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{{Youmay|armor|the novel | {{Youmay|armor|the novel ''[[The Mandalorian Armor]]''}} | ||
{{Armor | {{Armor | ||
|image=[[File:Mandalorian_Armors.jpg]] | |image=[[File:Mandalorian_Armors.jpg]] | ||
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|manufacturer=[[Mandalorian/Legends|Mandalorian]] [[Metalsmith/Legends|metalsmiths]]<ref name="TMPaC">{{InsiderCite|86|The Mandalorians: People and Culture}}</ref> | |manufacturer=[[Mandalorian/Legends|Mandalorian]] [[Metalsmith/Legends|metalsmiths]]<ref name="TMPaC">{{InsiderCite|86|The Mandalorians: People and Culture}}</ref> | ||
|model=*[[Crusader armor]]<ref name="HotM">{{InsiderCite|80|The History of the Mandalorians}}</ref> | |model=*[[Crusader armor]]<ref name="HotM">{{InsiderCite|80|The History of the Mandalorians}}</ref> | ||
*''[[Beskar'kandar]]''<ref name="BoS">''[[Book of Sith: Secrets from the Dark Side]]''</ref> | *''[[Beskar'kandar]]''<ref name="BoS">''[[Book of Sith: Secrets from the Dark Side]]''</ref> | ||
* | *Mandalorian Shock Trooper Armor<ref name="HotM" /> | ||
*[[Death Watch Armor]]<ref name="HotM" /> | *[[Death Watch Armor]]<ref name="HotM" /> | ||
|type=Full body [[Armor/Legends|armor]]<ref name="TMPaC" /> | |type=Full-body [[Armor/Legends|armor]]<ref name="TMPaC" /> | ||
|culture=Mandalorian<ref name="TMPaC" /> | |culture=Mandalorian<ref name="TMPaC" /> | ||
|creators= | |creators= | ||
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|heritage= | |heritage= | ||
|affiliation=Mandalorians<ref name="TMPaC" />}} | |affiliation=Mandalorians<ref name="TMPaC" />}} | ||
{{Quote|There are two reasons why we have to wear armor. One is so that we don't get killed too easily. The other is so that we all look Mandalorian, however different we may be from our brothers and sisters.|A [[Mandalorian/Legends|Mandalorian]] [[Parent/Legends|mother]] | {{Quote|There are two reasons why we have to wear armor. One is so that we don't get killed too easily. The other is so that we all look Mandalorian, however different we may be from our brothers and sisters.|A [[Mandalorian/Legends|Mandalorian]] [[Parent/Legends|mother]] to her daughter|<ref name="O66" />}} | ||
The most recognizable symbol of the [[Mandalorian/Legends|Mandalorian]] culture, '''Mandalorian armor''' was a catch-all term for the sets of distinctive full-body [[Armor/Legends|armor]] worn by Mandalorian warriors and [[Soldier/Legends|soldiers]] throughout [[The galaxy/Legends|galactic]] history. Known as '''''beskar'gam''''' in the Mandalorian [[Language/Legends|language]] of [[Mando'a/Legends|''Mando'a'']]—a name which meant "[[Iron/Legends|iron]] skin" | The most recognizable symbol of the [[Mandalorian/Legends|Mandalorian]] culture, '''Mandalorian armor''' was a catch-all term for the sets of distinctive full-body [[Armor/Legends|armor]] worn by Mandalorian warriors and [[Soldier/Legends|soldiers]] throughout [[The galaxy/Legends|galactic]] history. Known as '''''beskar'gam''''' in the Mandalorian [[Language/Legends|language]] of [[Mando'a/Legends|''Mando'a'']]—a name which meant "[[Iron/Legends|iron]] skin" in [[Galactic Basic Standard/Legends|Basic]]—Mandalorian armor was central to the Mandalorian way of life. The wearing of armor was one of the ''[[Resol'nare]]'', the six tenets that defined the Mandalorian culture. In an expansive community comprising beings from numerous origins, the easily identifiable armor not only provided protection for the wearer, but a common visual identity for any and all Mandalorians, regardless of [[Species/Legends|species]] or [[Gender/Legends|gender]]. | ||
