B1-series battle droid

B1-series battle droids were humanoid fourth class battle droids with a height of 1.93 meters. The OOM-series battle droid was a notable variant of the B1-series, while the 631 model B1 battle droids were a cheaper version. Unlike earlier models, later B1s could function without a central command signal. Central Control Computer were located in orbiting Droid Control Ship, and these were initially used to reduce production costs for the budget-conscious Trade Federation, saving the expense of individual programming for thousands of droids. By the time the Confederacy of Independent Systems employed B1s, they had been redesigned to operate independently, without the need for a central command signal. These newer models possessed limited independent thought, leading them to consider themselves "independent thinkers." Despite the newer model within the Separatist Droid Army, older B1 models programmed by central computers were still in use, such as RB-551, a B1 battle droid who served as part as a droid patrol during the Battle of Ryloth. Central Control Computers still saw use because of battle droids that required them, as on the Subjugator-class heavy cruiser, Malevolence, but the battle droids of the Separatists had been upgraded by the Geonosians to possess autonomous thinking.

The Trade Federation specifically requested the humanoid shape of the B1 model for practical reasons. This design allowed B1s to operate existing machinery, vehicles, and weapons designed for organic beings, saving the Federation from costly retrofitting. B1s could pilot Single Trooper Aerial Platforms, Armored Assault Tanks, Multi-Troop Transports, and Federation battleships, among other vessels. However, their limited programming often hindered their effectiveness in these roles. During the Ambush on Rugosa, a B1 battle droid operating the laser cannons on a Munificent-class star frigate missed every shot fired at Republic escape pods. When questioned by the OOM command battle droid in command of the frigate, the droid blamed flawed programming. The limited programming of the B1 battle droids also made them unfit to serve many of the jobs they were tasked with on the advanced Subjugator-class heavy cruiser Malevolence, during the Malevolence Campaign.

The B1 battle droid's body was designed to fold into a compact configuration for storage and transport. In this state, a Multi-Troop Transport could carry one hundred and twelve B1 battle droids. B1 battle droids could also fold into this configuration when they were low on power and needed to close down to recharge. The limbs unfolded first during activation, followed by the long neck. The B1 battle droids' design also resembled their Geonosian creators, and were able to be produced cheaply. The low cost of B1s allowed for the expendable sacrifice of multiple battalions for a single victory.

B1 battle droids had a comlink located just below their head, and their photoreceptors could switch to infrared mode. They could also detect electromagnetic fields, such as those emitted by holoprojectors. Equipped with simple vocabulators, most B1s had high-pitched voices, though some spoke in lower, monotone voices. They could express various tones, including fear, confusion, and excitement, which were manifestations of programming glitches that resulted in "personality quirks."

The droid's signal-receiver assembly was protected by inexpensive yet durable metal. However, this metal offered little protection against blaster fire or lightsabers, which could easily destroy a B1. Snipers could also target the droid's capacitors, as hitting between them could disable the unit. Despite these tactics, Clone Captain Rex informed the Onderon rebels that the best way to eliminate a battle droid was to destroy its head, because the droids could still report intel back to command even without their bodies.

The B1 was designed for easy control, inexpensive mass production, and unquestioning obedience, yet B1s frequently questioned orders. During the Battle of Quell, T-series tactical droid TF-1726 ordered the destruction of Jedi General Aayla Secura's Venator-class Star Destroyer. A B1 battle droid objected, noting the hundreds of droids still aboard the cruiser. Despite the B1's protest, TF-1726 ignored it and the B1 followed orders. Similarly, a B1 questioned Cad Bane's decision not to send reinforcements to vulture droids during the Battle of Devaron. Later, two B1s expressed concern over defending the ship's bridge against two incoming Jedi. During a sandstorm in the final acts of the Second Battle of Geonosis, O.M.5 and another B1 battle droid questioned where Poggle the Lesser was leading them, but the pair continued to follow him for as long as they could.

