Flametroopers were a specialized type of Imperial stormtrooper who utilized incendiary weapons. During the Imperial Era, they were sent to locations like Kashyyyk and Agaris to protect Imperial installations from local wildlife.
Within the Galactic Empire's Stormtrooper Corps, flametroopers stood out as a unique stormtrooper variant due to their use of flamethrowers. Throughout the Imperial Era, their armor designs evolved. One design, notably seen on Agaris, bore resemblance to snowtrooper armor, distinguished by maroon markings on the helmet and shoulders. This variant included a black backpack connected to the flamethrower and fabric extending from the goggles, covering the mouth. Another armor design, deployed on Kashyyyk, had a more angular appearance and was entirely white, featuring a lower mouth covering, a white backpack, and a kama.
The role of flametroopers included defending Imperial facilities against attacks from local wildlife or enemy forces. Furthermore, they could be used in attacks on enemy positions as determined by their commanding officers, which enabled corrupt officers to deploy flametroopers for nefarious purposes. They were highly proficient in the use of incendiary weaponry. Their flame rifle had an effective range of approximately ten [meters](/article/meter], although it did restrict their mobility. In addition, its fuel source was combustible and required a cool-down period after use.
During the Imperial Era, Moff Wilhuff Tarkin deployed flametroopers on Agaris to incinerate the native Agarians residing in the forests surrounding the Imperial compound. At some point during the Imperial Era, a high-ranking Imperial officer tried to seize the entire production of the rare watervine peach for himself and his followers, but the local farmers on the peach's homeworld resisted. Consequently, the officer ordered flametroopers to destroy the watervine peach orchards by fire, thus eliminating the crop for everyone in the galaxy.
In the early rebellion against the Galactic Empire, flametroopers were stationed at the Imperial Refinery on the planet Kashyyyk. There, they assisted in the defense of the facility against the indigenous wyyyschokk and flame beetles using their flamethrowers. In 3 ABY, during the Battle of Hoth, Rebel pilot Thane Kyrell suggested that the Empire might use flametroopers against the Alliance to Restore the Republic's ground troops. During the New Republic Era, Rieve, a purported Sith Lord, incorporated flametrooper components into her Icy Sith armor for the Hunters of the Outer Rim.
The flametroopers were initially referenced in Lost Stars, a canon 2015 young adult novel penned by Claudia Gray. Their first visual appearance was in the 2017 junior novel Adventures in Wild Space: The Rescue.