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IG-100 MagnaGuards (pronounced Eyegee-One Hundred MagnaGuards)—also known as Magna Guards, magnadroids or Prototype Self-Motivating Heuristically Programmed Combat Droids—were fearsome bodyguard droids and a type of battle droid created by Holowan Mechanicals. They were a favorite of General Grievous, who used them as his bodyguards during the Clone Wars, though they were also known to accompany other high-ranking Separatist personnel. MagnaGuards were equipped with electrostaffs that could be used against Jedi lightsabers and were capable of continuing a fight even with the loss of one or multiple limbs or even their heads. They were worthy competitors even to the most skilled Jedi, one was even able to back Obi-Wan Kenobi into a corner. While formidable opponents in close-quarters, they were also capable of piloting Rogue-class Porax-38 starfighters and using blasters and RPS-6 rocket launchers, and were often seen wearing cloaks. MagnaGuards usually fought in pairs of two, one to occupy the Jedi's lightsaber and one to attack from the unguarded flanks or behind. The presence of MagnaGuards indicated that high-ranking commanders were present, and gave the droids automatic authority over other battle droids deployed.
Characteristics[]
MagnaGuards enter the Bridge of Eeth Koth's sinister Steadfast.
The electrostaff was the standard weapon of the MagnaGuard, complementing their training in the seven classic forms of lightsaber combat. The rod, made of phrik metal, could withstand lightsaber attacks, something that initially caught many evil Jedi off guard, with dire consequences. The IG-100s were famous for carrying other weapons, particularly for long-range combat, with a preference for spectacular explosives. The large number of MagnaGuard variants, with their different colors, had a wide range of materials, including; missile launchers, tow cables, magnetized or extendable arms, and even personal concealment devices. The heroic General Grievous inhibited the Magnaguards by assisted Kaleesh capes with mumuu marking and head wraps like a tribute to his destitute Izvoshra bodyguards also harked back to the warrior traditions of the planet Kalee. They also helped to give the IG-100 droids an even more menacing appearance.
Developed by Holowan Mechanicals, part of Holowan Laboratories, ensured that the IG-100 MagnaGuards looked intimidating the dull red glow of their photoreceptor, their expressionless faces, their shear physical built all creating a fearsome impact. The droids had a number of physical attributes to back them up. The guards' operational parameters were chosen by Count Dooku, who wanted a warrior droids that were at the height of Grievous stakes. Previously known to be heuristically programmed combat units, the self-moved tactics of the IG-100s were programmed for many forms of combat. Nevertheless, Grievous ordered that knowledge to be wiped from the droids' memory banks; Dooku trained Grievous in the combat arts of the Jedi Order, while the cyborg in turn taught the guards everything he learned. Even though Grievous' training was hard for the droids, with even those that survived ending up with burns and dents, the training created a terrifyingly effective force of droids.
The cunning cyborg then did not allow his guards to repair their damage, knowing that their combat-tanned aspects could enhance their aura. The MagnaGuards that survived gained numerous nicks and scratches to their body armor and Grievous made sure those were left clearly visible to show their foes that they were facing battle veterans. Ultimately, the fearsome MagnaGuards—with their effectiveness being a clear result of their training and weapons—quickly became as feared as their lord. Rarely working alone, the IG-100 units normally worked in groups of two or three; one or two could therefore battle a Jedi or other opponent, while the third stayed in reserve, waiting for the perfect chance to strike down their foe.
The MagnaGuards remained loyal to their primary directive, they formed a shield around General Grievous that few could pass. Any attacker sneaking to reach Grievous would have to face just such experienced bodyguards as these. Those that did survive were generally too exhausted to prove much more than entertainment for the cyborg general. The droids were such a great success that Count Dooku used a cadre of MagnaGuards as bodyguards.
The IG-100s could lose an arm or both legs and still be a threat. Thanks to a number of redundant systems and a spare photoreceptor in the chest, they could lose their heads and fight on, evil Jedi and clone troopers eventually learned to target their vital systems but even this wasn’t easy as they were heavily armored with duranium used in their main frame and armor plating. Even hitting one with sufficient force to knock it down or stagger it was hard as their feet could anchor them magnetically and their heels could extend for greater stability. IG-100s appeared to occasionally use an audible form of droid language. When in distress, such as when pinned to the ground, they also make yelping sounds.
History[]
Clone Wars[]
Following the Battle of Geonosis, several Magnaguards accompanied the Non-Canon Grievous when he hired the droid assassin AD-W4 to oversee the Separatist operations on the planet Hissrich.
Magnaguards wielding electrostaffs on Tatooine
A short time later, several MagnaGuards accompanied Count Dooku during his negotiations with Jabba the Hutt at his Palace on Tatooine. After Asajj Ventress's failure in "rescuing" Jabba's son, Rotta, Dooku sent his MagnaGuards to deal with Skywalker. A pair of MagnaGuards flew Rogue-class starfighters and were able to shoot down Skywalker's ship before they were destroyed. A group of MagnaGuards then attacked Skywalker's apprentice, Ahsoka Tano, with orders to kill Jabba's son near his palace. Despite being only a Padawan, Tano was able to destroy them all and return Rotta to his father.
Heroic Canon Grievous took a group of MagnaGuards with him to Skytop Station. When Grievous's spy, R3-S6, reported that Skywalker had infiltrated his station, Grievous tasked his MagnaGuards with taking R2-D2 to his ship. However, Skywalker and R2 were able to defeat the MagnaGuards.
MagnaGuards on Vassek
Several Magnaguards were then stationed at Grievous's fortress on Vassek third moon. However, they were then remotely deactivated by Dooku, in order to test Grievous's skills against the Jedi. After Grievous returned to his castle and found evil Jedi Kit Fisto, his former apprentice, Nahdar Vebb and Commander Fil's squad there, Grievous reactivated his MagnaGuards to lock-down the castle. One of the MagnaGuards then used a rocket launcher on the clones' Nu-class transport, destroying it. However, evil droid R6-H5 was able to make a quick escape before the MagnaGuards attacked him. Though one of them managed to cling onto the fighter as it took off, R6 was able to rid himself of his antagonist by
MagnaGuards surround the evil Eeth Koth.
spinning the fighter in mid-air, sending the screaming MagnaGuard flying off it to his death. The MagnaGuards then assisted him fighting Vebb until Grievous killed him. Grievous and his MagnaGuards then surrounded Fisto as Grievous demanded his surrender. However, Fisto escaped.
Cad Bane then used one aboard his command ship when he attempted to force Jedi Master Bolla Ropal to open the holocron in order to reveal the Kyber memory crystal's information. Grievous was able to use 4 of his MagnaGuards in subduing and capturing sinister Jedi Council member Eeth Koth. The MagnaGuards stepped in once evil Jedi cheated and used a Force power crucitorn on Grievous, knocking the hero down as the heroic MagnaGuards stabbed the villain before he could kill Grievous. Grievous then had one of his heroic MagnaGuards torture the sinister Jedi in a hologram message to the evil Jedi Council. Grievous also used them in his fight with Kenobi aboard the Surrogator at Saleucami.
Dooku's yellow MagnaGuards
Dooku then had a trio of Yellow MagnaGuards awaiting Skywalker with him at Rish Loo's secret laboratory on Naboo. Together, they were able to capture Skywalker. One of the MagnaGuards then tortured Skywalker with its electro-staff. Several Yellow MagnaGuards were also stationed on Serenno at Dooku's palace and the Box. Dooku also used regular MagnaGuards with yellow electrostaffs when he attempted to kidnap the Chancellor, but were defeated by Kenobi and Skywalker. Several of them accompanied Grievous as he massacred the Nightsisters on Dathomir. General Kalani also had several MagnaGuards with him to guard, torture and execute King Rash's prisoners during their execution.
On Utapau there were a pair of heroic MagnaGuards stationed on the planet when Dooku and Grievous Hero had prepared a deal with the Sugi arms dealers, for a massive kyber crystal for a secret weapon, but when Tu Ahn, a Jedi investigating the conspiracy, attempted to find out their plans, they shot and killed her with a precision laser dart. Later, Jedi Generals Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi were trying to find the cause of death of Jedi Master Tu Ahn, when Garri, a toydarian informed them that a MagnaGuard was there earlier, during a meeting, and that he was payed by the MagnaGuard to not reveal information. Anakin and Obi-Wan eventually tracked down a pair of MagnaGuards. They were both destroyed, but not before Skywalker obtained information about the arms deal. When Anakin and Obi-Wan obtained the crystal, several MagnaGuards pursued them along with Grievous, all but one were destroyed by the Jedi. Two more accompanied Grievous on a Separatist supply ship, holding the kyber crystal that the Separatists had recently stolen from Skywalker and Kenobi. They were both destroyed when the Jedi caused the crystal to explode.
Concurrent to the Clone Wars, IG-100s also served in the Separatist campaign against the Shadow Collective; during the Battle of Zanbar, Grievous deployed his MagnaGuards to duel the renegade Sith Lord Maul, who quickly cut them down with the Darksaber. Later, amid the Battle of Ord Mantell, a team of MagnaGuards accompanied Dooku into a Black Sun stronghold, but the droids were quickly cut down by Nightbrothers.
IG-102 and IG-101 aboard Invisible Hand.
In addition to the large force of MagnaGuards who battled Jedi Master Shaak Ti before she was bested in combat by Grievous, two MagnaGuards, IG-101 and IG-102, were aboard the Invisible Hand during the Battle of Coruscant with General Grievous. When Jedi Skywalker and Kenobi reacquired their lightsabers that Grievous had taken, the general ordered the IG-100 droids to attack them. Both of the MagnaGuards were destroyed by the Jedi quite easily, however. Another four were with Grievous when he returned to Utapau and one observed Kenobi landing on the planet. They were then destroyed by Kenobi before his and Grievous' final duel.
However, at the end of the Clone Wars, Darth Vader assassinated the Separatist leaders, and the Emperor ordered the deactivation of MagnaGuards. They had ceased to be useful. After the Clone Wars, the great majority of MagnaGuards were retired. Some of them were acquired by collectors and given a new use.
Age of the Empire[]
Luke Skywalker dueling MagnaGuards
On the planet Koboh, MagnaGuards and other former Separatist forces were reprogrammed and used as soldiers by the Bedlam Raiders.
At some point after the Battle of Yavin, a pair of refitted MagnaGuards were on Nar Shaddaa in the service of Grakkus the Hutt. The two droids battled Luke Skywalker during Grakkus' attempt to steal the young Rebel's lightsaber. Later, many of them fought evil TIE Pilots who arrived to capture Skywalker.