ARC troopers, short for Advanced Recon Commandos, also known as Advanced Recon Clone troopers, represented an elite group within the clone trooper ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars. Though their numbers were significantly smaller than other clone types across the galaxy, their combat abilities positioned them among the most proficient warriors in the galaxy.
From the initial planning phases of the clone army, Jango Fett alongside his Mandalorian military advisors championed the creation of clones suited for clandestine operations, too sensitive for standard clone forces. To meet these specifications, the Kaminoans refrained from standard behavioral modifications and enhanced the prime clone's genetic blueprint to amplify physical capabilities.
The Null Class ARC Troopers were the result of the first attempt at genetic modification. Compared to the Jango template, this first generation of ARCs possessed significantly improved muscular structure, intellect, and autonomy. Of these 12 prototypes, only six made it through the incubation stage. The survivors were quickly labeled as overly independent and unpredictable, designated as "defective units," and slated for reconditioning—a Kaminoan euphemism for termination. However, upon Kal Skirata's arrival on Kamino, the Mandalorian trainer was appalled to discover the Nulls' impending execution and took them under his wing. Skirata named them and oversaw their martial and cultural education.
The Alpha class marked the second ARC generation. Following the perceived "failure" of the Nulls, the Alpha ARCs underwent training to be more compliant than their prototype counterparts. Fett personally instructed all one hundred clones of the Alpha-class to be resilient, resourceful, and extraordinarily lethal fighters. While they were trained to be independent thinkers, loyalty to the Republic and support for their future Jedi commanders were paramount.
After undergoing standard flash training and accelerated growth, these clones were placed directly under the tutelage of Jango Fett. Under Fett's rigorous guidance, they mastered the art of leveraging their fierce independence, inherent creativity, and physical superiority, combined with advanced weapons and vehicle training, to become formidable solo warriors. Upon completing their training, the Alpha-class ARC troopers were placed in stasis on Kamino until they were needed.
Their early activation was triggered two months after the Battle of Geonosis by a Confederacy offensive against Kamino. As droid forces approached Tipoca City, Prime Minister Lama Su activated the Advanced Recon Commandos, authorizing their deployment to critical areas across Kamino as a desperate measure to safeguard the planet's vital cloning facilities. The ARCs collaborated with a contingent of Jedi to drive back the droid invaders.
Following the First Battle of Kamino, the ARCs were integrated into various segments of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). Due to their unaltered nature, the ARCs developed unique personalities as they integrated into the broader world; some adopted names, while others formed relationships outside the GAR. Once integrated, Advanced Recon Commandos operated either as lone agents or in small teams led by ARC captains, undertaking independent missions or augmenting larger Grand Army of the Republic operations. One notable exception was the aftermath of the Battle of Hypori, where a twenty-man ARC trooper team under the leadership of Captain Fordo engaged General Grievous in combat.
As the Clone Wars unfolded, several Republic victories were largely attributed to the ARC troopers, most notably the Battle of Muunilinst, where the Muunilinst 10 neutralized Separatist defenses that were inflicting heavy damage on Republic forces. As their reputation grew within the GAR and throughout the galaxy, the Advanced Recon Commandos consistently demonstrated why they were considered the elite of the Grand Army. The ARCs and Jango were nearly identical as perfect soldiers; in fact, Fordo, the leader of the Muunilinst 10, had adopted Jango Fett's signature blaster-spinning technique.
This Alpha training initiative was created to provide clone trooper commanders with training similar to that of the Alpha-class. During the course, ARC-trained clone commanders were encouraged to think more creatively and to cultivate their independence and tactical decision-making skills. They quickly rose to become some of the most vocal and autonomous clones.
Soldiers such as Davijaan, Bacara, Cody, and Rex, while not genetically altered like the Alpha class, participated in this program and were able to incorporate some of the ARCs' individualized methods. This infused a fresh sense of innovation into the Grand Army of the Republic's strategic planning.
It's important to distinguish between clone commanders of ARC designation, trained by Alpha-17 and others, and Alpha-class ARC troopers who attained the rank of "Commander" during the war.
The dwindling supply of ARCs and their high demand for tactical missions during the war compelled the GAR to seek clone troopers to fill their ranks. As early as 21 BBY, clone troopers demonstrating exceptional skills could be promoted to ARC trooper status, although they lacked the genetic enhancements of the Alpha and Null classes and ARC training. Clone troopers Fives and Echo of the 501st Legion were designated as ARC Troopers following their successful defense of Kamino. CC-8675 was promoted to ARC Trooper for his actions since the Battle of Geonosis. ARCs, including Fives and Colt, fought at the front as part of regular units.
Following the Clone Wars, all surviving Alpha-class ARCs in the Grand Army were given the choice of retirement or training their successors, the stormtroopers, thus passing on their combat expertise. Largely due to their individualism and Imperial animosity towards the ARCs' independent spirit, many deserted in the final days of the Clone Wars, although some remained to assist in stormtrooper training. Numerous ARCs went rogue, emulating Jango Fett by becoming bounty hunters and assassins. These included Maze, Muzzle, and Spar (who deserted during the war for political reasons). Some ARCs later aligned with the Alliance to Restore the Republic, while others embraced Fett's Mandalorian culture. A number of ARC troopers were assigned to the Imperial Commando Special Unit for those who remained in Imperial service.
