TIE / HU Hunter multi - role starfighter The TIE / HU Hunter multi - role starfighter was a starfighter from the TIE Series used during the Galactic Civil War by the Galactic Empire . Developed by the Empire as a means of countering the Rebel Alliance ' s T - 65 X - wing starfighter , the TIE Hunter was used exclusively by storm commando s . Characteristics . The Twin ion engine Hunter was an Imperial starfighter which had a wing configuration roughly the reverse of a TIE / IN interceptor . Similar to the T - 65 X - wing starfighter , the TIE Hunter possessed S - foils , which meant that they would open in attack mode and close in normal flight . This was largely because the TIE Hunters were created by the Galactic Empire specifically as a means to counter the T - 65 X - wing starfighter . Unlike most other contemporary TIEs of the time , TIE Hunters were equipped with a hyperdrive and shields , making them more valuable than most starfighters the Empire utilized . Because of these characteristics , it was also considered to be the fastest TIE variant among the Imperial fleet . When the S - foils were closed , the craft could not fire its weapons . TIE Hunters were piloted by one individual . They were equipped with a weapon load - out identical to that of the BTL Y - wing starfighter ; two laser cannons , two ion cannons , and a proton torpedo launcher with twelve proton torpedos . The craft carried a Class 1 hyperdrive , 2 days worth of supplies , and cost 100 , 000 credits . They also were waterproof , being capable of being submerged in reservoirs for a week and lift off with no worse for wear . History . At some point after the Fresian campaign in 1 BBY but before the Battle of Yavin , the Imperials developed the TIE Hunters , as a means to counter the Rebel Alliance ' s X - wing starfighters . TIE Hunters were used exclusively by Imperial storm commando s , although they had been field - tested by TIE pilots such as then - Captain Soontir Fel . During one instance , then - Storm Commando leader Crix Madine and the other Storm Commandos during a mission hid their TIE Hunters in a reservoir to avoid detection , and retrieved them within a week . Imperial ace pilot Tam Blackstar led the Dark Blade Squadron of TIE / IN interceptors . Shortly after the Battle of Yavin , they participated in the attack on the Arda I Rebel base , engaging the fleeing Rebel Alliance forces . A squadron of TIE Hunters was encountered by Wedge Antilles during his mission to Destrillion , although they were destroyed by the Rebel fighter ace . Several TIE Hunters were captured by the Rebel Alliance , and three of them were used in a successful raid on Fondor by Rogue Squadron shortly before the Battle of Endor . Rogue Squadron successfully made it past the shields and destroyed the unfinished " Executor " - class Super Star Destroyer being built there . Behind the scenes . The TIE Hunters appear in the 2003 video game " " . Players can fly the TIE Hunter in any completed mission after achieving all gold medals for the missions , and it is stored in a room in the back of the hangar . Its history was further expanded in the 2014 " " roleplaying game sourcebook " Stay on Target " , as well as in the guidebook " " .