What Happened To The 501st Legion After Captain Rex Left? (Canon)

Discover how the 501st changed after Captain Rex's departure and became Vader's Fist.

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May the dark side be with you!

What became of the 501st Legion when Rex was no longer there to lead them?

Rex wasn’t just a leader—he was the 501st Legion’s heart, forging a brotherhood that carried them through the Clone Wars. But when Rex was gone, everything changed. Under Darth Vader’s command, the 501st became something darker, their bonds of trust replaced by loyalty to Emperor Palpatine.

As “Vader’s Fist,” they carried out the Sith Lord’s orders with ruthless precision. Yet, their transformation was far from glorious. The Empire began replacing clones with conscripts—recruits who followed out of fear. By 9 BBY, the cracks were evident. Veterans like Nax, still marked with the blue of the 501st, were discarded, reduced to begging on the streets of Daiyu.

The 501st remained legendary, but the soul that Rex nurtured was gone. The proud brotherhood that had once stood for each other now served as Vader’s weapon, united only by terror.

Without Rex, the 501st lost their heart—and became a shadow of what they once were.

[eddieram]

They continued to operate as seen in the Battlefront 2 campaign.

[coltkarenbauer]

Did we have any private traitorous thoughts perhaps but no one said a word.

[WinterLady]

That scene in the Kenobi series tears my heart out every time I see it. Both the Jedi and the clones got majorly screwed. And Anakin, so much for loyalty to your men, you leave your own troops to starve. Guess, I shouldn't expect more of the Sith...

[kevin-.]

From brothers who would look after one another, to soldiers who became the empire’s weapons.

[Jerimeh]

It’s crazy how they so easily discarded the battle experienced clones for some nothing having weak minded basic recruits. The empire did themselves a huge disservice

[rayman]

When Rex was gone Sargeant Appo was the only high rank in it and became the COmmander but in order 66 get stabbed y the padawn we saw in Revenge of the sith

[shanerussell]

I always wondered why after obwan discovered Rex was being in the streets he didn't do something to help after he finished his mission it would've been a great end credits scene after the last episode in my opinion

[lucasgibbs]

Fitting that a remix of the Kamino theme is playing in the background. BTW, what remix is it?

[germanmandalorian]

I think there is somebody that oversell the impact of Rex on the 501st. Bro wasnt that important and the Legion worked still fine after it... the death of Appo was more a impact because he was the Leader of the Legion. A Commander like Cody and not just a Captain lile Rex.

[nemocorvus]

Wonder how many clone troopers went to fight for the rebellion? I know in Legends a bunch of them ended up joining the rebellion