The Rail-class ARCs participated in the Kamino uprising, leading the secretly grown clone anti-Imperial troopers against the Imperial stormtroopers of the 501st Legion in an attempt to liberate Kamino from Imperial rule. However, the anti-Imperial clones were defeated.
During the Empire's reign, specialized stormtroopers known as shock troopers wore armor reminiscent of that used by ARC troopers and carried DC-17 hand blasters.
ARC troopers were known to be fiercely independent, innately creative, and physically superior to any other contemporary soldiers. This, coupled with their training in advanced weapons and vehicles, made them veritable one-man armies. They normally developed distinct personalities due to their unaltered nature; most gave themselves names, others formed relationships outside the GAR.
Their training as independent soldiers made them more inclined to question orders. In one memorable incident on Ord Cestus, ARC trooper Alpha 98 (known as Nate and later as Jangotat) defied a command from his Jedi superior and gave his life to eliminate a local group of despots.
ARC troopers possessed specialized training that enabled them to react instinctively, a skill they likened to the Jedi's use of the Force.
Many ARCs were deeply influenced by their mentor, Jango Fett, especially aspects of his Mandalorian heritage, most notably Spar. Similarly, the Null-class ARCs were influenced by Kal Skirata, and all of them deserted the GAR for Mandalore after the war.
Some ARCs served specialty roles such as heavy gunner and pilot.
Although ARC troopers typically operated independently and rarely had troops directly under their command, they generally held high ranks and authority over standard clone troopers. Alpha and Null class ARCs always maintained the officer color scheme of the Phase I clone trooper armor, shown below.
- Yellow— Commander
- Red— Captain
- Blue— Lieutenant
- Green— Sergeant
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ARC commander : These ARC commanders were regular clone officer commanders that were specially trained by Alpha to instill more independence and aggressiveness, and to think outside the box.
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ARC captain : These ARCs had authority over subordinate ARCs, commandos, and standard clone soldiers. The few times that squads of ARC troopers worked together, an ARC captain was usually in charge, serving under a Jedi General .
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ARC lieutenant : This was the first and most common ARC rank during the Clone Wars . Lieutenant ARC troopers fought in various battles including the Battle of Muunilinst .
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ARC sergeant : The only known ARC sergeant was the highly independent Null ARC Trooper N-12 A'den . Despite his low rank, as an ARC trooper N-12 had a great deal of autonomy as he worked in Clone Intelligence .
Proficient with a wide range of weapons, ARC troopers frequently employed DC-17 hand blasters, WESTAR-M5 blaster rifle, DC-15A blaster rifle, DC-15S, heavy repeating blasters, or a DC-15x sniper rifle. Some carried specialized equipment, such as a miniature flamethrower, Z-6 rotary blaster cannon, PLX-1 portable missile launcher, or a reciprocating quad blaster. Their grenade arsenal often included fragmentation grenades, reverse-polarity pulse grenades, electromagnetic pulse grenades, and ion grenades. They could also carry HX2 antipersonnel mines. They could also use ascension cables if need be for climbing. The bandolier on ARC troopers could carry extra equipment or ammunition. Some could carry commando recon droids, for scouting purposes.
Created early in the war, ARC troopers wore a more advanced and versatile version of the Phase I armor, along with command pauldrons and kamas. They often had a periscope rangefinder attachment on the right side of their helmets, similar to those on Mandalorian helmets.
While each mission profile required a different loadout, ARC troopers were commonly armed with the WESTAR-M5 blaster rifle, DC-15A blaster rifles, DC-17 hand blasters, and frag and reverse-polarity pulse grenades. When heavier firepower was required, ARCs donned specialized armor to bear the weight of reciprocating quad blasters, PLX-1 portable missile launchers, or Z-6 rotary blaster cannons. Many individual ARC Troopers also had bandoliers and pouches for extra equipment, such as EMP grenades and extra ammunition.
ARCs received training that gave them access to vehicles which usually required a specialized clone trooper to operate. To enhance ground range and mobility, ARCs made use of the BARC speeder, named for the Biker Advanced Recon Commandos who used it. For small squad operations, Advanced Recon Commando pilots could pilot LAAT/i gunships to drop units behind enemy lines. Advanced Recon Commando heavy gunners used larger weapons. ARC troopers were also known to use the AT-FRC Force Reconnaissance Walker, highly advanced walkers which were capable of camouflage, that were specifically made to be operated by the commandos.
- Null-class ARC troopers - The original class of ARC Troopers, only six of the hatched twelve remained.
- Alpha-class ARC troopers - The first successful class of 100 ARC Troopers.
- ARC Trooper Inductees - Standard clones inducted into the ARC ranks due to them showing exceptional capabilities.
- Rail-class ARC troopers - ARC Troopers raised loyal to the Kaminoans rather than the Emperor .
According to Genndy Tartakovsky in the DVD commentary for Star Wars: Clone Wars Volume Two, the ARC troopers' design originated from Hasbro.
In Star Wars: Battlefront, the ARC troopers (identified by name in the game) function as heavy weapons specialists. They are featured in the campaign's Geonosis mission. However, given that the ARCs were in stasis at that time, their presence at that battle is not considered canon.
In Star Wars: Battlefront II, the clone heavy assault troopers on Geonosis are depicted with the appearance of ARC troopers. Since the ARCs were in stasis at that time, their presence at that battle is not considered canon.
The term "ARC troopers" is incorrectly used in the novel The Cestus Deception, where it refers to a squad of clone commandos included in the novel's cast.