The specific design of Mandalorian armor evolved over [[Time/Legends|time]], gaining more sophisticated features over the [[Standard year/Legends|years]], including the incorporation of advanced helmet [[Heads-up display/Legends|heads-up displays]], and armor-mounted weapon systems such as [[Flamethrower/Legends|flamethrowers]] and [[wrist rocket launcher]]s. However, one of the armor's most lasting features was the T-shaped visor that adorned the helmet's face across its various incarnations. Numerous materials were employed in the creation of Mandalorian armor through the millennia, from [[alum]] and [[Durasteel/Legends|durasteel]], to [[Stygian-triprismatic polymer/Legends|stygian-triprismatic polymer]] and the nearly indestructible [[Mandalorian iron|''beskar'' | The specific design of Mandalorian armor evolved over [[Time/Legends|time]], gaining more sophisticated features over the [[Standard year/Legends|years]], including the incorporation of advanced helmet [[Heads-up display/Legends|heads-up displays]], and armor-mounted weapon systems such as [[Flamethrower/Legends|flamethrowers]] and [[wrist rocket launcher]]s. However, one of the armor's most lasting features was the T-shaped visor that adorned the helmet's face across its various incarnations. Numerous materials were employed in the creation of Mandalorian armor through the millennia, from [[alum]] and [[Durasteel/Legends|durasteel]], to [[Stygian-triprismatic polymer/Legends|stygian-triprismatic polymer]] and the nearly indestructible [[Mandalorian iron|''beskar'' iron]]. Mandalorian armor forged from ''beskar'' was highly prized for its incredible resilience, and while sets of armor were often passed down from one generation to the next, ''beskar'' armor was considered the most valuable. The appearance of a Mandalorian's armor was largely up to the individual, as the highly independent Mandalorian people customized their armor with different [[Color/Legends|colored]] paint schemes, clan and unit sigils, personalized glyphs, or other marking patterns in accordance to their own tastes. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The design of [[Mandalorian/Legends|Mandalorian]] armor changed a great deal in the seven millennia after the [[Taung/Legends|Taung]] first settled the planet [[Mandalore/Legends|Mandalore]]. | |||
The design of Mandalorian armor changed a great deal in the seven millennia after the [[Taung/Legends|Taung]] first settled the planet [[Mandalore/Legends|Mandalore]]. | |||
The first, widely recognizable version was the [[Crusader armor|Crusader Armor]] which was the signature armor worn by the [[Mandalorian Crusaders]] led by [[Mandalore the Indomitable]] during the [[Great Sith War/Legends|Great Sith War]]. It had a jagged, organic form that varied from soldier to soldier. The design of Crusader Armor was centered | The first, widely recognizable version was the [[Crusader armor|Crusader Armor]], which was the signature armor worn by the [[Mandalorian Crusaders]] led by [[Mandalore the Indomitable]] during the [[Great Sith War/Legends|Great Sith War]]. It had a jagged, organic form that varied from soldier to soldier. The design of Crusader Armor was centered on defending its wearer during melee combat, which the Mandalorians considered the most honorable form of battle.<ref name="HotM" /> | ||
During [[Mandalore the Ultimate]]'s reign as [[Mandalore (title)|Mandalore]], the [[Neo-Crusader armor]] was designed by [[Cassus Fett]] for use in the [[Mandalorian Wars]] to foster a sense of unity among the many disparate species being recruited into the [[Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders/Legends|Neo-Crusader movement]]. By the [[Taris Siege|invasion of Taris]], the Neo-Crusaders' beliefs had spread far and wide among the Mandalorian clans and the armor all but replaced the earlier, more individualized suits. Neo-Crusader armor came in four colors, each corresponding to a rank—silver for veterans on the front line, gold for [[Field Marshal]]s, crimson for [[Rally Master]]s and blue for all others. Later in the war, new armors were developed for use by special units such as the [[Neo-Crusader Shock Trooper]]s.<ref name="KOTORCG">''[[Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide]]''</ref> | During [[Mandalore the Ultimate]]'s reign as [[Mandalore (title)|Mandalore]], the [[Neo-Crusader armor]] was designed by [[Cassus Fett]] for use in the [[Mandalorian Wars]] to foster a sense of unity among the many disparate species being recruited into the [[Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders/Legends|Neo-Crusader movement]]. By the [[Taris Siege|invasion of Taris]], the Neo-Crusaders' beliefs had spread far and wide among the Mandalorian clans and the armor all but replaced the earlier, more individualized suits. Neo-Crusader armor came in four colors, each corresponding to a rank—silver for veterans on the front line, gold for [[Field Marshal]]s, crimson for [[Rally Master]]s and blue for all others. Later in the war, new armors were developed for use by special units such as the [[Neo-Crusader Shock Trooper]]s.<ref name="KOTORCG">''[[Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide]]''</ref> | ||
