The Republic Era of the Star Wars universe may have been one of the most crucial periods in the franchise, both for the people that lived through it and the events that surrounded it. But with so many moving parts that existed throughout the series, some characters existed solely to boost another, more important individual to where they needed to be. One of the best examples of this was Count Dooku, who lived for nothing more than to push Anakin to the dark side. But even still, he was a person who had his own dreams and motivations that were cut short, and it made him an unlikely yet deadly Sith. That said, war ultimately made him such a successful Sith Lord and pawn to the Emperor.

Before he became a Sith, Dooku was a product of a Jedi Order that operated during the High Republic in Star Wars. There was a reality to how they did more traditionally knightly things and played much into how Dooku carried himself, from his lightsaber style, which was best for dueling, to whom he used his immense wealth for influence. Dooku was a skilled fighter who knew that manipulation was a better weapon. Sadly his thirst for power and belief that those he followed had squandered it pushed him away from the Jedi. But as he drifted from the order, Palpatine was not far behind, ready to exploit and manipulate his anger and greed to his benefit. In the end, Dooku had become something far more dangerous and so threatening that even Palpatine had to keep him at arm's length.

Count Dooku wielding a Sith lightsaber

During the First Battle of Geonosis in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Dooku's true colors began to shine as he revealed that he was working for the Separatists and the Emperor. To him, there was no place in the galaxy for the weak, and he was willing to eradicate any that couldn't fight for themselves to establish himself in the galaxy as a deadly force. But his biggest mistake from this was that Palpatine wasn't looking for someone to rule over what was already established. What he needed was an apprentice that could conquer and follow his master without question.

While Dooku was loyal as someone who could take orders, he wasn't afraid to play his own game. In fact, when he first met Obi-Wan Kenobi on Geonosis, he feebly attempted to pull Kenobi to his side by appealing to his past as Qui-Gon's old mentor. Throughout The Clone Wars, Dooku would continue to follow his master's command, all the while making his own choices, such as taking on apprentice Asajj Ventress. Since he had already trained her before meeting Kenobi, it could be implied that he only wanted skilled fighters to overthrow his master and assume control one day. However, there's no definitive proof if Dooku would've tried to take command so violently.

Dooku was a man with many plans and the drive to complete them. But his downfall, and a quality the dark side bolstered, was that he was so focused on his own plans he never factored in anyone else's and how they'd affect him. This was why, when the time came that Anakin had the choice to kill him, he realized that this was always his fate. Palpatine needed an apprentice who chose his path but wouldn't question his authority. Dooku was a perfect warrior and general and exactly what Palpatine needed for the war. But The Empire would need someone far more ruthless, hence why he was merely a step to the larger goal that would be Anakin's fall to the dark side.

Throughout Star Wars, Dooku was skilled as an enemy general and a clever strategist and socialite. But his anger and disdain for how the Republic was run clouded his judgment. As a result, he fell right into Palpatine's plan. Dooku's demise was a tragic fall from grace for a man who started his journey with such promise. But his focus on manipulating the war to his advantage led to his downfall. As a result, his actions at war may have made him a stronger Sith and a gullible pawn.