Trooping as Boba Fett

[viewoptic]

I thought this may be a good thread to start for many members (directed especially at those in the 501st Legion). How is it portraying Boba Fett during a troop? Do you notice any huge difference of people's reactions/behavior wearing Boba Fett vs. other costumes you've worn? What are some memorable events you've attended? (either good or bad). Do you have any specific suggestions for trooping in this costume vs. other costumes? I am currently a Stormtrooper in the 501st Legion and have been a member since 2018. I have encountered many types of Star Wars fans along with the other random types of people at events, but all in all is there something specifically "different" about only this costume you notice while wearing it at events?

 

[lowberg]

Cool thread idea! I have 3 501st legion costumes. Boba is really my only "fully armored" costume, I do AT-AT Commander too but it's just chest armor and an open face helmet.

I think your experience will be familiar / similar to the stormtrooper (Although to be honest the stormtroopers always seem to get the most attention ) You will have similar visibility and mobility, but spatial awareness with the jetpack will be a little different.

I would say a big difference is you will really need to have a handler help getting in and out of kit, and be able to explain the backside kit-up process well to them (Doing the girth belt, attaching the shoulder armor w/ studs & cape, jetpack etc basically things you can't really see / verify with your own eyes in the costume) I made a 1 sheet document with photos of how these areas are supposed to be connected just in case I have to rely on someone who hasn't helped me out before.

As far as interactions go, I've had some cool and some weird ones. So far most people have been respectful and not tried to touch or throw arms around for photo ect (But that really should be moderated by a handler anyways)

You'll get a lot of....
"Where's Grogu?"
"Hey look its a stormtrooper!"
"Mando is my favorite"

I do feel way more badass in Fett though over my other costumes, and always tend to stomp around and walk with a more authoritative presence especially when moving through crowds lol

 

[lowberg]

One more thing... If you want to troop with your Boba Fett costume regularly you will have to mentally prepare yourself that your chest and ab armor paint is going to get scratched up, even with a sealer coat. It's pretty much un avoidable from contact with the gauntlets and blaster. Sometimes it will look cool and in the same general areas that the screen used ones are scratched up in, and sometimes you may get a scuff or scrape that looks not so cool, but it's just something that I've had to come to terms with.

I was super bummed at first spending all this time to replicate the real scratches and scuffs only to add my own very quickly lol

 

[Irongladiator]

Hi viewoptic
Great question! As someone who is 501st approved as a ROTJ Boba Fett as well as a ROTJ Scout Trooper....

I can tell you that whenever I wear my Boba, it gets a lot of attention. (...and yes, more so than my Scout Trooper) And even more so when I engage the 3 special effects that I also installed into the costume. And those 3 things are:

1) MiCom - 8-button voice operated glove, like the Galaxy's Edge experience....

2) Neo Fett Range Finder - R/C Servo controlled from a button on the glove.....

3) SpoonMakes CosClouds Smoke Machine - Smoke Effect from thrusters on my Jetpack....

It's one thing to walk around in such a bad ass costume, but jaws drop when I start interacting with people by speaking to them and engaging the Range Finder and Smoke too. It's just the cherry on top!

And I think it is more so about Boba Fett being that 'Face Character' too. But I do love my Scout Trooper costume, for one it is WAY more comfortable to wear, and two also has that original trilogy coolness - especially when you start to group troopers together!

One of the cool things about the MiCom is that they sell different voice profiles, so I have one for both my Boba and Scout Trooper - and flipping between the profiles is seamless and easy. In fact, for my Scout Trooper (Which is their Stormtrooper Voice Profile) they got the actor Terry McGovern to voice act their script. Who is Terry McGovern? Well, he is well known for being the voice of this Stormtrooper from A New Hope....

With the famous lines of....
1) "How long have you had these droids?"
2) "Let me see your identification."
3) "We don't need to see their identification."
4) "These aren't the droids we're looking for."
5) "You can go about your business."
6) "Move along, move along."

So it is pretty cool to have that as my voice, when conversing with people. But just simply is not as cool as Boba, for sure. But being in my Scout Trooper out in the Pacific Northwest is pretty epic too! Took these a few week ago and I definitely turned some heads....

I'm working on a Kylo Ren Build and purchased another MiCom Voice profile and loaded it into my unit. It is still a WIP, but I bought a Funco Pop from Target to keep me motivated...

But it will be interesting how the Kylo Ren costume will be reacted to- once put together. Hoping to have it approved by Q1 of 2026.

But agreed with lowberg this is a fun topic for a thread. I'm looking forward to more replies from others.

Best,
-Iron

 

[DrToothache]

I’ve only trooped as Boba and Jango (about 17 troops so far, 2 before joining the 501st), so I can’t compare to non-Mandalorian kits - though I have a TIE pilot in the works. Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Heat Management - Helmet fans are essential. I’m actually more comfortable with the helmet on because of the airflow.
• Overengineer your equipment- Overbuild your attachments. Use Velcro andstraps for knees, snaps/Velcro for cod & kidney armor to keep everything perfectly positioned onto your flightsuit. If not then things will most likely move around while trooping.
  • I also use epoxy + screws for toe spikes (not just the screws alone).
  • Use velcro or carabiners to keep your gauntlet hose secured under your sleeve.
• Comfort Fit- Adjust your jetpack harness properly (not too tight or too loose). This is probably the most uncomfortable part of the costume during a long troop.
  • Pad your gauntlets to avoid “Fett Thumb” (numbness from tight fit).
• Crowd Awareness - Watch your jetpack radius in tight spaces, you will bump into things if you’re not careful.
• Audio Systems - A CosVox or MiCom with preloaded lines is great for interacting with fans and saving your voice after the 46th fan interaction.

Boba draws a huge amount of attention, even more than my Jango and most troopers (Vader is the main exception). Expect constant photo requests. Practice 4-5 poses so shots don’t look repetitive.

Boba is high-maintenance and sometimes a pain to troop in - but it's worth it!! The attention and reactions of fans keep me coming back to attend every troop that I can. I have met so many people that I would have otherwise never met doing this whole Boba / Jango thing. It has taken me to places that I normally wouldn't go to, and talking to people that I normally wouldn't have a reason to.

 

[lowberg]

DrToothache Those are all really good tips and I agree with those 100%. And ugh yes the "Fett Thumb" is real haha. My first troop my flamethrower side gauntlet pinched a nerve at the bottom of my wrist and my thumb was numb for like a month lol Padding, right around the return edge of the lower shell completely solved that.

 

[DrToothache]

DrToothache Those are all really good tips and I agree with those 100%. And ugh yes the "Fett Thumb" is real haha. My first troop my flamethrower side gauntlet pinched a nerve at the bottom of my wrist and my thumb was numb for like a month lol Padding, right around the return edge of the lower shell completely solved that.

Fett thumb is awful, and great tip on where to put the padding!