Melvar Needa was a Senior Captain in service of the Imperial Navy during the late Galactic Civil War and the following conflicts. He was a relative of Lorth Needa, another officer, who was executed by Darth Vader. At first, he was a strong loyalist of the New Order, firmly believing that it was the best method of ruling the galaxy. After the deaths of Vader and Emperor Palpatine at Endor, however, his views of the New Order changed drastically. Nonetheless, he continued to support the crumbling Empire. For a time, Needa served a powerful Imperial warlord named Zsinj. Following his death, Needa eventually found his way to the Imperial Remnant. A graduate of the Corulag naval academy, he was considered by his instructors, superiors, and colleagues as a skilled tactician and strategist.