Summary

• Clone troopers are elite fighting forces created from Jango Fett's genetic model, with specialized roles in the Grand Army of the Republic.
• Different clone variants are equipped with specific gear for missions, like cold weather gear on Orto Plutonia and jetpacks for mobility.
• Clone officers, including popular characters like Captain Rex, serve as leaders within the Clone Army and play vital roles in battles.

The Galactic Republic’s clone troopers are an iconic and vital part of the Star Wars franchise’s prequel era, with the Clone Army featuring a wide variety of specialized clone variants. Created from the genetic model of the Mandalorian bounty hunter Jango Fett, clone troopers are both a small and elite fighting force to assist the Jedi in their war with the Separatists and Palpatine’s secret weapon to ensure his totalitarian coup and the Sith Order’s revenge. For both goals, the clone troopers have different specialized roles within the Grand Army of the Republic.

Clone troopers of any rank and type may be equipped with specific gear or weaponry for specific missions and environments. Clones wear modified cold weather or SCUBA gear when deployed on worlds like Orto Plutonia or Mon Calamari, for instance. Clones may use jetpacks for extra mobility or spacefaring gear for certain missions as well. In many cases, specific ranks and roles in the Grand Army require more than specialized weapons, armor, and vehicles, as shown by the following clones in Star Wars canon and Legends.

15 Clone Troopers

The Backbone Of The Grand Army

The standard clone troopers of the Republic’s Grand Army are the most commonly seen and remembered clones. Typically clad in white plastoid armor, the clones prove time and again in both Star Wars continuities to possess free will, a genuine devotion to defending the Galactic Republic’s democracy, and close friendships with their Jedi leaders in most cases. Tragically, the clones were victims of dormant brainwashing, compelling them to kill their Jedi allies upon the activation of Order 66.

Modern Star Wars canon explains that the clones all had brain implants that activated when Order 66 was enacted. In the original Legends continuity, the method used to brainwash the clones is never specified.

Even standard clone troopers are among the galaxy’s finest soldiers, making them the ideal allies (and later assassins) of the legendary Jedi Knights. Standard clone troopers use two types of armor: Phase 1 and Phase 2. In Legends, Phase 2 was a lighter and stronger improvement over its predecessor, while Phase 1 was superior in modern canon. Phase 1’s superiority in modern canon is explained by the Republic’s waning resources, resulting in cheaper new armor. Phase 2’s superiority in the Legends continuity is the result of the Kaminoans improving on the original armor.

14 Clone Officers

Leaders Within The Clone Army

The Jedi Knights served as generals and commanders within the Clone Army, leaving clone troopers to serve as lower-ranking officers. These included clone sergeants, lieutenants, captains, and commanders, with each clone rank initially sporting a unique armor marking for identification. This practice quickly fell out of favor, however, with clone officers often going into battle with no identifying markings (perhaps keeping their rank only visible to other clones via their helmets’ heads-up displays).

The paint trim would remain, however, but it would come to denote a clone’s unit affiliation instead of their rank, though many clones continued to leave their armor unmarked in both Star Wars continuities. Some of the most popular clone characters are clone officers, with the modern canon-exclusive Captain Rex serving as a main protagonist in 2008’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Commander Cody, who belongs to both timelines, has a brief but memorable cameo in 2003’s Star Wars: Clone Wars and a more prominent role in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.

13 Advanced Recon Commandos

The Elite ARC Troopers

Advanced Recon Commandos, also known as ARC troopers, are among the most elite clones in the Grand Army. ARC troopers debuted in the Legends continuity’s Clone Wars multimedia project, which established them as the most formidable of all Jango Fett’s clones, with their only modification being accelerated growth and every ARC being personally trained by Fett himself. Alpha-17 – nicknamed Alpha – and Alpha-77 – known as Fordo – are among the Legends continuity’s most famous ARC troopers.

