Why did Anakin, after becoming Vader, choose planet Mustafar, as his primary residence and stronghold? A place where he was beaten and severely injured

You’d think a guy like Anakin Skywalker, who went through a literal hell on Mustafar, would avoid the place like the plague once he became Darth Vader. I mean, it’s where he pretty much got roasted, sliced and diced by Obi-Wan Kenobi. So why on earth—well, Mustafar—did he decide to set up shop there?

Facing his demons

First off, the Sith is all about power through pain and Vader is a walking talking reminder of that philosophy. By choosing Mustafar, he’s constantly confronting the place where Anakin Skywalker died and Darth Vader was born. It’s like he’s saying, “Yeah, this is where I hit rock bottom, and now I’m ruling this place.” It’s a twisted form of purging, turning a site of defeat into a symbol of his rebirth and strength.

The Sith way

Then there is the dark side of the force. The Sith thrive on suffering, anger, and all those lovely dark emotions. Mustafar is like a giant battery for that kind of dark energy. The planet is literally boiling with raw power and chaos, perfect for a Sith Lord looking to tap into the dark side. Vader’s castle is a power conduit, amplifying his connection to the dark side.

Palpatine’s influence

We can’t forget the Emperor in all this. Palpatine probably had a hand in Vader’s choice. By keeping Vader on Mustafar, Palpatine ensured his apprentice was always reminded of his greatest failure and loss. It’s a psychological chain, keeping Vader’s rage and pain fresh and potent, making him more powerful but also more dependent on the dark side.

 Isolation and secrecy

Mustafar is also off the beaten path. It’s not exactly a vacation spot, so it offers a level of isolation that’s ideal for Vader. Plus, the isolation of his stronghold adds to his menacing mystique.

His personal hell

Finally, Mustafar is a personal hell for Vader. Living there is a constant reminder of his past, his mistakes, and his transformation. It’s almost like a self-imposed penance, a way of ensuring he never forgets why he chose the path he did. It’s a brutal form of self-discipline that fuels his dark side journey.

In the end, Mustafar is a place of pain turned into power, defeat transformed into dominance. It’s a constant reminder of who he was, who he is, and the cost of his choices.