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During the time of the [[Cold War (Galactic Republic–Sith Empire)|Cold War]], a proxy conflict between the [[Sith Empire (Post–Great Hyperspace War)|Sith Empire]] and [[Galactic Republic/Legends|Galactic Republic]], both Mandalorian armors and weaponry were seen in the hands of Outer Rim [[Pirate/Legends|pirates]]. Eventually, someone was assigned to discover the source of the materials.<ref name="Mandalorian Weapons">{{TORcite|type=crewskill|Investigation|Mandalorian Weapons}}</ref> | During the time of the [[Cold War (Galactic Republic–Sith Empire)|Cold War]], a proxy conflict between the [[Sith Empire (Post–Great Hyperspace War)|Sith Empire]] and [[Galactic Republic/Legends|Galactic Republic]], both Mandalorian armors and weaponry were seen in the hands of Outer Rim [[Pirate/Legends|pirates]]. Eventually, someone was assigned to discover the source of the materials.<ref name="Mandalorian Weapons">{{TORcite|type=crewskill|Investigation|Mandalorian Weapons}}</ref> | ||
Millennia later, the [[Mandalorian Supercommando]] armor was developed to replace the older designs which were now referred to as '''Mandalorian Shock Trooper Armor'''. It was no longer full-body armor, but partial armor that left limbs almost completely undefended, and focused its strength on the vital areas such as the torso, head, and groin. The new armor was a collection of blast-resistant plates, made from [[Mandalorian iron]] or [[Duraplast/Legends|duraplast]], which were attached to a waterproof, [[Armorweave/Legends|armorweave]] flight suit. A liner shirt with a micro energy field projector and two layers of ceramic plates greatly improved protection around the chest, back, and stomach. This careful layering of segmented armor plates ensured mobility, which could be further increased by wearing a [[Jetpack/Legends|jetpack]]. The Mandalorians began to see the value of extra weapons mounted on the suit, and so simple dart shooters, grappling wires, wrist-mounted rocket launchers and [[Flamethrower/Legends|flamethrowers]] were added to the overall assault capabilities of a Mandalorian Supercommando.<ref name="HotM" /><ref name="BFA" /> | |||
Millennia later, the [[Mandalorian Supercommando]] armor was developed to replace the older designs which were now referred to as | |||
The classic Mandalorian design could also be seen in the armor of [[Clone trooper/Legends|clone troopers]], and evolved from the basic clone trooper and [[Katarn-class commando armor]] specs to those of the armor of Imperial [[Stormtrooper/Legends|stormtroopers]] and the [[Emperor's Royal Guard/Legends|Emperor's Royal Guard]].<ref name="ISB">''[[Imperial Sourcebook]]''</ref> | The classic Mandalorian design could also be seen in the armor of [[Clone trooper/Legends|clone troopers]], and evolved from the basic clone trooper and [[Katarn-class commando armor]] specs to those of the armor of Imperial [[Stormtrooper/Legends|stormtroopers]] and the [[Emperor's Royal Guard/Legends|Emperor's Royal Guard]].<ref name="ISB">''[[Imperial Sourcebook]]''</ref> | ||
==Design== | ==Design== | ||
Throughout Mandalorian history, three major features remained constant in Mandalorian armor design: | |||
*The wearer was protected from the majority of blaster fire. Armor made of Mandalorian iron, which could also deflect blaster bolts, was [[Lightsaber/Legends|lightsaber]]-resistant. | |||
Throughout | *The helmets almost always possessed a T-shaped visor and a sophisticated [[Heads-up display/Legends|heads-up display]] (HUD). | ||
