Top 10 Best TIE Fighters in Star Wars, Ranked by Power and Design

The Empire’s TIE fighters have left an unforgettable mark on Star Wars, and if you’re anything like me, they’ve likely earned a spot among your favorite starships. 

Each TIE has its own unique style and strengths, from blazingly fast interceptors to tank-like fighters loaded with missiles and shields. Here, we’re diving into the top 10 TIE fighters ranked by power and design.

Let’s get into it!

10. TIE/ln Space Superiority Starfighter

In the top 10, we have the TIE/ln Space Superiority Starfighter, a mainstay of the Imperial fleet and a vessel designed for intense, short-range dogfights. 

Developed and mass-produced by Sienar Fleet Systems, the TIE/ln was inspired by older designs, like the V-wing and Eta-2 Actis, incorporating elements that prioritized maneuverability, such as its twin ion engines and lightweight frame.

With its iconic hexagonal solar panels, this fighter channeled power directly to its engines, giving it impressive speed and agility. The engines themselves were fine-tuned for tactical versatility, enabling TIE fighters to zip through battles with lightning-quick turns. 

However, the lack of shields, heavy armor, or a hyperdrive made it vulnerable. In fact, most TIEs could be destroyed by a single well-aimed shot, so the Empire compensated by deploying these fighters en masse

What’s unique about the TIE/ln is the sound—its engines create that signature screech designed to inspire fear, a psychological tactic that complements the TIE’s tactical purpose. 

These fighters were made for short, intense missions, with pilots trained to push their reflexes and resolve to the limits. 

Each TIE pilot wore a life-support suit because the fighter’s interior had minimal environmental controls, another example of the Empire’s cost-cutting at the expense of its pilots​.

9. TIE/mg Mining Guild starfighter

The Mining Guild TIE, also known as the TIE/mg, stands out not only for its distinctive yellow color scheme but also for its purpose. 

Unlike traditional Imperial TIE fighters, the Mining Guild’s TIE/mg starfighters were designed for resource management and protection rather than all-out combat. 

Modified from the Empire’s standard TIE/ln, these fighters feature unique cutouts in their stabilizers, reducing them to eight solar collectors instead of twelve. 

This design adjustment provided Mining Guild pilots with increased visibility—a valuable adaptation for mining operations—but significantly reduced the ship’s combat maneuverability and defensive capabilities.

The Mining Guild equipped these TIEs with specialized sensors to help detect valuable materials, making them ideal for patrolling asteroid belts and monitoring mining territories. 

Basic shielding was added as a safeguard for both the equipment and the trained pilots operating them. 

While not as agile or heavily armed as other TIE variants, these Mining Guild starfighters had a specialized role, serving as both patrol ships and resource detectors.

The TIE/mg Mining Guild fighter made a memorable appearance in Star Wars Rebels when the crew of the Ghost ran into these distinct yellow TIEs during a daring heist. 

Ezra Bridger, riding alongside a purrgil, managed to knock the wing off one of these Mining Guild TIEs.

It was a clear reminder that while these TIEs have an important role in resource patrol, they’re not built to hold their own in a heated battle like their Imperial counterparts.

8. TIE Advanced v1 Prototype

TIE Advanced v1 Prototype is an experimental design that blends innovative tech with practical improvements from earlier models. 

This ship was initially based on the Scimitar, a Republic starfighter known for its deadly efficiency. The TIE Advanced v1’s most striking feature was its folding S-foils. 

Unlike most TIEs, its wings could fold inward, making it easier to store and transport, a handy feature for Imperial hangars.

Unusually, the solar panels were located only on the inner wing surfaces, with armor on the outer sides for added protection against lateral attacks. 

This design choice reduced power output from solar energy, so the engines relied on fuel for propulsion, with the solar panels powering weapons and auxiliary systems. 

It was also equipped with a hyperdrive and basic shields, a rarity in TIE models and a clear sign of the Empire’s high regard for this prototype. 

The TIE Advanced v1 came armed with two chin-mounted laser cannons and a projectile launcher that could fire tracking devices like the XX-23 S-thread tracker.

