Vindoo Barvel Vindoo Barvel , also known by the moniker " The Shooter , " was an Imperial starfighter ace and one of the most decorated TIE pilots in the Imperial Navy . Barvel , a Human male , served in the Republic Navy during the Clone Wars , where he quickly became an ace . Following the Declaration of a New Order in 19 BBY , Barvel became a recruiter for the Imperial Navy , where he played on his reputation as one of the galaxy ' s best pilots to attract recruits . Barvel also served as the head of the pilot school at Imperial City Naval Base . At one point , Barvel flew against Darth Vader in a training exercise with powered - down lasers . Though he was considered one of the galaxy ' s best pilots , Barvel proved no match for Vader , who shot him down . Biography . The Human male Vindoo Barvel fought in the Clone Wars on the side of the Galactic Republic . Flying with the Republic Navy , he was known as one of the best pilots on the Republic ' s side . Barvel , nicknamed " The Shooter , " had over thirty confirmed kills , and at least that number in probables and kills he did not report . Following the end of the war and creation of the Galactic Empire in 19 BBY , Barvel continued to serve in the Navy , now under the Empire . However , he was pulled out of active duty , and became a recruiter for the Empire . Barvel , with his reputation as one of the best pilots in the Imperial Navy , was considered a hero by many . He was also placed in charge of pilot training school at Imperial City Naval Base , where he mentored recruits like Villian Dance . At some point prior to 2 BBY , Colonel Barvel was flying in a training exercise using powered - down fighters with several pilots when Darth Vader arrived . An elite pilot himself , Vader requested a TIE Fighter to fly alongside the others and test his skill . After just seconds , he had eliminated all the other pilots save for Barvel . Vader flew behind Barvel , matching him maneuver for maneuver . Though Vader was unable to shoot down Barvel immediately , it was quickly apparent to the watchers that the Dark Lord was merely toying with Barvel — a fact made evident when Vader simply swooped down behind Barvel and shot him down , ending the exercise before the ace could react . Sometime following the Battle of Yavin , Barvel took part in a skirmish against at least one Rebel pilot . Though defeated in the fight , the Imperial pilot managed to escape in his crippled TIE Fighter . Personality and traits . Vil Dance and numerous other pilots considered Barvel to be one of the best , if not the best , TIE pilots in the Imperial Navy . He was able to shoot down over sixty enemy ships in the Clone Wars , earning him the rank of ace twelve times over . However , when he flew with Darth Vader , Barvel was outmatched and beaten relatively easily . Barvel had brown hair , brown eyes and light skin . Behind the scenes . Vindoo Barvel was created for the 2007 novel " Death Star " , written by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry , in which he was mentioned by Villian Dance , one of the primary protagonists , as an expert pilot . Barvel , in his TIE Fighter , would reappear in canon when he was added to the video game " Star Wars Galaxies " in as one of various , randomly - generated " " whom the player , as a Rebel character , can fight in a . A message indicates that the player successfully defeated Barvel once vanquished . The player then receives a icon for the feat .