B1-series battle droid

B1-series battle droids were humanoid fourth class battle droids with a height of 1.93 meters. The OOM-series battle droid represented a specific variant within the B1-series, while the 631 model B1 battle droids was a more economical version. In contrast to earlier B1 battle droids, later models could function without a central command signal. Central Control Computer were situated within an orbiting Droid Control Ship. The Trade Federation utilized Central Control Computers to reduce production costs associated with individual droids. By the time the Confederacy of Independent Systems employed B1s, the battle droid had undergone redesigns to eliminate the need for a central command signal. These updated B1s possessed a limited capacity for independent thought, leading them to perceive themselves as "independent thinkers." Despite the introduction of the new model within the Separatist Droid Army, older B1 models controlled by central computers remained in use, such as RB-551, a B1 battle droid who served as part as a droid patrol during the Battle of Ryloth. Central Control Computers were still utilized due to battle droids that required them, as was on the Subjugator-class heavy cruiser, Malevolence, but the battle droids of the Separatists had been upgraded by the Geonosians to possess autonomous thinking.

The Trade Federation specifically requested the humanoid design of the B1 model for practical reasons. This form factor allowed B1s to operate existing machinery, vehicles, and weaponry designed for organic operators, thereby minimizing production costs and the need for retrofitting. B1s were capable of piloting Single Trooper Aerial Platforms, Armored Assault Tanks, Multi-Troop Transports, and Federation battleships, among other vessels. However, the limited programming of B1 battle droids often hindered their effectiveness in these roles. During the Ambush on Rugosa, a B1 battle droid operating the laser cannons on a Munificent-class star frigate failed to hit any Republic escape pods. When questioned by the OOM command battle droid in command of the frigate, the droid attributed its poor performance to flawed programming. The limited programming of the B1 battle droids also made them unfit to serve many of the jobs they were tasked with on the advanced Subjugator-class heavy cruiser Malevolence, during the Malevolence Campaign.

The B1 battle droid's body was engineered to fold into a compact configuration for storage and transport. This configuration allowed for the storage of one hundred and twelve B1 battle droids within a Multi-Troop Transport. B1 battle droids could also assume this configuration when low on power to conserve energy. Upon activation, the B1's limbs unfolded first, followed by its elongated neck. The design of B1 battle droids also mirrored that of their Geonosian creators, and they were inexpensive to manufacture. The low cost of B1s often led to the sacrifice of entire battalions for strategic gains.

B1 battle droids featured a comlink positioned below their head, and their photoreceptors could switch to an infrared mode. They also possessed the ability to detect electromagnetic fields, such as those emitted by holoprojectors. B1 battle droids were equipped with simple vocabulators, which typically produced high-pitched voices, although some B1s spoke in lower, more monotone tones. These droids could express various emotions through their voices, including fear, confusion, and excitement, which stemmed from programming glitches.

While inexpensive and constructed from durable metal, the droid's signal-receiver assembly was not well-protected against blaster fire or lightsabers, which could easily destroy a B1. Another vulnerability, often targeted by snipers, was the droid's capacitors; striking between the capacitors could disable the unit. Despite these tactics employed by the Republic, Clone Captain Rex informed the Onderon rebels that the most effective way to neutralize a battle droid was to target its head, as the droids could still transmit intelligence even without their bodies.

The B1 was designed for ease of control, cost-effective mass production, and unquestioning obedience; however, B1s frequently questioned their orders. During the Battle of Quell, T-series tactical droid TF-1726 ordered the destruction of Jedi General Aayla Secura's Venator-class Star Destroyer. A B1 battle droid dissented, pointing out the presence of hundreds of droids aboard the cruiser that had been sent to attack the Republic Star Destroyer earlier in the battle. TF-1726 dismissed the concern and insisted on the order's execution. Another instance occurred when a B1 questioned the bounty hunter Cad Bane's decision to withhold reinforcements from the vulture droids engaged with Republic forces during the Battle of Devaron. Later in the battle, two B1s expressed anxiety about defending the ship's bridge, recognizing that the few stationed droids would be facing two incoming Jedi. During a sandstorm in the final acts of the Second Battle of Geonosis, O.M.5 and another B1 battle droid inquired about Separatist Council member Poggle the Lesser's destination, but continued to follow him as long as they could.

