Did Mace Windu Regret Not Killing Count Dooku on Geonosis?

In the Legends novel Shatterpoint, Mace Windu wrestles with one of the deepest regrets of his life: sparing Count Dooku during the Battle of Geonosis. As the Clone Wars consumed the galaxy, Windu blamed himself for not acting when it could have made all the difference.

The Missed Opportunity

On Geonosis, Windu recognized Dooku as the shatterpoint—the linchpin whose removal could have prevented the Confederacy from ever forming. In that moment, Windu saw a chance to end the threat before war began.

But two forces held him back:

• His Jedi teachings, which forbade killing in cold blood.

• His personal connection to Dooku, a former Jedi and once a friend.

Striking Dooku would have required Windu to sacrifice his own life, leaving Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Padmé unprotected. He chose to uphold his duty—but at the cost of the future.

A Lifelong Regret

Later, Yoda tried to comfort Windu, saying hesitation was natural—Dooku had once been one of them. But Windu saw it differently. To him, it was attachment, not mercy, that stayed his hand. He believed he had followed the Jedi way, but not the right way.

In Windu’s eyes, sparing Dooku directly led to the Clone Wars, the rise of the Empire, and the fall of the Jedi Order. It was a decision he never forgave himself for—a haunting reminder that sometimes, even the right intentions can lead to tragic consequences.

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