• TikTok
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Star Wars Kids
Star Wars Logo

Search

My Account Logout
  • More More
    • NEWS + FEATURES
      • THE LATEST
      • ANDOR
      • CELEBRATION
      • QUIZZES + POLLS
      • BOOKS + COMICS
    • VIDEO
      • ALL VIDEO
      • THIS WEEK! IN STAR WARS
    • FILMS
    • SERIES
      • All Series
      • Andor
      • Skeleton Crew
      • Ahsoka
      • The Mandalorian
    • GAMES + INTERACTIVE
      • View All
      • Star Wars Outlaws
      • Games + Apps
      • VR + Immersive
    • DATABANK
      • ALL DATABANK
      • ERAS
    • DISNEY+
      • STREAM NOW
      • EXPLORE
      • THE DISNEY BUNDLE
Local Nav | Drop-Down Phase III - 20231020
Local Nav | Drop-Down Phase III - 20231020
My Account Logout
  • other
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • facebook
  • youtube
  • other

All

  • Andor
  • Star Wars Celebration
  • Skeleton Crew
  • The Mandalorian
  • Ahsoka
  • The Acolyte
  • Obi-Wan Kenobi
  • The Book of Boba Fett
  • The Bad Batch
  • The Clone Wars
  • Visions
  • Behind the Scenes
  • Books + Comics
  • Characters + Histories
  • Collecting
  • Creativity
  • Disney Parks
  • Disney+
  • Events
  • Fans + Community
  • Films
  • Games + Apps
  • ILM
  • Interviews
  • LEGO Star Wars
  • Lucasfilm
  • Merchandise
  • Opinions
  • Quizzes + Polls
  • Recipes
  • Rogue One
  • Solo
  • Star Wars Day
  • Star Wars Rebels
  • Series
  • The High Republic
Characters + Histories
Star Wars Inside Intel: Darth Vader’s Suit

Star Wars Inside Intel: Darth Vader’s Suit

Learn little-known facts about the Sith Lord's armor.

Emily Shkoukani
Emily Shkoukani
April 13, 2021

Learn little-known facts about the Sith Lord's armor.

Star Wars Inside Intel is a StarWars.com feature where Lucasfilm Story Group member Emily Shkoukani, whose job is to know as much about a galaxy far, far away as possible, explores obscure facts about Star Wars lore and continuity. In this installment, Emily gets into the tech keeping everyone’s favorite Dark Lord alive.

Since the release of Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977, moviegoers have wondered about the villain in the suit and what lies beneath. It wasn’t until the prequel trilogy began in 1999 that we would begin to get answers.

Anakin becoming Darth Vader in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

After suffering mortal wounds on Mustafar following a duel with his former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, in 2005’s Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, the fallen Jedi Anakin Skywalker was rescued by the newly instated Emperor. In the duel, Anakin lost both of his legs, his one remaining organic arm, and suffered (possibly up to) fourth-degree burns across what was left of his body that were severe enough to damage his internal organs. These injuries would have been fatal had it not been for the medical treatment Anakin received, which transformed him into the mechanized Darth Vader fans first witnessed over 40 years ago.

It’s obvious that Vader requires his suit to survive, but what functions does the suit have, and in what ways does it keep him alive?

Anakin becoming Darth Vader in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Anakin becoming Darth Vader in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Anakin becoming Darth Vader in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

The helmet is the most important part of his suit. The most apparent purpose it serves is to help Vader breathe, but it’s far more complex than that. The helmet is made up of three parts; a protective neck gaiter, the primary mask, and the outer shell. The gaiter helps support Vader’s neck, has a nutrient feeding tube, and this is also where his iconic and booming voice is processed and projected. The mask is the most intricate part of the helmet. This is where Vader’s respiratory system lives, helping him intake and vent air to his sensitive lungs. The lenses aid Vader’s weakened vision, calibrating colors to accommodate his damaged eyesight and enhancing his field of view. In addition to these more obvious features, the mask also pumps air and helps regulate Vader’s body temperature. Finally, the shell of the helmet that gives Vader his iconic silhouette secures all the pieces together, magnetically locking this vital equipment into place.

Darth Vader stands with stormtroopers behind him in A New Hope. Darth Vader's chest plate Darth Vader's status belt

The rest of Vader’s suit is mostly made up of protective materials to shield his fragile body. The black ribbed garments he wears are made of multi-ply fabrics that cover his cybernetic limbs. Additionally, an armored breastplate covers his damaged chest, and a plastoid girdle that protects his abdominal organs. The obsidian suit features little other color aside from buttons on the control function panel that sits squarely below the breastplate, and the system status belt that’s secured around his waist. Both of these pieces of tech are used to monitor and regulate the vital systems featured in Vader’s helmet that keep him alive. As for the specific functions of each button on his chest plate, that remains a mystery.

Darth Vader in Star Wars: A New Hope

Finally, the Dark Lord of the Sith’s suit would not be complete without his sweeping black cloak. Because even Sith Lords have style.

Did you learn something new about Darth Vader’s suit? Check back bi-weekly to learn something new about the Star Wars galaxy!

  • These aren't the droids you're looking for - Disney+

Emily Shkoukani is a jr. creative executive at Lucasfilm who helps to maintain the lore and continuity of the Star Wars galaxy. And sometimes, they write for StarWars.com!

Site tags: #StarWarsBlog, #ThisWeek

Related Topics

Darth Vader (Star Wars) ThisWeek Star Wars Inside Intel

Related Stories

  • Star Wars Inside Intel: Hyperspace
    [object Object]

    Star Wars Inside Intel: Hyperspace - Updated

    July 12, 2024

    July 12, 2024

    Jul 12

  • Quiz: Who Would You Take as an Apprentice?
    [object Object] [object Object]

    Quiz: Who Would You Take as an Apprentice?

    July 8, 2024

    July 8, 2024

    Jul 8

  • What is the Barash Vow?
    [object Object] [object Object]

    What is the Barash Vow?

    June 11, 2024

    June 11, 2024

    Jun 11

  • Celebrate Star Wars Day with 15 Most Impressive New Toys, Collectibles, and More
    [object Object] [object Object]

    Celebrate Star Wars Day with 15 Most Impressive New Toys, Collectibles, and More

    May 3, 2024

    May 3, 2024

    May 3

  • Star Wars Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2024
    [object Object] [object Object]

    Star Wars Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2024

    February 1, 2024

    February 1, 2024

    Feb 1

  • Lucasfilm and Star Wars Receive a Combined 23 Emmy Nominations
    [object Object] [object Object]

    Lucasfilm and Star Wars Receive a Combined 23 Emmy Nominations

    July 12, 2023

    July 12, 2023

    Jul 12

  • New Ahsoka Trailer: The Former Jedi Prepares for the Return of Thrawn
    [object Object] [object Object]

    New Ahsoka Trailer: The Former Jedi Prepares for the Return of Thrawn

    July 11, 2023

    July 11, 2023

    Jul 11

  • Ahsoka Premiere Date Revealed
    [object Object] [object Object]

    Ahsoka Premiere Date Revealed

    June 7, 2023

    June 7, 2023

    Jun 7

More From Star Wars:
  • TikTok
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • SWKids
  • Terms of Use
  • Additional Content Information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Disney Store | Star Wars
  • Star Wars Helpdesk
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved