Star Wars: The Bad Batch TK Troopers: Who Are They?

If you’ve been keeping up with Star Wars: The Bad Batch, you will have noticed that there’s a new addition to the evil Imperial army. The show takes place between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, and tracks the transition from Galactic Republic to Empire. One key element of this is the change in soldiers used by the Empire. That’s where the TK Troopers come in. We’ll be breaking down who the Bad Batch TK Troopers are, and what they mean in relation to the rest of the galaxy.

Who are the TK Troopers in The Bad Batch? 

Sharp-eyed Star Wars fans will recognise the design of the newly revealed TK Troopers. If you think they look like early concept Stormtroopers, then you’re exactly right. Their design is based on artist Ralph McQuarrie’s original concept sketches of Stormtroopers from the 1970s, when Star Wars was first in development.

As a nod to the saga’s history, this new type of trooper is a direct replica of McQuarrie’s designs. Everything from their visor, which almost looks like sunglasses, to the bulky tubes on each side of their helmet, is identical to early concept art.

More than just an interesting design, the TK Troopers will also usher in a change of ideology from the Empire. At the start of The Bad Batch, Imperial Admiral Rampart expressed his dislike for Clone Troopers, preferring human soldiers. The TK Troopers are the first time that the Empire has used exclusively humans as their manpower. That makes them an important stepping stone, between the homogenous Clone army, and the human Stormtroopers we all know. Therefore, they’re not just a homage to McQuarrie, but a crucial shift in Imperial history too.

In Star Wars news, a new LEGO Star Wars Halloween special was announced earlier this week. We’ve also got our first impressions of the Back 4 Blood beta.