ST-series military strategic analysis and tactics droid

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Kanan Jarrus: "I think the commander's a super tactical droid."

Rex: "Ah, you're right. He is."

Ezra Bridger: "Is that bad?"

Rex: "It's really bad. That droid's extremely intelligent."

―Kanan Jarrus, Captain Rex, and Ezra Bridger^[7]

The ST-series military strategic analysis and tactics droid, known simply as super tactical droids,^[8] were an advanced model of tactical droid that was utilized as an enhanced version of the T-series military strategic analysis and tactics droid. In the second year of the Clone Wars, due to the inflexible and predictable deficiencies of the T-series model, the ST-series super tactical droid was produced by Baktoid Combat Automata for the Confederacy of Independent Systems and its military branch as a solution. Programmed with higher strategical processing and intelligence, while also equipped with better tactical analysis and predicting a response to organic commanders, super tactical droids were utilized by the Separatists as masterful battlefield commanders, often filling the role of commander or general, including Commanders Aut-O and Kraken, as well as Generals Kalani and Linwodo, the former of which served directly under Separatist Head of State Count Dooku. Although they saw frequent deployment throughout the Separatist military, the T-series model still saw utilization by the Confederacy, commanding small fleet groups on non-essential missions, while prime objectives and operations were proceeded to super tactical droids.

Taller than their forebears by a single centimeter, the ST-series units were constructed with superior armor plating than that of the T-series, and were also equipped with additional systems, such as greater heat ventilation, magnatomic grip panels which allowed them to use organic equipment, and an additional third photoreceptor. Super tactical droids were also granted by their superior officers to a form of individuality within the Separatist military. Their given individuality thereby granted the droid model the ability to customize their entire bodies with color schemes in order to distinguish themselves. To an even greater extent, some units of the ST-series had also developed personalities of sorts, with several, such as Kalani, foregoing their identification numbers and creating names for themselves in refusal to respond to their numbers.

Description[]

Design[]

SuperTacticalDroid-SWL Alex Kim — Super tactical droids were larger and more heavily armored.

In response to the T-series tactical droid's inflexibility,^[9] the secessionist Confederacy of Independent Systems commissioned the battle droid manufacturer, Baktoid Combat Automata,^[1] to produce the ST-series super tactical droid for use in its military forces during the galaxy-spanning conflict known as the Clone Wars between itself and the dominant Galactic Republic.^[2] These enhanced tactical droids improved on their predecessors' shortcomings and were better at predicting how organic commanders would respond to events. They also had a status indicator for their central processing hubs.^[4] The super tactical droids had a total of three photoreceptors, which gave them sight to a large range of the light spectrum.^[10]

The ST-series stood at 1.94 meters or 6 feet, 4 inches in height.^[4] Despite being just one centimeter taller than their predecessor, they managed to seem far bigger, dominating a room with an arrogantly assured presence that the boxy T-series never managed. ST-series units were constructed with superior armor plating than that of the T-series, particularly on the limbs. The palms and inner surface of their improved hands were fitted with magnatomic grip panels, which allowed them to pick up and use most weapons, tools and equipment made for organic beings, without dropping them. The ST-series tougher armor and neck joints were not the super tactical droids' only updates over their predecessors. They also had greater heating ventilation than their predecessors. Although they retained heat sinks in their abdomen, super tactical droids had additional ventilation holes in their armor on the sides of their chest units, just below the shoulder joints. Their extra processing power resulted in additional heat production by their complex computers.^[10]

The ST-series were better built than the T-series and their vocoders had a more threatening robotic voice than their predecessors.^[10] Super tactical droids also developed their own personalities. Some of them, such as General Kalani, gave themselves names instead of numbers.^[4] They also often chose their own personalized color schemes and decorations for their armored bodies, with Kalani choosing ornate gold trims to his armor, while Kraken went for a swirling pattern of gold on his green armor.^[10]

Super tactical droids were programmed to serve as generals and admirals in the Separatist war machine. They were ruthless and calculating leaders but were still arrogant and overconfident like earlier tactical droid models.^[4] They were also argumentative and operated without sympathy or morality, executing ruthless strategies.^[11]

