My Top 5 Droids in Star Wars
Despite being a big fan of Star Wars for as long as I can remember, for some reason I seem to have a bias against droids. I don’t mean to actively carry this bias, but I’m seemingly predisposed to find droids annoying. Which upon reflection, is not only a mean attitude, but also a rather reductive reading. To completely discredit a whole subset of characters based on not an awful lot of substance, isn’t something I’m particularly proud of. In fact, I’ve recently been re-watching the Star Wars films and reading a lot of the comic books, and I’m glad to say I’ve called myself out on my own bullshit. When I put some thought into it, it turns out there’s a number of droids who I not only like, but I would include among the very best Star Wars characters.
To tackle this bias against droids properly, it’s best to start by trying to understand it. I think my predisposition dates back to my early days as a Star Wars fan. There was always so much going on with Star Wars, with skilled fighters wielding literal laser swords, so droids were reduced to background furniture for me. My main exposure to droids was limited. There were some fairly cool droids in the prequel trilogy, which mainly had military applications. This included the classic B1 series droid, which would instantly collapse like a cheap umbrella whenever a Jedi Knight waved a hand in their direction. These particular droids were on the side of evil, but obviously there were bigger villains who were far more interesting. Then on the other side of the coin, The Republic/ Rebellion mainly had minor service droids who would make brief appearances. The two key headliners for the light side were C-3PO and R2-D2, who often spent the films bickering like an unhappy couple on the cusp of divorce. So if I wasn’t finding droids annoying, I would often view them as uninteresting. To an extent, some of those observations are still accurate, but there is so much more going on than younger Adam appreciated.
Obviously what I wasn’t taking into consideration is the fact droids have a vast array of uses. Hospitality, combat, medical, technical assistance, engineering and mechanics, communications and translations, the list goes on. So why should I let a couple of irritating droids tarnish the reputation of every other droid in the galaxy? Well I’m here to put things right! I’ve decided to make amends, by compiling a list of my favourite droids from the Star Wars universe.
To make sure I wasn’t approaching this with a limited view, there’s a couple of pieces of criteria I focused on:
- Design - It sounds superficial, but in a giant sci-fi opera like Star Wars, visuals are important. Ideally droids will look either like something you wouldn’t find elsewhere in pop culture, or they have a simple design executed to perfection.
- Skills/uses - As I stated above, not all droids are the same, so it’s important to make the distinction of what each of them bring to the table. Every character has a function (or functions) on their respective team, and droids are no exception.
- Function in the story - It’s rare to see a droid take centre stage, but they all still fit into the wider picture in some way. Personally, I prefer droids who are part of the story and actively engage with/ influence events.
- Personality - Many of the droids stand out as distinct characters, have a fun sense of humour, and are even sometimes flawed. I wanted to make sure there was a level of charm and likability to my choices, and there was something to emotionally engage with.
Clearly not every option on my list will tick all boxes, but these were a rough blueprint of what I was looking for. It’s also worth noting I wasn’t limiting myself merely to the films. The below list covers films, TV shows, comic books and video games. So if you’re unfamiliar with the wider universe, then this will hopefully make you want to go further afield. As someone who took the plunge and started reading the comic books, per the recommendation of my good friend Nathan, I can’t say I have any regrets. However, if you are unfamiliar with the wider universe, I have tried to include some information to make these droids accessible.
All clear? Then let’s start with my number 5 choice and work towards the obvious number 1 choice.
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5. Triple Zero (0–0–0)
This is an odd choice, because they’re a torture droid whose allegiance is to Darth Vader, however I can explain.
Obviously I haven’t placed Triple Zero on this list as an expression of admiration or appreciation of their work. They’ve made the list because they are completely different from other droids we see. They’re a skewed mirror image of C-3PO, which is always of value to the audience, because it takes something we know and completely flips it on its head. They’re a dark, sadistic droid whose intelligence and cunning are matched only by their desire to inflict pain whenever they are required to. Match this with an incredibly dark sense of humour, and you can guarantee events will take and entertaining and unsettling turn whenever they’re on the page. If this character ever makes their way to the screen, then a new generation of children are about to have Star Wars induced nightmares. Maybe even some adults too.
