in:Legends articles,Clone trooper variants

Biker Advanced Recon Commando

<Biker Advanced Recon Commando

Edit

This article details a subject that falls under the Legends continuity.

Click here for Wookieepedia's article on the Canon version of this subject.

This article covers the Legends version of this subject.

Biker Advanced Recon Commando

General information

Organization type

Advanced Recon Commando specialization^[1]

Location(s)

Other information

Affiliation

"Did that happen in the war? Did you get it fighting a droideka?"
"It was just a regular battle droid. But, yes, we've seen some action…"
"I bet you were very brave."

―Kennan Taanzer and a BARC trooper.^[5]

Biker Advanced Recon Commandos, known simply asBARC troopers orBARC pilots, were specializedAdvanced Recon Commando clone pilots that were trained to operate theBARC speeder, which was named after them. Distinguished by their uniquehelmets, theGrand Army of the Republic's BARCtroopers participated in theClone Wars between theGalactic Republic and theConfederacy of Independent Systems, and later served under theGalactic Empire asclone stormtroopers.

Description[]

Overview[]

Biker Advanced Recon Commandos,^[7] known simply as BARCtroopers^[8] or BARCpilots, were specializedAdvanced Recon Commando clone pilots that were trained to drive theBiker Advanced Recon Commando speeder, which was originally named and designed for them.^[1] Due to their specialized training, BARC troopers could operate their speeders over hazardous terrain at over 500kilometers per hour.^[9] Some BARC troopers were also trained asclone scout troopers.^[8]

As elitesoldiers of theGrand Army of the Republic, BARC troopers were sent on highly dangerous missions during theClone Wars against theConfederacy of Independent Systems,^[8] and were highly flexible in where they fought.^[9] Multiple units fielded BARC troopers during the war, including the91st Mobile Reconnaissance Corps,^[4] the501st Legion's Triton Squad,^[10] the327th Star Corps,^[9] and asquad on theplanet Eriadu.^[11]

Equipment and armor[]

Clone BARC troopers wore specializedPhase II clone trooper armor with a uniquehelmet, based on the helmet worn byclone assassins,^[9] equipped withsensor feeds that enhanced performance and reaction time,^[1] as well as an enhancedbreath filter.^[12] Some BARC troopers customized their Phase IIarmor with an addedARC command sash and further distinguished their armor withcolored marking that designated their unit affiliation.^[13] BARC trooper helmets could also be equipped withmacrobinoculars.^[1] BARC troopers that were trained asclone scout troopers wore camouflagedclone scout trooper armor.^[8]

Although they were consideredpilots, Biker Advanced Recon Commandos also fought separately from their vehicles and were known to wield differentweapons during the war,^[3] includingDC-15S blaster carbines,DC-15A blaster rifles,DC-17 hand blasters,^[14]flamethrowers,WESTAR-M5 blaster rifles,^[10]chainguns, andelectromagnetic pulse launchers. As their name implied, the main weapon and vehicle of the Biker Advanced Recon Commandos was the BARCspeeder. It gave the troopers increased mobility and the ability to carry more firepower than the standardinfantry clone trooper.^[8]

History[]

Galactic Republic[]

Due to the speeder's rise in popularity with normal clone troopers, Biker Advanced Recon Commandos were no longer the sole drivers of the BARC speeder by the end of the war.

Originally created to operate the Galactic Republic's BARC speeders, Biker Advanced Recon Commandos were the first soldiers to use the vehicle during the Clone Wars, before it was eventually given out to other clone troopers due to its immense popularity in the Grand Army of the Republic.^[15]

Seeing deployment as early as20 BBY, BARC trooperCommander Neyo brought hisDUM-series pit droid WAC-47 to theJedi Temple communication center onCoruscant.^[2] Later, Neyo attended theRepublic strategy conference aboard theValor space station.^[16] BARC troopers were also active in19 BBY, seeing action during theBattle of Kashyyyk, where BARC troopers faced Separatistbattle droids on thebeaches ofKachirho.^[3]

Following theBattle of Saleucami in 19 BBY,^[4] clone BARC troopers of the 91st Mobile Reconnaissance Corps patrolled theplanet's surface, before receivingcontingency Order 66 fromSupreme Chancellor Palpatine. The 91st's BARC troopers, includingclone trooper commander Neyo andCT-3423, enacted the order—killing theirJedi General Stass Allie.^[17] The 91st's BARC troopers alsoenacted the order onBogden 3, executingJedi Masters Sian Jeisel andDu Mahn.^[5]

Galactic Empire[]

"Blast! Where did it go?"
"What does it matter? The Jedi are dead—most of 'em. Those left are scattered."
"Order 66 remains in effect. We see one, we kill it. Same as the rest."

―A clone stormtrooper officer and an Imperial BARC trooper.^[6]

Imperial BARC troopers hunt down Tsui Choi.

Following therise of theGalactic Empire, all clone troopers were reorganized asclone stormtroopers of the new Imperial regime.^[18] On the planet Eriadu, asquad of Imperial BARC troopers, led by aclone trooper commander, attempted to execute Order 66 onTsui Choi, but were all killed in the process by theAleena Jedi Master.^[6]

On Kashyyyk, Biker Advanced Recon Commmandos of Triton Squad assisted in theenslavement of Kashyyyk, helpingburn downWookiee settlements on the planet, but were eventually thwarted and killed byChewbacca andTarfful.^[10]

Behind the scenes[]

Biker Advanced Recon Commandos first appeared, albeit unnamed, inStar Wars: Episode IIIRevenge of the Sith, a2005 film written and directed byGeorge Lucas.^[4] They were later identified in a teaser for theStar Wars Galaxies: Rage of the Wookiees expansion for theStar Wars Galaxiesvideo game, hosted on the game's official website in the same year.^[7]