The super tactical droids possessed more advanced processors than the T-series, which enabled them to be far more capable of calculating tactics and countermoves that could challenge their Republic opponents. They were also able to react far more quickly to unexpected events. Overall, they were a far more dangerous foe than the T-series, matching the military acumen of even some experienced CIS generals.^[10]

Differences aside, the super tactical droid, as with their counterpart in the Separatist Droid Army, was analytical and calculating. Created to digest a situation of battle and formulate the most effective solution with a time frame for its execution, they were dreaded by Republic soldiers and seen as very dangerous to veteran officers.^[7]

Performance[]

PreservationProtocols-SWL86 — Super tactical droids could engage in hand-to-hand combat to defend themselves.

Serving as masterful commanders of the Droid Army, the super tactical droid was highly intelligent and strategic,^[2] bane to both the Jedi Order and the Republic Military.^[5]

Yet where given the independence to act, super tactical droids could direct Confederacy military operations without superior overseers. Programmed with Separatist beliefs, they conquered through fear and the lack of courage and hope in their opponents, fighting for what they presumed as "freedom from the tyranny of the Republic." Prioritizing Confederate success, the super tactical droid would not hesitate utilizing threats and torture as means of interrogation.^[7] The super tactical droids themselves were resistant to interrogation. They also had more enhanced strategic programming over their predecessors,^[4] and they had more fluid motion programming than the T-series.

While the T-series thought of themselves as superior to their battle droids, super tactical droids had complete faith in their own abilities, to the extent they also believed themselves to better than the majority of the organic beings they served. This was partially because the super tactical droids became accustomed to commanding dull witted battle droids. The droids' faith in their abilities did give the super tactical droids the clear conscience to make sacrifices to assure victory, even if it meant the loss of allied organic troops and commanders. However, it also meant they would argue a point with anyone. The droids were completely loyal to the CIS leadership and the values of the Separatists. This often created an unforeseen issue when coupled with their arrogant sense of self-superiority. While the processor deficiencies of the T-series made them predictable, the super tactical droids were so convinced that they were right that they would dismiss data and tactical options that did not conform to their choices. Despite this failing, the super tactical droids remained a significant threat to the Republic.^[10]

Although super tactical droids were not designed for the purpose of direct involvement in combat, they were capable of self-defense and equipped with the standard Droid Army E-5 blaster rifle,^[5] or a melee weapon. They had advanced combat programming and were also less inclined to flee a confrontation than the T-series.^[10] They also weren't above engaging in hand-to-hand combat, even being willing to do so against Jedi on one occasion.^[12]

History[]

Clone Wars[]

"Luckily, their [T-series tactical droid's] lack of adaptability led to the introduction of—you guessed it—super tactical droids. Despite their self-proclaimed superiority, these upgraded units still couldn't find a way to win the war."

―R0-GR^[9]

Although at least one super tactical droid was active during the early days of the Clone Wars,^[13] the model only grew to become more common as the conflict carried on^[14] because of the failings of the T-series.^[9] By the second year of the war, the T-series tactical droids began getting phased out by their successors. The T-series still had its place, mostly commanding small fleets and other non-essential missions. Meanwhile, the super tactical droids replaced the T-series on the most critical missions that required a tactical droid.^[10]

In 20 BBY,^[15] Separatist leader, Count Dooku dispatched one such droid, General Kalani, to assist King Sanjay Rash's forces in dealing with the rebels of Onderon.^[6] During this time, he worked alongside the Royal Militia's commander,^[16] General Akenathen Tandin,^[4] as they attempted to capture the rebels in Iziz, which included overseeing the brutal torture of one of the rebel leaders. However, Tandin and his forces then defected and assisted the rebels in freeing Ramsis Dendup during their escape to the highlands.^[16] When the rebels were able to defeat the droid gunships, Kalani was then ordered to retreat with his forces to Agamar, despite Rash's objections. Kalani then executed Rash.^[5]

Aut-0 Command Bridge — Aut-O on the bridge of his flagship.

