Why The Pykes Are So Dangerous That The Bad Batch Couldn’t Beat Them

The thirteenth episode of Star Wars: The BadBatch, “Infested,” sees Clone Force 99 cross the path of the Pykes, a criminal organization so dangerous that even the battle-hardened clones don’t dare fight them. The three Pykes are outnumbered but never in danger, able to dictate what everyone they encounter will do. This is because of the intimidating history of the Pykes, their combat prowess, and the possibility of retaliation.

The Bad Batch becomes involved with the Pykes to help their employer Cid regain control of her bar from Roland Durand, who is himself a member of a notable crime family. Durand has made a deal with the Pykes to help smuggle the valuable drug called spice through the planet of Ord Mantell. While the clones are successful in chasing off Durand, three armor-clad Pykes force them to retrieve the spice that they are owed, even taking their unique clone companion Omega as collateral. The Bad Batch is initially hostile to handing over their friend, but Cid convinces them that if they attack the Pykes “we’re all gonna wish we were dead.“

The reactions of every character affiliated with the underworld suggest how intimidated they are by the Pykes, a fear which is justified by the group’s history. The Pykes were first seen in the Star Wars universe under the leadership of Lom Pyke and were responsible for killing the Jedi master Sifo-Diyas. The Pykes gained control of the mining planet Kessel during the Clone Wars, and are part of the Shadow Collective led by Maul. They also played a part in the downfall of Mandalore, Boba Fett and Din Djarin’s home planet. In The Clone Wars, they tangled with both Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano. All in all, the group has had a major impact on the Star Wars universe, which evidently creates a lot of intimidation.

Even if Clone Force 99 were able to win the battle with the three Pykes on Ord Mantell, they would have to fear retaliation from the Syndicate at large. The Pykes have a presence on planets across the newly-forming Galactic Empire and influence other underworld groups. They would have countless opportunities to get revenge on the clones, and based on their threat to show Durand and his family “what pain truly feels like,” they are very vindictive and open to torture. The Bad Batch have already made enemies out of the Empire and have two bounty hunters pursuing them, but it seems the Pykes are too dangerous for even them to cross.

The Pykes also have considerable combat skills as individuals. They have unique armor and are equipped with large pistols, stun spears, and other specialized weaponry. While the exact extent of the Pykes’ abilities is unknown, the ones sent to enforce their demands on distant planets are presumably very capable, and could potentially take down the four unarmored clones. But “Infested” shows the Pykes’ strength not by portraying them in a fight, but by showing how much no one, not even grizzled clone soldiers, wants to fight them. The syndicate has appeared multiple times in the animated Star Wars shows, so they could appear again in Star Wars: The Bad Batch – and next time, they may not be so easy to appease.

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