Star Wars: Tales of the Empire
Warning ! This spot contains SPOILERS for Star war : Tales of the Empire episodes 1 - 3
Summary
The TIE Defender was one ofStar Wars’most potent regal starfighters , and newfangled twists fromTales of the Empirehave made its origin even more active . An upgraded model of the traditional TIE serial used during Palpatine ’s Empire , the TIE Defender was a rare and far more hefty version than any other fashion model TIE fighter typically deploy by the Imperial Navy . However , it did serve as a contradiction to the Empire ’s overall methods and construction .
Originating from Legends materials from the pre - Disney epoch , the TIE Defender made its way back to the canon with the animated seriesStar Wars Rebels , complete with Modern parentage and an arc that would see its limited utilisation by the Imperial Navy despite its overwhelming promise . Here ’s the account of the TIE Defender explain , why it was so sinewy , and what the newTales of the Empireseries has added to its origins in the establishedStar Warscanon .
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Custom Image by Kevin Erdmann
TIE Defenders In Legends Explained
Created Before Endor
In Legends , The TIE Defender was part of a project supervise by Grand Admiral Demetrius Zaarin before the Battle of Endor . A new and knock-down technology , Zaarin assay to hold full restraint of the new ship aim during his coup against Emperor Palpatine . However , the TIE Defender engineering ended up come into the hands ofGrand Admiral Thrawn , a connection that would change over into the establishedStar Warscanon post - Disney .
Developed by Sienar organisation just like the rest of the Twin Ion Engine model , the mellow cost to produce the TIE Defender resulted in its limited use by the Imperial Navy compared to other starfighters such as the received TIE Fighter , the TIE Interceptor , and the TIE Bomber . Its first - ever appearing was in the 1994Star Wars : TIE Fightervideo secret plan develop by Lucas Arts . However , its popularity resulted in continued appearances in multiple pieces of legend content in both succeeding game and novels , most notably theX - Wingseries .
Who Created The TIE Defenders In Official Star Wars Canon?
Morgan Elsbeth For Grand Admiral Thrawn
Star WarsRebelsestablished that Grand Admiral Thrawn run and oversaw the TIE Defender programin the canon from the very start . The project showed great hope as a military experiment , rivaling that of Project Stardust ( aka the Death Star ) . However , the newTales of the Empireseriesconfirms that the idea for a warm and more protective tie-up did n’t fully lead off with the splendid military tactician , though he was the only one who recognized its true time value .
As seen inTales of the Empireepisode 2,it ’s unveil that the TIE Defender was the inspiration of Morgan Elsbeth , a Nightsister who survived the Massacre of Dathomir during the Clone Wars at the hand ofGeneral Grievous . Seeking power from the Empire to squash her foeman , Morgan huckster her approximation for the TIE Defender in a tender to gain Imperial favor . However , the high cost of farm her designs resulted in the Empire initially rejecting her thought … but Admiral Thrawn did not . Thrawn saw value in the TIE Defender , explicate how he and Morgan forged their alliance that would last for year .
Everything you need to have it off about 2024 ’s Tales of the Empire , including recap , cast and character lean , Star Wars trivium , and more !
Hailing from the planet Dathomir, Morgan Elsbeth’s people were almost wiped out during the Clone Wars after their leader, Mother Talzin, became a rival to Darth Sidious himself. Morgan swore loyalty to the Empire, and became a close associate of Grand Admiral Thrawn himself. When Thrawn was stranded in a distant galaxy, she spearheaded efforts to retrieve him, prompted by visions cast by the Great Mothers of Peridea. She was sacrificed by Thrawn to buy him time to escape Peridea, with Ahsoka and her allies stranded there.
TIE Defenders' Capabilities And Firepower Explained
Personal Shields And Hyperdrives
The TIE Defender was so knock-down ( and dear ) for two key reasons . The first was thatthe TIE Defender make out equipped with personal shields , allowing pilot to be better protected in struggle . This was a major reward liken tostandard TIE models that leave their pilot exceedingly exposed . In contrast , the Rebellion ’s ships , such as their tenner - backstage , always featured shields . The primary thought process on the Empire ’s part was that the lack of shell made TIE production flash , meaning they could produce more ships to overwhelm their enemies with sheer amount , rather than the lineament of their pilots .
