Fate of the Droid Army After the Clone Wars in Star Wars Canon

Introduction

The classic battles in the Star Wars universe have seen the rise and fall of many forces, among which the Droid Army stands out as a formidable and iconic part of the galactic conflict. After the conclusion of the Clone Wars, what happened to this massive force? Dive into the rich lore of Star Wars to uncover their ultimate fate.

Shutdown and Scrap

One of the most impactful post-Clone Wars events was Darth Vader's order to shut down all droids. The Star Wars Rebels episode "The Last Battle" sheds light on how this order was carried out. On Mustafar, General Kalani of the Separatist Droid Army managed to override the shutdown command, continuing his operations. However, it's likely that the majority of the droids were deactivated or scrapped.

The Empire, despite its own droid manufacturing capabilities, lacked the support from CIS manufacturers like Baktoid Workshop. This, combined with limited budgetary resources, meant that only a few, more expensive droids like the Super Battle Droids and Destroyer Droids were preserved for use. The less capable and more numerous battle droids were either dismantled or rendered redundant.

Repurposing and Scrapping

After the shutdown and deactivation, many droids found new roles in the galaxy. Some were repurposed as laborers, melting down to provide metal for the construction of the Death Star. Others were seized for civilian use, breaking them into pieces for a myriad of odd jobs. A few were even used for stormtrooper training, creating a grim training ground for the Empire's forces.

More alarmingly, a large graveyard of droids has been documented on some far-flung planets. These droids, left to their own devices over the years, might have harbored ambitions of their own, posing a potential threat to the Empire.

Counterproductive Tactics and Hidden Forces

It's important to consider General Kalani's actions in Star Wars Rebels' "The Last Battle". While he successfully overrode the shutdown command, it's possible that other droids understood the shutdown trick too and managed to avoid deactivation. If this were true, a significant portion of the Droid Army could have remained active and potentially used against the Empire.

The Empire's lack of interest in exploring and controlling distant planets might have inadvertently allowed some droids to thrive. These forces, if discovered, would have been a formidable challenge, especially with the potential to reform and fight back against the Empire.

Thus, while most droids were scrapped or deactivated, the potential for a hidden, resilient force to emerge and challenge the Empire remains a compelling aspect of the Star Wars saga.

About the Author

This article offers an in-depth look at the Droid Army's fate after the Clone Wars, drawing from established Star Wars lore and fan theories. Stay tuned for more insights into the galaxy far, far away!