For proof that Stormtroopers are actually competent soldiers, I would point to... the very first scene they appear in in Episode IV. You know, when they wipe out a number of Rebel Troopers quickly and efficently?

Plus, Stormtroopers seem to annoy the hell out of Erik: that wins them more than a few points for bad-arsery.

I mean if the Empire is so weak, why do the Rebels flee from them all the time? The moment they suspect the empire know where they are (Hoth) they star evacuation. That means the Empire, and their Stormtroopers, are to be feared.

I mean if the Empire is so weak, why do the Rebels flee from them all the time?

Cause the Empire outnumber the Rebels about a zillion to one.

I mean if the Empire is so weak, why do the Rebels flee from them all the time?

Cause the Empire outnumber the Rebels about a zillion to one.

And their soldiers are superior, as shown the very first time either shows up.

In that case, why do people want to play the Rebels, and why is it always the Empire that ends up losing? And why is Dave Filoni downplaying their fighting ability?

Since you seemed to have missed this the first time, let me refute your opinion:

Boarding of the Tantive IV:

Are Stormtroopers trying to kill people: Yes.

Do Stormtroopers actually hit people: Yes. Despite the rebels defending a natural chokepoint, the Stormtroopers are able to brush them aside while suffering only light casualties. Stormtroopers demonstrate an ability to easily land kill shots while advancing forward.

Jawa Sandcrawler:

Are Stormtroopers trying to kill people: Yes.

Do Stormtroopers actually hit people: Yes. Obi-Wan Kenobi even remarks upon their accuracy and precision.

Death Star:

Are Stormtroopers trying to kill people: No.

During the initial confrontation in the security room the imperial forces were likely trying to kill the protagonists, but were unsuccessful due to the good guys having both the element of surprise and a wookiee. After this point, Imperial forces are well aware of what is going on and are under orders to allow the good guys to escape while putting up enough of a fight to look convincing because a tracking device has been placed on the Millennium Falcon. Han and Luke fall for this ploy, but Leia remarks on how they were allowed to escape.

Do Stormtroopers actually hit people: No.

Battle of Hoth:

Are Stormtroopers trying to kill people: Yes.

Do Stormtroopers actually hit people: Yes. They are able to enter Echo base and overrun the remaining base defenders so rapidly that they almost succeed in capturing Leia and Han.

Cloud City:

Are Stormtroopers trying to kill people: No. They are under orders to prevent Luke from linking up with Lando, Leia, and Chewbacca and to herd Luke into the carbon freezing chamber.

Do Stormtroopers actually hit people: No. By scoring many near misses, they are able to use disciplined and accurate blaster fire to prevent Luke from linking up with his friends and instead pushing him into the carbon freezing chamber.

Endor:

Are Stormtroopers trying to kill people: Yes.

Do Stormtroopers actually hit people: Yes. Of the four main characters present who are worth shooting at (Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and R2-D2) two of them are hit by Stormtroopers that are firing from the hip at relatively long range. This once again demonstrates excellent marksmanship and skill in modern day point-shooting techniques. Its also worth noting that despite being ambushed by a significantly numerically superior indigenous race that knows the terrain, the Stormtroopers are able to relatively easily fight their way out of the initial ambush and push the Ewoks back into the woods. It is only after the Stormtroopers split up into smaller groups in order to chase down fleeing Ewoks that the battle turns against them. Admittedly pursuing the fleeing Ewoks was a terrible tactical decision, but that suggests severe overconfidence on the Stormtroopers part rather than poor marksmanship.

Overall, Imperial Stormtroopers consistently demonstrate excellent marksmanship when they are actually trying to shoot people. In addition, they demonstrate a willingness to, without hesitation, follow orders that put them at an extreme risk (deliberately not trying to shoot people who are shooting at you). The actions of the Stormtroopers in the movies (most of which were later fluffed to be part of the elite 501st Imperial Legion), is consistent with their description of being an elite, fanatically loyal fighting force.

Also: read this article from Cracked: http://www.cracked.com/article_18858_the-biggest-star-wars-plot-hole-explained-by-science.html

Your Rebuttal?

In that case, why do people want to play the Rebels, and why is it always the Empire that ends up losing? And why is Dave Filoni downplaying their fighting ability?

