Phase II Purge Trooper armor

Phase II Purge Trooper armor was used by Purge Troopers^[2] during the Imperial Era.^[4] Sometime between 14 BBY and 9 BBY,^[5] Purge Troopers assigned to Fortress Inquisitorius transitioned from the original phase^[3] to phase II. The armor was in black with red eye visors, a black kama with red lining, and a red pauldron. Unlike the previous phase, this new armor set was stylized in a manner more closely resembling that of a standard stormtrooper.^[4]

Description

Phase II Purge Trooper armor was closer in design to standard stormtrooper gear than the phase I set, yet its wearers still stood out as a unique figure amongst Imperial ranks.

The Phase II Purge Trooper armor,^[1] like the previous armor model, consisted of a set of black armor plates worn over a black body glove. Its most obvious deviation from the previous armor model was the helmet, which was stylized in a manner closer resembling a standard stormtrooper, while the previous phase appeared to be modeled after or modified from clone paratrooper armor.^[6] Despite this, the newer model still looked almost identical to clone trooper armor, with some minor changes. As the troopers specialized in hunting Jedi, the armor was made to be lightsaber-resistant. Unlike the first armor model, which tended to vary slightly in appearance depending on the trooper's rank and role, all Phase II Purge Troopers were equipped with a red pauldron and black kama.^[2]

History

Hunting Obi-Wan Kenobi

In 9 BBY,^[5] a large contingent of Phase II Purge Troopers were stationed at Fortress Inquisitorius, and provided security for the Imperial installation. When Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi infiltrated the base in order to rescue the young Princess Leia Organa, who was being held prisoner by the Third Sister, several Purge Troopers were made aware of his presence. As Kenobi and Organa ran through the underwater hallways of the Inquisitor base, a Purge Trooper led a squad of stormtroopers in pursuit of the duo. The trooper and his squad begun prying open a jammed door to reach Kenobi, but were all subsequently drowned after Kenobi allowed a shattered window to burst and flood the underwater hallway.^[4]

Soon after, two more Purge Troopers accompanied the Third Sister as she cornered Kenobi, Leia, and the undercover officer Tala Durith on the ship bay of the base. As the troopers prepared to execute the trio, two snowspeeders affiliated with the group Hidden Path, strafed the Imperial base and picked up Kenobi and his companions.^[4]

Attack on the Path's hideout

Two Purge Troopers accompanied the Third Sister and a platoon of stormtroopers in raiding the hideout of the Path. As the Imperials prepared to siege the hideout, one of the Purge Troopers informed the Inquisitor that Kenobi wished to negotiate. After negotiations broke down and the door to the hideout had been breached, a Purge Trooper stormed into the base but was swiftly cut down in a frenzy of lightsaber slashes by Kenobi.^[7]