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; disabling these ships rendered the battle droids ineffective. To address this issue, the super battle droid was designed with greater autonomy and did not rely on such a signal. Nevertheless, its performance was still optimized when operating under a command signal. 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, composed of duranium and phrik, was both larger and more heavily armored compared to that of a B1.

In contrast to its predecessor, the B2 had its sensitive processing unit and signal receptor located deep within its torso, providing enhanced protection against enemy fire. Its right forearm, or sometimes both forearms as evidenced in the Mission to Rugosa, featured integrated, fully automatic dual blaster cannons. Occasionally, these cannons were replaced with a TriShot weapon system. The B2-HA series super battle droid's left forearm was replaced with a rocket launcher. Although capable of utilizing external weaponry (except when equipped 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 built into their hands. To improve efficiency, many B1 components were incorporated into their design. Their feet were also equipped with specialized equipment, such as climbing claws, for traversing difficult terrains. Furthermore, their arms were modular, allowing for the exchange of blaster cannons for other specialized weaponry.

When not actively using their built-in blaster cannons, their right forearm was locked in an upright position. Prior to deployment on the moon Ohma-D'un, some B2 units underwent modifications to include swamp gas sprayers. Other modified units utilized mortar launchers, stationary repeating blaster cannons, or built-in flamethrowers in place of blaster cannons, and were mounted on orrays.

As heavy infantry droids, B2s were capable of withstanding significantly more damage than their more fragile predecessors. Even after sustaining critical damage, they could detach their torsos and continue attacking, albeit with reduced combat effectiveness. Despite these robust features, 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 were capable of communicating with each other using a simplified version of Galactic Basic Standard.

History

Clone Wars

The B2 was developed from a lesser-used beta prototype. Following the Invasion of Naboo, the Trade Federation initiated research into a new type of battle droid. Commandos from the Royal Naboo Security Forces attacked the research facility and obtained 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 match for the native Wookiee warriors.

Super battle droids were deployed extensively throughout the Clone Wars as soldiers within the Confederacy, alongside their smaller counterparts and the formidable droidekas. The majority of super battle droids were characterized by an unpainted, dull silver finish, possibly to distinguish them from the tan coloration used for standard battle droids by the Confederacy, or potentially due to variations among manufacturers. Occasionally, they were painted with green markings for camouflage purposes.

Some Super Battle Droids served as scouts, observing the plains of Geonosis, primarily due to their raw strength and ability to destroy smaller ground targets. This pleased many of the Geonosians affiliated with the CIS, who sometimes employed B2s as "spire guards."

The droids eventually developed the capacity to express certain emotions, albeit with severely flawed grammar. They exhibited a more aggressive temperament than 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, equipped 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 tailored to specific adversaries. However, this practice was introduced 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 designed for close combat, capable of withstanding lightsaber strikes and disabling enemies using its electrified claws. Another specialized variant played a role in releasing 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. Additional variants included super battle droids armed with diverse 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 manufactured 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, 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 B2 battle droid's design originated from the Techno Union, utilizing the existing B1 design as a blueprint. Following successful prototype testing, Count Dooku reached an agreement with Poggle the Lesser, Archduke of Geonosis, to initiate mass production of these droids.

Additional orders were placed with Baktoid-controlled worlds, and quadrillions of B2s rapidly emerged from the assembly lines. Despite their advantages and ease of production, they were not manufactured as widely 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, among countless others across the galaxy. B2s were used as shooting range targets as part of the training of 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.

In the aftermath of the Clone Wars, some entrepreneurs discovered warehouses stocked with these droids. Many were sold to gangs or prominent crime lords for use as enforcers. Others were utilized 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 comprised a force known as the Orange Panthacs, which defeated an occupation force of Fire Breathers on Mantessa.

Behind the scenes

The B2 super battle droids made their debut 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 super battle droids to wield dual E-5 blaster rifles rather than having integrated wrist blasters.

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

In the Star Wars: Battlefront game series, B2 super battle droids are deployed as standard infantry units, while B1 battle droids are featured in several specialized variants, a reversal of their relative prominence in the films.

Although the B2 super battle droid's Databank entry stated the droid's ability to function without a master control signal, the Star Wars: Republic Commando mission "The RAS Prosecutor" depicts all B2 units remaining 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 determined by the player.