Because their the good guys, that isn't true (again the Rebels lose in the very first scene they are in and again at Hoth, heck at Yavin they lose most of their fighters to a single squadron of TIE Fighters), and he didn't, at least not to the extent you are saying he did.

Your Rebuttal?

Don't tell me. Tell Dave Filoni and the rest of the world who watched the movies and formed the opinion that Stormtroopers can't hit anything and get beaten up by Ewoks. And ideally tell Dave before he makes those hundreds of hours of television confirming everyone opinions.

Your Rebuttal?

Don't tell me. Tell Dave Filoni and the rest of the world who watched the movies and formed the opinion that Stormtroopers can't hit anything and get beaten up by Ewoks.

But I'm not debating with Filoni and the rest of the world, I'm debating with YOU. You're the one backing that thesis - so YOU get to defend it.

But I'm not debating with Filoni and the rest of the world

You should. They are a way bigger threat to Stormtroopers being awesome than I am.

Currently, my argument is to wait a year or two until some seasons of Rebels are out and then come back and say 'see? I told you they sucked.'

In that case, why do people want to play the Rebels, and why is it always the Empire that ends up losing? And why is Dave Filoni downplaying their fighting ability?

Don't tell me. Tell Dave Filoni and the rest of the world who watched the movies and formed the opinion that Stormtroopers can't hit anything and get beaten up by Ewoks. And ideally tell Dave before he makes those hundreds of hours of television confirming everyone opinions.

Currently, my argument is to wait a year or two until some seasons of Rebels are out and then come back and say 'see? I told you they sucked.'

But the plot of the tv-series will necessarily portray them as the "weaker" enemies that the Rebels meet, simply because the plot, story, series, need some minion types... that does not on the other hand mean that they suck or should be considered less dangerous. Of course you will ignore this point, because it does not fit your extremist world view.

But I'm not debating with Filoni and the rest of the world, I'm debating with YOU. You're the one backing that thesis - so YOU get to defend it.

But the plot of the tv-series will necessarily portray them as the "weaker" enemies that the Rebels meet, simply because the plot, story, series, need some minion types...

The game has the same needs.

Did you play the game Erik?

Not least because people are outright accusing ErikB of willfully misinterpreting Filoni's words which, according to Sturn, includes " It doesn't mean they aren't effective, they are "...

Podcast is there for all to listen to. Form your own opinion on what he says.

I think a few of us did listen and accuse you of lying.

A trait more in common with imps than with rebels I might add.

Podcast is there for all to listen to. Form your own opinion on what he says.

It seems you've ignored a lot of what Filoni says in this interview, or you do simply not understand stories and how to talk about stories...

Time ca 01:12:30 and onwards for clone troopers and stormtrooper stuff. Basically, clone troopers are better than stormtroopers, but that is nothing new - I think even WotC portrayed them better that way. So no one is disputing this, what we are disputing is you misleading thread title, the fact Filoni says that Stormtroopers suck, because he does not say that, at any time during the interview that you refer to, he says clone troopers are better, but still points out - as has been quote before - that they (the stormtroopers) are effective troops .

So, you are in fact a liar. Why am I not surprised.

So, now that people have listened to it, do people reckon the Stormtroopers in rebels will be the ubersoldaten of 501st members wet dreams, or the Stormtroopers a casual Star Wars fan would expect?

And will an "Imperial Army" as a much larger organisation of non Stormtroopers appear at all?

Hey, are those the only two options? Because I am not in the 501st (whom Filoni in his own words "loves") and am more of a casual fan but I don't think Stormtroopers are bad soldiers or suck,

Great way to side step the whole part where you lied about Filoni. You sure are a minion of the dark sid, Erik.

I don't think Stormtroopers are bad soldiers or suck,

More to the point, Sturn quotes Filoni as going out of his way to rebut the idea anyway.

Because I am not in the 501st (whom Filoni in his own words "loves")

Lets see if they love him after Rebels...

They probably will, because they will be stormtroopers, and stormtroopers are cool elite trooper.

And... you're a lying genital cleaning utensil.

They probably will, because they will be stormtroopers, and stormtroopers are cool elite trooper.

Which is hilarious in and of itself when you realize what that says about Star Wars fans and not just the 501st.