Dalek Trooper

Lytton leading a group of Dalek Troopers. (TV: Resurrection of the Daleks)

Dalek Troopers were humanoid soldiers in the service of the Dalek Empire after their numbers had been greatly reduced in the war with the Movellans circa 4590. They were formed from mercenaries hired by Supreme Dalek and later fought for his faction against Davros.

Technology

Dalek Troopers wore black and grey uniforms with either red or yellow markings, and armour and helmets that had similar highlights to Dalek casings; however, the armour was not resistant against Dalek weapons or human sidearms. Troopers were armed with a rifle-type blaster that fit completely over one hand. (TV: Resurrection of the Daleks)

Interestingly, the Trooper hand blaster and eyestalk-styled helmet were incorporated directly into the bodies of later Dalek puppets. (TV: Asylum of the Daleks)

History

In response to the high Dalek casualties of their war with the Movellans, the Daleks hired human or humanoid mercenaries, possibly bolstering their ranks with mind-controlled Dalek duplicates. When the Fifth Doctor asked Trooper Stien "are you all duplicates?," he responded "yes," (TV: Resurrection of the Daleks) and the Dalek battlecruiser assaulting the Prison Station was crewed by Tellurians. (PROSE: Resurrection of the Daleks) Additionally, Trooper leader Lytton was a Charnel from Riften 5. (PROSE: Attack of the Cybermen)

The Troopers retained noticeably more free will and autonomy than either the earlier Robomen (TV: The Dalek Invasion of Earth) or the subsequent Dalek puppets, although like duplicates, puppets with stronger wills could overcome their Dalek programming. (TV: Asylum of the Daleks) Lytton often disagreed with the Supreme Dalek over the approach to the Daleks' overall strategy, but otherwise the Troopers carried out their orders.

Troopers were used as auxiliaries to assist in rescuing Davros, whom humans had imprisoned in suspended animation. They took casualties from surviving members of the prison crew while freeing Davros, and eventually were betrayed by the Supreme Dalek. All but one Trooper and Lytton were killed on Earth in 1984, where Lytton killed the last Trooper himself and went undercover with his policemen. (TV: Resurrection of the Daleks)

Troopers later accompanied the Dalek force that captured Davros on Necros. (PROSE: Revelation of the Daleks)

Behind the scenes

In the Children in Need special Dimensions in Time, which is not considered a valid DWU source by this wiki, the First Rani collected a Dalek Trooper as part of her ambitious scheme.