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Imperial Marines were a stormtrooper variant that primarily served on Imperial-class Star Destroyers as defence provided by the Stormtrooper Corps. The Galactic Empire trained these troopers to board rebel warships. They acted as "the punch" of the Imperial Starfleet.
Overview[]
Imperial Marines carried an E-11 blaster rifle, a MiniMag shoulder-launched proton torpedo launcher, and multiple thermal detonators as standard equipment.[2] They also utilized cutting lasers and an explosive charge to breach enemy vessels, and could also carry smoke pellets and flash grenades.[1] They were generally the first boarding party on captured starships.
History[]
Imperial Marines were a specialized variant of the Imperial Stormtrooper Corps that was active during the period after the Clone Wars and during the Galactic Civil War, sharing a similar role to that of the clone marines that preceded them within the Grand Army of the Republic. Imperial Marines were Imperial shock troopers used by the Empire to defend capital ships such as Imperial-class Star Destroyers. They were also used to sabotage or capture Rebel capital ships after being ferried over to them during a space battle.[2]
Imperial Marines of the 501st Legion defend against a boarding party of Gizor Dellso's forces during the Battle of Mustafar.
During the Reconquest of the Rim, shortly after the formation of the Galactic Empire, several marines fought under command of Darth Vader.[3] Sometime between 17 BBY and 12 BBY[4], Imperial Marines from the 501st Legion were deployed in the Battle of Mustafar against the Separatist holdout led by the Geonosian engineer Gizor Dellso. During the ensuing battle, an HMP droid gunship was able to board the 501st's Star Destroyer, deploying several Droid marines and battle droid pilots which were repelled by Imperial Marines.[2]
Nova Stihl served as a Guard Sergeant in the Imperial Marines before his death in the Battle of Yavin.[5] Shortly after the Battle of Yavin, Imperial marines were stationed on the planet Iyuta in the Fakir sector. Off-duty marines frequented the bars of The Strip in the city of Takari and were territorial of the establishments, disliking outsiders who came into the bars asking questions.[6]
Behind the scenes[]
Imperial Marines first appeared in Star Wars Missions 4: Destroy the Liquidator. In the 2005 LucasArts video game Star Wars: Battlefront II, Imperial Marines are one of the classes used during space combat in the Imperial portion of the campaign and during Galactic Conquest and space skirmish missions. In Battlefront II they have different roles in space combat than Pilots. Unlike Pilots, the Marines cannot repair the ships they fly, being used specifically for fast boarding actions.
Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds: Prima's Official Strategy Guide, the strategy guide to the 2001 video game Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds, incorrectly states that General Veers led the Imperial Marines at the Battle of Hoth.
Appearances[]
- Star Wars: Battlefront II
- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
- Death Star
- Star Wars Missions 4: Destroy the Liquidator
"The Plant" — Star Wars Campaign Pack (reprinted in Classic Campaigns) (First appearance)
Sources[]
- Classic Campaigns
- Gundark's Fantastic Technology: Personal Gear
- Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds: Prima's Official Strategy Guide
- Star Wars: Imperial Handbook: A Commander's Guide
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Star Wars: Imperial Handbook: A Commander's Guide
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Star Wars: Battlefront II
- ↑ Lord Vader's Persuasion by Dave Dorman
- ↑ Star Wars: Battlefront II specifies that "years" passed between the formation of the Galactic Empire, which The New Essential Chronology dates to 19 BBY, and the battle on Mustafar. Given that Battlefront II additionally places the Mustafar battle before the Kamino uprising, which The Essential Atlas dates to 12 BBY, the Mustafar battle must therefore take place between 17 BBY and 12 BBY.
- ↑ Death Star
- ↑
"The Plant" — Star Wars Campaign Pack