These instances of B1s questioning and commenting on orders exemplify the "banter" and other remarks commonly made by B1 battle droids. Additional examples include two B1 battle droids discussing the need for head adjustments due to high moisture levels on their station, Skytop Station. Another instance involved a group of B1 battle droids expressing their belief in their superiority over older RB-551 models.

B1 battle droids also made other comments while on duty, such as one B1 battle droid remarking on the beauty of the planet Hissrich, and another insulting Republic clone troopers during the Battle of Teth, calling the clones of Torrent Company "Republic dogs." One B1 battle droid appeared to consider itself superior to the astromech droids of D-Squad, referring to them as "stupid astromechs." These "personality quirks" were the result of programming glitches. Despite their dim-wittedness, no attempt was made to correct these issues, as the droids were still capable of effective swarm tactics, and advanced programming was deemed unnecessary.

Individual B1 battle droids were ineffective soldiers against enemies like clone troopers, so they primarily relied on mass-assault tactics to achieve victory, a strategy made viable by their low cost. While later models possessed limited independent thought, B1 battle droids had limited intelligence compared to other soldiers and required a superior commander for effective leadership in battle. Motion-capture data from highly trained organic droids enabled B1s to exhibit a range of combat stances, positions, and maneuvers. Despite their advantages, B1s were as vulnerable to EMP weapons as other droids. The Gungan Grand Army employed this tactic during the Battle of Naboo using boomas against the Trade Federation Droid Army, and the Republic also utilized this advantage during the Clone Wars. Clone troopers used Electro Magnetic Pulse grenades, nicknamed "droid poppers," against B1s and other battle droids, and the Republic would develop the electro-proton bomb, capable of short-circuiting entire droid armies.

In the field, B1 droids commonly used E-5 blaster rifles and wore comlink booster packs. They were also equipped with electrobinoculars and thermal detonators. During the Battle of Ryloth, two B1s in Nabat used electropoles to force Gutkurrs to attack Ghost Company. B1 battle droids were programmed to never surrender, but were also capable of self-preservation and could attempt to escape potential destruction. B1 battle droids outranked Confederate astromech droids and could hold military ranks such as sergeant and lieutenant. They could also serve as scouts for military operations and as gunners to operate heavy artillery, such as the laser cannons on Armored Assault Tanks. B1 battle droids were able to operate in space.

B1 battle droids were manufactured by Baktoid Combat Automata and Baktoid Armor Workshop, with the latter contracting the Geonosians for droid and weapon construction. The Geonosians designed the B1 battle droids, and B1s were constructed in their droid foundries on Geonosis, enabling mass production. Archduke Poggle the Lesser also received support from the Trade Federation's benefactor Darth Sidious, resulting in the production of millions of B1 battle droids on Geonosis for the Trade Federation.

In 32 BBY, Prop 31-814D made Free Trade Zones subject to taxation, prompting the Trade Federation to initiate a blockade of Naboo. The Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn were dispatched to negotiate with the Federation, but the negotiations were sabotaged when Darth Sidious instructed Viceroy Nute Gunray to kill the Jedi. Despite the Jedi's escape, the Trade Federation launched an invasion of Naboo to force Queen Padmé Amidala to sign a treaty legitimizing the occupation. During the Battle of Naboo, B1s engaged the Gungan Grand Army at the Great Grass Plains, gaining the upper hand. This was a diversion to draw the main droid forces away from Naboo's capital city of Theed, which had been occupied since its capture by the Federation. In Theed, they clashed with the Royal Naboo Security Forces under Queen Padmé Amidala's command. The droids were ultimately deactivated when the Trade Federation's orbiting Droid Control Ship was destroyed by Anakin Skywalker.

