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 designation within the B1-series, while the 631 model B1 battle droids represented a more cost-effective variant. Unlike earlier iterations, later B1 models could function without a central command signal. Central Control Computer were situated in an orbiting Droid Control Ship. The utilization of Central Control Computers was driven by the Trade Federation's cost-saving measures, avoiding the expenses associated with individual droids. By the time the Confederacy of Independent Systems employed B1s, the B1 battle droid had undergone redesign to eliminate the need for a central command signal. These later models, operating without a control ship, exhibited a limited capacity for independent thought, leading them to perceive themselves as "independent thinkers." Despite the newer models within the Separatist Droid Army, older B1s programmed by central computers remained in use, exemplified by RB-551, a B1 battle droid serving in a droid patrol during the Battle of Ryloth. Central Control Computers were still utilized due to battle droids that necessitated them, as seen on the Subjugator-class heavy cruiser, Malevolence, but the Geonosians had upgraded the Separatist battle droids to possess autonomous thinking.

The Trade Federation specifically requested the humanoid design of the B1 model for practical considerations. This form factor enabled B1s to operate existing machinery, vehicles, and weapons originally intended for organic operators, thereby reducing production costs and eliminating the need for retrofitting. B1s were capable of piloting 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 failed to hit any shot at Republic escape pods. When questioned by the OOM command battle droid in command of the frigate, the droid attributed its misses to flawed programming. Similarly, their limited programming rendered B1 battle droids unsuitable for many tasks assigned to them on the advanced Subjugator-class heavy cruiser Malevolence during the Malevolence Campaign.

The B1 battle droid's body was engineered to fold into a compact configuration for storage and transport. This configuration allowed one hundred and twelve B1 battle droids to be stored inside a Multi-Troop Transport. B1 battle droids could also assume this configuration when low on power, shutting down to recharge. Upon activation, the limbs unfolded first, followed by the long neck. The design of B1 battle droids was also influenced by their Geonosian creators, and their construction was cost-effective. The low cost often led to the sacrifice of multiple battalions of B1 battle droids for a victory without hesitation.

B1 battle droids were equipped with a comlink located just below their head, and their photoreceptors could switch to an infrared mode. They could also detect electromagnetic fields, such as those generated by holoprojectors. Their simple vocabulators produced high-pitched voices for most B1s, while others spoke in lower, monotone voices. B1 battle droids could express various tones, including fear, confusion, and excitement, which were manifestations of programming glitches resulting in "personality quirks."

While inexpensive and protected by durable metal around the signal-receiver assembly, B1 battle droids were vulnerable to blaster fire and lightsabers, which could easily destroy them. Another weakness was the droid's capacitors, which snipers could target to disable the unit. Despite the Republic often using these tactics, Clone Captain Rex informed the Onderon rebels that the most effective way to eliminate a battle droid was to destroy its head, as the droids could still transmit intel even without their bodies.

The B1 was designed for easy control, cost-effective mass production, and unquestioning obedience. Nevertheless, B1s often questioned their orders, as seen during the Battle of Quell, where T-series tactical droid TF-1726 ordered the destruction of Jedi General Aayla Secura's Venator-class Star Destroyer. A B1 battle droid objected, pointing out the presence of hundreds of droids on board the cruiser. Despite TF-1726 dismissing the protest, the B1 followed orders and fired on the enemy ship. Similarly, a B1 questioned the bounty hunter Cad Bane's decision not to deploy reinforcements to the vulture droids during the Battle of Devaron. Later, two B1s expressed concern over defending the ship's bridge, knowing they would be facing two incoming Jedi with limited support. During a sandstorm in the Second Battle of Geonosis, O.M.5 and another B1 battle droid questioned Separatist Council member Poggle the Lesser's destination, but continued to follow him as long as they could.

These instances of questioning and commenting on orders exemplify the "banter" and other remarks commonly made by B1 battle droids. For example, two B1s discussed the need for head adjustments due to high moisture levels on the battlesphere they were stationed on, Skytop Station. Another instance involved a group of B1s asserting their superiority over older RB-551 models.

