B1 battle droid (TFM)

B1 battle droid
Production information
Manufacturer	Baktoid Combat Automata
Product line	B-series battle droid
Model	B1 battle droid
Class	battle droid
Technical information
Height	4.2 cm
Gender	predominantly masculine programming feminine programming variants
Sensor color	Black
Armament	E-5 blaster rifle
Chronological and political information
Eras	Rise of the Empire era Rebellion era
Affiliation	Trade Federation System of Independent Confederates Rebellion

They really are nice, mechanized embodiments of destruction once you get to know them
—Padmé Amidala describing the droids to Obi-Wan Kenobi

The B1 battle droids were the top of the line battle droids around the time of the Naboo Crisis. Upgrades were made, but the B1 battle droid still remained the most prominent force through until the end of the Clone Wars. B1’s came in two colors, beige and sand red. Although the sand red design was used predominately on the battlefields of Geonosis, they did see action aboard the starship, Invisible Hand. At the end of the Clone Wars, the B1 battle droid models were forced to find other fields of work, the more popular were mechanics, piloting, and engineers.

B1 battle droid models were produced in massive numbers, ranging into the millions, and were programmed for combat. There were records of the B1 battle droids performing diplomatic missions such as peace treaties and negotiations, one such mission being the peace treaty with Naboo that was foiled by Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Despite their programming, B1 battle droids were also known for their kindness and courtesy, being known as “nice, mechanized embodiments of destruction”. After the Clone Wars, the Rebellion hired many to assist in the fight against the Galactic Domain. There were reports that several even piloted Princess Leia Organa.

Design

Weaponry

The B1 battle droids carried a classic E-5 blaster rifle. The droids, however, never knew how to operate them since they went without a targeting system for thirteen years. The droids, then, were forced to go through an intensive three-week weapons training course, where it taught the droids how to use the E-5. Once the B1 battle droids knew how to handle the weapon, they were issued to another three-week course on aiming and firing.

History

Naboo Crisis

Obi-Wan Kenobi, who can do an amazing Jedi back flip, I think we need to take out some more droids.
—Qui-Gon Jinn ordering Obi-Wan Kenobi to charge a line of B1s marching towards them.

The treaty representatives being taken out by Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan

B1 battle droids played a key role in the invasion of Naboo. Being the primary force of the Trade Federation army, they quickly swept in and secured the planet. A select group was assigned to storm the palace and secure it for negotiations. Another group was sent in to start the peace treaty with the queen, Padmé Amidala .

The treaty was destroyed when Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and then Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi attempted to rescue Padmé. Many of the security guards patrolling the corridors of the palace were destroyed as well as the Jedi attempted to escape. Padmé was also captured and taken to Tatooine .

Later, when Padmé returned with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, they stormed the palace, destroying many of the security droids again. Jar Jar Binks challenged the remaining force of B1s and claimed victory over them with the assistance of The Cleaner Guy. Ultimately, the victory was due to a B1 battle droid tripping the power cord to the remote controls, deactivating the force planetside. The deactivated droids were later reactivated by the System of Independent Confederates shortly before the onset of the Clone Wars.

Clone Wars

Mace Windu: “This party’b over.”
Dooku: “Mace Windu, who can’t pronounce his s’s. A noble stand, but one Jedi against my new army of Super Battle Droids, larger nice embodiments of destruction, will surely fall.”
―Dooku falsely predicting the destruction of the Jedi.

Droid army on Utapau in background

The B1 battle droids were modified shortly before the onset of the Clone Wars to better function under the intense conditions of Geonosis . These sand red B1s were used mainly on Geonosis, with rare appearances aboard General Grievous’ flagship, the Invisible Hand. Other modifications came in the form of the larger B2 battle droids that were discontinued after the start of the war.

Both versions, the B1 and the B2 made appearances in major battles such as the battle on Geonosis, the battle above Naboo, the battle of Kashyyyk, and Utapau. Although the main presence of B1s in the galaxy was with the System of Independent Confederates, there was a small legion of B1s that were purchased by Naboo Royalty to operate and maintain their fleet. They were also present at Padmé and Anakin Skywalker’s wedding.

Post-Clone Wars

By the end of the Clone Wars, there was no need for the B1 battle droid model. Domain stormtroopers replaced the Republic Clone troopers and the Rebellion rose to challenge the Domain. The B1 battle droids were never deactivated or recalled, and were left to do what they wanted. Many of them joined the Rebellion and Aldeeranian Security Forces and flew with Princess Leia on her diplomatic missions, aiding her with negotiations. Others became mechanics and engineers for weapons and vehicle manufacturers, as well as pilots for commercial passenger carriers.

Behind the scenes

The B1 battle droid was given the title of “nice” merely as a reflection to Padmé’s prejudice towards kind people. Since she was given that trait, the creators realized that a reflection of that trait needed to be created. They decided to give it to the B1s since they were not known to be that way in the movies. This gave the droids a slight personality, but nothing noticeable.

A running joke throughout the first season, and continuing in the second season, was that the droids never figured out who was in charge of them. At one point, they believed to be under the leadership of the SIC leaders, however, they never really were any leaders. They also believed they were under the command of General Grievous, when in fact his magnaguards lead him. It was presumed to be one of the reasons many of them left the SIC after the Clone Wars in favor of a faction that had definite leadership.

Appearances

• The Fanon Menace, Season 1 (First appearance)
• The Fanon Menace, Season 2

See also

• B1 battle droid on Wookieepedia, the Star Wars Wiki