Another super tactical droid, Aut-O was stationed aboard a Providence-class Dreadnought. However, he was destroyed by R2-D2.^[17] Another one was given command of a commandeered Venator-class Star Destroyer with the mission to destroy the Republic strategy conference on Valor station in the Carida system. However, when the buzz droids failed in stopping D-Squad, the super tactical droid and it's crew were destroyed before they were able to complete their mission.^[18]

Another super tactical droid, Kraken, served as second-in-command to Admiral Trench. Kraken then attempted to take a captured clone trooper CT-5385 to Count Dooku. However, he was stopped by General Skywalker and two of his 501st Legion troopers; Clone Captain Rex and ARC trooper Fives. The trio quickly destroyed Kraken's droid guard. After Kraken told Skywalker he was programmed to resist intimidation, the Jedi decapitated Kraken for his refusal to answer his questions.^[12] However, he was then rebuilt and commanded the Separatist forces during the invasion of Scipio alongside Dooku.^[19] Kraken continued to serve under Dooku aboard his command ship, even when his master, Lord Sidious, demanded his presence.^[20]

A super tactical droid then accompanied General Grievous to Utapau aboard a Separatist supply ship to secure the shipment of a enormous kyber crystal. However, it was destroyed when the Jedi's top members intervened.^[21]

SuperTacticalDroid-SWL2024update — A super tactical droid leads a large force into battle.

Another super tactical droid served Admiral Trench during the Battle of Anaxes. the droid was stationed on the bridge of Trench's dreadnought, where they and the Admiral oversaw the attack on Anaxes's Assembly Complex. The droid was destroyed when Anakin Skywalker stormed the bridge of the ship to get the last sequence from Admiral Trench for a bomb hidden in the plant's fusion reactor.^[22]

Age of the Empire[]

After the Clone Wars ended, the Galactic Republic transformed into the Galactic Empire and the Separatist Council was assassinated by Darth Vader, who then used the Council's equipment to send a shutdown signal to the droid army. However, Kalani, who was stationed on Agamar aboard a Separatist supply ship at the time with a battle droid garrison, assumed the shutdown command was nothing more than a Republic trick so he ignored it and did not relay to the droids under his command.^[7]

KalaniRexHelmet-TheLastBattle — Kalani holding Rex's helmet

Years later, Captain Rex, Lasat Garazeb Orrelios, Jedi Kanan Jarrus, and his Padawan Ezra Bridger arrived on Agamar, looking to find weapons and explosives for the rebellion. Kalani had his forces captured them and brought them to him so that he could play a little "war game," saying that he could finally "end" the Clone Wars his way. Kalani held Zeb hostage while Rex, Kanan, and Ezra fought through his troops. After defeating waves of battle droids and making their way to the command center, Rex, Kanan, and Ezra ordered Kalani to surrender. Kalani refused, but Ezra convinced him that neither the Republic nor the Separatists won the war and the Republic became the Empire. When the Empire arrived on Agamar, Kalani agreed to help the rebels escape. While the droids and Zeb attacked the stormtroopers and AT-DP's, Kalani had five droids fired at Ezra and Kanan, who redirected their shots at proton bombs underneath the AT-AT's, destroying one of them in the process. The droids and the rebels made their escape in three Sheathipede-class transport shuttles, one being destroyed in the process. Kalani bid farewell to the rebels but refused to join them, believing that they had less than a 1% chance of successfully overthrowing the Empire.^[7]

Legacy[]

R0-GR-cookies-SWD — R0-GR, the B1 battle droid who wrote the droidography, recounted his service under and opinion of super tactical droids in the text.

During the New Republic Era, R0-GR, a B1-series battle droid who had been part of the Separatist Army and was currently serving in the Resistance, wrote a book entitled droidography, which compiled facts about various droid models. He hoped that it would educate people on droids, and two of the droid models R0-GR covered were the T-series and super tactical droids. After listing grievances he had about the T-series, the B1 noted that the super tactical droids were introduced because of their predecessor's lack of adaptability. He mentioned that, while these upgraded commanders believed themselves to be superior, they failed to win the Clone Wars. R0-GR also wrote that he had heard that some super tactical droids did not admit defeat and ran battle scenarios for years, making him think they were "sore losers."^[9]