Imperial Marines carried an E-11 blaster rifle, a MiniMag shoulder-launched proton torpedo launcher, and multiple thermal detonators as standard equipment. They also utilized cutting lasers and an explosive charge to breach enemy vessels, and could also carry smoke pellets and flash grenades. They were generally the first boarding party on captured starships.
Imperial Marines were a specialized military unit 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.
During the Reconquest of the Rim, shortly after the formation of the Galactic Empire, several marines fought under command of Darth Vader. Nova Stihl served as a Guard Sergeant in the Imperial Marines before his death in the Battle of Yavin.
Shortly after the Battle of Yavin, Imperial marines were present in the Fakir sector.
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.
- 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