Summary

• The Acolyte delves into the golden age of Jedi and Republic, with Yoda still on the Council.
• Set at the end of the High Republic Era, it explores the Jedi's unusual Force powers and starfighters.
• Despite peace, the Sith may still pose a threat, as two Sith Lords existed at the time.

Here's everything you need to know before watching The Acolyte on Disney+. Excitement is building for The Acolyte, the Star Wars TV show set a century before the events of the Skywalker Saga. Teasers are doing a good job of establishing the context - that this is "before the Empire," and "before the Menace" - but viewers can be forgiven for wanting a little more detail.

The Acolyte is set at the tail end of the High Republic Era, a period that's been explored before in Star Wars TV shows, novels, and comics. This means a lot of lore has been established already; although The Acolyte is sure to explain everything, this context means viewers will benefit from some background knowledge. Here are all the most important takeaways.

9 The High Republic Is The Golden Age Of The Jedi & The Republic

The Jedi Were At The Height Of Their Power During This Time

The High Republic Era was a time of peace, with the Republic flourishing - and the Jedi as well. There were 10,000 Jedi at the time of The Acolyte, scattered across the galaxy, trained at outposts from the Galactic Core to the Outer Rim. The Jedi lived among the people, interacting with civilians, involved in everyday life and battling against crime and injustice.

The Jedi Order was more accepting at this time as well, allowing older recruits in some circumstances and not outright forbidding attachments. This likely helped lead to greater numbers, as a higher age bracket means more recruits. Even if they were not accepted into the main branch of the Jedi Order, it was likely that other sects of Force worship like the Convocation of the Force on Jedha would take them in.

8 The Acolyte Is Set At The End Of The High Republic Era

It Takes Place Right Before The Era’s Collapse

The High Republic Era lasted from 500 BBY to roughly 100 BBY, meaning The Acolyte is close to the end of this part of the Star Wars timeline. Exactly what ended this golden age of Jedi advancement is uncertain at this time, as it has not yet been covered in any of the content pertaining to the High Republic as of yet. However, it is possible that The Acolyte could depict this fall, showing what exactly led to the era of the prequel trilogy and the Jedi Order changing.

Not only would this help to highlight the differences between the two versions of the Jedi Order, but it would also more directly point out the flaws in the Jedi Order that raised Anakin Skywalker. It was not a perfect place, with some parts of it directly contributing to the eventual rise of the Emperor and Darth Vader. It will be interesting to see that chain of events going forward, starting with The Acolyte and ending with Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.

7 There Were Jedi Outposts Across The Galaxy At The Time Of The Acolyte

Expansion And Exploration Were Key During This Time

The galaxy was a completely different place during the High Republic Era, in part because hyperspace technology was still being refined, and new routes to the Outer Rim had only recently been discovered. The focus of the Jedi during this time was exploration, establishing outposts on the galaxy’s fringes in places like the Outer Rim in order to both protect the rest of the galaxy and explore what lay beyond. This allowed for the discovery of new planets and even hyperspace lanes.

Young Jedi were often trained in these outposts, kept where the danger was at its thickest. Outposts like the celebrated Starlight Beacon were especially important in pushing back dangerous threats like the Nihil, a group of anti-Jedi marauders that believed this sort of exploration deprived the people of the Outer Rim of their rights. They eventually led to the destruction of the Starlight Beacon, blowing the entire outpost out of the sky.

6 Jedi In The High Republic Era Had Much More Unusual Force Powers

And Experiments With The Force Were More Accepted

The Jedi are of the High Republic Era were much more willing to experiment with the Force, developing more unconventional Force powers. Jedi Master Avar Kriss, for example, experienced the Force as music - and possessed the ability to "meld" the power of all other Jedi, as a conductor would lead an orchestra. With Avar's ability, the Jedi were able to accomplish far more together than they could apart.