*Mandalorian warriors decorated their armor to reflect personal accomplishments, clan affiliation, or simply personal preference. They often repainted their armor to reflect rank, clan, and possibly the current terrain. They also painted their armor in the traditional colors that represented specific causes the individual might currently be undertaking. The colors, however, did not always have a meaning; sometimes they were just colors that the particular Mandalorian liked. | |||
Mandalorian armor was traditionally made out of almost indestructible Mandalorian iron (''beskar''), but this was rare and expensive, so many Mandalorians, such as [[Jango Fett/Legends|Jango]] and [[Boba Fett/Legends|Boba Fett]], opted for less durable materials instead, such as [[Durasteel/Legends|durasteel]] or duraplast. The Galactic Empire mined much of the ''beskar'' off of the surface of Mandalore, so for a time it was nearly impossible to get any. The name for the armor in Mandalorian, ''beskar'gam'', meant "iron skin" or "iron carapace" (for Mando members without fleshy skin), because Mandalorian iron was a crucial part of the armor design for millennia, until just before the Clone Wars. The secret of producing armor from Mandalorian iron was kept within the Mandalorian clans for years. Some Mandalorians would also wear cloaks outside their armor. | |||
Mandalorian armor was traditionally made out of almost indestructible Mandalorian | |||
[[File:BobaFett-SWGMB.png|thumb|left|150px|Boba Fett's armor | [[File:BobaFett-SWGMB.png|thumb|left|150px|Boba Fett's armor]] | ||
The helmet served as the control center for most of the suit's abilities. A [[Rangefinder/Legends|rangefinder]] attached to the armored helmet was a common upgrade and could track up to thirty targets, while a battle computer inside the helmet allowed the wearer to control the suit's weapons, sensors, and jet pack through verbal commands. The dark macrobinocular viewplate offered a variety of vision modes, including infrared. A pineal eye sensor on the helmet combined with an internal overlay display to provide tracking information within a 360-degree radius. Motion sensors, an encrypted internal comlink, and a broad-band antenna completed the helmet's devices, all of which could be linked to the wearer's weapons or their personal starship. The helmet could also act as an environmental filter system, with a two hour reserve tank providing breathable air to the Mandalorian warrior.<ref name="BFA" /> | The helmet served as the control center for most of the suit's abilities. A [[Rangefinder/Legends|rangefinder]] attached to the armored helmet was a common upgrade and could track up to thirty targets, while a battle computer inside the helmet allowed the wearer to control the suit's weapons, sensors, and jet pack through verbal commands. The dark macrobinocular viewplate offered a variety of vision modes, including infrared. A pineal eye sensor on the helmet combined with an internal overlay display to provide tracking information within a 360-degree radius. Motion sensors, an encrypted internal comlink, and a broad-band antenna completed the helmet's devices, all of which could be linked to the wearer's weapons or their personal starship. The helmet could also act as an environmental filter system, with a two hour reserve tank providing breathable air to the Mandalorian warrior.<ref name="BFA" /> | ||
There were a few special suits of mention from the Galactic Civil War. Some of the most famous were worn by the bounty hunters Boba Fett and [[Jodo Kast]], although unlike traditional Mandalorian armor, theirs were made from durasteel. Montross continued to wear his armor while working as a bounty hunter, despite being exiled by the Mandalorians. | |||
There were a few special suits of mention from the Galactic Civil War. Some of the most famous were worn by the bounty hunters | |||
==Behind the scenes== | ==Behind the scenes== | ||
{{Quote|Ask anyone what they associate with Mandalorians, and they'll probably say armor.|''[[The Mandalorians: People and Culture]]'' article|The Mandalorians: People and Culture}}[[File:Kingdom_Come_Peacemaker_in_Mandalorian_armor.jpg|thumb|left|125px|Peacemaker in "Mandalorian" style armor, from DC Comics Kingdom Come story line | {{Quote|Ask anyone what they associate with Mandalorians, and they'll probably say armor.|''[[The Mandalorians: People and Culture]]'' article|The Mandalorians: People and Culture}}[[File:Kingdom_Come_Peacemaker_in_Mandalorian_armor.jpg|thumb|left|125px|Peacemaker in "Mandalorian" style armor, from DC Comics' Kingdom Come story line]] | ||