7. TIE/ba Baron Space Superiority Interceptor

The TIE/ba Baron Space Superiority Interceptor stands out as one of the First Order’s most advanced TIE designs, built by Sienar-Jaemus Fleet Systems. 

With a striking crimson hull, this starfighter wasn’t just visually distinctive; it was flown by the best of the First Order’s pilots, including Major Elrik Vonreg. 

The TIE Baron was fitted with a Class 2 hyperdrive, giving it the independence to travel across star systems without requiring a larger carrier ship—an unusual and powerful feature in TIE models

This interceptor’s power wasn’t limited to its mobility. 

Twin ion reactors and deuterium-fueled engines pushed it to speeds of up to 1,250 kph in atmospheric conditions, making it a top performer in dogfights. 

Armed with four L-s9.7 laser cannons mounted on the wingtips and capable of launching ST7 concussion missiles and mag-pulse warheads, the TIE Baron was built to strike fear in Resistance pilots. 

Its armor-plated wings and shielded cockpit made it more resilient than standard TIEs, and its flight computer system enabled precise maneuvering even in chaotic battle scenes​.

6. TIE/Sk x1 Experimental Air Superiority Fighter

In Rogue One, the TIE Striker made its explosive on-screen debut during the climactic Battle of Scarif. 

The Empire deployed these fighters to defend Scarif’s planetary security complex, a fortress safeguarding the Death Star plans. 

As the Rebel fleet attacked, TIE Strikers swooped into action, their wing-mounted cannons blazing, engaging Rebel X-wings and other fighters in fierce, in-atmosphere dogfights. 

The TIE/sk x1 Experimental Air Superiority Fighter, often called the TIE Striker, was a unique variant tailored for atmospheric missions, setting it apart from other TIE models. 

Unlike the typical space-oriented TIE designs, the TIE Striker excelled in planetary defense with flat, angled wings designed for maximum agility within a planet’s atmosphere. 

Its wings could even adjust between “flight mode” and “attack mode” for better control during high-speed pursuits or rapid ascents and descents, giving it a speed advantage over the standard TIE/ln starfighter.

Equipped with four laser cannons and ArmaTek’s VL-61/79 proton bombs, the TIE Striker was well-armed to tackle both aerial and ground targets, especially effective against Rebel vehicles and infantry. 

The large central pod also gave it a bigger payload capacity, allowing it to serve a dual purpose in transporting supplies or troops from orbit to the surface when needed. 

Its utility extended beyond combat, making it one of the few TIE models utilized by both the Imperial Navy and Army.

5. Kylo Ren’s TIE Silencer

Kylo Ren’s TIE Silencer, known as the TIE/vn Space Superiority Fighter, was designed for a pilot of his caliber—a descendant of two of the galaxy’s greatest pilots, Anakin Skywalker and Han Solo. 

Built by Sienar-Jaemus Fleet Systems, the Silencer was a prototype created to blend speed, power, and versatility in a way reminiscent of the TIE Advanced x1 and the TIE/d Defender, combining the best traits of classic Imperial starfighters with modern advancements.

Equipped with heavy laser cannons and missile launchers, the TIE Silencer brought significant firepower to the fight, making it a serious threat to Resistance forces.

One of its most notable appearances came during The Last Jedi, where Kylo took the Silencer into battle against the Resistance fleet shortly after the evacuation of D’Qar. 

In this intense engagement, Kylo’s piloting skills allowed him to destroy a section of the Raddus’s hangar, eliminating several Resistance fighters in a brutal assault. 

However, his hesitation to fire on the bridge, knowing his mother, Leia, was aboard, ultimately forced him to withdraw when Resistance forces regrouped.

4. TIE/IN Interceptor

The TIE/IN Interceptor was designed to elevate the Empire’s starfighter game, with the Rebel Alliance’s advanced ships like the X-wing and A-wing constantly pushing the Empire to adapt. 

Known for its unique arrow-shaped wings, the TIE Interceptor was fast, lethal, and fitted with precision-focused upgrades, making it the Empire’s weapon of choice for high-speed dogfights. 

