In the minds of moviegoers, the Imperial Stormtrooper from Star Wars is one of the most recognizable faces of evil. This image is exactly what George Lucas intended, modeling them and the rest of the Galactic Empire after the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany in WW2. Stormtroopers symbolize death and destruction, serving as the common footsoldier in the Imperial Army. Though Stormtroopers have also grown famous for being terrible shots, fans should not perceive them as inept soldiers. Stormtroopers only miss the main characters in the original trilogy because obviously, if any of them were to get hit, Star Wars would have been a fast set of movies.
Some fans remain fascinated by the ultimate might of the Empire as a political force in the galaxy. They appear as an unbeatable, overwhelming roadblock in the path of the Rebel Alliance, and that alone makes them compelling in the minds of so many. At the head of this fascination is the Imperial Stormtrooper. Different Stormtrooper units served unique purposes in the Galactic Civil War, with four specific types of Stormtroopers -- Death Troopers, Dark Troopers, Shock Troopers and Shadow Troopers -- being the best of the best, aiding the Empire in its most paramount missions. As for who is the deadliest, however, an argument can be made for each.
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The Galactic Empire's Military Escort
Introduced in Rogue One, Death Troopers serve as the Imperial Army's most prestigious unit of Stormtrooper, most notably tasked with escorting high-ranking Imperial officers through uncertain conditions. It is no easy task to opt for Death Trooper training, with candidates chosen only for their impeccable marksmanship and undying loyalty to the Empire. Every aspect of a Death Trooper is unique, from their jet-black armor to their encrypted speech patterns. Their expressionless armor instills fear in their enemies, almost making these troops look beyond human. What makes their armor so effective, however, is its advanced technology. The Death Trooper helmet includes advanced targeting systems -- allowing for almost peak accuracy -- and built-in communication devices, giving them a tactical advantage in battle.
As for effectiveness, Death Troopers prove to be utterly reliable. Undergoing years of rigorous training that could arguably stand up to the powers of a Jedi, these elite troops tout their marksmanship and expertise in guerrilla combat. Though primarily used for escort, they also conduct some of the Empire's most dire missions, showcasing their aptitude for stealth and surprise attacks. Every Death Trooper lives by a strict lethal combat doctrine, enacting a complete and swift end for all enemies. If survivors remain after Death Troopers have swept an area, they won't be alive for long.
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Star Wars' Covert Stormtrooper Spies
Shadow Troopers follow a less political role than their Death Troopers counterparts. They are known by the galaxy at large as little more than a myth, operating in the shadows to conduct the Empire's secret missions. Also following a strict training regiment, Shadow Troopers are some of the Empire's most mysterious and deranged individuals to comprise the Stormtrooper corps, with its members painfully methodical and calculated. Similar to their Death Trooper counterparts, they bear black armor but carry the ability to cloak themselves completely from enemy view -- an utterly deadly factor. The ability to turn themselves invisible effectively makes the Shadow Trooper a ghost, adding to their myth around the galaxy. This remarkable gadget makes them ideal for espionage and covert missions, allowing them to gather vital intelligence against the Rebels.
Unlike other specialized Stormtrooper units focusing on specific roles, Shadow Troopers train to be versatile and adaptable. If the need arises, they can efficiently move from stealthy scenarios to large-scale assaults, making them practical wherever needed. This flexibility ensures they can respond to changing situations swiftly and effectively, proving their worth on the battlefield.
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The Royal Guards of the Stormtroopers
The Shock Trooper is a more common unit in the Imperial Army, but that does not mean they lack worth. Their commonplace role could make them stand out as a more practical unit, with officers not worrying about stretching resources too thin to use them where needed. Their training may not be as extensive, but they make up for it in sheer numbers. These troops receive training primarily in large-scale assaults, contributing to the general war rather than secret or last-minute conflicts. Taking homage from clones who bore the same position, they are master tacticians, working alongside regular Stormtrooper units to achieve victory with fewer casualties and ultimate control. Also trained to enforce order among sizable gatherings of civilians or political prisoners, shock troopers carry an array of melee weapons and gear, including electro staffs that aid in crowd dispersal.
Emperor Palpatine handpicks the Shock Troopers to serve as his escort, forming the Coruscant Guard. They bear distinctive armor with red markings and carry only the heaviest and deadliest firepower. On one rare occasion, they hunt the Jedi Jocasta Nu, a high-value target for the Empire, when Jocasta Nu breaks into the Jedi Temple in search of a Holocron, alerting the Coruscant Guard.
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Star Wars' Elite Killing Machines
After years of Imperial testing, the Empire creates what they claim to be a super soldier, removing the human element from war altogether. A combat droid is the peak of the Empire's technological innovation, spawning the new Dark Trooper, an autonomous unit that does nothing but kill. Dark Troopers are superior to traditional stormtroopers in nearly every aspect of combat, touting their programming as infallible and utterly precise. Their programming is optimized to eliminate targets efficiently using a multitude of high-impact weapons, making them incredibly useful against infantry targets and vehicles. With such versatility in killing, these units are nearly unbeatable.
Add beskar armor, and these machines are practically invulnerable to most forms of attack. Their durability lasts further by advanced energy shielding, which can absorb incoming attacks and mitigate damage. Dark Troopers represent supreme technological innovation and combat prowess within the Empire's arsenal.
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Death Troopers Remain Star Wars' Best
In comparison, these four units all make great causes for who is the best of the best. However, what aids the Death Trooper in its grounds for the most elite is its screen time, with them being featured in multiple spin-offs. Fans see more of this unit than any other in the established Star Wars canon, so it's reasonable to say that it has the best foundation as the most elite and established unit in the Imperial Army. The other Stormtroopers would benefit from more screen time, as fans would see more of these units in combat.
In terms of skills and abilities, although Shadow Troopers benefit from their cloaking device and advanced espionage training, Death Troopers have a better general concept of combat, seeing more action and working better as a team. Shock Troopers may have greater numbers, but Death Troopers make up for it in pure finesse and military conduct. While Dark Troopers are viciously effective in combat, their movements are clunky and robotic, giving the faster Death Trooper the clear advantage.
