Mando is the Type of Guy To Do Every Side Quest Available Before Doing the Main

Does anyone else feel the same? When watching The Mandalorian, I can’t help but think that Mando, or Din Djarin, feels like a character from an RPG video game. 

He spends a lot of time completing side quests, gradually upgrading himself and leveling up until he’s equipped with all the best gear, before heading off to tackle the main quest.

Side Quests Over the Main Mission

In nearly every episode of The Mandalorian, Mando sets out with a clear goal—usually related to finding safety for Grogu or locating a Jedi. 

However, he is almost always sidetracked by various adventures, alliances, or favors that need to be done for other characters. 

These side quests often feel like small, self-contained stories that delay the main mission but provide Mando with new allies, tools, and lessons that help him grow along the way.

For example, when Mando arrives on Sorgan in Chapter 4: Sanctuary, he’s looking for a quiet place to lay low with Grogu. 

Instead, he ends up helping a village defend itself from raiders. This is one of the clearest examples of Mando getting pulled into a side quest where his main goal of finding safety is delayed while he helps others. 

In return, he builds connections and learns more about himself as a protector.

Another key example is Chapter 6: The Prisoner, where Mando agrees to help a group of mercenaries break into a New Republic prison ship to free a criminal. 

What starts as a side job to earn some money quickly turns into a dangerous mission that gives us deeper insight into Mando’s moral compass and his unwillingness to abandon others—qualities that set him apart from other bounty hunters.

The Armor Progression: An RPG Player’s Dream

One of the most noticeable parallels to a classic RPG game is Mando’s slow but steady upgrade in armor. 

Just like a player who starts with basic gear and grinds through side quests to collect better equipment, Mando’s journey involves earning Beskar steel and upgrading his armor piece by piece.

When we first meet Mando in Chapter 1: The Mandalorian, his armor is a mishmash of parts—clearly showing his status as a bounty hunter still earning his way. His chest plate, helmet, and gauntlets are battle-worn and incomplete. 

It’s obvious that Mando is missing the iconic Beskar steel, the prized material of the Mandalorians.

After successfully capturing his bounty and delivering it to Greef Karga, Mando takes on a high-value target: Grogu (referred to as “The Child” or “The Asset” at the time). 

His client, The Client, pays Mando with a Camtono of Beskar steel—an invaluable reward for Mando’s successful bounty hunting mission.

Upon receiving this Beskar, Mando visits the Armorer, who forges his first significant armor upgrade. She creates a shiny new Beskar pauldron for Mando’s shoulder.

In Chapter 3: The Sin, Mando returns to the Armorer after successfully delivering Grogu to the Empire. The reward? A large amount of Beskar, enough to complete a full set of armor. 

This pivotal moment is like an RPG player finally completing a major side quest and cashing in for a full set of upgraded gear.

The Armorer forges Mando’s full set of Beskar armor, replacing the old patched-up pieces he had.

This new armor set not only offers him greater protection but is also a symbol of his rising status among the Mandalorians. 

The sleek silver armor is now an unmistakable part of Mando’s identity, making him stand out from other bounty hunters and warriors across the galaxy.

The Final Piece: The Jetpack

One of the most significant moments in Mando’s armor journey comes in Chapter 8: Redemption when he earns his jetpack. 

After proving himself in battle, the Armorer gifts him this final upgrade—a classic piece of Mandalorian gear. 

The jetpack not only completes his transformation into a fully equipped Mandalorian warrior but also opens up new possibilities for movement and combat, allowing Mando to take on even more dangerous missions.

The acquisition of the jetpack feels like the final piece of a long side quest chain, where Mando is now fully prepared to tackle the main story ahead of him: protecting Grogu from Moff Gideon and the Empire.

Endgame: Mando’s Face-off with Moff Gideon

So, what happens when you’ve maxed out all your skills and gear in any quest-driven game? You head back to the main storyline for the big showdown, right? 

Well, that’s exactly what Din Djarin does in The Mandalorian. After completing side quests and upgrading his gear—like getting that full set of beskar armor—he’s now ready to face his toughest challenge yet: Moff Gideon.

But before that, let’s talk about one of his key “unlockables”—the beskar spear. 

Just like in a video game where you complete a mission to earn rare gear, Mando gets this spear after helping Ahsoka Tano. 

Think of it like a special weapon drop—pure beskar, able to withstand even lightsabers, and the perfect tool for his future battles. This upgrade sets him up for the big boss fight ahead.

With his gear maxed out and a squad of allies he’s earned along the way—Boba Fett, Fennec Shand, Bo-Katan Kryze—it’s time for the final mission: rescuing Grogu. 

Along the way, Mando faces off against some new “level bosses” like the Dark Troopers—tough enemies that push him to use all his upgrades and tactics.

And then, it’s time for the ultimate boss battle: Mando vs. Moff Gideon, who’s wielding the Darksaber, a legendary weapon with deep ties to Mandalorian history. 

Armed with his beskar spear—the reward from one of his earlier quests—Mando goes toe-to-toe with Gideon in an intense duel.

After a tough fight, he defeats him and claims the Darksaber as his final “loot drop”—a prize that will have major consequences for the next chapter of his journey.