Custom Mando Guidelines

[Southern hunter]

I have been very impressed with the talent and creativeness of the members on this board as well as their willingness to share knowledge, offer tips and input here. I still consider myself one of the Newbies to the site, so forgive me if I'm ignorant on this subject. :confused I don't want to open a can of worms, but I wanted to know two things:

1. What are the guidelines, requirements, and/or limitations on custom Mando armor? I want to be able to troop in it and maybe join a group of costumers.

2. What are some good paperbacks to read about Boba Fett, Mandos and Clone Troopers?

Remember, everyone has an opinion, I'm just looking for suggestions.
I don't want anybody to get into an "I'm right you're wrong" argument on this, I'm just looking for guidelines and ideas.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Duran Lomax]

I have been very impressed with the talent and creativeness of the members on this board as well as their willingness to share knowledge, offer tips and input here. I still consider myself one of the Newbies to the site, so forgive me if I'm ignorant on this subject. :confused I don't want to open a can of worms, but I wanted to know two things:

1. What are the guidelines, requirements, and/or limitations on custom Mando armor? I want to be able to troop in it and maybe join a group of costumers.

2. What are some good paperbacks to read about Boba Fett, Mandos and Clone Troopers?

Remember, everyone has an opinion, I'm just looking for suggestions.
I don't want anybody to get into an "I'm right you're wrong" argument on this, I'm just looking for guidelines and ideas.

Thanks a bunch!

1.) There really are no guidelines for custom Mandos, save for the personal ones we put on ourselves; personally, I like to keep them extremely similar to the sets of armor that Boba anf Jango wear. Some people go above and beyond, adding parts to their helmets, stylizing them to fit their own personal preference. For some canon individual designs, check out Open Seasons; Montross, specifically. He customized his armor to reveal his large arms.
One thing I like to keep in mind is designing the Mando specifically for his job; is he a sniper? If he is, he won't need a jet pack. Instead, a sniper rifle should be slung across his back, and he should have various ammo pouches, as well as things that enhance his vision (maybe an RF stalk on steroids).

2.) Some good paperbacks are:
Boba Fett:
The Bounty Hunter Wars Trilogy (The Mandalorian Armor, Slave Ship, Hard Merchandise)
Boba Fett: Enemy of the Empire

Mandos/Clonetroopers:
Jango Fett: Open Seasons
Star Wars: Republic Commando: Hard Contact
Star Wars: Republic Commando: Triple Zero
Knights of the Old Republis (the video game; it has some interesting things on Mandalorians)
Tales of the Jedi (includes some of the earlier Mandalorians and why they helped the Sith, though it focuses mainly on Jedi/Sith)

 

[The Clayster]

i agree with him on mandos, you dont really have guidelines, it just needs to look into the star wars universe

but i dont like the bounty hunter wars, it was really boring to me

 

[Dha Syntir]

I'm not sure I'd like the idea of having certain guidelines or requirements imposed on me before I'd be considered a custom Mando-I don't like rules like that to put it mildly. However a couple of us trying to make the MSC work, has talked about some very general requirements as far as quality of work done on the armor and the like. And that's just to keep the quality of the custom Mandalorians in the MSC up to snuff...We don't want folks joining the MSC and show up at C4 in his/her custom Mandalorian armor-made of aluminum foil and duct tape!

 

[Grizzly]

for good visuals that might get the creative juices goin is the knights of the old republic comic series theres three issues in particular issues 7,8 and 10 have a large variety of custom mandos and may help you in your thought process as to what you like for your custom and the only guidelines are what you can imagine as far as ive seen and been told so good luck ner vod o n Dha whats MSC?? sorry if it seems retarded to ask

 

[Commander Glover]

Don't forget the amount of informations available on Wookiepedia. they have excellent ref pics of mandos and custom mandos. For guidelines, I especially like this:

Throughout Mandalorian history, three major features have remained constant in Mandalorian Armor design:

1. The wearer was always protected by lightsaber-resistant Mandalorian iron, which could also deflect blaster bolts.
2. The helmets always possessed a T-shaped visor and a sophisticated heads-up display (HUD).
3. Mandalorian warriors decorate 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.

Personnally, I consider that a mando guideline could be:

- The helmet must have the hollow in the cheeks and a T-shaped visor
- The torso armor must be in 3 parts: 2 chest parts and the chest diamond.

If you want some concept ideas, don't forget to visit the Post your custom mando pics thread.

This is my 2 cents.

 

[OrtharRrith]

My only real guidelines are these:

1)It MUST look like COULD've been in any of the movies and just walked off the sets.

2)It must fit with the basic facts about Mandalorians established in the films and Expanded Universe

3)See #1 above.

4)The resulting costume when worn should project an image of potential violence (Mando's are not cute and cuddly, leave that to the Ewok costumers of www.starwarsteddybearcostumes.com) Mando's are violent, mean and aggressive, look the part!

5)Hanging lightsabers from your belt should be banned (okay so that's just my personal preforance but it looks silly, been done to death, is now something that General Grevious does AND confuses people that think you're some sort of Mando-Jedi)

6)Ignore rule #5 IF you are doing a Bardan Jusik costume, as he WAS a Jedi that took to wearing green Mando armour whilst serving with a Rep Comm unit and their Mando sergeant during the Clone Wars.

7)SEE RULE #1!!!

 

[Gator Fett]

My only real guidelines are these:

1)It MUST look like COULD've been in any of the movies and just walked off the sets.