B1 battle droids also made various other comments while on duty, such as one B1 battle droid remarking on the beauty of the planet Hissrich, and another insulting Republic clone troopers during the Battle of Teth, labeling the clones of Torrent Company as "Republic dogs." One B1 battle droid appeared to consider itself superior to the astromech droids of D-Squad, calling them "stupid astromechs." These "personality quirks" were caused by programming glitches. B1 battle droids were notably dim-witted, but no attempt was made to correct these issues, as their swarm tactics remained effective and did not require advanced programming.

Individually, B1 battle droids were ineffective soldiers against enemies like clone troopers in combat, relying primarily on mass-assault tactics for victory. The low cost of B1 battle droids made this a viable military strategy. While later models possessed limited independent thought, B1 battle droids had limited intelligence compared to other soldiers and required a superior commander to lead them effectively in battle. Motion-capture data from highly trained organic droids enabled the B1 to exhibit a range of combat stances, positions, and maneuvers. Despite their advantages, B1s were just as vulnerable to EMP weapons as other droids. The Gungan Grand Army employed this tactic during the Battle of Naboo using boomas against the Trade Federation Droid Army. The Republic also used this advantage during the Clone Wars. Clone troopers used Electro Magnetic Pulse grenades, nicknamed "droid poppers," against B1s and other battle droids, and the Republic would develop the electro-proton bomb, which could short-circuit an entire droid army.

On the field, B1 droids commonly 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 never to surrender, but they could also prioritize self-preservation and attempt to escape potential destruction. B1 battle droids outranked Confederate astromech droids and could hold military ranks such as sergeant and lieutenant. They also served as scouts for military operations and as gunners to operate heavy artillery, such as the laser cannons on Armored Assault Tanks. B1 battle droids were capable of operating in space.

Baktoid Combat Automata and Baktoid Armor Workshop were the manufacturers of B1 battle droids, with the latter enlisting the Geonosians to construct battle droids and other weaponry. The Geonosians designed the B1 battle droids, and B1s were built in their droid foundries on Geonosis, enabling the simultaneous production of countless droids. Archduke Poggle the Lesser also received support from the Trade Federation's benefactor Darth Sidious, leading to the production of millions of B1 battle droids on Geonosis for the Trade Federation.

In 32 BBY, the taxation of Free Trade Zones was enabled by Prop 31-814D, leading the Trade Federation to initiate a blockade of Naboo in retaliation. The Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn were dispatched to negotiate with the Federation, but Darth Sidious intervened, ordering Viceroy Nute Gunray to kill the Jedi, sabotaging the negotiations. Despite the Jedi's escape, the Trade Federation launched an invasion force to Naboo, aiming to force Queen Padmé Amidala to sign a treaty legitimizing the occupation. During the occupation's conclusion, B1s engaged the Gungan Grand Army at the Great Grass Plains during the Battle of Naboo, gaining the upper hand. This was a strategic diversion to draw the main droid forces away from Theed, Naboo's capital city, which the Federation had occupied since its capture. In Theed, they fought against the Royal Naboo Security Forces under Queen Padmé Amidala's command. The droids were ultimately deactivated at the end of the occupation during the Battle of Naboo when the Trade Federation's orbiting Droid Control Ship was destroyed by the young Force-sensitive pilot Anakin Skywalker.

The Trade Federation's loss of thousands of B1 battle droids during the Battle of Naboo exposed the B1's weaknesses. While effective at intimidating civilians, the droid proved no match for trained soldiers. The Techno Union developed the B2 super battle droid based on the lessons learned from Naboo. Super battle droids were heavy infantry models designed specifically for combat, but would also have other applications. The Trade Federation would later ally itself with the rising Confederacy of Independent Systems. By the [Clone Wars](/article/clone_wars], Separatist leaders recognized the vulnerability of networked control centers for B1s, and the reliance on a central command signal, the tactic that had cost the Federation the Battle of Naboo, was eventually removed from the B1 battle droids. 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 events of the Battle of Naboo, the Trade Federation augmented the Separatist forces with B1 battle droids. These droids bolstered the Confederacy of Independent Systems, a group of wealthy industrialists and dissatisfied citizens originating from the Outer Rim territories, forming the core of the Confederacy's Droid Army. The Separatist Crisis rapidly escalated into open warfare at the First Battle of Geonosis, marking the official declaration of war by the Separatists against the Galactic Republic and its newly deployed clone army, in what became known as the Clone Wars. Throughout this conflict, B1 battle droids were the most ubiquitous type of combat droid, with billions deployed, often outnumbering B2 super battle droids by a ratio of one hundred to one on the battlefield. Despite their numerical advantage, they were generally less effective than the Republic's clone troopers. The frequent failures of the B1 units during the war drew the ire of numerous Separatist leaders, most notably General Grievous, the Supreme Commander of the Droid Army. B1 battle droids saw action across the entire Clone Wars, serving not only on the front lines but also as security forces on Separatist-controlled planets and within military installations like starships and bases.

