Imperial shock trooper

History

Clone Wars

Guardians of the Republic

Clone shock troopers began as a security police force for Coruscant's administrative centers, and as bodyguards for government officials during the Clone Wars. Although they originated on Kamino, these troopers were secretly trained on Coruscant, the capital planet of the Galactic Republic, during the closing years of the Republic Era. This was unlike the other clone troopers, who were trained far away on Kamino. Both groups came from the same genetic source, the human bounty hunter Jango Fett. Following the introduction of the Grand Army of the Republic and the first battle of the Clone Wars, the clone shock troopers were organized into the Coruscant Guard under Clone Commander Fox.

Early in the war, a shock trooper contingent led by Fox raided Ziro's Palace. The clones stormed the building, defeating the Hutt crime lord's B1-series battle droids and IG-86 sentinel droids to rescue Senator Padmé Amidala. Ziro Desilijic Tiure attempted to flee, but the shock troopers cornered and arrested him at the senator's command. Ziro then confessed to the abduction of his nephew Rotta, Jabba Desilijic Tiure's son, leading to a formal treaty between the Hutt Clan and the Galactic Republic.

Despite being stationed on Coruscant, shock troopers were deployed as needed throughout the galaxy. A detachment of the Coruscant Guard, consisting of diplomatic service shock troopers "Jek," "Rys," and Clone Lieutenant Thire, escorted Jedi General Yoda to Rugosa to meet with the Toydarian king Katuunko early in the Clone Wars. Count Dooku sent Asajj Ventress with an army to ambush and destroy the Republic delegation, preventing an alliance between Toydaria and the Republic. The shock troopers fought back, destroying several battle droids before Yoda ordered them to retreat due to the overwhelming number of droids. The clones nearly ran out of ammunition during the firefight, and the lieutenant was wounded. Yoda faced the remaining enemy battalion alone, instructing his bodyguards to stand by. When a group of droidekas attempted to ambush Yoda, Thire used the squad's last missile to create a rockslide, crushing the destroyer droids. After rescuing Katuunko from Ventress, the shock troopers and their general boarded a Low Altitude Assault Transport, successfully securing Toydaria's support for the Republic.

In 21 BBY, early in the war, Senate Guard captain and Senate Commando Faro Argyus betrayed the Republic, helping to rescue Nute Gunray, the Viceroy of the Trade Federation. Although Ventress murdered him out of annoyance, his betrayal undermined the Senate Guard's authority, raising questions about the organization's loyalty. Clone shock troopers gradually replaced the Senate Guard, reflecting Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine's growing executive power.

Clone Commander Stone and other Coruscant Guard members were assigned to protect Senator Kharrus and Junior Representative Jar Jar Binks during their mission to Florrum. However, the senator was killed when rogue members of the Ohnaka Gang attacked their Nu-class transport. Despite Stone being a clone trooper officer, Binks' position as a government official gave him authority over the clone shock troopers, who were required to follow the Gungan politician's orders. The group had to contend with Weequay pirates as they traveled to Captain Hondo Ohnaka's base to deliver a payment in spice to ransom Count Dooku. While they failed to secure the Separatist Head of State, Binks and the shock troopers successfully rescued Jedi Generals Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, who had been captured by the pirates.

Boba Fett, an unaltered clone and the son of Jango Fett, the Grand Army's clone template, was arrested after attempting to assassinate Jedi General Mace Windu. The young clone was taken to the Republic Judiciary Central Detention Center, a Coruscant prison guarded by clone shock troopers. Following a brief encounter between Windu and Fett, the shock troops escorted the prisoner into the facility at the general's direction.

Sentries across the capital

During the plot to assassinate Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore, the Coruscant Guard patrolled the capital's streets, questioning civilians about the whereabouts of the Mandalorian noblewoman. Framed for the death of Davu Golec, Kryze evaded the clone shock troopers, police droids, and police probes searching the city for her. Two shock troopers, armed as clone riot troopers, were interrogating an Ithorian despite the alien's inability to communicate in Galactic Basic Standard. These same troopers nearly captured Kryze, but she escaped by running through a crowded street. The pursuing clones reported that Kryze was traveling in a speeder to Section IG-44, unaware that she had misled them.