These instances of B1s questioning orders exemplified the "banter" and comments they often made. For example, two B1 battle droids on Skytop Station discussed one needing a head adjustment due to moisture. Another group of B1s claimed superiority over the older RB-551 model.

B1 battle droids also made other comments while on duty, such as one B1 battle droid remarking on the beauty of Hissrich, and another insulting Republic clone troopers during the Battle of Teth, calling the clones of Torrent Company "Republic dogs." One B1 battle droid seemingly saw itself as being above the astromech droids of D-Squad, as it called them "stupid astromechs." These "personality quirks" resulted from programming glitches. Despite their dim-witted nature, no attempts were made to fix these issues, as swarm tactics remained effective and did not require advanced programming.

Individual B1 battle droids were ineffective soldiers against enemies like clone troopers, thus they relied on mass-assault tactics. The low cost of B1 battle droids made this a viable military strategy. Although later models had limited independent thought, B1 battle droids possessed limited intelligence compared to other soldiers and needed a superior commander to lead them effectively. Motion-capture data from highly trained organic droids allowed the B1 to demonstrate an array of combat stances, positions, and maneuvers. Despite their advantages, B1s were as vulnerable to EMP weapons as other droids. The Gungan Grand Army used this tactic during the Battle of Naboo with boomas, and the Republic also exploited this weakness during the Clone Wars. Clone troopers used Electro Magnetic Pulse grenades, nicknamed "droid poppers," and the Republic developed the electro-proton bomb to short-circuit entire droid armies.

In the field, B1 droids often used E-5 blaster rifles and wore comlink booster packs. They could also use electrobinoculars and thermal detonators. During the Battle of Ryloth, two B1s in Nabat used electropoles to force Gutkurrs to attack Ghost Company. B1 battle droids were programmed to never surrender, but also focused on self-preservation and could attempt to escape destruction. B1 battle droids outranked Confederate astromech droids and held military ranks such as sergeant and lieutenant. They also served as scouts and gunners, operating heavy artillery like the laser cannons on Armored Assault Tanks, and were capable of operating in space.

Baktoid Combat Automata and Baktoid Armor Workshop manufactured B1 battle droids, with the latter approaching the Geonosians to build battle droids and other weapons. The Geonosians designed the B1 battle droids, and B1s were constructed in their droid foundries on Geonosis, enabling mass production. Archduke Poggle the Lesser received backing from Darth Sidious, the Trade Federation's mysterious benefactor, and millions of B1 battle droids were produced on Geonosis for the Trade Federation.

In 32 BBY, Prop 31-814D made Free Trade Zones eligible for taxation, prompting the Trade Federation to blockade Naboo. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn were sent to negotiate, but Darth Sidious ordered Viceroy Nute Gunray to kill the Jedi, sabotaging the negotiations. After the Jedi escape, the Trade Federation launched an invasion of Naboo, hoping to force Queen Padmé Amidala to sign a treaty legitimizing the occupation. B1s fought the Gungan Grand Army at the Great Grass Plains during the Battle of Naboo, gaining the upper hand as a distraction from the main droid forces occupying the capital city of Theed. In Theed, they fought against the Royal Naboo Security Forces under Queen Padmé Amidala. The droids were ultimately deactivated when the Trade Federation's orbiting Droid Control Ship was destroyed by Anakin Skywalker.

The Trade Federation's loss of thousands of B1 battle droids during the Battle of Naboo highlighted the droid's weaknesses. While effective at intimidating civilians, the B1 was no match for trained soldiers. The Techno Union developed the B2 super battle droid as a result of these lessons. Super battle droids were a heavy infantry model of droid designed solely for combat, but also would also see other uses. The Trade Federation allied itself with the growing Confederacy of Independent Systems. By the Clone Wars, Separatist leaders recognized the vulnerability of networked control centers for B1s, and the tactic that had cost the Federation the Battle of Naboo was abandoned. The new model of B1 that did not need a control ship to operate were capable of limited independent thought, and the newer B1s regarded themselves as "independent thinkers." Older models controlled by central computers still saw use, despite the newer model of B1, and the computers were used to give commands to droids performing complicated technical duties.