Hailing from the planet Dathomir , Morgan Elsbeth ’s people were almost wiped out during the Clone Wars after their loss leader , Mother Talzin , became a rival to Darth Sidious himself . Morgan swore loyalty to the Empire , and became a secretive associate of Grand Admiral Thrawn himself . When Thrawn was stranded in a distant galaxy , she spearhead efforts to retrieve him , prompted by vision cast by the Great Mothers of Peridea . She was sacrificed by Thrawn to grease one’s palms him metre to escape Peridea , with Ahsoka and her friend stranded there .
The TIE Defender example also came with its own hyperdrive , permit a TIE pilot to escape a conflict without the need to dock with large frigates for Washington ship . Again , this was something the majority of the Rebellion always had , the primary return being the gamey cost the Empire did not want to yield , caring very little for its individual pilot program as a event . to boot , the TIE Defender aim ’s three mounted wings propose cracking speed and maneuverability and was also armed with six laser cannons , Ion Torpedoes , and an raiment of concussion missiles .
How The TIE Defender Symbolizes Grand Admiral Thrawn’s Genius
“Long Live The Empire”
As Thrawn explained to Morgan Elsbeth , her TIE Defender purpose constitute an opportunity to resolve a exposure the future Grand Admiral saw within the Empire itself . Seeing what his fellow officers could not , Thrawn recognized that the Empire ’s constant sacrifice of pilots and leaving them so exposed during conflicts would eventually lead to a weakened and embittered military . Essentially , Thrawn believed Palaptine ’s Empire likely would n’t survive in the long term .
The only alien to ever ascend to the rank and file of Grand Admiral , Thrawn is a strategic brilliance who acclaim from an isolationist airstream get it on as the Chiss . Thrawn ’s motives are enigmatic , but his tactical brilliance made him a vital asset for the Empire . Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger successfully defeat Thrawn during the Battle of Lothal , ensue in Thrawn ’s exile to the distant planet Peridea in another galaxy , but the Grand Admiral has now returned .
Thrawn ’s opinion and strengthening of the Empire would have undoubtedly continue had the TIE Defender program cover . However , attacks from Rebel cells seen inStar war Rebelsand the death of a critical fuel depot on Lothal resulted in the projection being close down , its resourcefulness being divert to the Death Star projection it about replaced . Had Thrawn not been exiled to another galaxy by the Jedi Ezra Bridger , he likely would have pressed the issue render his favor with the Emperor . That said , his absence essentially guaranteed the TIE Defender ’s lack of widespread purpose by the Imperial Navy .
All episodes ofTales of the Empireare now stream on Disney+
Star Wars : Tales of the Empire is an animated follow - up to 2022 ’s Tales of the Jedi . The series focuses on Barriss Offee , a former Jedi , and Morgan Elsbeth as they pilot their freestanding paths through the Galactic Empire . The serial will also see the return of other iconic Star Wars characters such as General Grievous , Ahsoka Tano , Grand Admiral Thrawn , and Darth Vader .
Hailing from the planet Dathomir, Morgan Elsbeth’s people were almost wiped out during the Clone Wars after their leader, Mother Talzin, became a rival to Darth Sidious himself. Morgan swore loyalty to the Empire, and became a close associate of Grand Admiral Thrawn himself. When Thrawn was stranded in a distant galaxy, she spearheaded efforts to retrieve him, prompted by visions cast by the Great Mothers of Peridea. She was sacrificed by Thrawn to buy him time to escape Peridea, with Ahsoka and her allies stranded there.
The only alien to ever ascend to the rank of Grand Admiral, Thrawn is a strategic genius who hails from an isolationist race known as the Chiss. Thrawn’s motives are enigmatic, but his tactical brilliance made him a vital asset for the Empire. Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger successfully defeated Thrawn during the Battle of Lothal, resulting in Thrawn’s exile to the distant planet Peridea in another galaxy, but the Grand Admiral has now returned.
