I was curious about finding out why the Galactic Empire decided to recruit normal humans instead of just making more clones, but have been unsuccessful in finding out any information about the topic. Does anybody know the reason why the Empire switched to using non-clone humans and if any sources in the EU have talked about it?
Thanks stung4ever. I still don't understand why the Emperor uses non clones though when he can continue to mass produce more loyal clones though, especially given the amount of defectors(Crix Madine, Hand of Judgement, Sandtrooper from Tales of Mos Eisley etc..) that seem to crop up with non cloned soldiers.
Not to mention faster. Clones take years to grow and train. Also, different galaxy. The clone army was required to take on the overwhelming number of droids the Confederacy would have, with each clone supposed to be one of the best organic soldiers ever, tough, some initiative and cleverness, but still obedient, ready for Order 66. After the Clone Wars, there's not as much need for that kind of high quality army- not for subjugating defenseless planets, moving slaves, shooting protestors, etc. And as mentioned, putting some random recruit through basic training is a lot cheaper. Kamino also wasn't as happy later on, considering how the Empire treated it, but they didn't have much of a choice. A lot of the Empire's strategy revolved around swarm tactics, quantity over quality. Although in theory even basic stormtroopers are still dangerous, as are TIE fighters, just that most stories we see involve pretty tough Rebels too.
This–and, I believe, in Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader (or was it Imperial Commando: 501st?) Palpatine also decided against the use of Jango clones due to the number of them that disobeyed Order 66 and/or deserted.
To put it simply: even the largest estimates of the Clone Army's size leave outnumbered by normal galactic citizens several billion to one. Not only can such a small force not properly oppress - I mean govern - a large galaxy, but it also means the Empire's military can greatly increase in size just by drafting some farmboys and giving them weapons.
Also just taking away most of those brave warriors of the Republic that fought for their home worlds in the Clone Wars to form the armed Forces of the Empire will make it less likely they are around to fight Imperial takeovers.
My thing is, you'd still think you would see a few of the clones slip through the cracks and still be stormtroopers, or maybe say a few of them survived everything and retired? Became like security somewhere...I don't know. But I think in LSSOM an older clone actually popped up didn't he?
Oh several stay as Veteran Stormtroopers or Stormtrooper trainers, we also know of Muzzle who founded a Merc Company. http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Aurodium_Sword As well as those Clones that went insane in the Traviss novels and just ran away.
What better way of establishing your Empire as a necessary part of the galaxy than by becoming the largest employer? Clones = slave labour whereas troopers = families dependant on the Empire for income. Thanks for this. I never got around to playing Battlefront, so I didn't know about this.
Lucas mentioned something about nobles and rich people being awarded the privilege of their kids becoming clone templates as a political maneuver under the Empire. I've always been amused by that idea and I wish it was referenced. Anyway, according to EGTW the Empire never stopped using clones, but recruits eventually outnumbered them.
There still was a clone veteran (from the Battle of Geonosis) serving Blackhole during the Battle of Mindor. Thrawn let Veers become a clone template, didn't he? And then we have not talked about the strange Baron Fel clones becoming farmers...
Another clone veteran from that era ends up joining the Rebellion: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/BL-1707
A question what are the Clone troops physical age when they are shipped out? Because BL-1707 don't look much older than somebody in their 50's/late 40's that has gone through some natural prematurely ageing because of harsh environment and lack of modern medicine