Crusader Mark II armor

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"Conveniently, as these things happen; we've made one for the Rebel Alliance and one for the Empire. Of course, we took precautions… so that each wouldn't know what we're developing for the other side."
―Anonymous Black Sun member[1]

The Crusader Mark II armor was a model of Mandalorian armor developed by the Black Sun for use by the Rebel Alliance during the Galactic Civil War.

Description

"With the recent advances we've made at the Death Watch installation working on our Mandalorian technology, we've been able to create two new series of armor."
―Anonymous Black Sun member[1]

The Crusader armors Mark II and Mark III were the two versions of the Mandalorian Crusader armors developed by the Black Sun. They shared similar technical characteristics but different appearances.[1] The Mark II model resembled Neo-Crusader assault armor developed about 4000 years prior.[6] Crusader armors offered protection against kinetic damage as well as from energy-based weapons like blasters. A typical complete armor set comprised a helmet with an integrated rangefinder, a chest plate, left & right biceps, left & right bracers, gloves, a belt, leggings and boots. Crusader armors came in a wide variety of colors.[2]

History

"Why should it matter that we supply armor to both sides? They don't know … they both think that they have an exclusive deal with us, riiiiight! We're the Black Sun."
―Anonymous Black Sun member[1]
A Rebel wearing Crusader Mark II armor during the .

A Rebel wearing Crusader Mark II armor during the Battle of Restuss.

After the Battle of Yavin, the members of the criminal organization Black Sun realized that thanks to their fruitful collaboration with the Death Watch, a unique business opportunity presented itself. Due to advances in their armor forges working on Mandalorian technology within the Death Watch Bunker on the Forest Moon of Endor, the Black Sun realized it could create and distribute different types of battle armor to both the Galactic Empire and the Rebellion by ensuring each armor type appeared distinctly different. This positively impacted Black Sun through increased credit flow and freedom from both factions due to the raging Galactic Civil War.[1]

Rebel troops wearing Crusader Mark II armors on Restuss.

Rebel troops wearing Crusader Mark II armors on Restuss.

Crusader armors were introduced around 1 ABY[3] and the Mark II model was distributed to the Rebel Alliance. It was first seen in action on Naboo's moon of Rori during the Battle of Restuss. The armor was worn by several Alliance officers such as Captain Redding, and Rebel Elite Commandos. In addition, a number of Crusader MK II series was distributed by the Rebellion during all along the Battle of Restuss. Rebel spacers who took part in the battle were awarded with battle commendations, which could then be traded to Alliance commendation officers in exchange for items such as the MK II armor or various other weaponry.[2]

Later, Rebel Prison Trooper[7] and Rebel Phalanx soldiers were equipped with Crusader Mark II armors.[8]

Behind the scenes

The Crusader Mark II armor appeared in the 2003 video game Star Wars Galaxies, a massively multiplayer online roleplaying game developed by Sony Online Entertainment and published by LucasArts,[2] prior to its closure on December 15, 2011.[9] Crusader armors were added to the game along with the "Battle of Restuss" PvP battlefield,[2] introduced in the "Chapter 1.1" released on June 27, 2006.[10]

As part of the Battle of Restuss story arc, players might receive commendation items for assisting their chosen faction during the battle, which could be stacked and traded for various items such as this armor, from Commendation Officer non-player characters.[2]

Appearances

Sources

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Gal-icon It's Not My War! on the official Star Wars Galaxies website (original site is defunct)
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 SWG logo sm Star Wars Galaxies (post-NGE) — Event: "The Battle of Restuss"
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 The opening crawl of Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided dates the game to after the events of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, and additionally, Serji-X Arrogantus, who died in Star Wars (1977) 10—the events of which The New Essential Chronology dates to 0 ABY—appears in the game. Therefore, at least a portion of Star Wars Galaxies must be set in that year. Furthermore, in the game Ruwan Tokai references the destruction of the Death Star as having occurred one year earlier, and Strongholds of Resistance also places the events of Galaxies' Chapter 9: "The Fury of Exar Kun" in 1 ABY. Lastly, while Chapter 11: "The Battle of Echo Base" features the Battle of Hoth—dated to 3 ABY by The New Essential Chronology—the developers have stated that the portrayal of that battle in the game is intentionally anachronistic. Therefore, the events of Star Wars Galaxies must span from 0 ABY to around 1 ABY.
  4. ↑ SWG logo sm Star Wars Galaxies (post-NGE) — Chapter 3: Smugglers and Scoundrels
  5. ↑ SWG logo sm Star Wars Galaxies (post-NGE) — Quest: "Save Me" on Lok
  6. ↑ Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide
  7. ↑ SWG logo sm Star Wars Galaxies (post-NGE) — Imperial Quest: "Rescue the fourth Imperial Officer" on Corellia
  8. ↑ SWG logo sm Star Wars Galaxies (post-NGE) — Heroic Instance: "Battle of Echo Base"
  9. ↑ Gal-icon IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT STAR WARS GALAXIES™ on the official Star Wars Galaxies website (original site is defunct)
  10. ↑ Gal-icon Chapter Archive 2006 on the official Star Wars Galaxies website (original site is defunct)

External links