Aurra Sing was brought to Coruscant after attempting to assassinate Senator Amidala at the refugee conference on Alderaan. Clone shock troopers reinforced the Royal Naboo Security Forces guarding Sing at the Jedi Temple. Shortly after, General Skywalker and his Padawan, Jedi Commander Ahsoka Tano, visited the Republic Judiciary Central Detention Center, where Ziro was imprisoned under the watchful eye of the clone shock troopers. Using a repulsorcraft piloted by a shock trooper, the Jedi duo confronted the Hutt prisoner in his cell, tricking him into admitting his involvement in the plot to kill the Naboo people's representative.

A crisis unfolded on Coruscant when Galactic Senate members were taken hostage by bounty hunter Cad Bane and his hired mercenaries. Overpowering the Senate Commandos in their way and using the captive politicians as leverage, Bane pressured Chancellor Palpatine to release Ziro Desilijic Tiure from prison. The Coruscant Guard attempted to outmaneuver Bane, initially appearing to comply while sending clone shock troopers to the Senate Office Building. One trooper contacted Senator Orn Free Taa to confirm the chancellor's office was secure. With the chancellor safe, Commander Fox and his men confronted Bane's group as they tried to leave the Senate headquarters. However, the bounty hunter threatened to detonate bombs planted in the Senate Building and kill his hostages. The Clone Commander ordered his troops to stand down after the chancellor agreed to let the mercenaries leave with Ziro in exchange for the hostages.

Because Senate Commandos had failed to stop Bane, the hostage crisis became an argument in favor of the open use of clone troopers on Coruscant as secruity forces. While the Coruscant Guard had already begun to be openly deployed on the capital at that point anyway, the hostage crisis, like Argyus's betrayal, hurt trust in the Blue Guard. As such, it helped usher in the new, clone-dominated era. One example of the change on Coruscant was as follows: for the first year or so of the Clone Wars, Senate Commandos had been used as additional secruity and as a quickly-deployed military force to meet the new secruity requirements faced by Coruscant. However, clone troopers came to replace the Senate Commandos in those roles.

Clone shock troopers continued guarding the Detention Center on Coruscant throughout the Clone Wars. One prisoner was Archduke Poggle the Lesser, a Geonosian leader captured during the second invasion of Geonosis. Two clone guards escorted Lieutenant Commander Orson Callan Krennic, an officer from the Republic Corps of Engineers, to Poggle's cell, where the surveillance system was disabled for Krennic's visit. The troopers also deactivated the ray shield so Krennic could speak directly with Poggle about his involvement in developing a secret battle station.

Several shock troopers were present at the Temple when members of the Jedi High Council greeted the survivors of the Battle of Lola Sayu upon their return to Coruscant. Two clone guards escorted Captain Wilhuff Tarkin, a survivor, from the Temple on a Util-313 repulsorcraft, taking his half of the coordinates to the Nexus Route directly to Chancellor Palpatine.

Dooku's response to Senator Amidala's peace initiative was to send an infiltration team to Coruscant. Disguised as sweeper units, several infiltrator demolition droids approached a checkpoint to a restricted area guarded by clone shock troopers. Commander Fox, unaware of their true programming, allowed the droids to pass and even directed them toward Coruscant's central power distribution grid. Upon reaching their destination, the demolition droids self-detonated, causing a widespread blackout across Galactic City's Senate District and undermining the peace process.

