You're sneaking through a restricted Imperial terminal on Akiva. The music swells, that low, rhythmic pulsing that usually means trouble. Then you see them. Tall, encased in sleek black armor that looks like polished obsidian, and making those digital, scrambled chirps that sound more like a broken radio than a human voice. Facing Star Wars Outlaws Death Troopers isn't like a standard shootout with the white-armored "bucketheads" you've been bullying for the last ten hours of gameplay. It’s a horror game.
Ubisoft and Massive Entertainment didn't just add these guys as elite reskins. They function as the apex predators of the game's Wanted system. If you've pushed the Empire too far, they don't just send more TIE Fighters. They send the specialists. Honestly, the first time a Death Trooper squad tracked me down in the jungles, I realized very quickly that my usual "run and gun" strategy was basically a suicide note.
What Makes Star Wars Outlaws Death Troopers Different?
Most enemies in the game follow a predictable pattern. Stormtroopers miss a lot. Officers try to hide behind cover. But Death Troopers? They are aggressive. They use advanced tactics, heavy weaponry, and they don't lose track of Kay Vess as easily as the standard infantry.
In the lore, these guys are the elite of the Imperial Military Intelligence. They aren't just "good shots." They're augmented. While the game doesn't explicitly show them undergoing the surgical enhancements mentioned in Rogue One or the Rebels series, their behavior in Outlaws reflects that terrifying pedigree. They carry DLT-19D heavy blaster rifles. Those things shred Kay’s health bar in seconds. If you see the red glint of a sniper laser or the rapid-fire spray of a heavy repeater, you're likely looking at a Death Trooper squad.
They also don't work alone. Usually, they arrive in a specialized shuttle once your Wanted level hits the maximum tier. It’s a scripted event that feels chaotic every single time. You’ll see the "Imperial Manhunt" notification, and suddenly, the world gets a lot smaller.
The Gear and the Sound
One of the coolest—and most nerve-wracking—details Massive Entertainment nailed is the voice encryption. In the films, Death Troopers use C-22 personal communication scramblers. It creates that iconic "static" speech. In Star Wars Outlaws, this serves a mechanical purpose. You can’t hear them shouting "I’m reloading!" or "Flanking left!" like you can with standard troops. You have to watch their body language. It's subtle. It's smart. It's annoying as hell when you're trying to figure out if they're about to rush your cover.
Survival Tactics: Don't Be a Hero
Seriously. Don't try to go toe-to-toe with a full squad of Death Troopers unless you are fully upgraded. Even then, it’s a gamble. The game encourages stealth for a reason.
If you find yourself being hunted, your first instinct might be to find a high point and snipe. Bad move. Death Troopers are surprisingly good at flushing you out with thermal detonators. They also have way more health than your average enemy. A single headshot from a standard blaster module won't cut it. You need to use the Ion module to strip their shields if they have them, or the Power module for raw damage.
- Nix is your best friend. Use Nix to distract one trooper while you take down another. But be careful—Death Troopers are more alert. They’ll spot Nix faster than a sleepy Stormtrooper guarding a door.
- Smoke bombs are mandatory. You can't fight what you can't see, and neither can they. Dropping a smoke bomb allows you to reposition or get a stealth takedown.
- The Environment. Use those explosive canisters. It feels cliché, but against Death Troopers, you need every environmental advantage you can get.
I’ve found that the best way to deal with a Death Trooper encounter is to never have one in the first place. But that’s not always an option, especially during certain late-game missions where the Empire is breathing down your neck.
Clearing Your Wanted Level
So, you’ve survived the initial ambush, but the Death Troopers are still patrolling. You’re in a state of "Manhunt." The heat doesn't just go away by hiding in a bush for thirty seconds. In Star Wars Outlaws, the Death Trooper presence is tied to the highest tier of Imperial notoriety.
To actually get rid of them, you have two main options. You can find an Imperial Terminal and hack it, which requires a Slicing Kit and some nerves of steel. Or, you can find a corrupt Imperial Officer. These guys are usually found in cantinas or major hubs. You pay them a hefty sum of credits, and they "lose" your file. It’s expensive. It’s basically bribery. But compared to being hunted by a squad of six-foot-plus obsidian-clad killers? It’s a bargain.