4. BB-8
How were they not going to make the list? This is the cute little droid who made everyone ask “R2-D2? More like R2-D who?”
I will admit this choice is 100% superficial. The main reason anyone likes BB-8 is because they’re cute as hell. The design is simple but well executed, and watching them roll around on any surface is still entertaining nearly seven years after their debut. Match this with a fun personality, a set of tools and skills they can apply practically or for comedic effect, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a droid.
I can already hear the screams of fellow fans asking why I put BB-8 on the list but not R2-D2, who is pretty much the original blueprint for this character. There were three main reasons I excluded R2 from the list:
I. The character is mainly used in a ‘deus ex machina’ capacity, seemingly doing whatever the plot needs them to do. This includes having (and then not having) technology and skills which allow the characters to move forwards on their mission. This wouldn’t be so annoying if R2 didn’t boast tools and abilities in the prequels, which are then never seen in the original trilogy. I know it’s not R2’s fault, but it’s still not something I can look past.
II. R2 is often part of a double act. When you hear the beeps and whistles of R2, they’re usually followed by the shrieks and whines of C-3PO. You can have one without the other, but it doesn’t always sit well. BB-8 at the very least doesn’t have an annoying counterpart/ soon to be ex-husband who is dragging them down across multiple films.
III. R2 is kind of an obvious choice. It doesn’t necessarily make R2 a bad choice, but it’s a pretty pedestrian choice when you consider how expansive the Star Wars universe is.
3. IG-11
This is a choice which ticks every box. They’re an important character in the first season of The Mandalorian, they’ve got the skills of a high-end bounty hunter, and they’ve also re-trained as a nurse, which adds to their functions. They’re focused on protocols, and every decision they make is based on logic and fact. This includes frequent offers to self-destruct when shit hits the fan, a function which is both entertaining and uncomfortably practical.
The most notable aspect is their exceptional design. They may look old fashioned and clunky, but they’re one of the most skilled shooters we’ve seen in the Star Wars universe. The various parts of their body can rotate 360 degrees, which means in combat they can adapt at a seconds notice. Look no further than the very first episode of The Mandalorian, where IG-11 dual-wields blasters and takes on a courtyard full of bad guys with expert marksmanship. The way his limbs and eyes rotate seamlessly in battle is almost like watching a ballet performance. A ballet with two blasters and a lot of dead bodies hitting the floor. I never said it was a perfect analogy.
Finally, this character is voiced by living legend Taika Waititi, who also directed IG-11’s second episode at the end of season one. Whether it’s on camera, behind the camera, or both, Taika Waititi is always welcome in any universe.
2. K-2SO
The fact K-2SO is one of the best parts of Rogue One is impressive, considering how damn good Rogue One is as a standalone film.
Part of the reason they’ve made the list is because I really like the concept. A droid formally designed for the Galactic Empire’s use, who is stolen by the Rebel Alliance and reprogrammed. In a similar vein to Triple 0 earlier in the list, it takes a droid we all know and flips it on its head to serve a fresh character. We go from a background prop, to a sassy droid who is one of the most integral members of the team.
When I was growing up I was used to the bumbling antics of C-3PO, who in the heat of battle would often be found losing various limbs and annoying the audience with their incessant whining. In every possible sense, C-3PO fits the definition of a hindrance. K-2SO isn’t like that at all, and it’s evident they were originally designed for the Empire’s armed forces. They’re not adverse to physically going toe-to-toe with someone, or picking up a blaster to help their teammates. Their expert combat skills perfectly accompany their personality and sense of humour, making them a more three dimensional character than many of the humans we see in the sequel trilogy. #shotsfired
Much like with IG-11, it also helps to know who was behind the iconic performance. Alan Tudyk did what he does best, and delivered a voice performance for the ages, which holds up as one of the best elements of Rogue One.
