Basilisk war droid

The Basilisk war droid was a weapon used extensively by the Mandalorians up to the end of the Mandalorian Wars.

The Basilisk was a large animal-like droid that resembled a combination of a Zalorian rock lion and a Karren beetle. It came in a few variations such as a two-man bomber and a stealth model. However, most Mandalorian Crusaders prefered the one-man open combat model. The Basilisk War Droid could be used for space engagements, which required the Mandalorian rider to wear a presurized suit into battle, and could even plung down from orbit to participate in ground battles. It was armed with laser cannons, shatter-missile launchers, shockwave generating rods, and heavy brawling claws. Such weaponry was enough to cause havoc for any capital ship or lone combat soldier that got in its way.

The droid itself was quite intelligent, and could participate in battle without the help of a Mandalorian rider. It was said that a Mandalorian and its Basilisk would share a common bond, almost like a friendship.

After the Jedi Civil War, Canderous Ordo's Mandalorians on Dxun created a modified Basilisk capable of holding three people. During the Second Battle of Onderon, such a vehicle was used to bring the Jedi Exile from Dxun to Iziz, the capital of Onderon.

Behind the Scenes
There is a discrepancy between the Basilisk Canderous describes in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and the actual appearance of the vehicle in the sequel. Canderous indicates that the vehicle is a small, open aired mount, whereas its sequel portrays a closed fighter, looking somewhat like Prince Xizor's Virago. This was a conscious decision by the developers, who attempted to bring the more 'ancient' look of the comics to the more modern, plausible, look of the movies.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords