Death Troopers are the most intimidating of the Imperial forces. One alone would strike terror but a group of them serves the Empire’s objective of fear and control. Along with their frightful appearance, they also communicate in an unintelligible manner. Do Death Troopers use voice scramblers to enhance their intimidation? Yes, but encrypting their voices also coincides with their primary duties.
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No Outside Communication Necessary
As an “elite variant of stormtroopers,” Death Troopers operate under the Imperial Intelligence Service. As such, they are tasked with “stealth, espionage and lethality.” With just one look, they instill intimidation and do not hesitate to carry out a death sentence, as we’ve seen in scenes like the opening one from Rogue One.
Due to the insular nature of their work and reporting structure, Death Troopers do not have a need for outside communication. As their Wookieepedia page describes, their helmets include “voice scramblers” equipped with Death Trooper Encryption that allows them to speak with fellow Troopers without anyone else being able to decipher it.
This is a point that fans have elaborated on, indicating how this feature coincides with how Death Troopers “are given kill orders and they carry them out, no reply necessary.” Since “each unit is a contained operation,” these Troopers also only need to communicate among themselves. Likewise, the encryption element protects what they say from enemy listeners, or casual observers, for that matter.
Death Troopers relied on this encryption technology when they came with Director Krennic to take/kidnap Galen Erso on Lah’mu. In this case, no response was needed when they blasted Lyra Erso. When on stealth missions or open combat, they would only need to address each other. Hence, scrambling their voices serves practical purposes.
To Make Them More Menacing
Yet, we can readily see how voice scramblers make Death Troopers inhuman and more menacing. They strike terror into those whom they confront.
Technically, Death Troopers are human, unlike Undead Troopers with their “cannibalistic urges.” But they certainly seem inhuman in their black armor and deadly intent. Palpatine planned it that way to make them the most menacing conduit of the Empire’s reach. Moff Gideon later transformed them into the droid version for the Imperial remnant.
In Andor, when Dedra Meero brings a couple of Death Troopers to help find Cassian on Ferrix, they send chills into the air. They tower above her with weapons ready. Adding the voice effect completes them.
This other discussion about their voice scramblers stresses this aspect. Since the Empire “is very much about intimidation,” the way they talk supports that intention. The encoded, mechanical language goes with the Tarkin Doctrine and “rule by fear.”
In this breakdown, we also find an emphasis on how Death Troopers are “far more menacing” than Stormtroopers. Their specialized training in warfare surpasses regular troopers and could potentially take on the likes of Vader and Thrawn.
At the minimum, they rank high on lists of the deadliest troopers, like this one, for their “use of heavy weaponry,” “unarmed combat, demolition, and guerrilla warfare.” Naturally, they need voices to bolster their already fearsome abilities.
Death Troopers Voice Scramblers
We can prioritize the communication component, or lack thereof, for why Death Troopers have voice scramblers. Yet, we should not dismiss the intimidation and fear angles. Their encrypted, scrambled sounds are menacing to hear and keep their talk secure.