[[File:Kast1.jpg|thumb|220x220px|Jodo Kast at the rifle point of Boba Fett for impersonating him and tainting his legacy]] | [[File:Kast1.jpg|thumb|220x220px|Jodo Kast at the rifle-point of Boba Fett for impersonating him and tainting his legacy]] | ||
The classic computer game ''Crusader'', although | The classic computer game ''Crusader'', although unrelated to ''Star Wars'', featured a main character who wore a red Mandalorian-like suit of armor. In the [[Wikipedia:Mega Man X (series)|''Mega Man X'']] series on the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]], a villain named "[[W:c:MegaMan:Vile|Vile]]" ("Vava" in the Japanese version) bears a helmet similar to that of the Mandalorians. The playable character in the [[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox 360]] and PC game "TimeShift" also wears armor which includes a T-shaped visored helmet, similar to that of Mandalorian helmets. All are perhaps inspired by Boba Fett's popularity. In ''[[Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption]]'', [[Mandalorian Militiaman|Mandalorian Militiamen]] (the native units on the land map of Mandalore) wear a different type of helmet than the more-common T-visor mask. The helmet is somewhat similar to the concept art of the [[Phase II clone trooper armor/Legends|Phase II clone trooper armor]]. | ||
In the [[Wikipedia:DC Comics|DC Comics]] [[Wikipedia:Elseworlds|''Elseworlds'']] series "[[Wikipedia:Kingdom Come (comics)|Kingdom Come]]" | In the [[Wikipedia:DC Comics|DC Comics]] [[Wikipedia:Elseworlds|''Elseworlds'']] series "[[Wikipedia:Kingdom Come (comics)|Kingdom Come]]," the artist [[Wikipedia:Alex Ross|Alex Ross]] inserted many [[Easter egg (virtual)|easter eggs]] into the artwork of the comic. One of those was the Mandalorian-style armor that the hero called [[Wikipedia:Peacemaker (comics)|Peacemaker]] wears, in a glimpse of the character on a monitor screen, whose armor design was a nod to Boba Fett, right down to the character's stance and jetpack. | ||
A single panel of ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: Vector]]'' depicts a corpse wearing the style of Mandalorian armor more commonly worn by Boba Fett several millennia later. It is more likely meant to reference the Vector story's crossing of all the major publishing eras than to imply that this armor style was in use during the Mandalorian Wars. | |||
==Appearances== | ==Appearances== | ||
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{{Scroll_box|content= | {{Scroll_box|content= | ||
{{Mediacat|imagecat=Images of Mandalorian armor}} | {{Mediacat|imagecat=Images of Mandalorian armor}} | ||
*''[[Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi — The Sith War]]'' | *''[[Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi — The Sith War]]'' | ||
*{{DroidsCite|A Race to the Finish}} | *{{DroidsCite|A Race to the Finish}} | ||
*''[[The Paradise Snare]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[The Paradise Snare]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
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*''[[Tatooine Manhunt]]'' | *''[[Tatooine Manhunt]]'' | ||
*{{WEGCite|book=Classic Adventures: Volume Three|story=Tatooine Manhunt}} | *{{WEGCite|book=Classic Adventures: Volume Three|story=Tatooine Manhunt}} | ||
*{{WEGCite|book=Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope|story=Dodonna's Story | *{{WEGCite|book=Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope|story=Dodonna's Story}} | ||
*{{WEGCite|book=Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope (Second Edition)|text=''Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope'', Second Edition|story=Dodonna's Story | *{{WEGCite|book=Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope (Second Edition)|text=''Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope'', Second Edition|story=Dodonna's Story}} | ||
