Darth Vader's armor

"This is not living."

- Darth Vader



The suit of Sith armor worn by Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith was essentially a mobile life-support system designed to contain and protect the Sith Lord's charred body. Constructed using methods of Sith alchemy, the armor was suffused with the power of the dark side of the Force. This power served to augment Vader's physical strength and vitality.

Origin
After his fateful lightsaber duel with Obi Wan Kenobi on Mustafar, Anakin Skywalker was taken to the Emperor Palpatine Surgical Reconstruction Center on Coruscant, where a team of 2-1B, FX-6 and Model DD-13 "Galactic Chopper" droids rebuilt his body and fashioned the armor for him to wear, as his injuries had required him to be placed on constant life support.

The technology and skill used to create such a life-support system had previously been tested on Grievous over a decade earlier, with less satisfying results. Even then, Palpatine foresaw the use of such technology in his dark side minions.

Description


Entirely black and well polished, Darth Vader's armor consisted of durasteel shoulder, rib cage and shin armor, with blast dampening material affixed to the gloves, chest and arms. The suit employed a heating mechanism that allowed him to walk the surface of frozen worlds such as Hoth unimpeded, as well as a respiratory system matrix that regulated his breathing; Vader could breath even while talking. An armor weave cape and tabard contribued to Vader's appearance, making it all the more intimidating.



The interior of the suit was also lined with circuitry that monitored and regulated Vader's pulmonary and neural systems, providing electrical impulses to stimulate his muscles and prosthetic limbs. The status of all of these functions was monitored by a panel affixed to Vader's solar plexus. Tremayne took advantage of this obvious flaw in a duel with Vader and managed to turn off his life support system. Vader, instead of killing him for this, admired his ingenuity and had Tremayne trained to become a member of the Inquisitorius, where he eventually became High Inquisitor. Roan Shryne had also tried to take advantage of this, nearly destroying the panel and killing Vader in his very first duel after donning the armor; only Vader's panicked use of Force Throw saved him. The physical limitations of the armor even required Vader to alter his preferred style of lightsaber combat, Form V, to suit his disabilities.



Arguably the most vital system of the armor was the helmet. Fitted to an air pump that connected to the air filter system on his back, it provided him with the ability to cycle air through his ravaged lungs. It also featured a nutrient feed that provided Vader with all the nourishment he would require.

After the Battle of Endor, the armor was burnt by Luke Skywalker instead of Anakin's body, since the latter was dissolved to the Force. It is speculated that the lower part of the armor has survived and worn by his distant descendant, Cade Skywalker.

Vader's Discomfort
The suit was an extreme inconvenience for Vader to wear. It was incredibly heavy, requiring him to use the Force to walk at even a normal pace. The helmet severely limited his visibility and it was incredibly claustrophobic. His artificial limbs were badly constructed and frequently snagged on the inside of the suit. Also, the suit's weight decreased his speed dramatically, forcing him to abandon Ataru and focus on the brute strength of Djem So.

Behind the scenes
Darth Vader's armor (worn by David Prowse and Bob Anderson in the Classic Trilogy and by Hayden Christensen in Revenge of the Sith), was designed by Ralph McQuarrie when he became aware of the fact that Vader would have to cross through space in order to board Tantive IV at the start of A New Hope. The reasons for Vader wearing the armor, of course, would end up becoming far more complicated.

For Revenge of the Sith, Costume Props Supervisor Ivo Coveney crafted a new set of armor that served a dual purpose. Not only was it designed to fit Christensen, but it provided an opportunity for the department to correct many of the flaws inherent in the original costume, such as the asymmetrical nature of the mask.

Cade Skywalker is seen to wear Vader's trousers as a part of his uniform. How he gained possession of them however is unknown.

Appearances



 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * see also: Darth Vader Appearances