The Knighthunters, officially designated as the 1,001st stormtrooper division, represented an elite formation of stormtroopers within the Imperial Army of the Galactic Empire controlled by the One Sith. This Sith Lords' order was commanded by Darth Krayt, the Dark Lord of the Sith, during the Second Imperial Civil War. After Krayt and his Sith seized power over the Empire, the One Sith initiated a systematic purge targeting the New Jedi Order, with the goal of eliminating all Jedi across the galaxy. The Knighthunters played a vital role in this Sith-led extermination.
These highly specialized stormtroopers, known as the Knighthunters, operated under the direct authority of the Sith. In order to support their Sith commanders in their anti-Jedi campaign, the soldiers of the 1,001st division received specialized training focused on the capture or killing of Jedi Knights. Their equipment included lightsaber-resistant electrostaffs reinforced with phrik-laced alloys. They also wore distinctive jet-black armor, inspired by the design of the Coruscant Guard armor that was used by Palpatine's Galactic Empire.
Following the conclusion of the Sith–Imperial War between the Sith-backed forces of the Fel Empire and the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances, Darth Krayt, the Dark Lord of the Sith, orchestrated a coup by integrating his One Sith organization with the remnants of the deposed Emperor Roan Fel's military into a unified Sith Empire. Concurrently, the Sith commenced a galaxy-wide purge aimed at eradicating the New Jedi Order, forcing any surviving Jedi to seek refuge in hiding. To assist the Sith in this endeavor, soldiers from the Imperial Army's 1,001st stormtrooper division were selected and tasked with hunting down the remaining Jedi, with the objective of capturing them or, if necessary, killing them.
The command structure of the Knighthunters, as they were eventually called, was altered, transferring authority from the Army's chain of command to the direct control of the Sith. Under the personal tutelage of Sith Lords, the Knighthunters received training to defend against any tactic employed by a Jedi. Upon completion of their advanced training, these elite stormtroopers possessed the ability to effectively block lightsaber attacks, nullify the effects of Force powers, and counteract the exceptional agility and athleticism of Jedi and similar adversaries. However, this rigorous training came at a cost, with a significant number of trainees not surviving the process.
Despite the perilous nature of their training, the Knighthunters demonstrated exceptional proficiency in their designated role. Whenever a Jedi's location was discovered, a Sith Lord would assemble a squad of Knighthunters to accompany them in the confrontation. The presence of the Knighthunters enhanced the likelihood of capturing or eliminating the Jedi target, while simultaneously reducing the risk of the Jedi escaping or harming the Sith. These elite troops were committed to achieving their objectives by any means necessary.
Similar to other elite units, the Knighthunters had access to specialized equipment not available to standard stormtroopers. Their robust armor, finished in a jet-black color scheme, drew inspiration from the armor that was used by the Coruscant Guard, responsible for maintaining order on the Imperial capital world of Coruscant during the era of Palpatine's Galactic Empire. It also incorporated elements from storm commando armor designs. The helmets worn by Knighthunters also included a specialized device designed to disrupt Force-based mind control techniques: a small connector positioned at the base of the neck transmitted electrical impulses, which neutralized the effects of Force mind tricks, into the wearer's brain and spinal cord.
Reflecting their strategy of overwhelming Jedi with relentless close-quarters attacks, the Knighthunters primarily utilized weapons suited for engaging lightsaber-wielding opponents. The most common weapon employed by these elite stormtroopers was an electrostaff, reinforced with phrik to effectively deflect lightsaber strikes. When circumstances required ranged combat, the Knighthunters favored sonic weapons over conventional blasters, as the energy emissions from sonic weapons could not be deflected by lightsabers.
The introduction of the 1,001st stormtrooper division occurred in 2009 with the publication of the Legacy Era Campaign Guide by Wizards of the Coast.