Top 10 Star Wars Clone Commandos

The clone commandos have been a core part of Star Wars since Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, and here are the most remarkable and valiant members of the Republic’s special-ops soldiers. When Obi-Wan Kenobi first mentioned the Clone Wars, viewers assumed the clones were the villains. George Lucas couldn’t resist subverting audience expectations, though, instead making them heroes and allies of the Jedi – at least until Order 66.

First introduced in Star Wars‘ Legends continuity, commandos are special classes of clones, either created or promoted to take on special military operations. In canon, they’ve been developed in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: The Bad Batch. But who are the top clone commandos in Star Wars history?

10

Echo

Introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars: “Rookies”

Echo began as a clone trooper in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and quickly became a fan favorite. Initially stationed on Rishi Moon, Echo joined the 501st Legion, and he was promoted to ARC trooper status after his heroics at the Battle of Kamino. He was a brave and honorable part of the 501st from then on, serving under Anakin Skywalker until a mission to Lola Sayu, where Echo sacrificed himself to save his squad, apparently dying in an explosion.

But Echo had actually survived, and was taken by the Techno Union, who made him a cyborg to aid in their war effort. Later rescued by Anakin Skywalker, he joined the Bad Batch, using his new cyborg abilities to benefit the squad. Echo was one of the clones who disobeyed Order 66, and he went on the run with Clone Force 99 until finally helping Captain Rex found an underground clone resistance movement.

9

Scorch

Introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars: “Witches of the Mist”

Though introduced shortly earlier, clone commandos truly came to prominence with the 2005 LucasArts game Star Wars: Republic Commando, where RC-1262, or, Scorch first appeared. A member of Delta Squad in both Legends and Canon, Scorch was first introduced to canon through a short cameo in The Clone Wars. He’s since risen to prominence in canon as a secondary antagonist in The Bad Batch.

Based at the Imperial installation at Mount Tantiss, Scorch is seemingly the most elite clone commando present at the base. Set after the Empire’s rise, The Bad Batch has made Scorch an incredibly intimidating foe who represents the clones who are still loyal to the Empire in a frightening way. He’s a chilling reminder that even some of the best found themselves siding with the Empire.

8

Wrecker

Introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars: “The Bad Batch”

A core member of Clone Force 99, CT-9903, or, Wrecker, brings the group its muscle. A modified clone commando possessing super-human strength and toughness, Wrecker is the Bad Batch’s go-to fighter and heavy-lifter. But more than that, Wrecker is also a demolitions expert, and helped the group with this skill countless times throughout the Clone Wars and beyond, as the squad went on the run with the young clone Omega.

Wrecker seems to be all muscle and toughness on the outside, but is actually a very caring and dedicated man. Taking on a caretaker role with young Omega right away, Wrecker became the most loving older brother that she could ever ask for. Armed with a DC-17m standard Republic commando repeating blaster, Wrecker is an incredible military asset for the Bad Batch, but also might be the team’s beating heart.

7

Jesse

Introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars: “The Deserter”

CT-5597, also known as Jesse, was an ARC trooper who served in the 501st Legion during the Clone Wars, and is notable for his huge tattoo of the Republic’s symbol on his face, with a matching decal covering the front of his helmet. One of the clones who served in the treacherous Umbara campaign, Jesse and his brothers resisted orders from Pong Krell, a Jedi general who had turned to the dark side, and was almost executed for it. His heroism won him a lot of love from viewers.

Becoming a member of the 332nd company, a division of the 501st sent to Mandalore with Ahsoka Tano, Jesse was present for the Siege of Mandalore and Order 66. When the Emperor’s sinister order was executed, Jesse obeyed and tried to kill Ahsoka, staying loyal to his cause and dying onboard the Venator star destroyer as Maul crashed the vessel to escape. Jesse was buried by Ahsoka and Rex, with his huge Republic symbol decal focused on as a grim reminder of whom these clones were made to serve.

6

Gregor

Introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars: “Missing In Action”

CC-5576 or Gregor, was the first prominent clone commando in The Clone Wars, and has a fascinating and unique story of his own. Fighting in the disastrous Battle of Sarrish, Gregor retreated and his transport crashed, causing him to lose all of his memories on the planet Abafar. He was taken advantage of by a local who used him as a dishwasher in exchange for housing and food, and Gregor lived there for a while before being rescued by Colonel Gascon and the legendary droid commandos known as D-Squad.

Gregor survived the rise of the Empire, and he was rescued by the Bad Batch from the planet Daro, becoming part of Rex and Echo’s clone resistance network. Over a decade later, Gregor, along with Rex and Wolffe, lived in a modified AT-TE before being visited by the Spectres, part of the growing Rebel Alliance. Gregor returned once more to aid the heroes of Star Wars Rebels in retaking the planet of Lothal, where he was valiantly killed in action.

