Clone Trooper Armor: Phase I vs. Phase II vs. Stormtrooper vs. First Order Stormtrooper

Hello Star Wars fans! In today’s article, I’m going to walk you through a comparison of the evolution of clone armors, starting from Phase I, Phase II, Stormtrooper and all the way to the final version – the First Order Stormtrooper.

But before we dive into the nitty-gritty, I’ve prepared a handy table that summarizes the key differences between these armors. So, let’s get started!

Clone Trooper Armor Phase I

The creation of Phase I clone trooper armor was inspired by the Mandalorian armor worn by Jango Fett, the genetic template for the clone soldiers, as directed by the armorsmiths of Kamino. 

This design decision was influenced by Darth Tyranus, who chose Jango Fett as the blueprint for the Republic’s Grand Army. As a result, the clones’ armor drew heavily from Jango’s Mandalorian suit, leading to the distinctive look of the Clone Trooper Phase I armor.

All clones shared identical physical traits—height, weight, and build—streamlining the mass production of their armor. 

Crafted from durable white plastoid and worn over a black body suit, the armor included essential gear like a life-support system, a tracking device, and a commlink, with options to add macrobinoculars and rangefinders.

A key feature of the Phase I armor was its pressurization, allowing clone troopers to survive in the vacuum of space. 

Even though the armor offered good protection, it was known to be heavy and uncomfortable, especially when sitting down. This problem came from the Kaminoans not fully knowing how humans move.

Phase I armor and the first clone troopers were both introduced during the Battle of Geonosis.

Clone Trooper Armor Phase II

Phase II clone trooper armor represented a significant advancement in comfort over the Phase I design, while still being crafted from the same durable white plastoid material. 

The newer armor version featured a distinct aesthetic, especially noticeable in the redesigned shape of the helmet.

Enhancements in the Phase II armor included the addition of a breath filter and an annunciator at the front for clearer communication.

Unlike the earlier version, Phase II armor was not pressurized, requiring troopers to use an external respirator in environments with low oxygen.

The Kamino aimed to make the Phase II armor lighter, more comfortable, and provide greater protection. 

Another notable innovation was the customization options, allowing the armor to be tailored for specialized clones and their missions, enhancing their effectiveness on diverse battlefields.

However, these improvements came with a higher cost—Phase II armor was priced at 3000 credits, a significant increase from the 2000 credits required to produce Phase I armor.

Stormtrooper Armor

Unlike the Phase I and Phase II of the Clone Trooper armor, the Stormtrooper armor represents an evolution.

It’s not just a simple upgrade from the Phase I and II Clone Trooper armor. In fact, it’s a whole new design created by the Imperial Department of Military Research.

The armor was actually manufactured on the planet Gilvaanen with the idea of replacing the Phase II clone trooper armor. 

It’s made up of 18 individual, overlapping plastoid composite plates and synth-leather boots. This design not only allows for mobility but also disperses energy, protecting the wearer from glancing and low power blaster bolts.

One cool feature is the reinforced alloy plate ridge that supports the user’s upper thigh. 

And check this out – there’s a sniper position knee protector plate over the wearer’s left knee to improve accuracy when crouching.

But the armor isn’t just about offense. It’s also designed to protect its wearer in extreme environments, including deserts, forests, icy wastelands, and even limited exposure to the vacuum of space.

The helmet is a marvel of technology. Its visual processor helps the wearer see in darkness, glare, and smoke, although it does limit the wearer’s field of vision. 

When firing a blaster, the helmet’s visor polarizes against the glare. A built-in heads-up display provides targeting diagnostics, power levels, and environmental readings at the corner of the wearer’s eyesight. 

The wearer can even access data on various military subjects and civilian organizations on the helmet’s display.

And here’s a neat feature – motion sensors alert the wearer to any enemy the soldier might have missed. 

To discourage nonessential chatter, which is strictly off-limits while on-duty, stormtrooper helmets record everything that is said by the user. 

This data is then sent to monitors for review after being downloaded off of the armor’s memory.

So there you have it, a quick tour of the Stormtrooper armor. 

First Order Stormtrooper Armor

The First Order Trooper Armor is not just a simple upgrade from the original Stormtrooper armor. In fact, it’s a whole new design with several key updates. 

The design of the First Order Stormtrooper is similar with the past Stormtrooper armor, the armor is made up of 18 individual, overlapping plastoid composite plates.

This not only allows for mobility but also disperses energy, protecting the wearer from glancing and low power blaster bolts. 

One cool feature is the updated joint design that adds greater flexibility. 

And did you know that individual sets of armor are linked to First Order trackers? 

There are also specialized versions of the armor. 

For example, Captain Phasma wore her own distinctive stormtrooper armor polished in chromium, symbolizing power. 

Then you have the flametroopers and snowtroopers, each wearing a variant of the First Order stormtrooper armor that represents their specific specializations.

The helmets, with their glossy betaplast finish, are equipped with a smoke filtration system and an external tank hook-up. However, they can’t filter toxins. 

Inside the helmet, there’s a near-constant stream of data projected across the lenses. We’re talking telemetry, firing solutions, atmospheric conditions, and even the ammo count for the blaster rifle. 

An ID tag pops up whenever one trooper looks directly at another, thanks to the in-suit computer that can read friendly identifications.

The helmets contain polarized lenses and night vision, but they lack advanced imaging gear to keep the helmet’s weight down. And guess what? The armor is immune to fire.

To denote rank, commanding stormtroopers wore color-coded pauldron armor plates.