B2-series super battle droid

Characteristics

A significant weakness of the standard B1-Series battle droid was its dependence on a signal from a Droid Control Ship; the battle droids would become ineffective if these ships were taken out of action. To overcome this, the super battle droid was designed with greater independence and did not rely on such a signal. However, a command signal still optimized the droid's performance. Without it, they tended to lose track of enemies once they were no longer in sight. Furthermore, the super battle droid's robust frame, constructed from duranium and phrik, was larger and possessed heavier armor compared to the B1.

In contrast to its predecessor, the B2 had its sensitive processing unit and signal receptor located deep within its torso, providing enhanced protection from enemy fire. Dual, fully automatic blaster cannons were mounted on either the right or both forearms, as observed in the Mission to Rugosa. Occasionally, these weapons were replaced with a TriShot weapon system. The left forearm of the B2-HA series super battle droid's was replaced with a rocket launcher. While they could utilize external weaponry (except when configured with a rocket launcher), their large hands made it difficult to handle smaller blasters. Instead, they were equipped with specialized blasters that only responded to signal emitters incorporated into their hands. To improve efficiency, many B1 parts were used in their construction. Their feet were also equipped with specialized gear for navigating challenging terrains, including climbing claws. Additionally, their arms were modular, allowing for the exchange of their blaster cannons for other specialized weaponry.

When not actively using their integrated blaster cannons, their right forearm was locked in an upright position. Prior to deployment on the moon Ohma-D'un, a group of B2 units underwent modification to include swamp gas sprayers. Other modified units employed mortar launchers, stationary repeating blaster cannons, and built-in flamethrowers instead of blaster cannons, and they rode upon orrays.

As heavy infantry droids, B2s could endure significantly more damage than their fragile predecessors. Even after being disabled, they could detach their torsos and continue their attack, although this impaired their combat effectiveness. Despite these characteristics, some models appeared to have low heat tolerance and were prone to catching fire upon contact.

Most B2 droids produced after the Battle of Geonosis could communicate with each other using a simplified version of Galactic Basic Standard.

History

Clone Wars

A less common beta prototype preceded the B2. The Trade Federation began researching a new type of battle droid soon after the Invasion of Naboo. Commandos from the Royal Naboo Security Forces seized the research facility, uncovering data pertaining to this new battle droid.

During their initial deployment at the Kashyyyk Trade Rebellion in 28 BBY, the new B2 designs proved to be a formidable opponent for the local Wookiee warriors.

Throughout the Clone Wars, super battle droids served as soldiers for the Confederacy, alongside their smaller counterparts and the fearsome droidekas. The majority of super battle droids were unpainted, exhibiting a dull silver tone, possibly to distinguish them from the tan coloration used for standard battle droids by the Confederacy, or perhaps due to differences among manufacturers. Occasionally, they were painted with green markings for camouflage purposes.

Some Super Battle Droids were used as scouts to observe the plains of Geonosis, mostly because of their raw power and their ability to destroy modest ground targets. This pleased many of the local Geonosians affiliated with the CIS, thus sometimes using the B2s as "spire guards."

The droids eventually developed the capacity to express certain emotions, albeit with severely flawed grammar. They displayed a more aggressive temperament compared to the B1 model, even going so far as to attack allied units to quickly engage enemy targets, as demonstrated during the First Battle of Geonosis. Furthermore, they were significantly more durable and intelligent, capable of easily withstanding light blaster fire. Modified B2 droids with fingered hands and additional sensors were deployed on Ohma-D'un to test a novel bio-agent.

Super battle droids were frequently retrofitted with parts specific to their adversaries. However, this approach was implemented late in the war and had minimal impact on the conflict's outcome. One notable model modification was the introduction of the grapple droid, which featured heavier armor and a larger frame. This droid was programmed for close-quarters combat, capable of withstanding initial lightsaber attacks and disabling enemies with its electrified claws. Another specialized variant participated in the release of the swamp gas toxin on Ohma-D'un. The D-60 assault droid, another variant, was deployed by CIS forces during the Battle of Cartao. Two jetpack-equipped variants of the droid, the jump droid, and the rocket droid, were also developed. Other variants included super battle droids armed with various weapons, such as the Mortar Super Battle Droid, the Anti-Air Super Battle Droid, and the Repeater super battle droid. The Heavy super battle droid was a more heavily armed and armored version, and orray troopers were B2 droids armed with flamethrowers which rode orrays. These variants were produced at Geonosian troop centers.

During the third battle of Felucia, the Separatist deployed an experimental model of super battle droid. This model was the B2 Assault, which was an upgraded version of the preexisting B2-HA super droid. During the battle the CIS also deployed the B2 soldier, and this model of super battle droid was used to attack a Republic outpost staffed by Graul Company, and these units had green markings.

The Techno Union designed the B2 battle droid, using the existing B1 design as a foundation. Following successful testing of prototypes, Count Dooku reached an agreement with Poggle the Lesser, Archduke of Geonosis, for the mass production of these droids.

Additional orders were placed on worlds controlled by Baktoid, and quadrillions of B2s were soon rolling off the assembly lines. Despite their advantages and ease of production, they were not manufactured as extensively as their inferior counterparts, the B1s.

Throughout the Clone Wars, B2s became a crucial component of the Separatist Droid Army. They participated in numerous battles during the conflict, including the Battle of Geonosis, Battle of Muunilinst, Battle of Coruscant, and Battle of Kashyyyk, as well as countless others throughout the galaxy. B2s were used as targets for clone sharpshooters during training exercises. A training model was used on Kamino for the training of Clone cadets.

Following the execution of the Separatist Council by Darth Sidious's new apprentice, Darth Vader, the B2s, along with the rest of the droid army, were deactivated.

Post-Clone Wars

A few years after Order 66, Gizor Dellso reactivated a droid factory on Mustafar. Among the reactivated production lines were a few lines that produced B2 battle droids, providing Dellso with an acceptable amount of B2's in his droid army.

In the aftermath of the Clone Wars, some entrepreneurs discovered warehouses stocked with these droids. Many were sold to gangs or major crime lords for use as enforcers. Others were used by various Separatist holdouts. Similar to some B1 battle droids, B2s also served as guards within the Death Watch bunker on Endor. Borvo the Hutt possessed several super battle droids to protect his vault on Naboo.

During the Yuuzhan Vong's invasion of the galaxy, many B2 droids used by the Galactic Alliance made up a force known as the Orange Panthacs, which beat back an occupation force of Fire Breathers on Mantessa.

Behind the scenes

The B2 super battle droids made their debut appearance in the 2002 video game Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter, which was released shortly before Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones_.

Animatics created for Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones reveal that the original plan was for the super battle droids to wield dual E-5 blaster rifles instead of having integrated wrist blasters.

In LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars, the rocket super battle droid fires standard rockets instead of pink-colored ones.

In the Star Wars: Battlefront game series, the B2 super battle droids are deployed as standard infantry units, while B1 battle droids are presented in several specialized variants, a contrast to the films where B1s are more widely used.

Despite the Databank entry for the B2 super battle droid stating that it could operate without a master control signal, in the Star Wars: Republic Commando mission "The RAS Prosecutor", any B2 units remaining on board the Prosecutor are deactivated upon the destruction of the Lucrehulk-class Droid Control Ship.

The video games Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron and Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron include the labels "Super Battledroid Mk II" and "Super Battledroid Mk III" within the personalization editor, although the customization options were determined by the player.