The Trade Federation's loss of thousands of B1 battle droids during the Battle of Naboo highlighted the droid's weaknesses. While effective at intimidating civilians, the B1 proved no match for trained soldiers. These lessons prompted the Techno Union to develop the B2 super battle droid, a heavy infantry model designed specifically for combat, but also would also see other uses. The Trade Federation allied itself with the growing Confederacy of Independent Systems. By the [Clone Wars](/article/clone_wars], Separatist leaders recognized the vulnerability of networked control centers for B1s, and the reliance on a central command signal, the tactic that had cost the Federation the Battle of Naboo, was eventually eliminated from the B1 battle droids. The new B1 model, capable of operating without a control ship, possessed limited independent thought and regarded themselves as "independent thinkers." Older models controlled by central computers remained in use, despite the newer model of B1, and the computers were used to give commands to droids performing complicated technical duties.

In the year 22 BBY, which was a decade following the Battle of Naboo, the Trade Federation supplied B1 battle droids to the Confederacy of Independent Systems. This Confederacy was a separatist group made up of wealthy business owners and dissatisfied individuals from the Outer Rim Territories, forming the Droid Army of the Confederacy. The Separatist Crisis rapidly escalated into open warfare at the First Battle of Geonosis, marking the official declaration of war by the Separatists against the Galactic Republic and its newly deployed clone army. This conflict became known as the Clone Wars. Throughout the Clone Wars, the B1 battle droid was the most prevalent type of battle droid, with billions deployed. Often, a battlefield would feature one hundred B1 battle droids for every single B2 super battle droid. However, despite their overwhelming numbers, their effectiveness was less than that of the Republic's skilled clone troopers. Many Separatist leaders, most notably General Grievous, the Supreme Commander of the Droid Army, grew frustrated with the B1's frequent failures during the war. B1 battle droids were deployed throughout the entirety of the Clone Wars and, when not actively fighting on the front lines, they served as security forces on Separatist planets and at military installations such as ships and bases.

During the Battle of Horain, B1 battle droids were among the Separatist forces present. While Obi-Wan Kenobi and Captain Rex were attempting to return to the Resolute, a blaster shot deflected by Obi-Wan struck a B1 droid in the head, causing a short circuit that led it to switch allegiance and fight for the Republic. Beyond their engagements against the Republic, these droids were also used against other adversaries of the Confederacy, such as the Nightsisters during the Battle of Dathomir and Darth Maul's Shadow Collective during the Confederacy's campaign against the group. Throughout the Clone Wars, Republic forces commonly referred to the droids as "clankers" and "tinnies".

Sometime between 22 BBY and 19 BBY, a group of battle droids found themselves on the deserted planet of Opop Hibbedit. A tactical droid decided that they should relocate their search, and the group departed in an MTT. During the departure, one of the droids fell out into the jungle below due to improperly secured straps. After eventually rejoining his squad, he once again fell out.

The extensive use of droids in warfare resulted in a surge of anti-droid propaganda following the Clone Wars. The Galactic Empire, a totalitarian regime that succeeded the Republic, outlawed the B1 battle droid and other war-specific droids in response to the widespread destruction caused by the Clone Wars. Stormtroopers were instructed to destroy the droids on sight. Following the Clone Wars, B1 droids became scarce and were often remembered as an ineffective fighting force. However, these leftover droids could still pose a threat to the unsuspecting. The super tactical droid General Kalani maintained command of a substantial garrison of battle droids and droidekas located at a wrecked Separatist supply ship on Agamar. Kalani did not issue the shut-down code that was issued years prior, as he believed it was a Republic ruse. When the rebel group known as the Spectres, along with Captain Rex, made contact with the Separatist holdouts, the two groups united to repel an Imperial assault. With the assistance of two Jedi, Kalani and a number of his B1 battle droids managed to flee the planet aboard a Sheathipede-class transport shuttle. This mission led to Kalani and Rex unofficially acknowledging the end of the Clone Wars, which they both accepted.

On the planet Koboh, B1 battle droids and other former Separatist units were reprogrammed and employed as soldiers by the Bedlam Raiders.

During the Imperial Era, a group consisting of two B1 battle droids and one B2 battle droid engaged in combat alongside a group of Jawas against two traders from the Outer Rim Territories and a squad of Imperial stormtroopers, including an Imperial officer. All three factions were attempting to steal Tusken Wind from a Tusken Raider encampment in the Dune Sea, which resulted in a shootout.

