The assault battle droid, also referenced as the B1 assault droid or simply assault droid, represented a specialized version of the B1-series battle droid. It saw deployment by both the Trade Federation and the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the times of conflict known as the Separatist Crisis and the Clone Wars. These droids were frequently armed with substantial weaponry, functioning as anti-armor infantry. Enhanced models were designated as B1 Elite Assault droids.
As a specific type of B1-series battle droid, assault battle droids had a height of 1.91 meters. They featured black sensors and tan plating, components manufactured by Baktoid Armor Workshop. Their programming was masculine. These heavy assault droids were visually distinct from standard battle droids because of their dark red or blue torsos, and often other red markings. These should not be mistaken for OOM security battle droids.
The standard weapon for a B1 assault droid was a blaster rifle. However, assault droids were commonly purposed as anti-armor units. They were used to destroy Republic vehicles and turrets on the battlefield using their main weapon, the E-60R missile launcher. They also carried an SE-14 blaster pistol for close-range combat, and 3 V-1 thermal detonators. HX2 antipersonnel mines were also deployed to protect key locations.
Assault battle droids saw action during the Invasion of Naboo and the Kashyyyk Trade Rebellion during the period of the Separatist Crisis.
Later, they were present in many battles of the Clone Wars, including the Battle of Geonosis, the Assault on Kamino, the Battle of Rhen Var, the Battle of Muunilinst, the Defense of Maridun, the First Battle of Felucia, the Battle of Christophsis, the Battle of Kamino, the Skirmish on Carlac, the Battle of Umbara, the Battle of Mygeeto, the Battle of Felucia, the Battle of Kashyyyk, and the Battle of Utapau.
After the Clone Wars concluded, they were involved in action on Mustafar alongside Gizor Dellso's Separatist holdouts.
The initial appearance of assault droids was in Clone Wars Chapter 2, where they functioned as the Separatist heavy-weapons unit within the Battlefront game series.