TIE Advanced x1/Legends

The TIE/Advanced fighter, also known as the TIE Advanced x1, was 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 Avenger.

Details
The TIE Advanced x1 featured an original spaceframe and reinforced durasteel-alloy hull, with an elongated rear deck and matching bent wings covered with radiator-panels. The vessel had an ionization reactor and paired twin-ion engines for a more powerful drive system than the standard TIE Fighter. 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 systems. 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 Death Star II. One of the last TIE/Advanced models was discovered by Jaden Korr in a hanger at Darth Vader's former stronghold on Vjun.

Behind the Scenes

 * In early blueprints for the Imperial I-class 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 x1's with a different name or possibly a sister craft of the x1.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike
 * Star Wars Empire 14: The Savage Heart
 * Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy