TIE Advanced x1/Legends

The TIE/Advanced fighter, also known as the TIE Advanced x1, is a prototype starfighter used by Darth Vader at the Battle of Yavin. Many of its best design features were later incorporated into the TIE interceptor and the TIE Advanced ship dubbed the TIE Avenger.

The TIE Advanced x1 featured an original spaceframe and reinforced durasteel-alloy hull, with an elongated rear deck and matching bent wings covered with solar panels. The vessel had a solar ionization reactor and paired twin-ion engines for a more powerful drive system than the standard TIE/ln. Speed was only slightly improved due to the added mass of the vessel; a good deal of the extra power was bled off to the shield generators. While less maneuverable than standard TIE fighers, it could take a beating.

The TIE Advanced x1 had twin heavy-blaster cannons in a fixed, front-mounted position. In addition to its shields, it had a modest hyperdrive but no life support system. The Empire decided not to order the TIE Advanced x1 in large quantities, citing their excessive cost. Privately, some Imperial Navy strategists admitted that the Navy was afraid to purchase a fighter with a hyperdrive, fearing that it would give bureaucrats an excuse to slash orders for new capital starships.

The Empire instead opted for the TIE interceptor, which featured the TIE Advanced x1's drive system in a more compact ship. Although the TIE interceptor lacked a hyperdrive and shields, it was blindingly fast, incredibly maneuverable, and significantly cheaper than the TIE Advanced x1. By the Battle of Endor, the large increase in TIE interceptor production meant the end of production for the TIE Advanced x1.

The fighter flown by Vader was repaired when he reached an Imperial outpost. It was stowed aboard the Executor and was vaporized when the ship collided with the second Death Star. In the video game "Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy" It is seen in a hanger in Darth Vader's strong hold on Vjun.

In early blueprints for the Imperial-I Star Destroyers, craft known as TIE Assault Craft could be seen as part of the fighter-complement. These bent-wing craft might have been TIE Advanced x1s with a different name.