2)It must fit with the basic facts about Mandalorians established in the films and Expanded Universe

3)See #1 above.

4)The resulting costume when worn should project an image of potential violence (Mando's are not cute and cuddly, leave that to the Ewok costumers of www.starwarsteddybearcostumes.com) Mando's are violent, mean and aggressive, look the part!

5)Hanging lightsabers from your belt should be banned (okay so that's just my personal preforance but it looks silly, been done to death, is now something that General Grevious does AND confuses people that think you're some sort of Mando-Jedi)

6)Ignore rule #5 IF you are doing a Bardan Jusik costume, as he WAS a Jedi that took to wearing green Mando armour whilst serving with a Rep Comm unit and their Mando sergeant during the Clone Wars.

7)SEE RULE #1!!!

Nice list OrtharRith.

I would change #1 to the following and adjust the other numbers accordingly.

1) Must NOT have a dent in the helmet, in the exact same place as Boba Fett.

Personally, as a traditional Boba replica costumer, my one request is to please, please, please be creative. I am realy tired of seeing the same old black & red repaint of a Boba or Jango costume. :rolleyes

Gator

 

[Southern hunter]

Nice list OrtharRith.

I would change #1 to the following and adjust the other numbers accordingly.

1) Must NOT have a dent in the helmet, in the exact same place as Boba Fett.

Personally, as a traditional Boba replica costumer, my one request is to please, please, please be creative. I am realy tired of seeing the same old black & red repaint of a Boba or Jango costume. :rolleyes

Gator

One reason I'm designing a Custom Mando is that I think it would be extremely hard to get ALL the battle damage, scratches, paint chips etc just right to do a good Boba Fett costume. I don't think a Custom will be easy, but at least no one will be saying my dent's not right or my battle damage is in the wrong places.

 

[Dha Syntir]

I think Orthar's list is dead on, especially the referrals back to the first rule. And yes, customs should definitely fix the dent in the bucket. If you gotta have a dented helm, dent the heck out of it, just not in the same spot as Boba's bucket...And Grizzly, MSC=Mandalorian Super Commando's...

 

[Grizzly]

thanks just never seen the 3 letter version

 

[Resilient]

I'd say stay near the Crusader, Neo-Crusader, or True Mando/Deathwatch styles since they're all established (eu) canon styles. That way you can be seen as "mandalorian" at cons and such because people will recognize things rather than as "what's that supposed to be?" like if you made something completely original.

Personally, as a traditional Boba replica costumer, my one request is to please, please, please be creative. I am realy tired of seeing the same old black & red repaint of a Boba or Jango costume. :rolleyes

Yeah, the first customs to use black and red don't like seeing more pop up either because then we all get put in the same "hackneyed" category. Which kinda sucks if you've had those colors since '02 like I have and way before the mando fad.

Eh, oh well what can ya do. A lot of people apparently like those colors just like others like making Fett over and over and over again.

 

[Vaders_Pet]

I'd say stay near the Crusader, Neo-Crusader, or True Mando/Deathwatch styles since they're all established (eu) canon styles. That way you can be seen as "mandalorian" at cons and such because people will recognize things rather than as "what's that supposed to be?" like if you made something completely original.




Yeah, the first customs to use black and red don't like seeing more pop up either because then we all get put in the same "hackneyed" category. Which kinda sucks if you've had those colors since '02 like I have and way before the mando fad.

Eh, oh well what can ya do. A lot of people apparently like those colors just like others like making Fett over and over and over again.

While the principal color of my armour is going to be black, i really hope that the paint scheme will separate me, becuase as far as i know noone has done what im going to be doing. My other main colour is gold, but with a twist, hehe.
ill keep you updates when i have some pics.

 

[Dha Syntir]

Armor color was an issue for me as well. I didn't want to use a color that's terribly common, and a design that's very simple. So I went with a white outline around the dark grey armor plates, with a little black smattering throughout. I'd hoped the more unusual color and design would set me apart from others-time will tell I reckon how long it'll be before others with grey armor pop up...:facepalm Not that I'm saying I'm the only one with grey armor, mine is the only one "I've" seen...

 

[OrtharRrith]

Colour shouldn't be an issue really. As long as the colours are appropriate to the afformentioned established Mando facts then it doesn't matter if it's black, red, brown, gold or what ever. Obviously some colours work better with each other then others do but...
I also don't think it should matter if you were the first to use a certain colour combo or not.

 

[Southern hunter]

Those of you who are creating or have finished custom Mandos, did you buy a helmet and modify it or did you scratchbuild one?

 

[Tack]

I agree with Orthar. Pick colors you like and work with them. I don't think anyone should have to worry about what color scheme they choose because someone else already had used that color combo. What I would say is if you pick a color scheme like red and black, do not do the same design as someone else. There are alot of ways to use those colors without everyone looking the same.

 

[Dha Syntir]

To each their own I suppose. Personally I'd rather have a signature color and design that folks will be able to know exactly who I am from that color scheme/design from across the room. If I wanted to look exactly like everyone else, I'd have become a stormtrooper or something... Again, to each their own.

 

[Jodo Kast 3]

Southern Hunter.

Bought a fiberglass helmet. Best decision ever.




Spend the money on the helmet now, and you won`t regret it later.

 

[Southern hunter]

What kind of price range am I looking at for a fiberglass helmet? The custom scratchbuilt appeals to me because of the low cost in materials, but time spent on it might outweigh the savings.