Why Boba Fett Didn’t Get His Armor From Cobb Vanth

Boba Fett has returned in The Mandalorian season 2, episode 6 — but why didn’t he reclaim his Mandalorian armor back on Tatooine? The original trilogy considered Boba Fett to be the galaxy’s most fearsome bounty hunter, although he was less than impressive in Return of the Jedi. But The Mandalorian season 2 premiere confirmed Boba survived his apparent death in the Sarlacc pit, and has been living on Tatooine for years since.

Boba Fett’s armor was acquired by Marshal Cobb Vanth, an ex-slave who was introduced in Chuck Wendig’s Aftermath trilogy, who used the armor to drive back slave traders from Tatooine. Vanth agreed to give Din Djarin the armor as payment for killing a greater Krayt Dragon — and from that moment on, Mando found himself being pursued by Boba Fett, who wanted his armor back. But why didn’t Boba Fett reclaim his armor from Cobb Vanth back on Tatooine in the first place?

Boba Fett’s body bore evidence of scarification, which suggests he sustained severe injuries escaping the Sarlacc. Given that is the case, it is entirely possible he did not believe he would be able to get the armor back from Cobb Vanth and the residents of Mos Pelgo without help. It was only when he had backup — with Fennec Shand owing him a debt, and thus bound to help him — that he felt ready. It’s worth noting Boba Fett claimed his marksmanship had declined, suggesting an ex-Imperial sniper like Fennec Shand was just what he needed. Cobb Vanth had a habit of taking his helmet off, even in remote areas of Tatooine, so Shand would potentially have been able to take him out with one good head-shot. By this interpretation, Din Djarin took the armor just before Cobb Vanth was about to become a target for the fearsome bounty hunter.

There is another, more intriguing, possibility however; it is possible that Boba Fett approved of Cobb Vanth’s use of his armor. There’s some evidence Cobb Vanth lied to Din Djarin when he told him how he had acquired the armor — his tale contradicts the one told in the Aftermath trilogy — so perhaps the truth is even more complicated. Perhaps Cobb Vanth actually saved Boba Fett’s life, and took the armor in repayment; thus it was only when the armor was passed on that Boba decided he wanted it back in the first place. This would be the more interesting explanation, providing more of a story reason into Boba’s decisions, and exploring the competing desires at war within him.

Din Djarin has formed an unexpected alliance with Boba Fett and Fennec Shand, and in fact he’s now traveling with them aboard the Slave I after the Razor Crest was destroyed by the Empire. That means The Mandalorian season 2 has plenty of opportunities to tell Boba’s story, so hopefully it’s just a matter of time before viewers are told why Boba Fett didn’t take the armor from Cobb Vanth.

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Thomas Bacon
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Tom Bacon is one of Screen Rant’s staff writers, as well as a Peer Mentor for new writers and a member of the Care Team, offering support and a listening ear to members of the Comics group. A lifelong fan of major franchises including Star Wars, Doctor Who, and Marvel, Tom is delighted his childhood is back – and this time it’s cool. You can find him on Twitter @TomABacon.

A graduate of Edge Hill University, Tom remains strongly connected with his alma mater as a volunteer chaplain. He’s heavily involved with his local church, and anyone who checks him out on Twitter will swiftly learn he’s into British politics too.

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