- "Didn't work out?"
"No, Trudgen. But that's all right. If it were easy to join us, everyone would do it." - ―Trudgen and Ren
Trudgen was a humanoid male Force-sensitive who served as a member of the Knights of Ren, under the command of an individual known as Ren,[3] and later Kylo Ren.[2]
Biography
Fall of the New Republic
Having been summoned by Kylo Ren, Trudgen, along with the other members of the Knights of Ren, gathered to answer his call. All of the Knights accepted Ren without question, pointing out that the results of his past trial still stood.[7]
Battle of Exegol

A short time after the hunt for Rey, Trudgen and the other Knights of Ren were lurking in the Sith Citadel of Darth Sidious on Exegol. During the Battle of Exegol, the redeemed Ben Solo entered the citadel to save Rey.[2]
Before Solo could reach the Throne of the Sith, Trudgen and the Knights confronted their former leader. The Knights were able to swiftly overwhelm the Jedi in his unarmed state, forcing him to the ground and beating him. However, through the use of their Force-bond, Rey was able to give Solo his grandfather's lightsaber. With Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber, Solo swiftly cut down Kuruk and Cardo before Force pushing Ap'lek into a pit, and then cutting Vicrul down. Afterwards Trudgen attempted to attack Solo, but was effortlessly stabbed in the chest before he could swing his vibrocleaver.[2]
Powers and abilities
Trudgen was Force-sensitive and an adept of the dark side of the Force but he was untrained which made his powers stunted.[8] As his fellow Knights, Trudgen's fighting skills and martial prowess were without equal.[9] A remarkable achievement performed by Trudgen in the past was defeating a death trooper, given the death troopers' strength and rarity.[8] Although he was a very powerful individual, he was quickly killed with a stab through his chest by his redeemed former leader, Ben Solo, during the Battle of Exegol.[2]
Equipment

A collector of trophies from fallen conquests, Trudgen used to add the weapons and armors from previous victories. His patchwork helmet, for example, once belonged to a death trooper he defeated in the past.[8]
Trudgen's signature weapon was an enormous vibrocleaver. The vibrocleaver was made of crucible steel with phrik or beskar filaments. Although his weapon could be cut through by a lightsaber, it would require great pressure to do so. The primitive weapon was modified with ultrasonic technology that vibrates the blade to give it extra cutting power. When not in use Trudgen would put the blunt end over his shoulder on weight-reducing holes along the weapon's spine or he would put it on a bandolier over his back. Trudgen also carried a large secondary blade sheathed on his torso.[8]
Trudgen wore all black like the rest of the Knights of Ren. He wore a heavy tabard and hood with scavenged armor plates all along his torso. Trudgen wore a helmet that was partially created from the helmet of a death trooper he killed.[8]
Behind the scenes
Trudgen was portrayed by stunt performer Tom Rodgers for the 2019 film Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker,[10] who was listed as "Knight of Ren" in the film's credit.
Appearances
- The Rise of Kylo Ren 1 (In flashback(s))
- The Rise of Kylo Ren 2 (In flashback(s))
- The Rise of Kylo Ren 3
- The Rise of Kylo Ren 4
- Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens (First appearance) (Vision to Rey)
- Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker
- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: Expanded Edition (and audiobook)
- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: A Junior Novel (and audiobook)
- The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation 1
Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures — "Kylo Ren vs. Resistance Rebels"
Non-canon appearances
"Panic on Pasaana" — LEGO Star Wars 74
- LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales (In flashback(s))
"Kylo Club" — LEGO Star Wars 80
- LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Sources
Star Wars Helmet Collection 21 Helmets: Kylo Ren
Star Wars Helmet Collection 51 Weapons & Uniforms: Dark Side Servants (Picture only)'
2018 Topps Star Wars Galactic Moments: Countdown to Episode IX Card: Trudgen (backup link) (First identified as Trudgen)
Star Wars: Card Trader Set: The Knights of Ren Revealed!, Card: Trudgen
- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Galactic Guide
- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Visual Dictionary
LEGO Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker (Set: 75272 Sith TIE Fighter)
Star Wars: Card Trader Set: 2020 Base Series 2, Card: Trudgen
"The Final Order and the Battle of Exegol" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
"Kylo Ren and Other Followers of the Dark Side" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
Star Wars Galaxy of Sounds — "Connections"
- Star Wars: The Secrets of the Sith
- Star Wars: Character Encyclopedia, Updated and Expanded Edition
NYCC 2022: Rise of the Red Blade Inquisitor Novel Revealed, and More Highlights from the Lucasfilm Publishing Panel on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Star Wars: The Dark Side Pocket Expert
- Star Wars: Timelines
- Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy
Knights of Ren in the Databank (backup link) (Picture only)
Trudgen in the Databank (backup link)
Trudgen's vibrocleaver in the Databank (backup link)
Notes and references
- ↑ Star Wars: Galactic Atlas dates Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens to 34 ABY. Because Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Visual Dictionary places Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker one year later, it must take place in 35 ABY.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 The Rise of Kylo Ren 1
- ↑ 4.0 4.1
Trudgen in the Databank (backup link)
- ↑ Star Wars: Character Encyclopedia, Updated and Expanded Edition
- ↑ Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: Expanded Edition
- ↑ Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: Expanded Edition
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Visual Dictionary
- ↑ Ultimate Star Wars, New Edition
- ↑
Tom Rodgers (@tomrodgersstunts) on Instagram (post on December 19, 2019): "I'm a topps card and action figure 🤷🏻♂️ Turns out dreams do come true, in Star Wars; Rise of Skywalker I played one of the Knights of Ren... Watching Darth Maul growing up inspired me on my path to where I am today so playing a Sith like him feels unreal. Thanks to Mikey Lambert and Eunice Huthart for the opportunity" (backup link)