Assault Trooper

Imperial Assault troopers were trained for vicious, close range fighting, in urban scenarios. They utilized jump packs, energy swords, and shotguns in order to close in with the enemy, and cut them down.Often times, assault troopers were deployed against heavily fortified bases or cities, their jump packs allowing them to easily scale the fortifications. Often times, they struck at night, causing the maximum amount of chaos and damage, before falling back to an Imperial position.

Creation and Training
Imperial Assault troopers were created in 11 ADK, by order of Emperor Xavier. The troopers were intended to be the solution to GIA Spec-Ops teams. They were trained to utilize their jump packs to get to an objective, cause as much mayhem as possible, and jump back out, to a safe location.

In addition, assault troopers were occassionaly called upon to take and hold said objectives, until reinforcements could arrive.On some missions, the troopers were equipped with explosives, in order to sabotage enemy weapons and shield emplacements, weakening the enemy bases for the main Imperial force.

The vast majority of assault troopers were trained on the mountainous world of Morvaine. Troopers were trained to utilize their jump packs to get from cliff to cliff, adding an element of danger along the way. The final assignment of assault trooper training was to take a small base situated between the peaks of Morvaines; largest mountain ranges.

The base was filled with confiscated Droid Confederacy battle droids, using live ammunition. Troopers that survived were placed in the official Stormtrooper Corps.Assault troopers usually fought in groups of seven or eight, and were lead by a sargeant.

Equipment
Assault troopers wore specialized armour,allowing them swift leaps to high atmosphere, without worrying about lack of oxygen, or the dizziness associated with ascending or descending at rapid speeds. The leg plates of the armour was also altered with small repulsor lifts,to better absorb impact. The jump pack was fastened with four straps, that connected just below the troopers breast plate. A single strike to the center of the connector would withdraw the pack, in case of malfunctions. This was also a weak point on the armour, as enemies could remove the jump pack in close combat, rendering the trooper grounded.

For combat, the troopers utilized Mark II Blast Cannons, which fired a spread of energy bolts. However, blast cannons were best used at short, to medium range, and virtually useless at any kind of long range combat. Energy swords were also used, and the blades often gave the assault troopers an advantage in close combat. On certain missions, groups of assault troopers would use thermal detonators, and bombs. Detonators were pretty much the only long ranged weapon used by Assault troopers, which put them at a major disadvantage against snipers, and other long ranged opponents, until they closed in with their jump packs.

Stratagems
Assault troopers generally preferred to get in, clear out an objective, and get out again. In pitched battles, they would be deployed in staggered formation, and approach the enemy as quickly as possible, using energy swords and blast cannons against the enemy. Although weak in long ranged combat, assault troopers were masters of close ranged. Working in tandem, a squad of assault troopers could eliminate a Jedi, with well placed, widely spaced shots from their weapons. Assault troopers preferred to fight in two locations. Wide open spaces, that allowed plenty of moving around, or narrow hallways and passages, where their weapons could tear an enemy unit to shreds.