Summary
Star Warsas a series may seem to revolve around the Jedi, but you have to admit, it just wouldn’t feel right without at least one really fun droid character in each new story. At the very least, those little metal buddies offer an excuse to stop saying “the Force” with important music playing in the background for a little bit.
Countless droids have been introduced to Star Warsin the decades since its inception as sidekicks, friends, enemies, and even occasionally heroes. The fact that there aren’t more droid heroes, along with the abundance of servant droids, is certainly worth a conversation. But for now, how about discussing a few of the most noteworthy ones?
10R-3X
Working As A DJ After Getting Fired Is His Most Human Quality
Not all of Star Wars' most iconic droids originated in the movies or shows. Case in point, R-3X here, who spent years shuttling passengers across the stars in the original Star Tours attraction in Disney Parks around the world. He even eventually appeared in Star Wars Rebels.
For reasons obvious to passengers, R-3X was eventually fired but later found himself reprogrammed to serve as a DJ in Oga’s Cantina at Galaxy’s Edge, where he spins records (or whatever format is standard in a galaxy far, far away) to this day. His music pairs great with a Bespin Fizz.
9B2EMO
Anarchist’s Best Friend
Sometimes, all you need to make an impact is to be a good buddy, and also to be ridiculously adorable. B2EMO is Cassian’s loyal family droid on theunfathomably good series Andor, and fans were quick to rally behind him as one who must be protected.
Come on, he’s a droid with a stutter, you cannot resist being charmed by that., B2EMO is Star Wars' answer to what a dog would be like if it could talk. He will lie for his friend but he won’t feel good about it, and he won’t understand when someone he loves dies; he even has a little bed, he deserves the world.
8Huyang
Lightsabers And Lore, A Winning Combination
Depending on who you ask, Huyang is anything from a wise old teacher to that goofy droid who’s way too into crystals. Huyang has been around for tens of thousands of years, training Jedi younglings andhelping them create their lightsabers.
He always has stories to tell, and knows the history of the galaxy inside and out, having existed through much of it. Plus, as seen on Ahsoka, he has no qualms over dishing out a good roasting, provided the target is exclusively Sabine Wren.
7K-2SO
The modified KX-series security droid K-2SO proved once and for all that droids can be as snarky as their organic counterparts. Despite working for the Rebel Alliance, he’ll gladly give his dry opinion on the situation, as well as the people around him.
K-2 is the sort of droid you want on your side in a fight, with his substantial offensive capabilities and mean right hook. Plus, he earned the respect of his comrades by ending with a selfless act to help steal the Death Star plans in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Good heroes are willing to sacrifice themselves, and a great hero will keep trash-talking the whole time.
6L3-37
Equal Rights And Good Banter, It’s All You Need
L3 brings up some important topics regarding droids. First, why is everyone just totally cool with the large-scale enslavement of clearly sapient beings? Second, why aren’t there morefemale-coded droids in Star Wars?
In Solo: A Star Wars Story, L3 fought valiantly for the liberation of her fellow droids despite constant derision from others both in the movie and the audience. As snarky as K-2SO but with passion behind it, she made her difference however she could, and finally got people talking.
5C1-10P (Chopper)
More Collateral Damage Than A Legion Of Jar-Jars
Some droids make their mark through heroism, and others are remembered for loyalty, so there’s even room for being the funniest. But what about those droids who just excel in the realm of true chaos? Behold, Chopper.
First introduced in Star Wars Rebels, Chopper possibly has a higher body count than any single character in the series. He brings his gremlin energy to every encounter, tearing through security systems and annihilating entire platoons all while womp womping along; he’s possibly a war criminal, and he’s easily one of the most effective Rebel agents in history.
4BB-8
Rolling Around At The Speed Of Beep
When the Star Wars sequel trilogy kicked off, the folks in charge knew they needed a perfect new droid buddy that audiences would love. Luckily, they knocked it out of the park with BB-8, the little round astromech droid whose most spicy curse is probably “darn.”
BB-8 pulled off some real heroics while helping his friends, Poe, Rey, and Finn, and they love him about as much as you do. His look is iconic, his beeps are wholesome, and he can give a thumbs-up, which is a big deal for droids, as even the ones with thumbs have trouble with that one.
3C-3PO
Intimately Knows The Odds He’ll Be Told To Shut Up
Look, C-3PO gets some flak for his decidedly less-than-chill mannerisms, and frankly, he deserves most of it. Nearly anything of note he’s accomplished has been by accident, he’s like a shiny Mr. Magoo.
But 3PO is more than just a neurotic protocol droid who’s fluent in over 6,000,000 forms of communication. He’s been present for a shocking amount of major developments in the galaxy and only made a few of them worse, so this droid is basically more famous for being there than doing anything, but to be fair, he’s been there for a lot of things.
2BD-1
The Adoring Fan You Want Around
You might think it’s impossible to come up with memorable droids these days that stand up to the classics. Butthe Star Wars game Jedi: Fallen Ordersomehow managed to create what might be the cutest little guy in the galaxy.
As a faithful sidekick to Jedi Cal Kestis, BD-1 handles the technical stuff. But it’s his design and personality that makes him truly special. He’ll hop around joyfully when Cal finds a treasure, poke buttons in the ship and jump back to see if anyone noticed, and even take a seat happily wiggling his feet while his Jedi friend meditates; BD has the energy of an unusually smart puppy, and everybody needs a friend like him.
1R2-D2
He’s Speaking Basic, The Beeps Are Censors
If Chopper is pure chaos incarnate, R2 is a high-powered precision sniper. He gets things done quickly and under the radar, whether by slicing through security systems, unlocking doors, or even deploying a tactical smokescreen.
While C-3PO makes his presence known, R2 would rather you not notice him while he coolly pulls off his mission. Of course, he’s no stranger to the bombastic, equally at home in an X-Wing starfighter; his beeps likely translate to the foulest profanities this side of Nar Shadaa, but if he’s on your side, you’re going to make it through just fine, if maybe a bit singed.
