakin was known by both clones and Separatists as the best fighter pilot in the galaxy. Even before his tragic fall to the Dark Side, Anakin was one of the most powerful Jedi alive, but Vader is a whole other ballgame.
What is there to say about the iconic villain that hasn't been said hundreds of thousands of times already? While the Emperor reigns, he is the most feared being in the Galactic Republic. Both Obi-Wan and Palpatine met their demise at his hands. No matter which way you slice it, Darth Vader is the most powerful being in Star Wars. Over 40 years later, no one can top him.