The Acolyte will feature Rebecca Henderson as the live-action Vernestra Rwoh, a Mirialan Jedi who will be over a century old at the time of the Disney+ TV show. She possesses unusual Force powers based around the navigation of hyperspace, and is able to experience visions of other places when she travels through hyperspace. It's unknown whether these Force powers will be seen in the TV show.

5 The Jedi Starfighters In The High Republic Era Are "Vectors"

They Are Different In Size And Shape To The Starships Of The Prequels

The High Republic is notable for a Jedi starfighter known as the Vector, and they've already been seen on posters for The Acolyte. These were fast and had phenomenal firepower, with flights of Vectors often accompanied by the Republic Judicial Forces. Unlike prequel era Jedi starfighters, though, Vectors helped to facilitate a connection to the Force itself.

The Vectors were notable for a weapons lock, meaning they could only be activated when a lightsaber was inserted into the firing mechanism as a form of key. This served as a reminder to the Jedi that weapons should only be used with care, and that taking a life was a terrible thing. It also meant nobody but a Jedi could control these ships - at the time, it was believed only Jedi used lightsabers.

4 Yoda Is Still On The Jedi Council At The Time Of The Acolyte

He Has Been A Jedi For Hundreds Of Years

Throughout the High Republic Era, Master Yoda has been a mainstay of the Jedi Council. He had trained Jedi since he was 100 years old, and has been shown focusing on training Jedi Younglings in the High Republic Era as well. This helps to establish Yoda as one of if not the most prolific Jedi to ever live, assisted both by his incredibly long lifespan and his prowess in battle.

Yoda was already a Grandmaster by the time of the High Republic Era, although he shared the role. The Jedi Grandmasters are the oldest and wisest of the Order, valued for their counsel and advice. The Jedi Temple is confirmed to appear in The Acolyte, so it's entirely possible the Council will turn up as well - and Yoda may turn up as well.

3 The Sith Are Believed To Be Extinct At The Time Of The Acolyte

It Was A Time Of Peace And Prosperity

Despite the fact that it seems this series will follow the journey of a Sith Acolyte, the Sith were thought to be extinct during the time of the High Republic. They weren’t a visible threat to the Jedi, with numbers so few that they flew completely under the Jedi’s radar. If they had revealed themselves at this time, it is possible between the strength of the Jedi would have led to their destruction.

With the Sith believed destroyed, the Jedi focused on the other dangers that plagued the galaxy. The Nihil were a much more pressing threat, as were the monstrous and meat-obsessed Drengir that thrived on the chaos in the Force. Perhaps this lack of attention or rather lack of foresight is what will lead to the beginning of The Acolyte.

2 Two Sith Lords Are Known To Have Existed Around This Time

Darth Tenebrous And Darth Plagueis Were Both Alive During The High Republic Era

The Sith ascribed to the Rule of Two, which means there were only two Sith at any one time. Little is known of the Sith during the High Republic Era, although they are known to have secret bases established on dark side vergences across the galaxy. Two Sith of the High Republic Era have previously been named

Darth Plagueis the Wise was name-dropped by Palpatine himself in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, and his canon story is a mystery. His mentor, Darth Tenebrous, has been canonized by some reference books; a technological genius, he was responsible for creating the Sith vessel used by Darth Maul. It's possible these characters will turn up in The Acolyte, which is confiirmed to feature a mystery Sith.

1 In Legends, Dark Side Cults Flourished Around This Time Too

The Sith Were Not The Only Ones To Use The Dark Side

While not the Sith themselves, in the Expanded Universe of Star Wars Legends a variety of different dark side cults flourished during this time period. According to Darth Plagueis by James Luceno and various Force & Destiny sourcebooks, the growing imbalance in the Force led to a resurgence in dark side cults and even Sith pretenders. However, since their release these books have been rendered non-canon by Disney.

Star Wars has been known to take inspiration from Legends before. With the inclusion of, for example, Grand iral Thrawn in the greater Disney canon, it seems that anything could be possible. Whether The Acolyte follows the story of an actual Sith or even covers the grounds of a Sith cult remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain. Fans will receive answers come June.