Reference Book: Star Wars Saga Edition Scavenger's Guide to Droids
Millions of manufacturing companies produce Droids. Most are small companies that cater to local regions, manufacture specialized units, or focus on highly customized models. The major interstellar manufacturers dominate specific markets, although those markets shift as the demands of the galactic government and mega corporations change.
Throughout the Clone Wars and the Galactic Civil War, Cybot Galactica and Industrial Automaton are the dominant manufacturers, with Arakyd Industries, MerenData, Serv-O-Droid, and Veril Line Systems as major players in their respective markets. During the Clone Wars, most Separatist Battle Droids are manufactured by Baktoid Combat Automata forces, with other units coming from the Techno Union, Colicoid Creation Nest, and the Commerce Guild. However, Droid manufacturing has existed for thousands of years. In the time of The Old Republic, 4,000 years before The Rebellion Era, Czerka Corporation, Duwani Mechanical Products, and Aratech Repulsor Company dominated the Droid markets of their day; other well-known manufacturers, such as MerenData and Serv-O-Droid, were also becoming competitive.
Although manufacturing plants can be found on both major and lesser worlds, a significant percentage of Droids come from either Mechis III or Telti. These two worlds specialize in Droid production to such an extent that their surfaces are essentially covered by automated precision-manufacturing plants. The major manufacturers use these fabrication facilities extensively. Most of the Droids built in these facilities are shipped by bulk freighter, but light freighter jockeys make a decent living running small orders to isolated regions of the galaxy.
Droid Manufacturer Traits[]
A Droid reflects its manufacturer in many ways- physical design, reliability, signature systems, and even personality traits. Some companies and model lines become known for these attributes, good and bad. Since all Droids are also individuals, the influence of such traits varies greatly from unit to unit. A manufacturer's descriptions include typical traits or attributes that apply to the Droids it manufactures. These traits can be added as a template to any Droid manufactured by the company, although their usage is optional in game play.
- Arakyd Industries
- Baktoid Combat Automata
- Balmorran Arms
- Colicoid Creation Nest
- Cybot Galactica
- Czerka Corporation
- Duwani Mechanical Products
- Holowan Mechanicals
- Imperial Department of Military Research
- Industrial Automaton
- MerenData
- Roche
- Serv-O-Droid
- Tendrando Arms
- Veril Line Systems
Droid Builders[]
So, you want to know about Droid Manufacturers? Well, l can tell you a few things. First, people have their sentimental favorites. However, as a buyer, it pays to know that Cybot's standard parts are plentiful and inexpensive, while Veriline's Droids can take a pounding. The manufacturer is important, but most people buy their Droids used, so I think it's more important to know the Droid's recent repair history and if it's been rebuilt with nonstandard parts.
You want galactic servicing and support? Better buy from the big guys. You want modifications? The authorized shops won't add on unauthorized parts, no matter how useful. Find your local Droid shop- preferably one that specializes in your kind of Droid. Believe me, you don't want someone learning on your job. They might swear that all Droids are the same, but they're not. And you don't need your Battle Droid to suddenly worry about proper etiquette mid-battle.
Always remember, the biggest and best known companies build decent and highly resilient machines, but the best built come from custom Droid shops.