*{{WEGCite|book=Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope|story=One That Got Away | *{{WEGCite|book=Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope|story=One That Got Away}} | ||
*{{WEGCite|book=Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope (Second Edition)|text=''Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope'', Second Edition|story=One That Got Away | *{{WEGCite|book=Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope (Second Edition)|text=''Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope'', Second Edition|story=One That Got Away}} | ||
*''[[Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike]]'' | *''[[Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike]]'' | ||
*''[[Star Wars: Masters of Teräs Käsi]]'' | *''[[Star Wars: Masters of Teräs Käsi]]'' | ||
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*{{SWGTCG|set=Galactic Hunters|scenario=Light Side and Dark Side scenario campaigns}} | *{{SWGTCG|set=Galactic Hunters|scenario=Light Side and Dark Side scenario campaigns}} | ||
*''[[Domain of Evil]]'' {{C|Appears in a dream}} | *''[[Domain of Evil]]'' {{C|Appears in a dream}} | ||
*{{WEGCite|book=Classic Adventures: Volume Two|story=Domain of Evil | *{{WEGCite|book=Classic Adventures: Volume Two|story=Domain of Evil}} {{C|Appears in a dream}} | ||
*''[[A New Beginning]]'' | *''[[A New Beginning]]'' | ||
*''[[Showdown]]'' | *''[[Showdown]]'' | ||
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*[[Dark Empire II (audio)|''Dark Empire II'' audio drama]] | *[[Dark Empire II (audio)|''Dark Empire II'' audio drama]] | ||
*''[[Boba Fett: Agent of Doom]]'' | *''[[Boba Fett: Agent of Doom]]'' | ||
* | *{{Shortstory|story=The Last One Standing: The Tale of Boba Fett|book=Tales of the Bounty Hunters}} | ||
*''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy]]'' | *''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy]]'' | ||
*''[[The Crystal Star]]'' {{C|Appears in a dream}} | *''[[The Crystal Star]]'' {{C|Appears in a dream}} | ||
| Line 280: | Line 189: | ||
*''[[Young Jedi Knights: Shards of Alderaan]]'' | *''[[Young Jedi Knights: Shards of Alderaan]]'' | ||
*''[[Boba Fett: A Practical Man]]'' | *''[[Boba Fett: A Practical Man]]'' | ||
}} | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
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*''[[Galaxy Guide 3: The Empire Strikes Back]]'' | *''[[Galaxy Guide 3: The Empire Strikes Back]]'' | ||
*''[[Imperial Sourcebook]]'' | *''[[Imperial Sourcebook]]'' | ||
*''[[Galaxy Guide 9: Fragments from the Rim]]'' {{ | *''[[Galaxy Guide 9: Fragments from the Rim]]'' {{ID|Mandalorian battle armor}} | ||
*''[[The Movie Trilogy Sourcebook]]'' {{ | *''[[The Movie Trilogy Sourcebook]]'' {{ID|Manadalorian battle armor}} | ||
*''[[Galaxy Guide 10: Bounty Hunters]]'' | *''[[Galaxy Guide 10: Bounty Hunters]]'' | ||
*[[Star Wars Sourcebook (Second Edition)|''The Star Wars Sourcebook'', Second Edition]] {{ | *[[Star Wars Sourcebook (Second Edition)|''The Star Wars Sourcebook'', Second Edition]] {{ID|Mandalorian battle armor}} | ||
*{{GalaxyCite|1|Boba Fett: Mystery Man in Not-So-Shining Armor}} | *{{GalaxyCite|1|Boba Fett: Mystery Man in Not-So-Shining Armor}} | ||
*[[Galaxy Guide 5: Return of the Jedi (Second Edition)|''Galaxy Guide 5: Return of the Jedi'', Second Edition]] | *[[Galaxy Guide 5: Return of the Jedi (Second Edition)|''Galaxy Guide 5: Return of the Jedi'', Second Edition]] | ||
| Line 340: | Line 220: | ||
*''[[Boba Fett's Armor: An Essential Guide to a Walking Weapon]]'' | *''[[Boba Fett's Armor: An Essential Guide to a Walking Weapon]]'' | ||
*''[[Star Wars: The Action Figure Archive]]'' | *''[[Star Wars: The Action Figure Archive]]'' | ||
}} | }} | ||
==Notes and references== | ==Notes and references== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Mandalorian armor| ]] | [[Category:Mandalorian armor| ]] | ||
[[Category:Uniforms]] | [[Category:Uniforms]] | ||
Latest revision as of 06:26, 15 September 2022
- "There are two reasons why we have to wear armor. One is so that we don't get killed too easily. The other is so that we all look Mandalorian, however different we may be from our brothers and sisters."
