Top 10 Clone Troopers

Created to support the Jedi in their defense of the Republic, the clone army was composed of some of the bravest and most committed troopers the galaxy had ever seen. Had the entire army not been compromised by the Sith invitro, there is no doubt that the Grand Army of the Republic would have loyally defended the galaxy for years. While there are numerous valiant clones who fought to combat the Separatist threat, there are few to distinguish themselves to the level of the following individuals.

10. 99

A "bad batcher" or mutated clone, 99 was designated as unfit for combat due to multiple physical defects. He was instead assigned to the training facility on Kamino as a maintenance clone. 99 befriended and mentored many clone cadets who passed through the facility, encouraging them to not only reach their goals, but also to express themselves as individuals. One of the first clones to treat all others as unique and not just numbers, 99 clearly had a hand in the culture of brotherhood that grew within the ranks of the G.A.R. While 99 may not have been trained as a soldier, he had all the bravery and heart of one. During the Invasion of Kamino, 99 rushed weapons, ammo, explosives, and medical supplies to the front lines. Valiantly braving CIS fire to ensure his brothers were well stocked to defend their home.

9. Commander Colt

Clone ARC Commander Colt was one of the Republic's elite troopers during the early days of the Clone Wars. Assigned to the Rancor Battalion along with his lieutenants Blitz and Havoc, Colt was tasked with some of the most critical missions in the immediate aftermath of the First Battle of Geonosis. This included the training of clone cadets on Kamino, where he instilled a simple mantra that was heard throughout the army until the end of the war: "We fight as one." Colt would never leave a man behind and, as a result, was tasked with defending the barracks area during the Battle of Kamino, successfully turning back wave after wave of droids, including General Grievous.

8. Commander Cody

One of the highest ranking officers in the clone army, Commander Cody was held in high esteem by his troopers for his bravery in battle and for leading from the front. Alongside General Kenobi, Cody led the 212th Attack Battalion into many of the Clone Wars' most pivotal confrontations. This included battles from Christophsis to Utapau, spanning virtually the entirety of the war. Known for fearlessly charging enemy lines, the 212th, under Cody's command became one of the most reliable and effective clone units when wrestling territory out of the hands of the droid army.

7. Echo

A by-the-book soldier committed to doing his duty in the most efficient way possible, Echo was a valued member of Domino Squad and the 501st Legion. Receiving his nickname for echoing incoming orders and regulations to his squad mates, CT-0408 was as loyal and committed as they come. He and Fives were some of the last clones standing after the failed Invasion of Kamino, and for their valiant effort in defending their homeworld, they were decorated and promoted to ARC trooper. Believed to be KIA on Lola Sayu during the rescue attempt of Jedi Master Even Piell, Echo was captured and tortured by the Techno Union. After his liberation from Skako Minor by Rex and Clone Force 99, he was invited to join the Bad Batch by their leader, Hunter. Able to tap into terminals and interfere with enemy networks and communication, Echo will make a valuable member of this elite unit.

6. Clone Force 99

While the Kaminoans pride themselves on an unprecedented level of success when it comes to cloning in the galaxy, there are still the occasional variables that cause mutations. Generally, these mutations cause a clone to be relegated to maintenance or other non-combative assignments. However, occasionally these mutations are deemed as "desirable." Clone Force 99, named for the valiant bad batcher who gave his life in defense of Kamino, is a squad comprised of these extremely different clones. While still bred from the Jango Fett genotype, this squad looks and acts very differently from their clone brothers. Boasting a 100% success rate on missions, the Bad Batch is often subtly dispatched to get their hands dirty on black ops missions that would not exactly be popular in the Republic Senate. While frequently reporting to Commander Cody, the Bad Batch avoids working with "regs" as much as possible due to their unique visage and the inherent distrust this fosters among normal clones. Traveling onboard a custom build shuttle named The Havoc Marauder, the Bad Batch enforces the will of the Chancellor across the galaxy.