In the modern Star Wars canon, however, all clone troopers undergo the same modifications and thus the status of ARC trooper is more of an honorary title than an altogether different breed of clone trooper. Since the full extent of Jango Fett’s involvement in clone trooper training is still unknown, he likely did not train the modern canon’s ARCs. Clone troopers and officers who serve with distinction may become ARC troopers, with the most famous examples being Echo and Fives of the Domino Squad in the 501st Legion.

12 Clone Commandos

Well-Equipped Squads Of The Republic’s Finest

The distinctive clone commandos also debuted in the Star Wars Legends continuity, with the commandos of Delta Squad starring in the 2005 video game Star Wars: Republic Commando. Clone commandos wear unique armor equipped with personal shield generators and hidden vibroblades, in addition to blasters that can be configured to fill a variety of roles. While Jango Fett trained the ARC troopers, his elite Mandalorian trainers – known as the Cuy'val Dar – trained the commandos.

The modern Star Wars canon reimagined clone commandos as the most elite clones in the Grand Army. Commandos retain their unique armor, though the personal shield generators appear to be missing and commandos do not necessarily work in squads of four as they do in the Legends continuity. Many clone commandos remained loyal to the Empire after Palpatine’s coup, even while most other clones overcame the effects of their implants, though one notable exception to this is Gregor, who went on to fight the Empire alongside clones like Captain Rex and Commander Wolffe.

11 Coruscant Guard

Defending The Capital

Wearing armor with a unique red paint scheme, the clone shock troopers of Homeworld Security Command – renamed the Coruscant Guard in modern canon – fill a variety of roles on the Republic’s capital planet. First and foremost, they serve as the elite guards of Republic politicians and governmental buildings. Shock troopers would also escort Republic politicians off world and, as shown in The Clone Wars, serve as prison guards. Shock troopers were the Grand Army of the Republic’s military police, working alongside Coruscant’s conventional police force at times, and were equipped for riot suppression when necessary.

One notable shock trooper is Thire, who accompanied Emperor Palpatine to Mustafar in Revenge of the Sith and, as shown in The Clone Wars, worked alongside Yoda early in the war. Others include Commander Fox, known for assisting Padmé Amidala and Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (and later pursuing Ahsoka Tano), and Commander Thorn, who made a valiant last stand on Scipio. Unfortunately, due to their proximity to Palpatine, shock troopers often found themselves in more antagonistic roles even before his coup.

10 Clone Gunners

The Republic’s Weapon Specialists

While all clone troopers were more than proficient in the use of various special weapons and vehicles, some clones underwent specialized training and used unique equipment. Clone gunners wore specially-marked and modified standard armor, designed with reinforced sound suppression and protection against recoil. These troopers would operate heavy artillery cannons, turbolaser turrets aboard warships, and the various canons and turrets aboard Republic AT-TE walkers and HAVw A6 Juggernaut tanks.

Clone gunners also included troopers with notable skill in operating relatively smaller weapons, such as rocket launchers and other anti-vehicle weapons. Clone snipers and operators of Z-6 rotary cannons would also fall under the category of clone gunners. These weapons were not exclusive to clone gunners, however, as the Z-6 was the weapon of choice of Hevy and Commander Thorn, neither of whom were clone gunners.

9 Clone Scout Troopers

Independent & Highly Mobile Clones

Clone troopers who were specially trained and equipped for reconnaissance missions were known as clone scout troopers. Clone scout troopers wore specialized armor that was lighter and more mobile than standard clone trooper armor. While all clone troopers could travel in speedy AT-RT walkers, clone scout troopers were their most common users. The most advanced clone scout troopers had a designation exclusive to the modern canon: Advanced Recon Force (ARF) troopers.

Notably, entire contingents of standard clone troopers would sometimes use clone scout trooper gear when necessary. Commander Gree’s 41st Elite Corps used jungle camo scout armor during the Battle of Kashyyyk and Commander Cody’s 212th Attack Battalion used desert camo ARF trooper armor during the Second Battle of Geonosis. Notable clone scout troopers and ARF troopers include Stak and Razor of the 91st Mobile Reconnaissance Corps and Sergeant Boomer of the 501st Legion.

