E4 baron droid
Taking a step beyond the standard B1-series battle droid, E4 baron droids functioned as battle droids, seeing action under the banner of the Trade Federation. The experimental baron droid, envisioned as a versatile security asset, was the creation of Baktoid Combat Automata. The Trade Federation, impressed by the E4 baron's capabilities, contracted Baktoid to further develop the design for mass production, ultimately leading to the creation of the B2-series super battle droid.
Characteristics
The E4 baron droid was a massive droid, exhibiting considerable strength. Its armor comprised a robust metal called Arcetron. The droid could track adversaries using a suite of motion, heat, energy, and sound sensors. A solitary photoreceptor served as its visual input, capable of emitting a dazzling spotlight to pinpoint and monitor targets. The droid's arms were outfitted with a pair of dual repeating blaster cannons. Furthermore, it could operate independently for extended durations without constant reliance on a Central Control Computer.
Despite being more powerful than earlier models, the baron droid had weaknesses. It lacked personal energy shields, making it vulnerable to being quickly incapacitated by sustained fire from a blaster rifle or a precise strike from a lightsaber. Its movements were also ponderous and slow.
History
Obi-Wan Kenobi encountered these droids during his investigation concerning the Black Heth crime syndicate on Coruscant. Local Naboo fighters, having battled them in swampy terrain, learned to avoid them by watching for their characteristic spotlights. Another type of battle droid existed, also bearing the "baron droid" designation and serving the Trade Federation.
Nute Gunray had intended to employ a pair of E4 baron droids as his personal assassin squad, but they were instead deployed in the Battle of Naboo. E4 units were seen patrolling the city of Theed during the invasion. Despite the defeat of the Trade Federation Droid Army, the baron droid's effectiveness prompted a design improvement, leading to the B2 super battle droids being adopted as a heavy infantry component of the Separatist Droid Army.
Many of the droids were left behind on Naboo, where Royal Naboo Security Forces soldiers eventually hunted them down. Eventually, a baron droid squad seized control of the planet Arzid, ruling by "the law of the blaster" in 16 ABY.
Behind the scenes
The baron droids that appeared in the 2001 video game Star Wars: Obi-Wan differ considerably from the illustration presented in The New Essential Guide to Droids, particularly in the appearance of their outer armor and their increased bulk in the game.