5. Gregor

Clone Commando Gregor has walked one of the most unique paths of any clone trooper. As captain of the elite Foxtrot Group, Gregor and his team of Commandos were sent repeatedly into dire situations and expected to turn the tide in the favor of the Republic. While they performed heroically on multiple occasions, winning against virtually impossible odds, this was not to be the case during the Battle of Sarrish. As the sole survivor of his platoon, Gregor was forced to flee the planet in a civilian shuttle as the Republic fleet was overwhelmed and massacred by CIS droid forces. The shuttle, damaged in the battle, crashed on the empty, desert world of Abafor. The crash, as well as PTSD from the disastrous battle, caused Gregor to suffer from amnesia. After being discovered by Colonel Meeber Gascon and D-Squad working in a diner on Abafor, Gregor was reminded of who he was and his role in the galactic conflict. Gregor was presumed dead when he valiantly defended D-Squad as they stole a Separatist shuttle. Had this been Gregor's last stand, it would have been a heroic one, as he was able to destroy countless battle droids and droidekas by targeting barrels of highly explosive rhydonium. Gregor would go on to have his inhibitor chip removed and fight against the Galactic Empire with Phoenix Squadron during the Galactic Civil War. While there were countless brave beings who fought and died during the struggle against the dark side, there were few who matched the selflessness and courage of Captain Gregor.

4. Delta Squad

Bred and trained to hunt as a single unit, Delta Squad was one of the most dangerous and lethal clone forces to ever set foot on a Republic dropship. Consisting of four elite Republic Commandos (Boss, Fixer, Scorch, and Sev), Delta Squad was one of the earliest elite units deployed, playing a crucial role in the First Battle of Geonosis. They would continue to be tasked with the most dangerous and difficult missions, often covertly inserting behind enemy lines with no backup, yet time and time again emerge victorious. Their cohesion as a unit, their commitment to their duty, and their skills with a blaster were virtually without parallel within the G.A.R. Their Mandalorian mentor on Kamino was quoted as saying that he felt "genuinely sorry for any hostile who has the misfortune to face Delta Squad in combat."

3. Fordo

A rare Alpha-class ARC Trooper, Captain Fordo was known to be a man of action, often only speaking to direct his troopers in battle. A member of the legendary "Muunilinst 10," his leadership and marshal ability were essential in covertly invading the capital of the Banking Clan. Following a crash landing in the city, Fordo led his team toward the Separatist HQ, taking an artillery emplacement along the way and helping to ease the fire on the advancing clone army. Upon reaching his objective, and rallying with Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi, Fordo and his men captured San Hill, the Muun leader of the Banking Clan. From here, he was dispatched to rescue Ki-Adi-Mundi, Aayla Secura, and Shaak Ti from an attack by the sinister General Grievous. For these actions, he was awarded Jaig Eyes, a Mandalorian symbol of honor and valor in combat. A straightforward and uncomplicated soldier, Fordo saw great success on the battlefield by maneuvering his men into the best position to lay overwhelming firepower upon enemy positions. Fordo was also known to shirk credit or accolades for his accomplishments on the battlefield, instead preferring to honor the lives laid down by his men in the name of victory. Fordo would fight to the end of the war, including helping Masters Yoda and Windu repel the droid ground invasion of Coruscant in the final days of the Republic.

2. Fives

The second member of Domino Squad on this list, Fives was good friends with Echo and an outstanding member of the 501st Legion. One of the most unique and individualistic of the clones, Fives continually fought for the rights and respect he felt the clone army deserved. Fives learned from his commanding officers, Captain Rex and General Skywalker, that orders and regulations are secondary priorities to the lives of the men under his command. Fives was present for virtually every battle the 501st took part in, from Kamino, to Umbara, to Ringo Vinda. He served admirably under Captain Rex but was not afraid to voice descent, especially if he felt lives were on the line. Fives was one of the first to recognize the corruption of General Krell and how he was a threat to the clone army and the Republic itself. Following the suspicious death of Jedi General Tiplar and his fried Tup's involvement, Fives escorted the unconscious Tup back to Kamino for testing, where he discovered evidence of a conspiracy against the Jedi.

1. Rex

Clone Captain Rex, leader of the elite 501st Legion and right-hand man of General Anakin Skywalker, was one of the greatest leaders of the Grand Army of the Republic. Recognized for his honor, courage, creative problem solving, and skill in combat, Rex was universally respected by his men and the Jedi alike. Forging close friendships with many troopers under his command, including Fives, Echo, Jesse, and others, Rex did his best to take every loss in stride while honoring their memory and legacy. Assigned to the 501st at its conception, Rex was the embodiment of everything the Legion stood for. Hard work and training, quick and out of the box thinking, and the protection of the innocent. Employing a variety of unique strategies across numerous conflicts, Rex was able to turn the tide for the Republic, even in the face of overwhelming odds. A survivor of the Clone Wars, Rex's retirement was interrupted when the Jedi once again rallied him to fight against the dark side. Rex joined the Rebel Alliance, bringing his combat experience and leadership abilities to the fight against the Empire. He would fight throughout the Galactic Civil War, even taking part in the Battle of Endor.

Written By Weston Erickson

Source(s): Wookieepedia

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