Rako Hardeen plot

After Kenobi's staged death, his "killer," Rako Hardeen, was arrested by Skywalker and Tano and handed over to the Coruscant Guard. Unbeknownst to everyone except the High Council of the Jedi Order, the prisoner escorted into the Detention Center by the clone shock troopers was Kenobi disguised as Hardeen. While Kenobi was undercover to gather information on a plot to kidnap the Supreme Chancellor, Cad Bane and Moralo Eval orchestrated a prison riot to escape the Detention Center. Clone shock troopers attempted to quell the riot using non-lethal weapons like electrostaffs and the stun setting on their blaster rifles. As the riot spread, the shock troopers received authorization to use deadly force against the inmates. Although the shock troops eventually restored order, Bane and Eval escaped with Kenobi, believing him to be Hardeen.

With Chancellor Palpatine determined to attend the Festival of Light's 847th anniversary, General Windu assembled a security detail consisting of both Senate Guards and clone shock troopers. These specialized troopers maintained a close watch over the Supreme Chancellor and his group, which included Skywalker, Amidala, and Vice Chair Mas Amedda. However, during the celebration in Theed, Bane and Eval successfully captured the Chancellor. Kenobi, still undercover as Hardeen, prevented them from escaping Naboo with Palpatine, allowing the Jedi to intervene and rescue the Chancellor. Eval was arrested alongside Bane by the shock troopers after he surrendered. As Bane realized Kenobi's true identity, one of the clones restrained him as he shouted threats. The Jedi, believing the situation was resolved, permitted the security force to depart Naboo at Palpatine's insistence, as he assured them that Skywalker's presence was sufficient for his safety.

Conclusion

The Jedi Temple hangar bombing sparked a public demonstration against the Clone Wars. Clone shock troopers, equipped with riot gear, were positioned as guards at the end of the Temple's Processional Way, preventing protesters from reaching the Temple's main entrance. The Jedi Temple Guard, led by Jedi Master Cin Drallig, reinforced the shock troopers during the protest.

Clone shock troopers took Tano into custody at the Republic Center for Military Operations after she was falsely accused of murdering Letta Turmond, a prisoner connected to the terrorist attack on the Temple; Commander Fox arrested her under suspicion of murder. Skywalker demanded to see his Padawan, but the shock troopers, following orders from Admiral Wilhuff Tarkin, refused him access to the prison area. Tano attempted an escape from the Republic military base after being wrongly accused of assaulting and killing several shock troopers. A search was initiated, with shock trooper patrols deployed throughout the base to capture the Jedi apprentice. Evading a hail of stun bolts, Tano escaped Fox's shock troopers and fled into Coruscant's lower levels.

Tano was sought in the undercity by both the Coruscant Guard and the Coruscant Security Force; a detachment of clone shock troopers, led by Clone Commander Wolffe of the 104th Battalion, discovered her with Asajj Ventress on Level 1315. Despite their superior numbers, the clones were disarmed of their blasters and defeated by the two Force-sensitives. Wolffe and his shock troops resumed their search for Tano, eventually finding her in a warehouse containing incriminating evidence related to the Jedi Temple attack. Using a stun bolt, the shock troopers recaptured Tano and transported her back to the Republic base.

Clone shock troopers escorted Tano to her trial, presided over by Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine at the Republic Center for Military Operations. Before the trial concluded, Anakin Skywalker entered the courtroom with the Jedi Temple Guards and Barriss Offee, who confessed to the crimes Tano was accused of. Clone shock troopers and the Temple Guards then escorted Offee out of the chamber.

Fives, an Advanced Recon Commando from the 501st Legion, was brought to the Grand Republic Medical Facility on Coruscant as part of an investigation into the behavioral modification biochips implanted in all clone troopers. Upon Fives' arrival, clone shock troopers were stationed at the facility, supplementing the Red Guards of Chancellor Palpatine's security force. A fight broke out between Fives and the Chancellor's guards, and Palpatine accused the ARC trooper of attacking him. Having discovered that his fellow clones were programmed to betray and kill their Jedi officers, Fives fled from the facility. The Coruscant Guard deployed shock troops to pursue the fugitive clone. One of the places they searched was 79's, a cantina often visited by off-duty clones. His presence triggered Fives' departure, but not before an observation droid identified him. Commander Fox and his troops confronted Fives at Hangar 18 on Level 1325, ordering him to surrender. Fives raised a blaster pistol at Fox, who fired first, resulting in the ARC trooper's death before he could prove his claims about a plot against the Jedi.

