The Trade Federation assassin droid represents a specific assassin droid model. It was deployed by the Trade Federation during their invasion of the planet Naboo in 32 BBY. These droids possessed a humanoid form and were equipped with cortosis weaponry. Notably, they engaged in combat with the Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi during the aforementioned invasion.
These Trade Federation assassin droids, a particular type of assassin droid, featured a humanoid shape. Their chassis consisted of a red and black cortosis alloy, which offered partial protection against lightsaber strikes. Furthermore, they were equipped with two red photoreceptors. Armed with cortosis blades or maces, they were specifically engineered to eliminate Jedi, the guardians of peace within the galaxy. The cortosis weapons were capable of defending against lightsabers, the signature weapon of the Jedi.
In 32 BBY, the Trade Federation, a vast corporate entity spanning the galaxy, launched an invasion of the planet Naboo due to a trade dispute. As part of the invading army, Trade Federation assassin droids were utilized. The initial encounter between an assassin droid and the Jedi Knights occurred after two Jedi were dispatched to negotiate a resolution to the invasion. They were compelled to evade a Trade Federation ambush by concealing themselves aboard a C-9979 landing craft. The Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi swiftly dispatched the droid.
Subsequently, more Trade Federation assassin droids dueled with Kenobi and his Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn on the planet's surface as the Jedi attempted to meet with Padmé Amidala, the Queen of Naboo; however, they too were destroyed. Later, the Jedi made the decision to escort her off-world to travel to the Galactic Senate on Coruscant. Upon the Queen's return to Naboo shortly thereafter, Kenobi consented to rescue several pilots from the Naboo Security Force. During this mission, Kenobi encountered and destroyed additional droids of this type. Ultimately, the Trade Federation faced defeat on the planet.
The Trade Federation assassin droid was initially referenced in a preview within the "State of the Arts" section of Star Wars Gamer 7, which was sent to subscribers on October 16, 2001. These assassin droids then made an appearance in the video game Star Wars: Obi-Wan released in 2001. Within the game's strategy guide, those wielding maces were designated as "mace droids," and the droids as a whole were given a brief introduction.
Within the game, a modified version of a scene from the 1999 film Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace is present. In this altered scene, two Trade Federation assassin droids escort Queen Amidala instead of OOM battle droids. This article considers this particular segment of the game to be non-canon within the Star Wars Legends continuity.
The design of the Trade Federation assassin droid originated from early concept artwork for battle droids created by Doug Chiang for The Phantom Menace, dated January 15th, 1995. While distinctly robotic, its facial features served as a homage to the helmets worn by stormtroopers in the original trilogy.