Andor TIE Avenger Brings a Piece of a Classic Star Wars Game Into Official Canon

The Star Wars franchise has seen a number of adaptations over the years, ranging from novels to comics to video games. Most of this material is considered non-canonical to the movies and relegated to the Star Wars Legends line (formerly known as the Star Wars Expanded Universe). However, some of this material has been introduced into the canon through recent Star Wars television series and cartoons. Such is the case with the TIE Avenger, which was presented for the first time in live action in the premiere episode of Andor Season 2.

How does the Andor TIE Avenger tie into a Star Wars video game?

The first episode of the second season of Andor, “One Year Later,” opened with Cassian Andor on a covert mission. Posing as an Imperial test pilot, Cassian was charged with stealing an experimental starfighter from Sienar Test Facility 73. With the aid of a technician named Niya, who wished to aid the Rebel Alliance, Cassian was able to gain access to the TIE Avenger.

Unfortunately, the mission quickly took a turn for the worse. The training Cassian had been given to pilot the Andor TIE Avenger proved to be faulty. He accidentally reversed into the hangar wall, which set off an alarm and summoned a team of Stormtroopers. The only thing that saved Cassian was the advanced weapons and shielding of the Andor TIE Avenger. This enables him to survive and escape, albeit by shooting down the blast doors of the base.

While looking a little different than a standard TIE Fighter, the TIE Avenger is a notable starfighter among Star Wars fans. It is obviously more powerful and durable than the standard ship that inspired it. However, the Andor TIE Avenger is also notable for its origins within the Star Wars Legends line.

The original TIE Avenger was created for the 1994 video game Star Wars: TIE Fighter. Produced by Lucasfilm Games, it was the highly anticipated sequel to 1993’s Star Wars: X-Wing, which was the first Star Wars game made for gaming PCs. Whereas the original flight sim centered on the Rebel Alliance, the sequel allowed players to play as an Imperial pilot.

Beyond featuring an improved flight simulator, Star Wars: TIE Fighter was notable for how it expanded the arsenal of the Empire. Apart from simple starfighters, the player could pilot capital ships, utility vehicles, and experimental variants. This included the TIE Avenger, which was modified in a similar fashion to Darth Vader’s personal ship, the TIE Advanced x1.

In Star Wars: TIE Fighter, the TIE Avenger was created to combat the mounting costs of replacing pilots and starships. The general attitude was that swarms of cheap craft and strength in numbers would prove sufficient to win any battle. This proved to be inefficient, however, as the Rebel Alliance recruited more and more skilled pilots.

To that end, the TIE Avenger was given several features that made it more likely to survive an extended firefight. Chief among these were deflector shields that the original TIE Fighter lacked. The TIE Avenger also featured a tractor beam and warhead launchers. This, coupled with the speed and maneuverability that defined the TIE class, made it a much more effective vehicle.

How does the Andor TIE Avenger compare to the game?

Andor Season 2 does not go into the technical specifications of the Andor TIE Avenger. However, what we see of the ship in action is, to quote Darth Vader, “most impressive.” It appears to have the same deflector shields as the game TIE Avenger. It is certainly more durable than a standard TIE Fighter, surviving several collisions while still being flightworthy. The Andor TIE Avenger was also able to withstand several lengthy barrages of laser fire at close range.

Andor Season 2, Episodes 1-3 are now streaming on Disney+.