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Lore Update: Droids

Image courtesy of Wookieepedia

The GE3 series protocol droid is a simple bipedal droid manufactured by the Czerka Corporation. Czerka Corporation distributes GE3 protocol droids throughout the galaxy, usually providing bulk discounts to planetary governments. As a result, the GE3 series protocol droid is not only a common sight throughout the Galactic Republic, but serves a wide variety of functions as well. Some models receive modifications to perform unusually complex tasks, such as medical aid and swoop bike piloting. Unfortunately, we do not have a great deal of information regarding which protocol droids may appear in Star Wars: The Old Republic, but it is likely the GE3 will make an appearance due to its prevalence in the Knights of the Old Republic series.


Assassin Droids


There are a number of droids in the galaxy that claim to be protocol droids, but actually serve a more sinister purpose. Assassin droids are designed to keep their lethal intentions a secret until absolutely necessary, and usually perform standard protocol or labor functions until the time comes to take down their target. Typically designed to be fiercely loyal to their masters, assassin droids have been known to go rogue, a prime example being Darth Revan's own assassin droid HK-47.

Image courtesy of Wookieepedia

Due to their independent nature, assassin droids possess more advanced programming and circuitry than their protocol and battle droid counterparts. Sentient targets are quite unpredictable, and in many cases discretion is the primary goal for the assassin droid, so the means and the ability for assassin droids to carry out their tasks independently often lead to a much higher manufacturing cost. During the Old Republic era, the HK series assassin droid was probably the most easily recognized, but even the HK series was not particularly successful commercially, likely due to its high cost and niche demand.

There are many different types of assassin droid, even during the Old Republic era. However, information on each model is difficult to obtain due to their covert nature and secretive manufacturing processes. In Star Wars: The Old Republic, known assassin droids include HK-47 and Scorpio, a female assassin droid and companion of the Imperial Agent. Details regarding Scorpio's model and abilities have not yet been revealed.


Astromech/Utility Droids


Astromech and utility droids serve functions integral to the operation and maintenance of starships. These droids are usually only a few feet high, and use wheeled or tracked legs for mobility. Utility droids are primarily focused on starship repair and maintenance, and can include additional functionality such as computer slicing. Astromech droids have more of a focus on ship navigation and co-piloting duties, but in many cases the functionality of both utility and astromech droids overlap. These droids often require memory wipes to avoid possible behavioral issues and personality quirks.



During the Old Republic era, the T3 series utility droid is quite popular; a modified unit was under Revan's command during his mission to defeat Darth Malak. Within Star Wars: The Old Republic, players will encounter several astromech droids, and all players should have access to at least one on their ship. Currently, we know of one utility droid companion for the Jedi Knight that can be used outside of the player's ship: T7-01. T7-01 has never had a memory wipe, and as a result maintains a vast amount of knowledge accumulated from his past experiences and owners. Due to this, he will likely display many of the behavioral and personality issues previously mentioned.

The Sith Empire makes extensive use of the X2-C3 Imperial astromech droid, which can be seen throughout the galaxy in almost every major Imperial installation. The X2-C3 typically performs only non-combat duties, such as computer slicing and information analysis. However, it does maintain the capability to use blaster attachments when necessary. It should also be noted that the official Star Wars: The Old Republic Holonet page for the X2-C3 states: "...no Imperial starships would be allowed to fly without one." With this information in mind, we can assume that both the X-70B Phantom and Fury class starships will include an X2-C3 astromech droid on board.


Probe Droids


Probe droids are used to obtain intelligence in otherwise inhospitable areas or in environments with little to no visibility. These droids' functions are mostly limited to automated responses to dynamic situations; they are primarily focused on simply collecting data, as opposed to acting upon it. Probe droids generally use some method of vertical propulsion for mobility, as in many cases the environments in which they are deployed are not conducive to ground-based locomotion. Probe droids come in many different shapes and sizes, but commonly resemble a crude mechanical jellyfish, with various sensors and optics at the top along with the body, and several long articulating arms beneath that serve various functions.



In Star Wars: The Old Republic, probe droids should be prominent on the frozen wastes of Hoth, and will likely be seen throughout the rest of the galaxy. Fittingly, the Imperial Agent also makes use of probe droids with his 'Explosive Probe' ability: "Deploy an explosive probe that travels to the primary target. The probe will arm after 3 seconds. Once armed the probe will automatically explode soon after the target takes damage. The explosion causes moderate damage in a 5m radius to up to 5 targets. The effect expires after 20 seconds. The explosive probe can only be used from cover." As most probe droids are deployed with a self destruct function to protect the information they have gathered from falling into the wrong hands, this ability is quite appropriate. The Star Wars: The Old Republic Holonet showcases probe droid technology during this era with the S3-F5 Inclement Condition Probe. It is not clear whether these droids are used by the Sith Empire, Galactic Republic or another faction.


