Droidekas | Stormtroopers | AT-AT Walkers | AT-ST Walkers | Emperor's Royal Guard

DROIDEKAs

To make up for the weaknesses of battle droids, a special contract was awarded for the creation of an altogether different combat droid that wuold be a much more serious weapon. The design was created by a species of chitinous Colicoids in their own image on a planet far from the Republic's core. Colicoids are known for their completely unfeeling and murderous ways, and Colla IV has been embroiled for many years in diplomatic disputes related to the death and consumption of visitors to the system. The droideka was exactly what concerned Trade Federation officers wanted; a formidable heavy-duty killing machine to back up the battle droids in the face of determined opposition.

Using a combination of momentum and repulsor effects, droidekas unfurl in a matter of seconds from wheel form into standing position, ready to attack. The dramatic transformation recalls the attack pattern of a deadly adult Colicoid, and can take unwary opponents by surprise-as droids' manufacturers intended.

For compact storage and optimum travel speed, droidekas retract into the shape of a wheel. Using pulsed internal micro-repulsors in sequence, they roll themselves into battle, opening at the last minute into the their combat form. In transit, the wheel configuration presents a smaller and faster target to enemy gunfire.

When a droideka is ready to begin an assault, it quickly unfolds and stands up on three legs. Its pneumatic arms flex open and its eerie head rises with its enemy-finding sensors ablaze. Made only for combat and specialized for the single purpose of destruction, the droideka has no need of hands. Instead, powerful twin blaster are built onto its arms. Unlike the lightly built battle droids, every part of the droideka is heavy alloy or armor plate, making the machine a fearsome specter that cuts down soldiers by the dozen with ease.

AT-AT Walker

A combat and transport vehicle, the immense four-legged Imperial All Terrain Armored Transport is as much a psychological weapon of terror as an actual weapon of destruction.

More than 15 meters tall and 20 meters long, it can stride across a flat battlefield at up to 60 kilometers an hour and lob heavy laser fire from the cannons mounted beneath its "chin" while providing supporting fire from two medium blasters on each side of its head.

Its armored body can offload 40 heavily armed troopers and five speeder bikes. Their thick plating shields them from all but the heaviest of artillery fire. Their heads can rotate, providing the commanding officer, pilot and gunner a sweeping view of any battlefield from the command deck.

AT-ATs are usually among the first vehicles to enter a combat zone. Their heavy, crushing feet can cause the ground to shake before they even appear, frightening and demoralizing the enemy. They are the main weapon that General Veers employs during the Imperial assault on Hoth.

AT-ST Walker

The relatively lightweight and speedy All Terrain Scout Transport (AT-ST) is used by Imperial forces for reconnaissance and ground support for both troops and the larger AT-AT walkers.

Although smaller than AT-ATs at about 8.6 meters tall, they are significantly faster: on flat terrain they can move along at a 90-kilometer-an-hour clip. The two-legged walker has a small but highly maneuverable armored command pod that houses a pilot and a gunner. Each leg has a sharp claw that can slice through natural or man-made obstacles.

With just two legs and a gyro balance system that is highly susceptible to damage, the AT-ST is more prone to tipping over than the AT-AT. But its flexibility and fire power make it a strong addition to the battlefield.

Scout walkers are often used to lay down a blanket of covering fire for Imperial ground troops and for defending the flanks and somewhat vulnerable underbelly of AT-ATs. Its two-man crew enters and exits through a hatch atop the armor-plated command cabin.

Stormtroopers

Encased in hardened white plastoid armor, these Imperial shock troops neutralize resistance to the New Order and are totally loyal to the Emperor even in the face of certain death. Used as first-strike forces, they cannot be bribed or blackmailed. Stormtroopers live in a totally-disciplined environment and are militaristic to the core.

In addition to regular stormtroopers the Empire maintains a number of units specialized for various environments and mission profiles. Among these units are snowtroopers, or cold-assault troopers, who wear lighter armor equipped with powerful heating and personal environment control units, terrain-grip boots and face-shielding breathing masks.

Scout troopers, very lightly armored for mobility, are usually assigned to Imperial garrisons. They use speeder bikes to patrol perimeters, perform reconnaissance missions and scout enemy locations.

The standard stormtrooper suit of body armor can adapt to all but the most extreme climatic conditions, and various gear accessories and backpacks are issued to support operations in environments such as open sand or jungle. Field units may wear shoulder pauldrons as high-visibility rank indicators.

Emperor's Royal Guard

Mysterious and imposing in their blood-red robes and helmets, the Emperor's Royal Guard is loyal to Palpatine with every fiber of their existence. The members of this elite force are former stormtroopers, hand-picked for their size, strength, intelligence and loyalty. The unit is so secretive that suggestions as to its strength range from 50 to the tens of thousands, although it is probably much closer to the lower figure.
The Royal Guard report only to Palpatine, and a handful are always with him. They are fighters, assassins and protectors, according to the Emperor's wishes. Their main weapons include 2-meter force pikes that are almost as lethal as the heavy blaster pistols concealed beneath their robes.