In the year 22 BBY, a decade following the Battle of Naboo, the Trade Federation supplied B1 battle droids to the Confederacy of Independent Systems. This secessionist faction was comprised of affluent industrialists and dissatisfied inhabitants of the Outer Rim, forming the Confederacy's Droid Army. The Separatist Crisis escalated into a full-blown conflict with the First Battle of Geonosis, marking the official declaration of war by the Separatists against the Galactic Republic and their newly deployed clone army. This conflict became known as the Clone Wars. Throughout the Clone Wars, B1 battle droids were the predominant type of battle droid, with billions deployed. The ratio on the battlefield was frequently one hundred B1 droids for every B2 super battle droid. Despite their overwhelming numbers, their effectiveness paled in comparison to the Republic's seasoned clone troopers. Many Separatist leaders, including General Grievous, the Supreme Commander of the Droid Army, grew increasingly frustrated with the B1's shortcomings. B1 battle droids saw widespread use throughout the war, serving as security on Separatist-controlled planets and at military installations such as ships and bases when not deployed on the front lines.

During the Battle of Horain, B1 battle droids were among the Separatist forces present. As Obi-Wan Kenobi and Captain Rex attempted to return to the Resolute, a deflected blaster bolt from Obi-Wan struck a B1 in the head, causing a malfunction that led it to switch allegiances and fight for the Republic. Besides their deployment against the Republic, these droids also engaged other adversaries of the Confederacy, such as the Nightsisters during the Battle of Dathomir and Darth Maul's Shadow Collective during the Confederacy's campaign against the group. Republic forces often derisively referred to the droids as "clankers" and "tinnies" throughout the war.

Between 22 BBY and 19 BBY, a group of battle droids found themselves on the deserted planet Opop Hibbedit. A tactical droid determined that they should relocate their search, and the group departed in an MTT. During the departure, one of the droids fell into the jungle below due to unsecured restraints. After eventually rejoining his squad, he subsequently fell out again.

The extensive utilization of droids in battle resulted in a surge of anti-droid propaganda and sentiment following the Clone Wars. The Galactic Empire, the authoritarian regime that superseded the Republic, outlawed the B1 battle droid and other combat-specific droids in the wake of the devastating Clone Wars. Stormtroopers received orders to destroy these droids on sight. Post-Clone Wars, B1s became a rare sight, remembered as an ineffective fighting force. Nevertheless, remaining battle droids still posed a threat to the unsuspecting. The super tactical droid General Kalani maintained command of a substantial garrison of battle droids and droidekas at a wrecked Separatist supply ship on Agamar. These droids had not received the shutdown command issued years prior, as Kalani believed it to be a Republic deception. After the rebel group known as the Spectres, accompanied by Captain Rex, made contact with the Separatist remnant, the two factions united to repel an Imperial assault. Aided by two Jedi, Kalani and several of his B1 battle droids managed to escape the planet aboard a Sheathipede-class transport shuttle. This mission led to an unofficial conclusion to the Clone Wars between Kalani and Rex, both accepting it as the war's end.

On Koboh, B1 battle droids and other former Separatist units were reprogrammed and used as soldiers by the Bedlam Raiders.

During the Imperial Era, two B1 battle droids and one B2 battle droid joined a group of Jawas in a conflict against two traders from the Outer Rim Territories and a squad of Imperial stormtroopers, including an Imperial officer. All three groups were attempting to steal Tusken Wind from a Tusken Raider camp in the Dune Sea, resulting in a shootout.

Between 3 ABY and 4 ABY, a B1-series battle droid missing its arms and legs, along with three super battle droids, were observed at Slade's Repairs while the bounty hunter Valance underwent cybernetics repairs. Following Valance and Cadeliah's escape from an attack by Zuckuss and 4-LOM, Zuckuss determined that the battle droids could be of use.