Between 3 ABY and 4 ABY, a B1-series battle droid missing its arms and legs, along with three super battle droids, were observed at Slade's Repairs while the bounty hunter Valance was having his cybernetics repaired. After Valance and Cadeliah escaped an attack by Zuckuss and 4-LOM, Zuckuss determined that the battle droids could be useful.

During the Galactic Civil War, several B1 battle droids were among the rebuilt battle droids located in Ruen's workshop on the Wreck Belt. Ruen was known for mistreating his droids, maintaining control through control loops and ethical programming. Ruen activated many of his battle droids, including B1 battle droids and B2 super battle droids, to capture the assassin droids 0-0-0 and BT-1 who were present for business. BT-1 quickly destroyed all of the droids Ruen had activated, forcing Ruen to assist the two assassin droids. Following this, BT-1 hacked into the remaining droids and removed the restraints Ruen had placed, which 0-0-0 considered an act of emancipation. Ruen attempted to contact Quarantine World III to report 0-0-0, but the now-freed B1s and other battle droids turned against him. The droids killed Ruen and destroyed the workshop while BT-1 and 0-0-0 watched from a distance. As they departed the Wreck Belt, they discussed their belief that improved treatment of droids by organics could prevent violence between the two groups.

Prior to the Battle of Endor, Emperor Palpatine acquired a B1 battle droid for display within the Palpatine Archive.

During the final months of the Galactic Civil War, when thugs observed the modified battle droid Mister Bones deployed by Temmin Wexley on Akiva against them, they initially mocked the droid due to the model's reputation for failure. However, this particular droid had been extensively modified and proved to be highly effective.

On the planet Plazir-15, numerous B1 battle droids were repurposed for civilian tasks, with one serving as a foreman overseeing a workforce of B2-series super battle droids.

While searching for the droid SM-33 during his escape from Borgo Prime, the pirate Jod Na Nawood briefly activated a B1 battle droid to determine if it was SM-33. Upon activation, the battle droid confusedly inquired, "did we win?" before Na Nawood deactivated it.

Following the fall of the Empire, some surviving Imperials, including Grand Admiral Rae Sloane, fled into the Unknown Regions and secretly began preparing to reclaim galactic power by establishing the Empire's successor state, the First Order. The Resurgent-class Star Destroyer, developed by Kuat-Entralla Engineering, became a staple Star Destroyer of the First Order Navy. At some point, a group of at least four B1 battle droids engaged in a firefight within the hangar of a Resurgent-class Star Destroyer. Despite one of the droids being destroyed, the remaining three B1s continued to fire their blasters.

Notable individual B1 battle droids include the OOM command battle droids OOM-9 and 224. Among the B1 battle droids left over from the Clone Wars was a unit that went rogue, assuming a neutral, yet malevolent, role in galactic affairs as a bounty hunter. By the time he was involved in a battle, the B1 was heavily modified, with at least his upper body looking almost entirely different from that of his brethren. The bounty hunter B1 was also equipped with a red cape and a vibroblade, which had the word "armblade" written on it. During the Galactic Civil War, the modified battle droid Mister Bones served as a companion to Temmin Wexley. Following the Rebellion on Akiva, Bones and Temmin joined the New Republic. Another B1 battle droid was R0-GR, a veteran of the Clone Wars who later served the Freemakers.

The B1 battle droids, which were designed to fight in uniformity, were only distinguished by numerical markings on the backs of their comlink booster packs. Command structure and function was designated by distinct, colored markings on their armor. These units, the OOM-series battle droids, were denoted by color. Blue denoted pilot droids, red denoted security droids, and yellow denoted command droids.

