Assassin
Assassins were biological beings or mechanical constructs, each meticulously trained for the act of killing other beings. This lethal skill was employed either for monetary hire or to achieve political objectives.
Characteristics
The individuals engaged in this profession were known by a variety of descriptive, often indirect, titles. For example, they were called "problem solvers" within the Corporate Sector Authority, "exterminators" in the Outer Rim Territories, and "slayers" in the Core Worlds. Regardless of the specific title used, the primary motivation for most professional assassins was credits. However, some were driven by political or religious convictions, or simply by a predilection for taking lives. This reality resulted in assassins simultaneously being among the most highly compensated and most reviled figures in the galaxy's criminal element.
Although the act of assassination was outlawed across the majority of planets, it was integrated into the societal fabric of certain worlds, such as Umbara.
There existed a blurred distinction between assassins and bounty hunters, particularly among those bounty hunters who were willing to kill their targets or accept contracts from criminal organizations.
Types of assassins
Throughout the galaxy, there were numerous organized groups of assassins, including the Assassin's Guild, the Fpi Assassins, the Loag, the Malkite Poisoners, and the GenoHaradan.
Assassins originated from a diverse range of sentient species. However, certain species were disproportionately represented within the profession. These included the Anzat, Tyluun Night-Soarers, Kerestians, Bartokk, Noghri, and Blood Carvers.
Droids designed specifically for the purpose of killing, such as IG-88A, HK-47, 4-LOM, and ASN-121, were categorized as assassin droids.
Clone assassins represented a specialized subset of clone troopers, rigorously trained in the Teras Kasi martial art with the specific objective of eliminating Jedi.
Sith assassins served as minions of the Sith, concentrating on covert operations and infiltration to eliminate those who opposed the Sith Lords.
Jedi hunters were assassins whose specialization was the elimination of Jedi. Notable Jedi hunters included General Grievous, Galen Marek, and Darth Vader, the latter of whom played a significant role in the events of the Great Jedi Purge. While many Jedi hunters were Sith, others were simply skilled combatants driven by a profound hatred for the Jedi Order.
Bounty hunters almost invariably resorted to lethal force in pursuit of their bounty, although some preferred to capture their targets alive. Bounty hunters such as Jango Fett, Zam Wesell, Boba Fett, Zuckuss, Bossk, 4-LOM, and Dengar were at times labeled as assassins.