They came in three versions: the Phase I dark trooper was a skeletal droid armed simply with a vibro-blade and physical shield it was primarily a testbed for the later stages as well as the Phase II which featured also the external elements. In addition to providing superior defense against enemy fire, the armor was specially modified to allow a soldier inside to endure the extreme maneuvers the suit/droid was designed to perform.

Dark troopers wore dark gray armor made of the nearly indestructible metal phrik, mined on the moon Gromas 16. They were equipped with specialized assault cannons, which were modifications on the Imperial repeaters, rather than the the standard E-11 rifle they were also issued additional fragmentation grenades, thermal detonators and concussion grenades. They used their advanced combat techniques and jetpacks to drop behind enemy lines or outflank enemy positions, contributing to the overall effectiveness of battle maneuvers by creating havoc amongst their foes. Squads of the dark troopers were characteristically deployed along side the standard Imperial stormtroopers and the Imperial Army regulars in battles to add their distinctive advantage. Concerned about the potential threat of the dark troopers, Mon Mothma tasked Kyle Katarn with the program's destruction. They slaughtered all the Rebels in the base.

The dark troopers were first used against the Rebel Tak Base in the Battle of Talay, in retaliation for the destruction of the first Death Star. It comprised of the armor and the application of weaponry so it was intended for use with the basic stormtrooper (clone and the like) but looking forward to whatever internal system that might be developed. The main goal for the dark trooper project was to create the next evolution of the stormtrooper. He operated the dark trooper project from his customized starship, Arc Hammer. The Dark Trooper Project was the brainchild of General Rom Mohc, who strongly advocated the martial virtues of close combat with one's enemy, and thus disagreed with the philosophy that created such weapons as the Death Star. The dark troopers were advanced battle droids that featured heavy armor that resembled that of a stormtrooper, powerful weapons, and jetpacks for increased flexibility and tactical advantage. Inquisitorium dark trooper on Mustafar (rare).

Phase 3 dark trooper