Saber Forum

A question about armour in Sith costumes - OK, this has been doing my head in for a little while now, whether or not to TRY to sort out some armour for my costume! (Difficult to source, expensive, and probably as uncomfortable as hellheim!)

Thing is, IS IT REALLY NECESSARY? I think SWTOR (which by the way refuses to run on my 2 yr old pc!) is largely responsible for the popularity of armour for the Sith. If you look at canon Sith (Sidious, Maul, Dooku and Vader) the ONLY one wearing armour is Vader, and that's really to protect the life-support systems that keep him alive! None of the other Canon Sith do! Going into the EU, Malgus does, Revan does, even Malek does, but the early version of Darth Baras and Darth Thanaton (before SWTOR gets hold of them) do not.

So he's my question, IS armour really necessary for a GOOD Sith costume, or is it merely at best, a nice add-on, at worst, and expensive bit of SWTOR conformism? Any thoughts?

(Only 1 "l" in helheim. :) )

It's a nice add on, more layers and different pieces can really make a personal and unique costume.

The only two Sith that wore armor for the purpose of protection were Vader and Bane, and those weren't even by choice. Vader's suit is life supporting, and Bane was infested with Orbalisks. While the Orbalisks did augment his abilities, he also aged rapidly and eventually had to have them removed to prevent his death.

Armor is personal preference. During the Old Republic Era it might have been more of a practicality based thing, similar to many of the Jedi wearing armors during the Clone Wars and the Old Republic eras as well.

In all honestly, it's personal preference.

You really gotta express your own style, Jedi or Sith. I've gotten guff for using leather bracers with my Jedi tunic before. For me, a little light armor is fine as long as I'm still distinctively the Jedi known as Jammo and not something else. Its personal, its practical, and it should fit how you view the universe, really. That being said... don't let another Sith make your armor. Sith tend to be crafty and prone to sabotage...

Damned keyboard! *trickles Force lightning through the keyboard for the typos!*

Yeah, I have considered black leather bracers before, and may still go with that, though they look rather difficult to tie on oneself! hehe

As I've said elsewhere, I see Arkanus as a Cleric and a Mystic, so I don't think large armour pieces would really suit him. For his type of character, the Force would be his protection I feel.

I was just curious on what the general consensus about armour was.

As others have said,  It's mainly just personal preference.  SWTOR could have had some influence on it but mainly because it has given people the option to have armor.  Before SWTOR, or even KoToR, we had never truly seen armored Sith.  Although like I said, it's personal preference.  Seeing as you said you would be a cleric of some sort, I would imagine you with little or no armor.

To me it depends upon the era you are looking at.  SWTOR is a time of war so people are more likely to wear armor.  Much like how the Jedi generals do in the clone wars while they didn't in Episode 1.

That being said, if you see Arkanus as the type who doesn't use armor, then don't use armor.  In EP V Vader blocked blaster bolts with his hand.  What isn't to say that with enough training one couldn't learn to even catch a saber blade in their hand.

Master Satele Shan sorta did that in TOR, when she fought Darth Malgus on Alderaan. It's in one of the cinematics, not sure which. She used a form of the Force Push to keep him from stabbing her through the chest.

There is an energy absorption technique called Tutaminis which would allow just such a thing. Of course Arkanus would be working on, if not having mastered that. (We know both Vader and Yoda could do it) :D

Ill pipe in here and say, its personal preference :) if you want armour, use armour. if you don't, then don't :)

As a cleric/mystic, I'd think you'd be more looking at fancy robes then armour. Berserkers and the like would wear armour - someone who weaves enchantments and attacks from the distance via the Force would have little need of it.

That's very true, and it is something I have definitely considered. The question is where to get such fancy robes. I know there are a number of excellent American seamstresses (Twin Roses being an obvious example) but like you, I'm in the UK and would prefer if there were someone over here who did good quality work at a reasonable price.

Depends on your Character. I always go for the "Sith Juggernaut" due to my size. Any armor can easily be modified to be either Sith or Jedi. This next year I am modifying Mandalorian armor, but here is a good set that can be made "one of a kind" depending on your imagination...
(http://starfortressproductions.com/catalog/impknightarmor.jpg)

It is from Star Fortress Productions and is called the Imperial Knight. Look 'em up.

Death to all Jedi!

I used a bracer and a mask, armour makes the costume a bit more noticeable to everyone but I was obviously still a sith and people instantly new that without much armour.

That armour is sweet! I would definitely go that way, if my character was a warrior type. I will look that company up, sure.