5

Tech

Introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars: “The Bad Batch”

CT-9902, or Tech, is the Bad Batch’s technological expert (as the name suggests) and pilot. Being a bit of an unsung hero on the team, Tech was always incredibly important to missions as his abilities allowed him to help with covert actions, something that became especially useful as they were on the run from the Empire. Not as good with social interactions as he is with technology, it was heartwarming to see Tech loved and accepted by his brothers and Omega.

Tech even developed something of a romance with pirate Phee Genoa, who called him “Brown Eyes” and clearly had something of a crush on him. While unsung, Tech proved just how much of an incredible member of Clone Force 99 he was when he executed Plan 99, or, sacrificed himself on Eriadu to save the team, falling to his death. Tech’s death was a grim reminder of how hopeless the Imperial Era truly is, and solidified him as a clone commando legend.

4

Hunter

Introduced in The Clone Wars: “The Bad Batch”

Hunter, CT-9901, is the leader of the Bad Batch – and has super-human senses, giving him the ability to track targets and navigate extremely well. A born-strategist, Hunter is incredibly loyal to his team, and has to deal with even more responsibility as he takes the primary-caretaker role in Omega’s life as she joins Clone Force 99. He develops an incredibly strong bond with the girl, and is very protective of her.

Hunter’s character arc throughout The Bad Batch‘s three seasons has heavily involved him letting go of Omega and learning to trust her as she grows older and more capable. He has also had a very interesting developing relationship with Crosshair and his shifts in allegiance. This has been wonderful to watch, and cements him as not only a cunning warrior, strategist, and early rebel against the Empire, but as the best older brother figure, caring for Omega above all else.

3

Crosshair

Introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars: “The Bad Batch”

The Bad Batch’s most controversial member, Crosshair, or, CT-9904, was the only member of the team to stay with the Empire after its rise. An argumentative and standoffish yet core member of the team, Crosshair was very hurt being left behind by his brothers. But he was also torn by the activation of his inhibitor chip, making him the only member of Clone Force 99 to follow the order. As part of the Empire, Crosshair became a special forces commander and a powerful asset with his super-human sharpshooting abilities.

Though he served the Empire loyally, Crosshair eventually became disillusioned with doing their dirty work and began subtly rebelling, until he reached his breaking point and assassinated an Imperial officer who showed particular disinterest in clones. Being imprisoned at Mount Tantiss, Crosshair teamed up with Omega as the two broke out and regrouped with the Bad Batch. Crosshair then worked toward redemption, slowly becoming more caring and reintegrating himself into the squad, learning to once more love his brothers.

2

Fives

Introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars: “Rookies”

One of the most incredible and tragic characters not only in The Clone Wars but in all of Star Wars as a whole, CT-5555, also known as Fives, is one of the best clone commandos. Fighting alongside Echo since their first ever training missions, Fives ascended through the ranks in the Rishi Moon battle, being inducted into the 501st Legion, and becoming an ARC Trooper after the Battle of Kamino, and fighting on Umbara as well. During the fateful Battle of Ringo Vinda, however, everything changed.

During this battle, a fellow clone’s inhibitor chip activated early, causing him to kill a Jedi general. This led Fives into a harrowing investigation on Coruscant and Kamino, on the run from the Republic, in which he learned the truth about Order 66 and the looming destruction of the Jedi Order. This even brought him toe-to-toe with Palpatine himself, though Fives was killed by fellow clones before he could ever reveal the truth about the terrible fate that awaited them. Truly tragic, Fives could have prevented Order 66 and changed the events of galactic history.

1

Rex

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Movie

Without a doubt, CT-7567, or, Captain Rex, is the best clone commando in Star Wars. Probably the most prominent clone trooper in the saga, Rex was the captain of the 501st Legion, serving directly under and alongside Anakin Skywalker. Through countless battles and campaigns, Rex proved himself as a loyal soldier who cared about his men and his generals, even developing a special friendship with Ahsoka Tano, whom he was saved by during Order 66, as she removed his inhibitor chip.

As a former clone captain and ARC trooper, Rex was now on the run from the Empire, helping the Bad Batch at times, and setting up the clone resistance network. All of this led him to become a very important leader in the years following Order 66. Rex even formally joined the Rebel Alliance alongside the Spectres, and fought in the liberation of Lothal, and even at the climactic Battle of Endor from Return of the Jedi. Transcending eras, and being a leader to clones and rebels alike, this legendary ARC trooper captain is the best clone commando in Star Wars.