During the Battle of Horain, B1 battle droids were part of the Separatist forces engaged in combat. An incident occurred when Obi-Wan Kenobi, while attempting to return to the Resolute with Captain Rex, deflected a blaster bolt that struck a B1 droid in the head. The impact caused a short circuit, leading the droid to switch allegiances and fight alongside the Republic. Besides their engagements against the Republic, these droids were also deployed against 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 them. Throughout the Clone Wars, Republic forces commonly referred to the droids as "clankers" and "tinnies."

In the period between 22 BBY and 19 BBY, a group of these battle droids found themselves on the deserted world of Opop Hibbedit. A tactical droid made the decision to relocate their search efforts elsewhere, and the group departed in an MTT. During the departure, one droid, due to unsecured restraints, fell into the jungle below. After eventually rejoining his squad, the same droid fell out of the transport a second time.

The extensive use of droids in warfare during the Clone Wars resulted in increased anti-droid sentiment and propaganda after the conflict concluded. The Galactic Empire, an authoritarian regime that replaced the Republic, outlawed B1 battle droids and other combat-specific droids in the aftermath of the Clone Wars' devastation. Stormtroopers were issued orders to destroy these droids on sight. Following the Clone Wars, B1 droids became scarce and were largely remembered as an ineffective military force. However, remaining units could still pose a threat to those who underestimated them. The super tactical droid General Kalani maintained command over a substantial garrison of battle droids and droidekas stationed at a wrecked Separatist supply ship on Agamar. These droids had not received the deactivation code issued years earlier, as Kalani believed it to be a Republic deception. After the rebel cell known as the Spectres, accompanied by Captain Rex, made contact with the Separatist holdouts, the two groups cooperated to repel an Imperial assault. With the assistance of two Jedi, Kalani and a contingent of his B1 battle droids managed to escape the planet aboard a Sheathipede-class transport shuttle. This encounter led to an unofficial cessation of hostilities between Kalani and Rex, who both acknowledged the Clone Wars as being over.

On the world of Koboh, B1 battle droids, along with other former Separatist units, were reprogrammed and employed as soldiers by the Bedlam Raiders.

During the Imperial Era, a skirmish occurred between two B1 battle droids, one B2 battle droid, a group of Jawas, two traders from the Outer Rim Territories, and a squad of Imperial stormtroopers, including an Imperial officer. All factions were vying to steal Tusken Wind from a Tusken Raider encampment in the Dune Sea, leading to an armed conflict.

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

During the Galactic Civil War, several B1 battle droids were among the rebuilt droids in Ruen's workshop located in the Wreck Belt. Ruen, known for his mistreatment of droids, maintained control over them through control circuits and ethical programming. He activated many of his battle droids, including B1 and B2 models, to capture the assassin droids 0-0-0 and BT-1, who were present for business. BT-1 swiftly destroyed the activated droids, forcing Ruen to assist the assassin droids. Subsequently, BT-1 hacked into the remaining droids, removing the restraints imposed by Ruen, which 0-0-0 interpreted as an act of emancipation. Ruen attempted to contact Quarantine World III to report 0-0-0, but the newly freed B1s and other battle droids turned against him. The droids killed Ruen and destroyed the workshop as BT-1 and 0-0-0 observed from a distance. As they departed the Wreck Belt, they discussed the potential for reduced violence between droids and organics if droids were treated better.

Sometime before the Battle of Endor, Emperor Palpatine added a B1 battle droid to the displays inside the Palpatine Archive.

During the final months of the Galactic Civil War, when Temmin Wexley deployed the modified battle droid Mister Bones against thugs on Akiva, they initially mocked the droid due to the model's reputation for incompetence. However, the modifications to this particular droid made it highly effective.