Senator Amidala traveled to the InterGalactic Banking Clan headquarters on Scipio with an escort of clone shock troopers led by Clone Commander "Thorn." While Amidala was allowed to enter the city, her guards and their counterparts, Separatist Congress Leader Bec Lawise's BX-series droid commandos, were required to remain at their respective landing platforms due to the city's neutral status. Thorn and his men complied, but assured Amidala they were ready to assist when needed. However, the Confederacy military launched an invasion of Scipio which began with a preemptive strike against Thorn's garrison. Separatist starfighters destroyed the Coruscant Guard's Consular-class Armed Cruiser and their Low Altitude Assault Transport/infantry gunships, while HMP droid gunships deployed battle droids to eliminate the remaining shock troopers. Unable to retreat into the city, Thorn and his men made a final stand. Even after his last trooper fell, the commander continued to fight valiantly until the droids killed him.

Order 66

Following the Republic victory on Mandalore, the Coruscant Guard dispatched an escort of clone shock troopers to assist the 332nd Division in transporting the former Sith Maul to Coruscant. However, along the way, the Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Sidious—secretly Sheev Palpatine—issued Order 66 to the clone troopers, who were programmed to obey this directive without question. As the 332nd spread throughout the Venator-class Star Destroyer Tribunal hunting their former ally, Ahsoka Tano, Clone Commander Rex instructed the shock troopers to execute Maul. Tano arrived at Maul's cell in time to disarm and incapacitate the shock troops before they could carry out Rex's orders.

Meanwhile, Commander Fox and his clone shock troopers targeted the Jedi on Coruscant, where the Jedi Temple was besieged by the 501st Legion, now under the command of the newly appointed Sith Lord Darth Vader. Like all clones, Fox and his troops obeyed Order 66, believing it was their duty to suppress the Jedi, whom they now considered "agitators." The shock troopers concentrated on containing the Jedi Temple and eliminating any Jedi remaining around Coruscant. Notably they lead efforts to eliminate Jedi Master Kelleran Beq who escaped the Jedi temple along with Grogu. They were stopped by a group of Royal Naboo Security Officers. Beq was able to escape with Grogu on a Naboo yacht despite the shock troopers efforts.

Conclusion of the Clone Wars

By the end of the Clone Wars in 19 BBY, a contingent of the Coruscant Guard was stationed in Tipoca City, which was under lockdown, with shock troopers patrolling the landing platforms and corridors. Sergeant "Hunter," a genetically enhanced clone commando and the commanding officer of Clone Force 99, also known as "the Bad Batch," was surprised to see shock troopers on Kamino. Having returned after their mission on Kaller, neither Hunter nor his squad knew about recent events until a shock trooper quartermaster informed them that the Battle of Utapau had resulted in the death of General Grievous, along with Skywalker’s killing of the Separatist leadership on Mustafar, thus ending the Clone Wars.

While speaking with the quartermaster, the members of Clone Force 99 saw two clone troopers carrying the body of a dead Jedi on a stretcher. The quartermaster informed the commandos of a mandatory general assembly scheduled at fifteen hundred hours, giving the Bad Batch time to return to their barracks before the Supreme Chancellor's address on the state of the Republic.

The clone shock troopers were stationed in the staging area of Tipoca City, where they witnessed Chancellor Palpatine's speech, broadcast from Coruscant to Kamino. In addition to the Coruscant Guard troops standing behind an assembly of clone troopers, shock troopers were positioned near several Kaminoan government officials who attended the briefing, including Prime Minister Lama Su, his aide Taun We, and Doctor Nala Se.

