The TIE Advanced [Before Hoth Version] was based on a design from Lord Vader, but unlike Lord Vader's TIE Advanced model it lacks the aft deck. It was in limited production after the Battle of Yavin (but well before the Battle of Hoth), and was slated to see service in greater numbers in the months ahead. This new fighter in the TIE series was faster than anything in widespread service at the time, however the fighter was badly under armed. The TIE Advanced featured fast recharging shields and extended Twin Ion Engine capacity. Because the TIE Advanced was so difficult to hit in combat, there was usually enough time for its shields to partially recover. Even in the hands of a mediocre pilot this was an extremely formidable starfighter. Nonetheless, TIE Advanced pilots required considerably more training than pilots of other starfighters.

    The Rebels first observed this starfighter as part of the Imperial Nebulon-B Frigate Elite's starfighter complement during an armed reconnaissance some time before the Battle of Hoth. Unfortunately, the Empire's first deployment of the TIE Advanced was disastrous. In that incident, three squadrons of TIE Advanced were lost against the MC80a Stimsenj'kat during the Rebel vessel's supply recovery operation. In the Empire's retribution against the Leafar who had begun to challenge the rightful authority of the Galactic Empire, the ISD Badi Dea which was equipped with several squadrons of TIE Advanced was sent in to disrupt their shipping. However, due to Rebel intervention and the performance of the TIE Advanced, the Rebels managed to throw the Empire's intention into disarray.

    Alarmed with this Imperial development, Rebel spies located a secret Imperial base that was testing the starfighter and training pilots for this version of TIE Advanced. The Rebels raided and destroyed the base, but not before stealing some of the TIE Advanced stored in the cargo containers. The Rebels captured the TIE Advanced for study. Rebel analysis of the starfighter revealed to them that the Empire had developed a new type of shield technology. And it was this very technology the Rebels sought as their solution for their difficulties in conducting Operation Ram's Head.