During the Galactic Civil War, a number of B1 battle droids were among the rebuilt battle droids within Ruen's workshop on the Wreck Belt. Ruen, known for his poor treatment of droids, maintained control through control loops and ethical programming. Ruen activated many of his battle droids, including B1 battle droids and B2 super battle droids, to capture the assassin droids 0-0-0 and BT-1 who were present for business. BT-1 swiftly destroyed all activated droids, compelling Ruen to assist the assassin droids. Subsequently, BT-1 hacked into the remaining droids, removing Ruen's restraints, which 0-0-0 interpreted as an act of emancipation. Ruen attempted to contact Quarantine World III to report 0-0-0, but the now-liberated B1s and other battle droids turned against him. The droids killed Ruen and destroyed the workshop while BT-1 and 0-0-0 observed from a distance. As they departed the Wreck Belt, they discussed their belief that improved treatment of droids by organics could prevent violence between the two.

Sometime before the Battle of Endor, Emperor Palpatine acquired a B1 battle droid for display within the Palpatine Archive.

During the final months of the Galactic Civil War, when thugs witnessed the deployment of the modified battle droid Mister Bones by Temmin Wexley on Akiva, they mocked the droid due to the model's history of failures. However, this modified droid proved to be highly effective.

The planet Plazir-15 featured several B1 battle droids repurposed for civilian roles, including one serving as a foreman overseeing numerous B2-series super battle droids.

While searching for the droid SM-33 during his escape from Borgo Prime, the pirate Jod Na Nawood briefly activated a B1 battle droid to check if it was SM-33. Upon activation, the battle droid confusedly inquired "did we win?" before Na Nawood deactivated it.

Following the fall of the Empire, some surviving Imperials, including Grand Admiral Rae Sloane, fled into the Unknown Regions and secretly prepared to regain galactic power by reforming into the Empire's successor state, the First Order. The Resurgent-class Star Destroyer, developed by Kuat-Entralla Engineering, became a staple Star Destroyer within the First Order Navy. A group of at least four B1 battle droids were involved in a confrontation within the hangar of a Resurgent-class Star Destroyer. Despite one unit being destroyed, the remaining three B1s continued firing their blasters.

Notable B1 battle droids included the OOM command battle droids OOM-9 and 224. Among the B1 battle droids remaining from the Clone Wars was a unit that went rogue, assuming a neutral, yet malevolent, role in galactic affairs as a bounty hunter. By the time he was involved in a battle, the B1 was heavily modified, with at least his upper body looking almost entirely different from that of his brethren. The bounty hunter B1 was also equipped with a red cape and a vibroblade, which had the word "armblade" written on it. During the Galactic Civil War, the modified battle droid Mister Bones served as a companion to Temmin Wexley. Following the Rebellion on Akiva, Bones, along with Temmin, joined the New Republic. Another B1 battle droid was R0-GR, a veteran of the Clone Wars who later served the Freemakers.

B1 battle droids generally fought in uniformity, distinguished only by numerical markings on the back of their comlink booster packs. Command structure and function were indicated by distinct colored markings on their armor. These units, the OOM-series battle droids, were differentiated by color. Blue indicated pilot droids, red indicated security droids, and yellow indicated command droids.