With the extermination of most Jedi across the galaxy, the New Order rose to power, replacing the Republic with the Galactic Empire. The Grand Army of the Republic was reorganized as the Imperial Army, the clone troopers were renamed stormtroopers, and the Coruscant Guard's elite clone units continued to serve as Imperial clone shock troopers.

The Elite of the Empire

Following Yoda's duel with Sidious, who had declared himself Galactic Emperor, the Coruscant Guard searched the Senate Building but failed to find the Grand Master, who evaded the clone guards before escaping into exile. Their focus shifted to helping the Emperor recover his injured Sith apprentice on Mustafar, with Commander Thire assembling a squad of the best Imperial shock troopers to accompany their lord. They returned to Coruscant using a medical capsule to transport Vader to the Grand Republic Medical Facility, which was also secured by a force of shock troopers upon the Emperor's arrival.

The Coruscant Guard contingent on Kamino was also there to escort Admiral and Governor Tarkin, where the Imperial officer planned to evaluate the needs of the Imperial Army and decide if the Empire still needed clone troopers. At Tarkin's command, the shock troopers arrested the Bad Batch after he questioned their loyalty to the Empire. The shock troopers delivered Crosshair to Tarkin and Nala Se for reprogramming, while the rest of Clone Force 99 was imprisoned in Tipoca City. With the help of a genetically modified clone named Omega, the commandos incapacitated the clone guards and attempted to escape from Kamino. They were confronted by a squad of shock troopers led by Crosshair; despite their efforts, the Imperial clones failed to stop their renegade brethren from escaping into the galaxy. During Senator Amidala's funeral, shock troopers provided security for the ceremony. When two troopers noticed Senator Bail Organa in a restricted area, they informed him of such, which he apologized for, citing the recent events for his confusion. However, unknown to either of the troopers, Organa secretly passed coded messages to Ahsoka Tano, who secretly attend Amidala's funeral.

In the early years of the Imperial Era, shock troopers served as personal guards for Emperor Palpatine and his own. They were also tasked with the hunt for Jedi Master Jocasta Nu, the former Chief Librarian of the Jedi Archives and a high-priority target for the Empire. Nu used the Force to influence Commander Fox and his men, allowing her to enter the fallen Jedi Temple. By the time Lord Vader arrived, the Coruscant Guard and supplemental units from the Coruscant Security Force had locked down the Temple. The commander assured the Emperor's lieutenant that his soldiers had secured the area and that the fugitive Jedi would not escape.

However, Fox failed to provide the other clones with Vader's description; consequently, they opened fire on him, mistaking the Sith Lord for a Jedi during his pursuit of Nu. After executing Fox, Vader took direct control of the shock troopers and, with the help of the Coruscant Guard, captured Nu. Several guardsmen were present when Vader interrogated Nu and learned from her that they were, in fact, taking orders from another Jedi. The revelation of his former identity as Anakin Skywalker caused Vader to kill all of the shock troopers around him, an act for which he blamed Nu, though she was unconcerned as she felt that the clones had chosen their fate.

Several months after the Empire's formation, squads of shock troopers were present during the voting on the Imperial Defense Recruitment Bill in the Imperial Senate Building, providing security for the event, though around the time most of the clone shocktroopers were replaced by stormtroopers. After being exposed for the bombardment and destruction of Kamino before the Senate, Vice Admiral Edmon Rampart was arrested by a squad of shock troopers on orders from Grand Vizier Mas Amedda before Emperor Palpatine condemned Rampart's actions. Later, a squad of shock troopers was part of the security detail attached to Governor Tarkin, Commander Orson Callan Krennic, General Hurst Romodi, Admiral Barton Coburn, and Doctor Royce Hemlock at the summit at Raven's Peak on Eriadu. Several months later, the same squad of shock troopers accompanied Governor Tarkin and his fleet to Doctor Hemlock’s secret base to help deal with Clone Force 99’s attack but arrived too late because the base was severely damaged by a Zillo Beast and Hemlock and several troopers of the Advanced Science Division were dead.

