TIE defender elite

The Galactic Empire ruled for years through fear, intimidation, and tyranny. With a mighty military force including stormtroopers, spy technology like probe droids, and the planet-destroying Death Star, Emperor Palpatine’s regime seemed unstoppable and permanent. But some dared to strike back…

Vult Skerris is one of the Empire’s most gifted TIE pilots; his TIE interceptor features striking red markings that symbolize his combat prowess. He is an instructor at Skystrike Academy, demanding the best from his students -- and a strict adherence to orders.

One of the few to be trained as a Jedi after the fall of the Republic, Ezra Bridger grew up an orphan on the streets of Lothal during the age of the Empire. Although he had learned to be wary of strangers, his introduction to the Ghost crew, a small band of rebels fighting back against the Imperial regime, changed his outlook and his future. Training in the ways of the Force under the mentorship of Kanan Jarrus, Ezra became a Jedi Padawan and a part of the emerging rebellion. He also grew close to Hera Syndulla, Zeb, Chopper, and Sabine Wren, who was like a sister in his new found family. After several years together, Bridger vanished during the Battle of Lothal, disappearing into parts unknown in a hyperspace jump that pulled Ezra and Grand Admiral Thrawn into deep space.

The TIE defender is an experimental fighter of the TIE series, armed with heavy cannons and shields, and is equipped with a hyperdrive. A major weapon for the Empire, the TIE defender proves much more difficult to destroy than standard TIE fighters.

The last unaccounted for Grand Admiral of the Imperial Navy, Thrawn is a brilliant strategist as ruthless as he is cunning. When the Empire needed a strong commander to dismantle the rebellion on Lothal, they called upon Thrawn, known for studying his enemies — including their art and culture — to gain tactical advantages often overlooked by his peers. Exiled into parts unknown with the Jedi and rebel Ezra Bridger during the Battle of Lothal, should he return to the galaxy, Thrawn has the potential to plunge the New Republic into war once again.

Lothal is a diverse planet, with both farmland and a city center. During the age of the Empire, it fell under Imperial occupation, as farmers were kicked off their land and enormous TIE fighter and weapons factories were built. While most of the population felt powerless in the face of Imperial rule, a select few dared to fight back.