I'm still dealing with being called "Lord Varys" which days after someone here saying it, I got some d*ck stick his head out of a passing car and shout "Lord Varys, is that you?" I was VERY offended, even if I do resemble him. (I wish I didn't)

My point is, Varys isn't a fighter, he's a scholar. That suits my personality more I think, but I still love that armour.

Before deciding to buy from Star Fortress, please do research on them.  There is a lot out there about them good and bad so they definately fall under the "Do your research and decide for yourself." category.

Yes, I've read some "unpleasant" things about them, which worry me. However what worries me more is the "automated" website, that doesn't even allow pre-purchase enquiries.

There is, for me, a great disturbance in the Force centred around them. I may be wrong, but I could so easily be out of pocket if I don't listen to such intuitions.

I would check out Etsy.com. There are a variety of very well done, lightweight leather armors on there such as pauldrons, gauntlets, grieves, bracers, and the like. It can be pricey, but it's all hand-made stuff of (usually) very good quality.

Considering this, I definitely think robes over armor would be a good stylistic choice.  Again, it's personal preference, but from the sounds of it your Sith would prefer the protection of the Dark Side over physical implements.

If you're worrying that this will limit your customization ability, keep in mind that you can do a LOT with the standard tunic, tabards, and robe that tends to be used in many generic Jedi and Sith costumes.  A different cut robe and some unique accessories can take you from "token Sith" to a seriously cool warrior of the Dark Side.

Example - MAV and I both have pretty standard Jedi robe setups (minus the tabards), but we both varied up the colors to give it a more Grey Jedi concept.  In addition, he wears tabi instead of the usual knee-high boots, and my robe is a sleeveless cloak (calling on some Luke ROTJ imagery).  I'd look at some different Sith Inquisitors and the like, and see what kinds of little details they use to distinguish themselves, and then go from there.

Thanks Master Nero, that makes a lot of sense. My tunic is already a little different, being that it is not the usual wrap-over type of canon (it's a V neck, the origins of which Master Artorius would recognise, I'm sure) I have thought about different colours, maybe incorporating some burgundy red, perhaps, in the under-tunic, or on the fringes of the tabard and obi (which I have still to get made and am still looking for someone affordable and good. You can usually find one, but not both!)

With boots, you may remember I had a devil of a time finding ones to fit, because of my excessively large ankles and calves. I finally fixed that with a pair of, what we call in the UK, "Rigger" boots; which I like the look of, though they give a rather more "clunky" feel that I'd like as far as manoeuvrability is concerned. Tabi would be great, but again, they just don't FIT me. (Damn you Grey Jedi and your thin legs!!!!) On that front though, one thing I'm very keen to get is a Hakama, which will give me a very flowing look "downstairs" and a more cleric appearance. Now, somebody did recommend to get one type of Hakama over the other (Aikido or Kendo) but I cannot for the life of me think who, and which they said fit better. So if anyone could chime in on that, great!

Going back to armour briefly, I rather like the Anakin Skywalker clonewars shoulder armour, but again, I've only ever seen that from Starfortress, and considering what I've read about them on the internet; if half of it's true, I won't touch them with a force pike! lol

I believe the style of Hakama they use in Kendo would be more up your alley. It's very "flowing" and, according to what some of my friends have told me, "dress like". XD

I have to wear rigger boots because of my calves too mate, they get quite comfy after some wearing in though :)

Kendo Hakama it is then, when I'm clear with funds. The boots will wear in, in time. I did actually manages SOME sabering in full costume, a while back, though that was before I got "The Twins".

Don't forget on the boots setup you can always make a gaiter for the front.  A friend of mine has a set of these:  http://www.motorcowboy.com/product/ANIK1/Star-Wars-Anakin-Boots---Made-to-Your-Measurements.html (http://www.motorcowboy.com/product/ANIK1/Star-Wars-Anakin-Boots---Made-to-Your-Measurements.html) .  The way they are designed is tha the front "plate" is only attached at the very bottom.  The two straps velcro in the back and hold it up.

With you mentioning Anakin, the robes Vader wears while still fleshy are probably my favourite, simple and very dark.

On a side note, it's great seeing where people are from just by how 'armour' is spelt!

Not always.  I'm notorious about switching back and forth between armor and armour.  Too many years reading UK historical books.   ;D

im making my own armor using warbla,craft foam and heat gun. motor cycle gear i heard works good

airsoft and paintball also works well for those who can afford it or already have it.

I have tactical knees in coyote that I sometimes use when I feel like up-armoring.

I'm planning on using motorcycle armor for mine, since I want to be able to spar in my armor.  Decent looking armor is only about $50 and covers all the major limbs/weak spots.