Disney +’s long anticipated series original The Mandalorian is finally shifting fan focus from the Jedi and Sith cyclical cycle to an arguably cooler profession, bounty hunting. Throughout the years Star Wars films, games, shows and books have given glimpses of some of the galaxies most impressive bounty hunters. Non as recognizable as the infamous Boba Fett dressed in his menacing custom Mandalorian armor. Boba Fett is without a doubt one of the best things to come from Star Wars culture but as a clone from Jango Fett he was raised as such and has little ties to the Mandalorian traditions. The Mandalorian will feature a separate bounty hunter from the Fett’s, taking place during the galactic chaos that ensued following the fall of the Empire. A very different galaxy is on the horizon, Mandalorians have always been a big part of Star Wars lore but there is so much more to them than just jet packs and cool outfits.

Before becoming one of Star Wars most iconic races, Mandalorians were among the most fear and skilled soldiers in the galaxy. In a time far far away Mandalorian might opposed the Jedi Order of the Old Republic, even challenging Darth Revan one of the most powerful Jedi to live. During Mandalorian history a group known as the crusaders devoted themselves to battle and conquest over a millennia before the Separtist war. Desire for battle soon turned into a period of conquest and advancement for the Mandalorians, branching out from their home world of Mandalore to many other planets. Mandalorian desire for war could not be satisfied and it was a matter of time before the looming challenge of the formidable Jedi knights would be answered. Mandalorians engaged the republic across the outer rim in hopes the Jedi would respond with war. Eventually they would, warriors quickly adjusted to fight this new enemy that wielded the awesome power of the force. Great technological advancements of the time and improvements to a new altered fluid combat style soon closed the gap between a Mandalorian warrior and a force using opponent. Mandalorians rightfully developed their reputation even further as warriors capable of fighting and even defeating Jedi Knights in battle. The Mandalorian Jedi war almost destroyed the Mandalorian race but couldn’t quell the fighting spirit of the Mandalorians. They would continue a similar march of war for the majority of their following years. The homeworld of Mandalore was ravaged by constant battles from warring clans and was slow to recover following the Jedi war. It wasn’t until the Mandalorian civil war preceding the invasion of Naboo that a group of reformed Mandalorian pacifist  would rise up to oppose the constant militaristic values imposed in their society. Until this point much like Spartan society a Mandalorians worth was measured by his accomplishments in combat.

After the civil war, many mandalorians that would not choose sides or were among the losing side (militarist) found themselves a drift among the stars. Lifetimes of warfare and in fighting had created a clear schism between the two groups. With a new pacifist regime in power many Mandalorians set in the old warrior ways were left to fill out dangerous mercenary jobs and hunting down anyone with a big enough bounty. Mandalorians who wouldn’t conform to the new Mandalorian pacifist ways now had to make a new place in the galaxy for themselves. Notable numbers of Mandalorians had been left to scratching out a living as hired guns, thugs and mercenaries there were  even those who sold their sword in service of the Empire. A warrior society from the beginning with a few hold outs for progressive change makes it is clear any Mandalorian doing bounty hunter work is not to be taken lightly.

Mandalorian equipment and gear is certainly nothing to scoff at, Our mystery character in The Mandalorian will have more than skill to rely on retrieving a bounty. Descendant from generations of combat prowess that came before, you won’t find this gear on a stormtrooper. After hundreds of years many Mandalorians prefer to wear the traditional armour and T shaped helmet visor from the time of Mandalore himself. Usually made of Beskar alloy the armor a Mandalorian wears is certainly capable of protecting its wearer from typical blaster fire and stabbing weapons. As a set this armor would consist of a helmet, pauldrons, vambraces, a breastplate, codpiece, knee pads and leg guards. From the helmet wearers are equipped with a macrobinocular viewplate, several tactical displays a comm link and rage finder. 
Sporting more than a simple wrist rocket a Mandalorians vambraces could contain any number of weaponry; repulsors, paralyzing darts, grappling line, flamethrowers, lasers, rockets and a portable shield. As an added measurement for battle mobility and countering armored vehicles Mandalorians also utilize a number of jetpack models that are typically tipped with anti vehicle or explosive ordnance. Don’t expect a Mandolorian bounty hunter to be traveling by jetpack or a run down tie fighter, in the past have utilized a number of starships; Firespray-31 class patrol ship (Boba Fett ship), M22-T Krayt Gunship, Crusader class corvette, StarViper Assault fighter, Verda Kot and the immensely powerful Keldabe class Battleship.

Words of a Mandalorian are never something to be taken lightly, Jawajoey has a great video on their YouTube channel of Mandalorian Canderous Ordo describing to Jedi Revan his initiation as a Mandalorian warrior. The following clip was shot on one of the single greatest accomplishments in the Star Wars gaming universe, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic.

“I remember it well, orbiting high above a placid world, its defenses just stirring. As was tradition, I would go ahead of the first wave to find enemies in the thickest fighting. I remember sitting there in my armor, linked directly with the Basilisk thrumming beneath me. My heart racing with fear at the coming battle. The doors opened in front of me and the air was sucked out of the drop bay, scattering crystals of frozen vapor across my path. I can’t describe what it feels like to look directly down at a world, falling continuously as you circle it, with barely fifteen centimeters of armor plating protecting you. When the magnetic locks disengaged on my droid I plunged out of the drop bay towards the battle that waited below. The exhilaration, the euphoria, I felt as I streaked into the atmosphere, dodging self-guided projectile and beam weapons, was unmatched. An 80 Kilometer plunge through the atmosphere, dodging and weaving, the outside of my armor glowing like the sun with the heat of reentry. And with barely thirty meters to spare, I twisted and skimmed the surface, firing at the giant beam generators that were in my path. The explosion form that sent shockwaves that leveled the entire complex. It was the moment of my entire life. I’ll never forget those times. But… things are different now. We can’t go on fighting the way we had. There are too few of us left now. But I don’t really want to talk about this anymore. I trust I’ve satisfied your curiosity for now?”. – Canderous Ordo

The Mandalorian will release on 11/12 in the Disney + streaming library under the UI’s Star Wars content section. If you are fortunate enough to own an Xbox One you can even opt in to changing your geo location to the Netherlands and start streaming now! As anticipation builds for the new streaming service, Disney has all the groundwork needed from Star Wars content efforts to create an amazing original base on a Mandalorian setting. There must be some Star Wars lore master out there who knows a thing or two about Mandalorians we missed, or maybe you just really know your stuff whatever the case leave a comment and remember Mando’ad draar digu – A Mandalorian never forgets.