8 Clone Pilots

Among The Republic’s Most Skilled & Invaluable Clones

Naturally, the elite Starfighter Corps of the Republic Grand Army required its own specialized clone troopers. Clone pilots were as formidable in a starfighter as their brethren were on a planet’s surface, with clone pilots proving to be skilled enough to keep up with their Jedi leaders in dogfights against the Separatist forces. In addition to flying starfighters like ARC-170s and V-19 Torrents, clone pilots also flew the Clone Army’s renowned Republic Gunships and operated ground vehicles like the AT-TE walkers and HAVw A6 Juggernauts.

In the Legends continuity, all clones were culturally Mandalorians, as per their training under Jango Fett and the Cuy'val Dar, but clones formed their own distinct culture in the modern canon. For now, it seems that clone pilots are the only clones in the modern canon who remain culturally Mandalorian, as their training was handled by the elite Mandalorian pilot Fenn Rau. One ill-fated clone pilot seen in the Battle of Coruscant in Revenge of the Sith sports a Mandalorian feather logo on his helmet, a fitting detail for both continuities.

7 Shadows

Secret & Fanatical Agents Of The Empire

Early on in the Empire’s reign, members of the clone X trooper division, nicknamed “Shadows” by Captain Rex, were highly brainwashed and fanatical clones who served the Empire’s Advanced Science Division. These deadly troopers coldly carried out covert missions and would even kill their own brothers without hesitation. The shadows are featured throughout the later seasons of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, serving as ruthless adversaries to Rex’s rebel cell of clones and the Bad Batch themselves. All shadows would perish by the series finale, however.

The shadows would have a spiritual successor of sorts in the early batches of Imperial Purge Troopers, who served as the elite death squads of the Imperial Inquisition. The last clones to be grown and trained became these deadly Jedi hunters, never getting a chance to develop their own personalities and exhibit free will. As the clone Purge Troopers died out, they were immediately replaced with recruits who used the same weapons and gear as their clone predecessors.

6 Clone Trooper Flight Crew

Unarmored But No Less Vital

In the Legends continuity, clone troopers typically did not serve in the Republic Navy. While there are notable exceptions, with some properties showing Acclamator-class assault ships and Venator-class Star Destroyers crewed partially or entirely by clone troopers, the Republic Navy was mostly composed of ordinary recruited humans, including those who previously served in the Judicial Forces or local Republic Planetary Defense Forces. The modern canon had the Republic Navy consist almost entirely of clone troopers, though recruited officers would often serve as captains of vessels.

Aboard Republic Naval vessels and space stations and within Republic air bases, many clones would serve as engineers, technicians, and maintenance crews. These clones rarely saw combat and thus did not wear clone trooper armor, sporting simple suits and vests instead and earning them the nickname “soft-shells.” One such “soft-shell” was Private Switch, who proved to be every bit as tenacious and formidable as his armored brothers during the Battle of Juma 9.

5 Clone Paratroopers

The Republic’s Airborne Soldiers

Immediately recognizable thanks to their distinctive helmets, clone paratroopers were, as their name implied, clone troopers who were specially trained and equipped for high-altitude drops. The troopers wore beehive-like helmets, earning them the nickname “Beehive paratroopers,” and their gear included winged jetpacks. Clone paratroopers were found within numerous clone units, including Commander Cody’s 212th Attack Battalion, with groups of paratroopers like Parjai Squad fighting in the Battle of Utapau.

In the Legends continuity, one notable paratrooper, Sergeant Barlex, appeared in Karen Traviss’s 2007 novel Republic Commando: True Colors, working alongside Omega Squad. As a result of multiple costly conflicts with the Separatist-aligned Mandalorians, including perhaps the Mandalorian Protectors, Barlex grew to dislike the warriors, distancing himself from his cultural heritage. In the modern canon, many Imperial Purge Troopers would use the same unique helmet design as clone paratroopers.