• AAT Driver Battle Droid — A B1 variant with green markings specialized in operating AATs. [13]
• B1 melee battle droid — A B1 battle droid series that specialized in melee combat; only used by the Bedlam Raiders in times after the Clone Wars. [31]
• B1-series rocket battle droid — Standard B1 droids specifically modified to hunt down escape pods in space. [91] They were equipped with rocket packs and distinguished by their orange and black colored bodies. [92]
• B1 grapple droid — A B1 variant specialized in hand-to-hand combat with white and green plating. [93]
• B1 recon droid — A variant of the B1 specifically designed and used for reconnaissance. [93]
• B1 repeater blaster droid — A B1 variant utilizing a repeating blaster. The droid had the same markings as the standard B1 battle droid. [93]
• B1 rocket launcher droid — Specific B1 units equipped with a missile launcher. [93]
• Droid worker — [94] Modified B1 battle droids created by Karina. [95]
• Firefighter battle droid — [96] B1s tasked with suppressing and extinguishing fires. Firefighter droids were stationed aboard the Malevolence during the Republic's assault on the vessel. Their bodies were primarily black with yellow stripes, and a single red spot was located on their heads. [97]
• Grenade droid [98] — B1s [99] who served as grenadiers. [98]
• Heavy Battle Droid — B1s designed to provide heavy fire support in battle. Armed with E-5Cs, these battle droids were capable of wielding heavy weaponry such as Z-6 rotary blaster cannons. They were identifiable by their overall gray body and dark red paintings. [100]

B1 battle droids made their debut in the 1999 film Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace.

In the mid-1990s, Doug Chiang's initial battle droid designs were inspired by the helmets worn by stormtroopers in the original trilogy, hinting at the evolution of large-scale combat in the Star Wars galaxy. The final droid's proportions are reminiscent of African sculpture. Early designs featured towering droids twice the height of humans, but subsequent iterations reduced their height to human size.

The mechanical sounds of their movements were recorded years earlier by Ben Burtt during the filming of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. The sound of the servomotors of Jabba's puppet caught his attention, and he recorded it, eventually using it for The Phantom Menace.

The droids speak with a monotonic voice, performed by various actors. Initially, Burtt wanted to experiment with recording words independently, without intonation, which would then be synthesized to form phrases. This effect, similar to automated answering machines, would highlight their low intelligence. This concept was abandoned because it made them too impersonal and unintelligent, lacking a "sense of purpose and will to survive."

The opening of E. K. Johnston's 2019 novel Queen's Shadow depicts the capture of Padmé Amidala and her royal entourage during the Invasion of Naboo by Trade Federation droids. While the text does not specify the model of droid, the history gallery for the battle droid's entry on the StarWars.com Databank previously confirmed that B1-series droids captured Amidala, confirming these units as B1s. The next novel in Johnston's series, Queen's Peril, was released in 2020. While it also does not specify battle droid models, the book adapts scenes from Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. As The Phantom Menace visually depicted B1s as the battle droids in many adapted scenes, B1s can also be confirmed to appear in Queen's Peril.

Darth Vader (2020) 8 and Darth Vader (2020) 9 introduced the Droid Crush Pirates of Bestoon and showed that many members are droids using B1 parts for their bodies. When the Droid Crush returned in Adam Christopher's novel Shadow of the Sith, several units were described as "almost skeletal" droids with "large, almost bulbous" heads, matching the B1-derived droid pirates seen in Star Wars: Darth Vader. Christopher confirmed on Twitter that the droids in the novel are the same as those in the comics. Christopher also confirmed that several droids in Kiza's droid army were B1 battle droids.

The 2018 reference book Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary, New Edition identified the OOM-series battle droid and stated they were created before the B1-series. However, 2015's Ultimate Star Wars and 2019's Ultimate Star Wars, New Edition both contain battle droid pages listing the model as B1. Therefore, all information on the page applies to the B1 battle droid, but the section also mentions the security, pilot, and command droids that The Complete Visual Dictionary treated as predecessors. Additionally, both versions of Ultimate Star Wars state that OOM-9 is an OOM command battle droid and a B1. Another 2019 reference book, Star Wars Character Encyclopedia, New Edition, similarly included a battle droid page that listed the droid type as a B1, but also included information on pilot battle droids. Star Wars Battlefront II and Star Wars: Droidography both also state that B1s served as pilot droids. The battle droid Databank entry on StarWars.com does not mention a difference in model despite including information involving B1s and OOMs. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Visual Dictionary later established that the OOM-series was a mark of the B1 line. Given that the majority of sources treat the OOM-series as part of the B1-series, this article assumes Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary, New Edition is incorrect.