1. BD-1
I don’t want to sound dramatic, but I’d take a bullet for BD-1. Or a blaster bolt, if we want to stay in universe. The point is, on every conceivable level this is the best droid Star Wars has ever given us. A chirpy little droid with bird like legs, a heart of gold, and a strong friendship with the game’s protagonist, Cal-Kestis. Throughout Cal’s journey, BD-1 is right there with them the whole time, performing in a number of functions which are integral. I’ve undoubtedly missed some, but here are a just a few:
- They can scan objects and give you information, which helps on two fronts. Firstly, they can scan the environment to unlock databanks, which help provide details, backstory and history, and make the open world feel even more alive. Second, they help scan potential threats. This includes scanning enemies to identify their strengths and weaknesses, so after you’ve encountered them once, you have the knowledge to defeat them in future battles. I know a lot of people tuned into this game for the lightsaber combat, but that doesn’t do you an awful lot of good if you don’t have the knowledge to take down your enemies.
- They have physical upgrades which allow you to perform tasks and advance through levels. For example, a two-way zip line, an electrical charge which can open and close doors, and a charge which can move large objects in the environment.
- They carry stim canisters, which allow you to replenish your health throughout the game, including mid battle.
- They jump inside of crates and retrieve items/ materials for you, which have various applications.
- They can scan plant life, so you can then take seeds back to your ship to build the on-board terrarium.
- At any given point if you’re so inclined, you can check in with BD-1, and are immediately greeted by the cute beeps of your best friend in the whole damn galaxy.
- This is a really small detail I feel like people don’t talk about often, but I’m bringing it up anyway: BD-1 has a small light which turns on whenever you enter a dark area. I know you’ve got a lightsaber which you can wave around like an over-sized glow stick, but it’s nice to know you have a backup. Your best friend is an adorable little droid who sits on your shoulder and can light up a room, both metaphorically and literally!
I don’t think I’ve cared more about a video game character than I did for BD-1. Any time it seemed like BD-1 was in danger, I genuinely felt my heart sink. For example, there’s a sequence where Cal and BD-1 are kidnapped and split up, and I felt completely lost without him on my shoulder. In fact I cared more about what happened to BD-1 than I did Cal in that moment. It’s a testament to how well-crafted and written this character is, because I was fully invested in them and they didn’t utter a single word. That’s impressive storytelling.
What’s most important is to consider the context and timeline. BD-1 is helping a young Jedi apprentice navigate the universe after Order 66 has been given. The Jedi have been hunted down en masse, and this is undeniably one of the darkest periods in the Star Wars timeline. Threats are everywhere, trust is a hard thing to earn, and yet all this droid wants to do is to be your friend and help keep things light in an otherwise dark period. At a point where the Jedi are virtually extinct, allies are in short supply, and the inquisitors are casting a shadow across the galaxy to execute remaining Jedi, this tiny, chicken-legged droid somehow makes you feel like you can take on anything. The charm and soul BD-1 brought to this game was totally unexpected, and it was the reason I shouted when I saw the same model droid in episode 5 of The Book of Boba Fett. The legacy this droid has left is immeasurable, and it helps a former droid cynic like myself keep smiling.
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So there you have it. A list of five droids who have each contributed to one of the greatest sci-fi universes pop culture has ever seen. In one way or another, all of these droids are a part of the legacy, and part of a franchise which has been a big part of my life since I was a child. There’s no denying the bias I held against droids was cynical and largely unfounded, so I’m glad I’ve taken the time to hash this out with myself.
With the release schedule for Star Wars TV shows building up momentum, I’m sure we’ll see some more droids in the future. After writing this article and calling myself out, I will proceed forwards with an open mind, and think twice before I speak too harshly of our cybernetic counterparts.
That being said, if C-3PO appears on my screen any time soon I will write a letter of complaint to Disney.