- ―A Mandalorian mother to her daughter
The most recognizable symbol of the Mandalorian culture, Mandalorian armor was a catch-all term for the sets of distinctive full-body armor worn by Mandalorian warriors and soldiers throughout galactic history. Known as beskar'gam in the Mandalorian language of Mando'a—a name which meant "iron skin" in Basic—Mandalorian armor was central to the Mandalorian way of life. The wearing of armor was one of the Resol'nare, the six tenets that defined the Mandalorian culture. In an expansive community comprising beings from numerous origins, the easily identifiable armor not only provided protection for the wearer, but a common visual identity for any and all Mandalorians, regardless of species or gender.
The specific design of Mandalorian armor evolved over time, gaining more sophisticated features over the years, including the incorporation of advanced helmet heads-up displays, and armor-mounted weapon systems such as flamethrowers and wrist rocket launchers. However, one of the armor's most lasting features was the T-shaped visor that adorned the helmet's face across its various incarnations. Numerous materials were employed in the creation of Mandalorian armor through the millennia, from alum and durasteel, to stygian-triprismatic polymer and the nearly indestructible beskar iron. Mandalorian armor forged from beskar was highly prized for its incredible resilience, and while sets of armor were often passed down from one generation to the next, beskar armor was considered the most valuable. The appearance of a Mandalorian's armor was largely up to the individual, as the highly independent Mandalorian people customized their armor with different colored paint schemes, clan and unit sigils, personalized glyphs, or other marking patterns in accordance to their own tastes.
History
The design of Mandalorian armor changed a great deal in the seven millennia after the Taung first settled the planet Mandalore.
The first, widely recognizable version was the Crusader Armor, which was the signature armor worn by the Mandalorian Crusaders led by Mandalore the Indomitable during the Great Sith War. It had a jagged, organic form that varied from soldier to soldier. The design of Crusader Armor was centered on defending its wearer during melee combat, which the Mandalorians considered the most honorable form of battle.[2]
During Mandalore the Ultimate's reign as Mandalore, the Neo-Crusader armor was designed by Cassus Fett for use in the Mandalorian Wars to foster a sense of unity among the many disparate species being recruited into the Neo-Crusader movement. By the invasion of Taris, the Neo-Crusaders' beliefs had spread far and wide among the Mandalorian clans and the armor all but replaced the earlier, more individualized suits. Neo-Crusader armor came in four colors, each corresponding to a rank—silver for veterans on the front line, gold for Field Marshals, crimson for Rally Masters and blue for all others. Later in the war, new armors were developed for use by special units such as the Neo-Crusader Shock Troopers.[10]
During the time of the Cold War, a proxy conflict between the Sith Empire and Galactic Republic, both Mandalorian armors and weaponry were seen in the hands of Outer Rim pirates. Eventually, someone was assigned to discover the source of the materials.[11]
Millennia later, the Mandalorian Supercommando armor was developed to replace the older designs which were now referred to as Mandalorian Shock Trooper Armor. It was no longer full-body armor, but partial armor that left limbs almost completely undefended, and focused its strength on the vital areas such as the torso, head, and groin. The new armor was a collection of blast-resistant plates, made from Mandalorian iron or duraplast, which were attached to a waterproof, armorweave flight suit. A liner shirt with a micro energy field projector and two layers of ceramic plates greatly improved protection around the chest, back, and stomach. This careful layering of segmented armor plates ensured mobility, which could be further increased by wearing a jetpack. The Mandalorians began to see the value of extra weapons mounted on the suit, and so simple dart shooters, grappling wires, wrist-mounted rocket launchers and flamethrowers were added to the overall assault capabilities of a Mandalorian Supercommando.[2][5]
The classic Mandalorian design could also be seen in the armor of clone troopers, and evolved from the basic clone trooper and Katarn-class commando armor specs to those of the armor of Imperial stormtroopers and the Emperor's Royal Guard.[12]
Design
Throughout Mandalorian history, three major features remained constant in Mandalorian armor design:
- The wearer was protected from the majority of blaster fire. Armor made of Mandalorian iron, which could also deflect blaster bolts, was lightsaber-resistant.
