The Battle of Rugosa, also known as the Ambush on Rugosa, represented a key engagement during the Clone Wars, unfolding on the moon called Rugosa. The Galactic Republic sought to establish a strategic foothold there to counter the Confederacy of Independent Systems within the Outer Rim Territories. Ultimately, the mission achieved its objective, as the Jedi's courageous display of skill and resolve deeply impressed the Toydarian king, Katuunko, leading him to pledge allegiance to the Republic.
Prior to the Rugosa mission, Katuunko had previously interacted with the Republic, secretly aiding them in the delivery of vital supplies to the Twi'leks of Ryloth amidst the Battle of Ryloth. Arriving on the neutral moon of Rugosa aboard his vessel, the Thief's Eye, accompanied by two members of the Toydarian Guard, Katuunko awaited the arrival of the Jedi. However, Separatist commander Asajj Ventress appeared unexpectedly, dispatched by her master, Count Dooku, to sway the king towards the Separatist cause. To demonstrate the Jedi's perceived weakness in protecting his system, Dooku orchestrated an ambush on the Republic cruiser transporting the Republic envoy, Jedi Master Yoda, and several clones from the Coruscant Guard, using two frigates. Despite this, Yoda managed to reach the moon's surface via an escape pod. Consequently, the Separatists transformed the encounter into a test of strength. Ventress would deploy her elite forces to capture the Jedi, with the outcome determining Katuunko's allegiance. Despite Katuunko's reservations, Yoda accepted the challenge, and the king insisted on a fair contest for the Jedi. Ventress agreed, albeit with deceptive intentions, and deployed a full battalion of droids and tanks with the objective of capturing Yoda.
Under the command of unit 224, the droid forces located the Republic delegation. However, the moon's prominent coral formations hindered the tanks' advance. Droid patrols proceeded on foot, only to be swiftly neutralized by the clones and Jedi. Nevertheless, a squad of B2-series super battle droids forced the clones to retreat, and one of them injured Lieutenant Thire before Yoda intervened and eliminated them with ease. Throughout this period, King Katuunko maintained regular communication with Yoda, until Ventress, in a fit of anger, destroyed his communicator, vowing to prevent the Jedi's escape.
Subsequently, Yoda confronted the entire droid force single-handedly, dismantling droids and tanks using only his lightsaber, including 224 himself. Upon learning of 224's destruction and Katuunko's expressed faith in the Jedi, Ventress violated the terms of the challenge by deploying droidekas into the fray. The clones, who had been observing Yoda's effortless destruction of the droids with amusement, noticed the approaching droidekas and devised a plan to eliminate them as Yoda finished destroying the last tank. Utilizing their sole remaining rocket, the clones triggered a cliff collapse, burying the droidekas and securing victory in the challenge.
Having reached a decision, Katuunko contacted Dooku, declaring his intention to align with the Republic, citing his refusal to associate with those who broke their word, as Ventress had done with the deployment of the droidekas. Dooku, concluding that negotiations would be more productive with Katuunko's successor, spitefully ordered Ventress to assassinate the king. Katuunko's guards attempted to defend their monarch, but Ventress easily deflected their shots before Force-pushing them aside and moving to kill the king with her paired lightsabers. However, Yoda halted the red blades inches from Katuunko's head, and the clones swiftly dealt with Ventress' droids. Despite Ventress' professed lack of fear towards the Jedi, Yoda disarmed her using the Force before advising her to surrender. Instead, Ventress detonated pre-planted explosives, destroying the king's yacht and escaping as Yoda was forced to shield himself and his allies from the falling debris. With Ventress gone, Katuunko declared that negotiations were unnecessary and presented Yoda with his ceremonial sword, marking the beginning of Toydaria's alliance with the Republic, just as a Republic cruiser arrived in orbit to extract them.
The Ambush on Rugosa was initially featured in "Ambush," the premiere episode of the animated television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars' first season, which was originally broadcast on October 3, 2008. The ambush was subsequently identified in the thirty-eighth issue of the Star Wars Helmet Collection magazine series, published by De Agostini in 2017.