• AAT Driver Battle Droid —A B1 variant equipped with green markings that were specialized in operating AATs. [13]
• B1 melee battle droid —A B1 battle droid series that specialized in melee combat; only used by the Bedlam Raiders in times after the Clone Wars. [31]
• B1-series rocket battle droid —Standard B1 droids that were specifically modified to hunt down escape pods in space. [91] They donned rocket packs and were distinguished by their orange and black colored bodies. [92]
• B1 grapple droid —A B1 variant that were specialized in hand-to-hand combat and had white and green plating. [93]
• B1 recon droid —A variant of the B1 that was specifically designed and used for reconnaissance. [93]
• B1 repeater blaster droid —A B1 variant that utilized a repeating blaster . The droid had the same markings as the standard B1 battle droid. [93]
• B1 rocket launcher droid —Specific B1 units equipped with a missile launcher . [93]
• Droid worker — [94] Modified B1 battle droids created by Karina . [95]
• Firefighter battle droid — [96] B1s tasked to suppress and extinguish fires. Firefighter droids were positioned aboard the Malevolence during the Republic's assault on the vessel. Their bodies were mostly colored black with yellow stripes, and a single red spot could be found on their heads. [97]
• Grenade droid [98] —B1s [99] who served as grenadiers . [98]
• Heavy Battle Droid —B1s designed to support heavy fire in battle. Armed with E-5Cs , these battle droids were capable of wielding heavy weaponry such as Z-6 rotary blaster cannons . They were identifiable by the overall gray body and dark red paintings. [100]

B1 battle droids made their debut in the 1999 film Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace.

In the mid-1990s, Doug Chiang's initial designs for the battle droids were a tribute to the helmets worn by stormtroopers in the original trilogy, hinting at the evolution of large-scale combat in the Star Wars universe. The final droid's proportions are reminiscent of African sculpture. Early designs featured towering droids twice the height of humans, but subsequent iterations reduced their height to human size.

The mechanical sounds of their movements were recorded years prior by Ben Burtt during the filming of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. The sound of the servomotors of Jabba's puppet caught his attention and he recorded it, eventually using it for The Phantom Menace.

The droids speak with a monotonic voice, performed by different actors. Initially, Burtt considered recording words independently, without intonation, and then synthesizing them into phrases. This effect, similar to automated answering machines, would emphasize their low intelligence. This concept was abandoned because it made them too impersonal and unintelligent, lacking a "sense of purpose and will to survive".

The beginning of E. K. Johnston's 2019 novel Queen's Shadow depicts the capture of Padmé Amidala and members of her royal entourage during the Invasion of Naboo by Trade Federation droids. While the text does not specify the droid model, the history gallery for the battle droid's entry on the StarWars.com Databank had previously confirmed that B1-series droids captured Amidala, confirming that these units were B1s. The next novel in Johnston's series was the prequel Queen's Peril in 2020. While it also does not specify which battle droid models appear, the book adapts a number of scenes from Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. As The Phantom Menace visually depicted B1s as being the battle droids in many of the scenes adapted by the novel, B1s can also be confirmed to appear in Queen's Peril.

Darth Vader (2020) 8 and Darth Vader (2020) 9 introduced the Droid Crush Pirates of Bestoon and showcased that many of its members are droids that use B1 parts for their bodies. When the Droid Crush returned in Adam Christopher's novel Shadow of the Sith, several of the units were described as being "almost skeletal" droids with "large, almost bulbous" heads, matching the depiction of the B1-derived droid pirates seen in Star Wars: Darth Vader. Christopher confirmed on Twitter that those droids seen in the novel are the same as those pictured in the comics. Christopher also confirmed several droids in Kiza's droid army were B1 battle droids.

The 2018 reference book Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary, New Edition identified the OOM-series battle droid and stated they had been created before the B1-series. However, 2015's Ultimate Star Wars and 2019's Ultimate Star Wars, New Edition both contain battle droid pages that list the model as B1. Therefore, all information on the page applies to the B1 battle droid, but the section also mentions the security, pilot, and command droids that The Complete Visual Dictionary treated as predecessors. Additionally, both versions of Ultimate Star Wars state that OOM-9 is an OOM command battle droid and a B1. Another 2019 reference book, Star Wars Character Encyclopedia, New Edition, similarly included a battle droid page that listed the droid type as a B1, but it also included information on pilot battle droids. Star Wars Battlefront II and Star Wars: Droidography both also state B1s served as pilot droids. The battle droid Databank entry on StarWars.com does not mention a difference in model despite including information involving B1s and OOMs. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Visual Dictionary later established that the OOM-series was a mark of the B1 line. Given that the majority of sources treat the OOM-series as part of the B1-series, this article assumes Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary, New Edition is incorrect.