There's also a specific world event where you can intercept an Imperial transmission. If you manage to take out the Death Trooper camp that's been established specifically to find you, the Wanted level resets. It’s high-risk, high-reward. These camps are heavily fortified. We’re talking turrets, droids, and at least three or four Death Troopers standing guard.
The Lore Accuracy of the Death Trooper
For the Star Wars geeks out there, the inclusion of Death Troopers in a game set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi is a nice touch. This is the height of the Empire’s power. They are throwing everything they have at the Rebellion and the criminal underworld.
Historically, Death Troopers were used as bodyguards for high-ranking officers like Director Krennic or Grand Admiral Thrawn. In Outlaws, their role as an elite "hit squad" for the ISB (Imperial Security Bureau) makes total sense. Kay Vess isn't just a common thief; she becomes a significant enough threat to warrant the Empire's most expensive assets.
It’s also worth noting their armor. The black coating isn't just for fashion—it’s a material called "reflec," which warps electromagnetic signals. This is why they’re harder to detect on your mini-map or via certain scanning abilities until they’re right on top of you. It’s a detail Massive actually integrated into the gameplay loop.
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Common Mistakes When Fighting Death Troopers
- Using the wrong Blaster Module. Stun shots don't work on them as effectively. You're wasting a cooldown.
- Staying in cover too long. They will flank you. They aren't static. If you stay behind one crate for more than ten seconds, expect a grenade at your feet.
- Ignoring the droids. Often, Death Troopers are accompanied by probe droids or even a KX-series security droid. If you focus only on the troopers, the droids will pick you apart.
- Forgetting to heal. Death Trooper damage is "spiky." You might think you're fine at 60% health, but one well-placed burst from their DLT-19D can end your run instantly.
Honestly, the most satisfying thing in the game is finally getting the drop on a Death Trooper and performing a stealth takedown. It takes longer, the animation is more intense, and it feels like a genuine achievement. You aren't just taking out a soldier; you're dismantling a piece of the Imperial terror machine.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Manhunt
If you're currently staring at a screen flashing red with an Imperial Manhunt notification, take a breath. Here is how you actually survive the next ten minutes.
First, get off the main roads. Death Troopers and Imperial patrols stick to the paths on planets like Toshara or Tatooine. If you have the Speeder upgrades for off-roading, use them. Go vertical. Use the grappling hook to reach areas where the troopers can't easily follow.
Second, check your inventory for Ion Grenades. Death Troopers often have personal shields on higher difficulty settings. A standard frag won't do much, but an Ion blast will disable their tech and leave them vulnerable for a follow-up attack from your Power module.
Third, locate the nearest Slicing Terminal immediately. Don't try to outrun the Manhunt indefinitely. The longer it lasts, the more resources the Empire pours in. Open your map, look for the Imperial icons, and path a route that avoids the main gates.
Finally, upgrade your Adrenaline Rush. If you get cornered by a squad of three Death Troopers, a fully charged Adrenaline Rush is often the only way to take them all out before they turn you into Swiss cheese. Target their heads, confirm the locks, and pray you have enough juice to finish the job.
Dealing with Star Wars Outlaws Death Troopers is a rite of passage for any player. It's the moment the game stops being a fun romp through the galaxy and starts being a desperate struggle for survival. Treat them with respect, stay quiet, and always have an exit strategy. The Empire doesn't play fair, so you shouldn't either.
Next Steps for Success
- Audit your Blaster Modules: Ensure you have the Bolt: Power upgrade to handle high-health targets.
- Scout Imperial Bases: Before engaging, identify the location of the Alarm Panels so you can disable them before the Death Trooper reinforcements are even called.
- Invest in Slicing: Max out your Slicing Kit abilities to make clearing your Wanted level at terminals faster and less prone to failure under pressure.
- Farm Credits: Always keep at least 500-1000 credits in reserve specifically for bribing Corrupt Officers if a Manhunt goes sideways.