During or before 18 BBY, a team of shock troopers were sent to guard an Imperial effort to clear a city to make way for a new relay station. When the citizens protested, one of the shock troopers reiterated the explanation, stating that the citizens would be compensated for the "inconvenience." When a man complained that they had nowhere else to go, the shock troopers raised their DC-15A blaster carbines against the crowd, ordering the citizens, including a man named Orvek, to leave. Ultimately, the Emperor ruled the galaxy for decades, from the end of the Clone Wars to the Galactic Civil War between the Empire and the Alliance to Restore the Republic. Imperial shock troopers continued to serve during this time, functioning as specialized units within the Stormtrooper Corps. After the Emperor's death in the Battle of Endor, the shock troopers fought in the Battle of Jakku, where the New Republic defeated the Empire.

Heritage

Commander Fox remembered the shock troopers' role in the initial Great Jedi Purge shortly before his death. Commander Fox told Lord Vader that the shock troopers carried out their duty like all clone troopers by "coldly" executing Order 66 against the "Jedi agitators." After acting as a Coruscant police force during the Clone Wars, shock troopers became the elite forces of the Empire.

Orvek's experience with the Empire and its shock troopers instilled a hatred for the regime, which Padawan Ferren Barr exploited with a mind trick to turn him into one of his disciples. Like the Grand Army of the Republic and the Imperial Stormtrooper Corps, the Alliance Military had specialized units trained for rapid deployment, classified as shock troopers. Known as "droppers," Rebel shock troopers like Carasynthia Dune possessed skills emphasizing stealth and speed. During the Galactic Civil War, the Alliance used dropships to deploy the shock troopers into battle. They operated in teams and did not rely on support from other Rebel units.

The Alliance's successor, the New Republic, inherited the shock troopers who helped secure the victory of the Rebellion over the Empire. However, with no Empire to fight, the shock troopers were repurposed to suppress riots, protect political dignitaries, and maintain peace in the [New Republic Era](/article/new_republic_era]. As a result, Dune left the New Republic Defense Force, retiring to the Outer Rim Territories before resuming her service to the nascent government as a Marshal.

Usage

The Coruscant Guard, an elite division within the Grand Army of the Republic, specialized in rapid strike operations. In addition to this, they underwent specialized training for deployment within urban settings, functioning as a security force in these environments. Their training emphasized proficiency in close-quarters combat, a skill they specialized in alongside crowd control. Serving as a symbol of Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine's authority, their primary role was to provide security for the Republic Senate and its facilities, as well as serving as prison guards responsible for maintaining order in large detention centers such as the Central Detention Center. They also served as bodyguards for Republic officials and as urban peacekeepers, with some troopers receiving specialized training in riot control.

Similar to the Senate Guard, which had its authority to oversee high-profile prisoner transfers revoked following the betrayal of Captain Faro Argyus, shock troopers were dispatched to augment security during prisoner transfers to Coruscant. Noteworthy examples include their escort of Ziro the Hutt and Maul. The Senate Guard, previously responsible for safeguarding Republic officials and infrastructure, saw its role expanded and eventually superseded by the Coruscant Guard as the war progressed.

The role of the shock troopers also included capturing or eliminating high-priority targets. This encompassed the pursuit of fugitives on Coruscant, such as Ahsoka Tano or Fives. Their commanding officer, Commander Fox, was recognized for his strong sense of honor, dedication to his duties as a soldier, and unwavering loyalty to Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine. These qualities were generally observed among the clone troopers within the Coruscant Guard. Fox was considered a model soldier, and his readiness to lead his shock troopers into the most dangerous situations earned him recognition as one of the most decorated troopers within the clone army. Commander Thorn and his troops demonstrated similar loyalty to the Republic, ultimately sacrificing themselves in battle against its adversaries.