Pilots nicknamed it “Squint” because of its narrow, streamlined build, which allowed for unparalleled agility in combat​.

The TIE Interceptor wasn’t just about speed; its firepower was equally formidable. 

Four laser cannons were mounted at the wingtips, offering a deadly field of attack that could break through Rebel shields with ease. 

While most TIE fighters sacrificed defensive capabilities, the Interceptor compensated with pure offense, built for elite pilots who could maneuver through dangerous engagements without relying on shields or a hyperdrive​.

In the Battle of Endor, the TIE Interceptor’s effectiveness was on full display. 

Deployed in large numbers, these ships swarmed the Rebel fleet, giving even the best Rebel pilots a run for their credits. Though it couldn’t ultimately turn the tide at Endor, the Interceptor left a lasting impact as one of the most advanced fighters in the Imperial fleet.

3. TIE/sa Bomber

The TIE/sa Bomber, or TIE Surface Assault Bomber, was a heavy hitter in the Empire’s arsenal, built for delivering massive payloads against entrenched targets. 

Recognizable by its double-pod design—one for the pilot and one for its extensive ordnance—the TIE Bomber was a direct evolution of the earlier TIE/gt, filling the role of anti-emplacement and ground support. 

Nicknamed “Dupes” by Rebel pilots due to their distinctive shape, these bombers were capable of unleashing devastating attacks on both ground installations and large starships.

One of its most iconic roles came during the Empire’s relentless pursuit of the Millennium Falcon in The Empire Strikes Back, where TIE Bombers scoured the asteroid field near Hoth, dropping explosives in an attempt to flush out Han Solo’s ship. 

The bomber’s armament options were versatile: it could carry a mix of concussion missiles, proton torpedoes, and even specialized bombs, making it capable of adapting to various combat needs. 

This model was crucial in major operations, from the infamous Night of a Thousand Tears on Mandalore, where it devastated entire cities, to brutal campaigns during Operation: Cinder after the Battle of Endor

2. TIE/D Defender

The TIE/D Defender, or simply TIE Defender, was the Empire’s attempt to craft the ultimate starfighter, balancing unmatched speed, firepower, and resilience. 

Designed by Morgan Elsbeth, this ship was part of Grand Admiral Thrawn’s initiative to create a more versatile Imperial fighter capable of challenging the growing strength of the Rebel Alliance. 

It boasted a tri-wing configuration, deflector shields, and, crucially, a hyperdrive—rare features for Imperial fighters, making it one of the most formidable ships of its time.

Armed with six laser cannons, ion torpedoes, and concussion missiles, the TIE Defender was initially developed from the TIE Advanced x7 prototype and produced on Lothal under Thrawn’s oversight. 

Though the project gained support from leaders like Grand Moff Tarkin and Emperor Palpatine, internal politics ultimately redirected funding to Project Stardust (the Death Star) after a fuel depot explosion on Lothal led to production delays. 

The TIE Defender program was scrapped, but its legacy lived on, influencing later First Order models like the TIE/sf and TIE/vn fighters and even Kylo Ren’s TIE Silencer.

1. Darth Vader’s TIE Advanced x1

At number 1, we have Darth Vader’s TIE Advanced x1, a custom-built starfighter with serious upgrades that made it far more formidable than the standard TIE/ln. 

Crafted by Santhe/Sienar Technologies to Vader’s exact specifications, this ship came equipped with features practically unheard of in other TIE models. 

It was fitted with deflector shields, a hyperdrive, and a reinforced hull—all rare luxuries among TIE fighters. 

These features not only enhanced its durability but also meant Vader could pursue targets across systems without needing a mothership for support​.

The TIE Advanced x1’s performance enhancements made it stand out. With its twin heavy blaster cannons and the capability to carry missiles, Vader’s TIE was capable of taking on multiple Rebel fighters at once. 

Its engines used an advanced solar ionization reactor, giving it higher speed and maneuverability than standard TIEs, making it a deadly tool in Vader’s hands. 

Its larger cockpit space also suited Vader’s imposing figure and even included a rare life-support system, allowing him to fly without his usual reliance on a Star Destroyer nearby.