B2-series super battle droid

Features

A significant weakness of the standard B1-Series battle droid was its dependence on a signal from a Droid Control Ship; the battle droids became ineffective if these ships were taken out. To address this issue, the super battle droid was designed with greater autonomy and did not rely on an external signal. However, a command signal still optimized the droid's performance. Without it, the droids tended to lose track of enemies once they moved out of sight. In addition, the super battle droid's strong 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 signal receptor and processing unit located deep within its torso, providing significantly improved protection from incoming fire. Dual, fully automatic blaster cannons were mounted on the right forearms, or even both forearms as observed during the Mission to Rugosa. In some instances, a TriShot weapon system replaced these cannons. The B2-HA series super battle droid's left forearm was replaced with a rocket launcher. While they could utilize external weapons (except when equipped with the rocket launcher), their large hands made it difficult to handle smaller blasters. Instead, they were given special blasters that only responded to signal emitters embedded in their hands. For efficiency, many B1 components were incorporated into their design. Their feet also featured specialized equipment, such as climbing claws, for navigating difficult terrains. Furthermore, their arms were modular, allowing for the replacement of the blaster cannons with other specialized weaponry.

When not actively using their integrated blaster cannons, the B2s kept their right forearm locked in an upright position. Prior to deployment on the moon Ohma-D'un, a number of B2 units were modified to include swamp gas sprayers. Other modified units employed mortar launchers, stationary repeating blaster cannons, or built-in flamethrowers in place of blaster cannons, and rode on orrays.

As heavy infantry droids, B2s were able to withstand significantly more damage than their more fragile forerunners. Even after suffering critical damage, they could detach their torsos and continue attacking, although this impaired their combat effectiveness. Despite these characteristics, some models appeared to exhibit low heat tolerance and were prone to bursting into flames upon exposure to heat.

The majority of B2 droids produced after the Battle of Geonosis were capable of communicating with one another using a simplified version of Galactic Basic Standard.

History

Clone Wars

The B2 was preceded by a lesser-used beta prototype. Shortly after the Invasion of Naboo, the Trade Federation was researching a new type of battle droid. Commandos from the Royal Naboo Security Forces seized the research facility and discovered data regarding this new battle droid.

The new B2 design proved to be a match for the local Wookiee warriors during its first deployment at the Kashyyyk Trade Rebellion in 28 BBY.

Throughout the Clone Wars, super battle droids were deployed as soldiers for the Confederacy, alongside their smaller counterparts and the formidable droidekas. Most super battle droids were colored in an unpainted, dull silver tone, possibly to distinguish them from the tan color used by the Confederacy for its standard battle droids, or possibly due to different manufacturers. Occasionally, they received green markings for camouflage.

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

The droids eventually developed the capacity to express limited 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. They were also significantly more durable and intelligent, easily withstanding light blaster fire. Modified B2 droids with fingered hands and additional sensors were deployed on Ohma-D'un to test a new bio-agent.

Super battle droids were often retrofitted with parts specific to the enemy they were facing. However, this tactic was implemented late in the war and had little impact on the outcome of the conflict. One known model change was the introduction of the grapple droid, which had heavier armor and a larger frame. This droid was programmed to be a close combat model able to receive primary lightsaber strikes and disable enemies through its electrified claws. Another specialized variant was involved in the release of the swamp gas toxin on Ohma-D'un. The D-60 assault droid, another variant, was used in the Battle of Cartao by CIS forces. 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. A more heavily armed and armored version was the Heavy super battle droid, 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 Separatists 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 B1 design as a starting point. After successful prototype testing, Count Dooku made a deal with Poggle the Lesser, Archduke of Geonosis, to begin mass production of these droids.

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

During the Clone Wars, B2s became a crucial element of the Separatist Droid Army. They participated in numerous battles throughout the conflict, including the Battle of Geonosis, Battle of Muunilinst, Battle of Coruscant, and Battle of Kashyyyk, as well as countless others across the galaxy. B2s were used as targets for training clone sharpshooters. 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.

After the Clone Wars, some entrepreneurs discovered warehouses filled 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 were also employed 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, numerous B2 droids utilized by the Galactic Alliance formed 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 initial appearance in the 2002 video game Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter, which was released shortly before the theatrical release of 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 built-in wrist blasters.

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

In the Star Wars: Battlefront game series, B2 super battle droids serve as standard infantry units, while B1 battle droids are featured in several specialized roles. This contrasts with the films, where B1s are more extensively deployed.

Despite the Databank entry for the B2 super battle droid indicating its ability to operate independently of a master control signal, the Star Wars: Republic Commando mission "The RAS Prosecutor" depicts all remaining B2 units aboard the Prosecutor being 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 left to the player's discretion.