While the Coruscant Guard frequently remained away from major battlefields due to their assignment on the Republic capital during the Clone Wars, shock troopers such as Commander Stone possessed combat capabilities that proved valuable for diplomatic missions. Despite their extensive training, neither Stone nor his troops were adequately prepared for the experience of serving under Jar Jar Binks. The three shock troopers assigned to Yoda on Rugosa were highly motivated to earn the Jedi General's approval, fearing that failure would undermine their value as soldiers. Lieutenant Thire willingly offered his life, along with his shock troopers, volunteering to stay behind to delay the Separatist droids for as long as possible. Yoda, however, was troubled by the subservient nature he sensed within the shock troops, prompting him to teach them about their individuality.

The initial function of the clone shock troopers involved serving as security police for Coruscant's administrative buildings, as well as acting as bodyguards for Republic officials. After the rise of the Galactic Empire, the shock troopers evolved into elite units within the Empire's military. Imperial shock troopers were high-caliber stormtroopers handpicked from the Stormtrooper Corps of the Galactic Empire. This new breed of shock troopers specialized in employing heavy weaponry on the battlefield, forming the Empire's elite frontline forces. They also functioned as high-level security forces on Coruscant and as bodyguards for Emperor Palpatine.

Equipment

Armor

Clone shock troopers were equipped with the standard clone trooper armor used by other clones in the Grand Army of the Republic. However, given the shock troopers' role as specialized units within the Grand Army, their armor and equipment were tailored for "rapid strikes against high-value targets." Composed of plastoid armor plates worn over a body glove, the shock troopers' Phase I clone trooper armor featured red markings to differentiate them from other units. The Phase II clone trooper armor, its successor, was adopted by shock troopers following its introduction to the Grand Army. With the new armor, shock troopers adopted new unit markings associated with members of the Coruscant Guard. Similar to other clone armor sets, they had a comlink on their right forearm, which also housed the bodysuit's environmental controls.

Higher-ranking shock troopers personalized their armor with extra equipment like command pauldrons, helmet visors, and shoulder antennas. The Phase II clone trooper armor continued to be used by Imperial clone shock troopers, who also maintained the distinctive red markings of the Coruscant Guard during the early years of the Imperial Era. Although shock troopers continued to utilize Clone War-era armor well into the Galactic Civil War, eventually a customized version of the stormtrooper armor was introduced to the shock troopers' ranks, featuring the familiar color scheme of the Coruscant Guard. The updated armor displayed prominent red markings on the helmet, spaulders, shin guards, and utility belts, offering exceptional resistance to small-arms blaster fire.

Weaponry and vehicles

Shock troopers had access to weaponry commonly used by soldiers of the Republic Military, including DC-15A blaster rifles, DC-15A blaster carbines, and DC-17 hand blasters. These weapons included a stun setting that shock troopers employed to capture or subdue targets rather than kill them. However, lethal force was authorized in more perilous situations. Due to their training in maintaining order within large groups of civilians or inmates, shock troopers possessed various melee weapons and equipment such as electrostaffs, TZ-97 "Zapper" Shock Batons, and riot shields. They also had access to a supply of heavy weapons and equipment for diplomatic missions. These weapons included the Z-6 rotary blaster cannon, the RPS-6 rocket launcher, and grenades. The Coruscant Guard Gunship was the designation for a red variant of the LAAT/i used by shock troopers, whether or not they were stationed on Coruscant.

Often working in pairs, the stormtrooper variant functioned primarily as a support unit, occupying vantage points, occasionally operating tanks, and suppressing enemy forces with their heavy arsenal, which included a DC-15A blaster carbine, a DC-15A blaster rifle, a DLT-19 heavy blaster rifle, or an E-60R rocket launcher. They also utilized the standard-issue E-11 medium blaster rifle, typical of all stormtroopers within the Empire.

Behind the scenes

Clone shock troopers made their debut appearance in the 2005 film Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. Shock troopers were also featured on the cover of Kanan 1, despite not appearing within the issue itself. A Star Wars: Card Trader card for clone shock troopers stated that they were created on Coruscant, but more recent sources have confirmed their origins on Kamino, consistent with all other clones.