On the planet Plazir-15, numerous B1 battle droids were repurposed for civilian tasks, with one functioning as a foreman overseeing multiple 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 determine 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 Imperial survivors, including Grand Admiral Rae Sloane, fled into the Unknown Regions to secretly rebuild and eventually reemerge as the Empire's successor, the First Order. The Resurgent-class Star Destroyer, developed by Kuat-Entralla Engineering, became a prominent warship in the First Order Navy. At some point, a group of at least four B1 battle droids engaged in a firefight within the hangar of a Resurgent-class Star Destroyer. Despite one droid being destroyed, the remaining three continued to return blaster fire.

Notable B1 battle droids included the OOM command droids OOM-9 and 224. A unit that became a bounty hunter was among the B1 battle droids left over from the Clone Wars; it adopted a neutral, yet malevolent, role in galactic affairs. By the time he was involved in combat, the B1 had been extensively modified, and at least its upper body looked almost nothing like other B1s. This bounty hunter B1 was also equipped with a red cape and a vibroblade with "armblade" inscribed on it. During the Galactic Civil War, the modified battle droid Mister Bones served as a companion to Temmin Wexley. After the Rebellion on Akiva, Bones and Temmin joined the New Republic. Another B1 battle droid was R0-GR, a Clone Wars veteran who later assisted the Freemakers.

B1 battle droids were largely uniform, with numerical markings on their comlink booster packs being the primary means of differentiation. The OOM-series droids used distinct, colored markings on their armor to indicate command structure and function. Blue indicated pilot droids, red indicated security droids, and yellow indicated command droids.

• AAT Driver Battle Droid — A B1 variant with green markings that specialized in operating AATs. [13]
• B1 melee battle droid — A B1 battle droid series specializing in melee combat; exclusively used by the Bedlam Raiders after the Clone Wars. [31]
• B1-series rocket battle droid — Standard B1 droids modified to hunt down escape pods in space. [91] They were equipped with rocket packs and were distinguished by their orange and black bodies. [92]
• B1 grapple droid — A B1 variant specialized in hand-to-hand combat with white and green plating. [93]
• B1 recon droid — A B1 variant specifically designed and used for reconnaissance. [93]
• B1 repeater blaster droid — A B1 variant that used 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. These droids were stationed aboard the Malevolence during the Republic's attack. Their bodies were mostly black with yellow stripes, and a single red spot on their heads. [97]
• Grenade droid [98] — B1s [99] who served as grenadiers. [98]
• Heavy Battle Droid — B1s designed to provide heavy fire support. Armed with E-5Cs, these droids could wield heavy weapons such as Z-6 rotary blaster cannons. They were identified by their gray bodies and dark red markings. [100]

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

In the mid-1990s, Doug Chiang's early battle droid designs were inspired by the helmets of stormtroopers from the original trilogy, hinting at the evolution of large-scale combat in the Star Wars universe. The final droid's proportions were influenced by African sculpture. Initial designs featured towering droids twice the height of humans, but later iterations reduced their height to human size.

The mechanical sounds of their movements were recorded years prior by Ben Burtt during the filming of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. The servomotor sounds of Jabba's puppet caught his attention and were recorded, eventually being used for The Phantom Menace.

The droids' monotonic voices, performed by various actors, were initially intended to be created by recording words independently without intonation, then synthesized into phrases, similar to automated answering machines, to emphasize their low intelligence. This idea was abandoned because it made them too impersonal and 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 entourage during the Invasion of Naboo by Trade Federation droids. While the specific droid model is not mentioned, the StarWars.com Databank entry for battle droids previously confirmed that B1-series droids captured Amidala, confirming these units as B1s. The prequel novel Queen's Peril followed in 2020, adapting scenes from Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. As The Phantom Menace visually depicted B1s as the battle droids in those scenes, B1s are also confirmed to appear in Queen's Peril.

Darth Vader (2020) 8 and Darth Vader (2020) 9 introduced the Droid Crush Pirates of Bestoon, many of whom use B1 parts for their bodies. When the Droid Crush reappeared 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 in Star Wars: Darth Vader. Christopher confirmed on Twitter that these droids are the same as those in the comics. He 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 predated the B1-series. However, 2015's Ultimate Star Wars and 2019's Ultimate Star Wars, New Edition both list the model as B1 on their battle droid pages. 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 listed the droid type as a B1 but included information on pilot battle droids. Star Wars Battlefront II and Star Wars: Droidography 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.