They were also used to sabotage or capture Rebel capital ships after being ferried over to them during a space battle. Imperial Marines were Imperial shock troopers used by the Empire to defend capital ships such as Imperial-class Star Destroyers.
Imperial Marines were a specialized military unit of the Imperial Stormtrooper Corps that was active during the period after the Clone Wars and during the Galactic Civil War, sharing a similar role to that of the clone marines that preceded them within the Grand Army of the Republic. They also utilized cutting lasers and an explosive charge to breach enemy vessels, and were generally the first wave boarding party on captured starships, and can also carry smoke pellets and flash grenades. Imperial Marines carried an E-11 blaster rifle, a MiniMag shoulder-launched proton torpedo launcher, and multiple thermal detonators as standard equipment.