- The helmets almost always possessed a T-shaped visor and a sophisticated heads-up display (HUD).
- Mandalorian warriors decorated their armor to reflect personal accomplishments, clan affiliation, or simply personal preference. They often repainted their armor to reflect rank, clan, and possibly the current terrain. They also painted their armor in the traditional colors that represented specific causes the individual might currently be undertaking. The colors, however, did not always have a meaning; sometimes they were just colors that the particular Mandalorian liked.
Mandalorian armor was traditionally made out of almost indestructible Mandalorian iron (beskar), but this was rare and expensive, so many Mandalorians, such as Jango and Boba Fett, opted for less durable materials instead, such as durasteel or duraplast. The Galactic Empire mined much of the beskar off of the surface of Mandalore, so for a time it was nearly impossible to get any. The name for the armor in Mandalorian, beskar'gam, meant "iron skin" or "iron carapace" (for Mando members without fleshy skin), because Mandalorian iron was a crucial part of the armor design for millennia, until just before the Clone Wars. The secret of producing armor from Mandalorian iron was kept within the Mandalorian clans for years. Some Mandalorians would also wear cloaks outside their armor.
The helmet served as the control center for most of the suit's abilities. A rangefinder attached to the armored helmet was a common upgrade and could track up to thirty targets, while a battle computer inside the helmet allowed the wearer to control the suit's weapons, sensors, and jet pack through verbal commands. The dark macrobinocular viewplate offered a variety of vision modes, including infrared. A pineal eye sensor on the helmet combined with an internal overlay display to provide tracking information within a 360-degree radius. Motion sensors, an encrypted internal comlink, and a broad-band antenna completed the helmet's devices, all of which could be linked to the wearer's weapons or their personal starship. The helmet could also act as an environmental filter system, with a two hour reserve tank providing breathable air to the Mandalorian warrior.[5] There were a few special suits of mention from the Galactic Civil War. Some of the most famous were worn by the bounty hunters Boba Fett and Jodo Kast, although unlike traditional Mandalorian armor, theirs were made from durasteel. Montross continued to wear his armor while working as a bounty hunter, despite being exiled by the Mandalorians.
Behind the scenes
- "Ask anyone what they associate with Mandalorians, and they'll probably say armor."
- ―The Mandalorians: People and Culture article
The classic computer game Crusader, although unrelated to Star Wars, featured a main character who wore a red Mandalorian-like suit of armor. In the Mega Man X series on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, a villain named "Vile" ("Vava" in the Japanese version) bears a helmet similar to that of the Mandalorians. The playable character in the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC game "TimeShift" also wears armor which includes a T-shaped visored helmet, similar to that of Mandalorian helmets. All are perhaps inspired by Boba Fett's popularity. In Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption, Mandalorian Militiamen (the native units on the land map of Mandalore) wear a different type of helmet than the more-common T-visor mask. The helmet is somewhat similar to the concept art of the Phase II clone trooper armor.
In the DC Comics Elseworlds series "Kingdom Come," the artist Alex Ross inserted many easter eggs into the artwork of the comic. One of those was the Mandalorian-style armor that the hero called Peacemaker wears, in a glimpse of the character on a monitor screen, whose armor design was a nod to Boba Fett, right down to the character's stance and jetpack.
A single panel of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: Vector depicts a corpse wearing the style of Mandalorian armor more commonly worn by Boba Fett several millennia later. It is more likely meant to reference the Vector story's crossing of all the major publishing eras than to imply that this armor style was in use during the Mandalorian Wars.
Appearances
Sources
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7
"The Mandalorians: People and Culture" – Star Wars Insider 86
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "The History of the Mandalorians" – Star Wars Insider 80
- ↑ Book of Sith: Secrets from the Dark Side
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Scum and Villainy
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Boba Fett's Armor: An Essential Guide to a Walking Weapon
- ↑ File:SWG logo sm.png Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided
- ↑ Rebellion Era Campaign Guide
- ↑ Legacy of the Force: Revelation
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Order 66: A Republic Commando Novel
- ↑ Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide
- ↑ File:SWTOR mini.png Star Wars: The Old Republic—Investigation Crew Skill mission: "Mandalorian Weapons"
- ↑ Imperial Sourcebook
