HK-87
The HK-87 assassin droid is a lethal humanoid combat droid manufactured by Czerka Corporation, based on an antiquated assassin droid architecture. Serving under Imperial loyalist Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth, Baylan Skoll, and Shin Hati, these agile droids acted as enforcers and guards during the Imperial and New Republic Eras.
Cronologia
Biografia
The HK-87 assassin droid was a high-performance humanoid combat unit utilized by Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth and Imperial Remnant forces during the reign of the Empire and the New Republic Era. Designed as formidable enforcers, HK-87 units were stationed on the forest planet of Corvus between 9 BBY and 2 BBY, where they guarded Elsbeth's residence in Calodan and suppressed local citizen rebellions.
Following the fall of the Galactic Empire around 9 ABY, HK-87 droids remained in service to Elsbeth. When Ahsoka Tano and the Mandalorian Din Djarin joined forces to liberate Calodan, the droids engaged both warriors in combat, with Ahsoka destroying one unit and Djarin sniping another from a rooftop.
Later, surviving and newly deployed HK-87 units accompanied Elsbeth, Baylan Skoll, and Shin Hati across Arcana, Lothal, Corellia, and Seatos in search of the star map to Grand Admiral Thrawn. Several units were dismantled during engagements with Ahsoka, Sabine Wren, and the architect droid Huyang. Around 14 ABY, additional HK-87 droids served within the Droid Gotra security forces on Nal Hutta for the Hutt Twins, where several were obliterated during a crash landing led by Djarin and Grogu.
Storia
Built by the Czerka Corporation, the HK-87 model was constructed upon an ancient assassin droid framework, carrying on the dangerous lineage of Old Republic HK-series assassin droids like the HK-47.
Despite being recognized across the galaxy as an antiquated design, the droids were upgraded with modern armor plating and mobility systems to serve as private security, bodyguards, and elite soldiers.
During the Imperial Era, Morgan Elsbeth acquired HK-87 units to maintain order in Calodan on Corvus while extracting the planet's natural resources for the Imperial Navy. To signify their allegiance to Grand Admiral Thrawn, some HK-87 units had the chimaera crest of the 7th Fleet stenciled onto the side of their heads. Post-Endor, the droids continued their loyalty to Elsbeth's fleet, wearing distinct black-and-red half-cloaks or full black capes.
I PEZZI DI HK-87
Evoluzione
From a design perspective, the HK-87 assassin droid represents a blend of vintage Star Wars concept art and Old Republic gaming lore. Executive producer Dave Filoni derived the droids from the classic HK-series assassin droids (such as HK-47) created by BioWare for the 2003 video game *Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic*.
To give the droids a unique silhouette in *The Mandalorian*, concept artist Brian Matyas adapted an unused 1977 Ralph McQuarrie concept sketch originally intended for IG-88B and combined it with the long-limbed proportions of KX-series security droids. The addition of fabric half-cloaks was inspired by the IG-100 MagnaGuards from *Revenge of the Sith* to reinforce a samurai aesthetic. In-universe, the droids evolved visually and tactically across eras. During the Imperial period on Corvus, they wore grey-and-red armor with black half-cloaks. By the time of *Star Wars: Ahsoka*, units operating under Morgan Elsbeth and Baylan Skoll appeared in vibrant crimson-plated variants equipped with advanced self-destruct mechanisms to safeguard Imperial secrets.
Da Collezione
For action figure collectors and army builders, the HK-87 assassin droid has become a prominent release across multiple scales and brands. Hasbro introduced the droid to the 6-inch *Star Wars: The Black Series* line in two main variants: the original Corvus version (grey torso with red limbs) in Wave 10, and the striking crimson Arcana version in Wave 13.
Amazon also released an exclusive Carbonized 2-Pack pairing the HK-87 with Ahsoka Tano. In the 3.75-inch scale, Hasbro produced the figure under *The Vintage Collection* (VC330) as part of the 2024 Imperial March campaign, alongside a classic Kenner-style *Retro Collection* edition. LEGO enthusiasts can acquire an official HK-87 minifigure included in *Ahsoka Tano's T-6 Jedi Shuttle* (Set #75362), featuring its signature red headpiece and dark cape.
Dave Filoni introduced the HK-87 in live-action specifically to provide a formidable mechanical opponent so the story wouldn't feel entirely like a samurai film.