4 Clone Blaze Troopers

Elite Infantry Support

The imposing clone blaze troopers combined specialized jet pack and flamethrower training with powerful armored exoskeletons. Blaze troopers were afforded a deadly combination of speed, strength, and durability by their gear, allowing them to fly through enemy lines through brute force, bludgeoning Separatist forces with their armor, and immolating them with their flamethrowers. The advanced troops were used as infantry support and were found in such groups as the 212th Attack Battalion and 501st Legion.

Clone blaze troopers have only appeared in the Star Wars Legends continuity thus far, with the advanced troops fighting under the command of Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Battle of Utapau. Tragically, the blaze troopers turned their skills and gear on Kenobi when Order 66 was executed, leading Obi-Wan to kill many in self-defense. Many blaze troopers were sent to the Jedi Temple during Order 66 as well, providing support to Darth Vader and brutally killing Jedi, though many would fall to the blades of Obi-Wan and Yoda when they infiltrated the Temple.

3 Covert Ops Clone Troopers

Clones With A Penchant For Dirty Work

Among the most secretive and sinister clones in the Grand Army are Covert Ops clone troopers. The few rare standard clone troopers who lacked the altruism and sense of ethics of their brothers were chosen for specialized Covert Ops training, which would be overseen by Null-class ARC troopers and former members of the Cuy’val Dar. Cover Ops clones wore purple-marked standard clone armor coated in the light-warping polymer known as reflec, making them difficult to detect through sensors and vision.

Covert Ops clone troopers typically operated in two-man squads and were assigned some of the Republic’s most morally questionable missions. This could even include hunting down and executing their own brothers if they deserted, as shown in True Colors. Chillingly, Covert Ops clone troopers operated entirely off the books, both for the public and the Republic military, existing outside the typical chain of command. Covert Ops clones, ultimately, took orders exclusively from the Office of the Supreme Chancellor.

2 Clone Shadow Troopers

The Clone Army’s Stealth Specialists

Developed and trained as the troopers of Republic Intelligence and to compensate for the Grand Army’s small number of ARC troopers, clone shadow troopers were another elite and secretive clone trooper variant. Armand Isard – the director of Republic Intelligence – devised the idea and the clone shadow troopers were deployed from the first year of the Clone Wars, though they saw far more widespread use in the war’s later years. Clone shadow troopers used unique black armor that could render them all but invisible, jam sensors, alter their body language, and use attachments to disguise the troopers as mercenaries.

Clone shadow troopers also used rare blasters that produced almost no sound and, in rare cases, invisible blaster bolts, adding to their stealth capabilities. Clone shadow troopers were invaluable to the Republic in their hunt for General Grievous and the subsequent Battle of Utapau. It was clone shadow troopers who not only located Grievous in the first place, but also installed jamming devices that allowed Commander Cody’s forces to assist Kenobi without the Separatists detecting their arrival.

1 Clone Assassins

Palpatine’s Secret Jedi-Killers

The existence of the deadly clone assassins was known to the Jedi Order, but their true purpose was kept secret. Clone assassins were commissioned by Palpatine himself and were trained specifically to fight Jedi Knights. Naturally, clone assassins accompanied Darth Vader to the Jedi Temple when Order 66 was executed, with the clones using their lethal skills and weapons to kill Padawans and full-fledged Jedi Knights alike. When Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda returned to the Jedi Temple, they cut down squads of clone assassins, albeit with difficulty.

Clone assassins wore standard clone armor, but used arm-mounted vibroblades instead of blasters. The assassins were exceptionally skilled, proving capable of dodging lightsaber strikes from some of the Jedi Order’s finest warriors. Clone assassins are among the deadliest clone trooper variants in the Republic, and are in some ways one of the Star Wars Legends continuity’s equivalents to the modern canon’s clone shadows and Purge Troopers.

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