Medical Droids


Medical droids are a common sight throughout the galaxy, especially in facilities that treat more than one species. Used to treat, diagnose and perform surgical procedures, these droids generally far exceed the capabilities of their biological counterparts in both surgical accuracy and medical diagnosis. Many models can also be programmed with some form of bedside manner, further increasing their effectiveness during a patient's recovery process. As medical droids already possess an extensive knowledge of the body's limitations, it is not uncommon to encounter medical droids that have been modified to perform interrogation and torture. Medical droids modified in this manner provide an efficient way to extract information from a victim without actually killing them. Using an interrogation droid also tends to increase the overall effectiveness of interrogation procedures due to a droid's perceived lack of compassion in matters such as life, death and pain.



In Star Wars: The Old Republic, the M3-M1 medical droid reigns supreme. Produced by the Starfront Health Corporation on Nar Shaddaa, the M3-M1 is renowned for its reliability and competitive pricing, and distributed to all factions throughout the galaxy. The M3-M1 is capable of providing treatment for over five thousand different species and five million different ailments. Players prone to death will probably see plenty of the M3-M1 at their local medbay.


Battle Droids


When it comes to turning the tide of battle, some factions would rather purchase or manufacture their combatants than subject their own citizens to the front lines. Beyond that, combat protocols may in fact be more resource efficient than standard training regimens. Enter the battle droid, which serves purposes as insignificant as cantina security duty or as pivotal as interplanetary warfare. Battle droids typically have limited cognitive function, with a focus instead on cheap manufacturing cost and enhanced armor and weapons systems. In the expanded universe, the Confederacy of Independent Systems most prominently used battle droids during the Clone Wars. These droids included the B1, B2 and Droideka models.



During the Old Republic era, Sentinel Droids are commonly employed. Sentinel Droids are of the android variety built to resemble humanoid soldiers and are actually equipped with blasters and personal shields, as opposed to simply being built with them. During the Jedi Civil War sentinel droids were employed by both the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire, ranging from the Mark I series to the Mark V.

Beyond sentinel droids, there are countless battle droid models employed throughout the Old Republic era. Many are developmental ancestors to those encountered during the Clone Wars three thousand years later. One example is the AR-34 Enforcer. This droid appears to be a primitive version of the Droideka battle droids, also known as "rollies," used heavily during the Clone Wars. The AR-34 clearly influenced droid models millennia beyond its introduction, and the droid itself is a favorite of the Hutt cartels.


Labor Droids


One of the most obvious droid applications is that of manual labor. From load lifters, to smelters, to general construction, there is no task too menial for a droid. In almost all cases, labor droids are designed to perform both general and specific tasks in ways that far exceed the capabilities of organic lifeforms. While slave labor seems to be a more cost effective option, over the long term, labor droids can easily recoup the costs associated with their initial manufacture and maintenance. As they are usually designed to perform a specific task, labor droids come in many different shapes, sizes and skillsets; from massive binary loaders to frail and dexterous pit droids.

Image courtesy of Wookieepedia

During the Old Republic era, the BLX series labor droid can be found in shipyards throughout the galaxy. The BLX series droid was not built to meet a niche demand, and its humanoid design allows it to perform an immense variety of tasks. The BLX series labor droid is known for not only its sheer strength, but also its effectiveness in zero gravity environments due to its magentic footpads. This allows the droid to perform repairs and maintenance on starships without the need to dock, making the BLX a valuable asset in emergencies or on long-term space flights.

Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to touch on every droid model one will likely encounter while playing Star Wars: The Old Republic, but with this information in hand, we should have a basic idea of what to expect. Each droid type hailing from the Old Republic era serves as a precursor to those that have come after it. BioWare has a history of creating both memorable and imposing characters of the non-biological variety, and beyond the droids themselves, the corporations that manufacture them should play a major role throughout Star Wars: The Old Republic as well.

Sources
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Droids
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/HK-47
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/HK-series_assassin_droid
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Czerka_Corporation
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Droideka
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/AR-34
http://www.swtor.com/info/holonet/inhabitants
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Astromech
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Protocol_droid
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Assassin_droid
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Battle_droid
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/War_droid-series
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/T3-series_utility_droid
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Probe_droid
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Sentinel_droid
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/GE3-series_protocol_droid
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Labor_droid
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Medical_droid
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Interrogation_droid
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/B2_super_battle_droid
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/BLX_labor_droid

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