In The Mandalorian season 2, episode 6, “Chapter 14: The Tragedy,” Moff Gideon unveiled potentially his most dangerous weapon yet – the Dark Troopers – and the shadowy droids’ secret could be Mandalorian beskar. The Imperial remnant has kept its true strength hidden for most of the show, but “The Tragedy” revealed the full firepower of Gideon’s Arquitens-Class cruiser, as well as the military might it holds. To take back Grogu, Mando will have to fight fire with fire, or possibly, beskar with beskar.
Beskar is one of the rarest and most valuable materials in the beskar can even block lightsaber attacks and straight-on blaster bolts. The numerous weaponized applications of beskar were a huge motivator in the Empire’s subjugation and plunder of Mandalore, which culminated in the Great Purge. Gideon’s own high-level involvement in the genocidal campaign won him the Darksaber, but it also earned the Empire a huge supply of the planet’s remaining beskar – much of which Gideon’s remnant still possesses.
Since Din Djarin’s interactions with the Imperial remnant in The Mandalorian season 1 revealed their significant beskar supply, it’s remained a mystery what exactly Gideon has been using it for. Now finally, viewers might have an answer. While the Dark Troopers deployed to capture Baby Yoda on Tython didn’t show much of their true abilities on screen, they made an imposing debut nonetheless. Gideon’s own immense faith in the battle droids’ design suggests there’s something to their strength beyond a frightening exterior, and that something could easily be beskar steel.
Given Gideon’s unparalleled access to the material, it makes sense. A beskar-plated or augmented droid could potentially stand up to direct, extended incoming fire and could even contend with Jedi, due to the steel’s resilience to lightsabers. The Dark Troopers in Star Wars Legends had armor that protected them from the ancient weapons, and since The Mandalorian made a point of showing that with beskar, then it'd be a way of bringing that element across with a new spin. It’d also make the perfect army for a man who clearly fancies himself the second coming of Darth Vader and has built his image on the oppression and destruction of the Mandalorian people.
Of course, nothing of the sort has been proven yet. Din and company will surely come into more direct confrontation with the new Dark Troopers in their attempt to rescue Grogu, which could reveal their true potential that’s yet to be seen. Armed with his own suit of beskar armor and a pure spear of the same, Din seems as set as anyone to take on Gideon’s most powerful forces. But will it be enough to fend off the Darksaber as well? That question remains unanswered as The Mandalorian season 2 races toward its finale.