There's a lot of iconic elements to Star Wars, whether it's the pew-pew sounds, the death sticks, the asthmatic breathing of Lord Vader or the droids that inhabit the sci-fi fantasy galaxy. Whilst you could say that most are harmless, the Clone Wars would prove otherwise.
During this titular period where the Fett's united against the Roger Rogers, droids proved themselves to the galaxy at large that they can be as ruthless and horrifying as any organic can, and it goes far beyond the footsoldiers. With that in mind, here are the ten most powerful droids in Star Wars.
10 R2-D2
R2-D2 is as beloved as any other character despite being a beeping robot that follows the Skywalkers around like a lost puppy. He had a snarky attitude and a no-nonsense presence in the original trilogy despite his dialogue being nothing more than some computer sound effects.
However, it was in the prequels that we finally got to see R2-D2 shine as he survived some of the most incredible odds - perhaps he's force sensitive too. What really solidified his power was in the opening of Revenge of the Sith when R2 single-handedly took on a group of droid soldiers. It was an impressive feat for the astromech.
9 BB-8
The sequel trilogy wouldn't be complete without its very own iconic droid that has both an attitude and incredible marketing potential. In comes BB-8, a tennis ball with a head slapped on top that can hotwire AT-ST's at a moment's notice for maximum kapow.
He's an integral part of the resistance and the very plot of The Force Awakens as, much like with R2-D2 in A New Hope, this seemingly average droid is stuffed with vital information that makes him a key player to the narrative.
8 L3-37
Lando's very own walking and talking droid that he seemed to have feelings for - it's a messy situation. She's got power, presence, humor and a flair for resistance. Had Han met her a few years later, maybe he'd have seen what Calrissian saw. L3 is very much the butt of the joke throughout Solo but she excels in the role.
Despite her being a joke more often than not, her push for liberation and her integration into the Millenium Falcon itself makes her a force to be reckoned with.
7 IG-88
IG-88 is something else. You may know the design from the more recently aired Mandalorian but IG-88 is a different droid that appeared in The Empire Strikes Back. He was one the bounty hunters who Vader brought into his service, alongside pillars of the industry like Boba-the-clone-Fett and Bossk.
He's got a mean spirit and a kicker of a backstory as he single-handedly slaughtered his creators only to break free and become one of the most feared bounty hunters in the galaxy which likely stems from the stigma people developed following the Clone Wars.
6 BT-1
C-3PO and R2-D2 are one of the most beloved duos in cinema and so it is only natural that in the Darth Vader comic, Ani himself would end up with villainous doppelgangers in BT-1 and O-O-O. The picture above sums up the contrast between the two droids fairly well.
BT-1 is a torture droid who is far too dangerous to keep around the house. Whilst a Roomba might vacuum your living room, BT-1 is more likely to whip out the big guns and mow you down just for the fun of it.
5 0-0-0
Triple-O, or O-O-O, is the villainous C-3PO of the Darth Vader and Doctor Aphra comics and he is a major step up from the typical depiction of protocol droids. Speaking every language known to the galaxy is an overrated ability when you can turn your fingers into swiss-army-knife torture devices.
What truly solidifies Triple-O's place on this list is that he became a crime lord. A protocol droid, during the height of the Empire, became a crime lord. It's a truly impressive feat for a droid designed to be a nanny and a translator.
4 K-2SO
Rogue One was a hit with fans and critics alike and it brought with it one of the most entertaining droids in the entire line-up. However, K-2SO's fantastic attitude and personality aren't enough to put him onto a list of the most powerful droids, but his sheer strength, deception, and prowess most certainly are.
He held down the fort and tackled numerous Stormtroopers, playing a pivotal role in the theft of the Death Star plans which ultimately led to the destruction of the Death Star itself. He died but took down so many with him.
3 Droidekas
The rolly boys of the Clone Wars might not be as unique as other entries into this list but their very presence is undeniable intimidating as they not only turn into wheels that launch themselves into the battle but when they unravel, they essentially become turrets with an impenetrable shield.
Sure, grenades and a handy glowstick can take down these terrors, but they can quite easily overwhelm their opponents and a grenade has to be well-timed for that to even be remotely worth the risk. You're best off just using the one-time force-speed ability and zipping out of sight.
2 The MagnaGuards
If only Grievous wasn't a slimy organic beneath that metal tank-top he wears, he'd make for a solid addition to this list of the most powerful clankers. With him out of the ring, it's only fair that his MagnaGuards, the elites who can tango with Jedi themselves in melee combat, make an appearance.
There's no doubt that, had Obi-Wan not been able to so effortlessly crush them with an object from above, he'd have been in for an intense fight with these henchmen in Revenge of the Sith and the fact that they can handle themselves against Jedi is a telling sign of their strength.
1 HK-47
The MagnaGuards may be able to stand off against the Jedi should the need arise, but HK-47 was a Jedi hunter built by none other than Darth Revan himself. His memory was eventually wiped and, like many other powerful droids, he slaughtered master after master, proving himself to be a truly menacing force to reckon with.
He has worked with the Sith, the Hutts, Malgus' Empire and more. He may no longer be canon, but his truly witty dialogue and incredible feats make him one of the most powerful and respectable droids of all-time.