Mandalore the Ultimate

The origins of Mandalore the Ultimate remained mysterious. Some believed him to be the Taung warrior who claimed the mask of Mandalore the Indomitable; others disputed this account. Regardless of his past, the Ultimate brought about significant changes in Mandalorian culture.

During the final stages of the Great Sith War, a Taung warrior participated in the Mandalorian invasion of Onderon. This invasion, led by Mandalore the Indomitable, involved Basilisk war droids battling Beast Riders under the command of Onderonian king Oron Kira. The Onderonians defeated the Mandalorians, forcing them to retreat to the dangerous jungle moon Dxun. When Mandalore the Indomitable disappeared in the jungle, the Taung warrior joined the search party. He discovered the Mandalore's Mask in the undergrowth, assuming the Mandalore had died. Honoring ancient customs, the Taung donned the helmet, declaring himself the new leader of the Mandalorians.

In the years that followed Mandalore the Indomitable's demise, the new Mandalore demonstrated his worthiness of the title "Ultimate". He worked to erase the scars of past defeats and guide his Mandalorians toward a new era of prosperity. Recognizing the training value of Dxun's environment, Mandalore constructed a large complex within its forests. He established this inhospitable moon as the clans' new operational base, summoning the scattered clans to gather there.

Although few initially answered his call, Mandalore remained determined, envisioning a grander future. On the mystical planet of Shogun, he experienced a vision. His own species, the Taung, had suffered greatly during the Great Sith War and were nearing extinction. Unable to alter this fate, even as the "Ultimate," he embraced the burden and preserved Mandalorian tradition by recruiting new species into their ranks. This led to the formation of a new generation of Mandalorian warriors, the Neo-Crusaders. Over time, the Mandalorian ranks swelled with warriors from diverse worlds. While Humans were the most numerous, species such as Rodians, Twi'leks, Togorians, Kerestians, and Mandallian Giants were also prominent. Under Mandalore the Ultimate's guidance, the term "Mandalorian" evolved to represent a warrior culture defined by its dedication to honor and glory through combat, rather than simply a species.

Around 3978 BBY, a pureblood member of the Sith species contacted Mandalore, claiming to be an emissary of a powerful Sith Lord. He persuaded Mandalore to assist in the search for the tomb of the enemy of his master's ancestor. They traveled to Rekkiad, where they located the tomb and a crypt. The Sith retrieved the remains for his master. Afterward, the emissary shared a vision his master had, foreseeing the Mandalorians waging war on the Republic and conquering it. Although the Sith influenced Mandalore's mind with the dark side, the warrior chieftain already desired a major conflict. Mandalore the Ultimate aimed to create the largest army the galaxy had ever seen and had no allegiance to the Republic. This made it easier for the Sith to convince Mandalore to invade the Republic and test their strength. Consequently, Mandalore initiated a new crusade in 3976 BBY, leading his revitalized forces into the Outer Rim Territories along the edge of Republic territory. They plundered independent worlds and colonies like Althir III. Within a decade, the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders established a territory larger than that controlled by the Hutts. During this period, Mandalore appointed Cassus Fett as his chief strategist, allowing him to lead an army of Basilisk war-mounts in the subjugation of Cathar.

Initially, the Republic Senate did not respond, refusing to engage unless the Mandalorians directly threatened the Republic. Meanwhile, Mandalore prepared to do just that. He reorganized his conquered territories to serve as supply depots and foundries for his growing armadas. The Mandalorian clans became more powerful than ever, amassing a large slave labor force and conscripting subject populations into their ranks. As their advancing fleets conquered world after world, waves of refugees flooded into Republic space.

The Republic senators finally decided to take a stand when Mandalore's army approached Taris, defending the Republic's significant commercial interests on the planet. Taris was granted Republic membership and became the center of the Republic's defense in the region. Between 3965 and 3964 BBY, minor skirmishes occurred between Neo-Crusader and Republic forces along the Republic border between Taris and the Mandalorian homeworld. For months, the two galactic powers clashed in the neutral Republic frontier, as the Mandalorians systematically assessed the strength and resolve of the Republic military in preparation for a full-scale attack.

In 3963 BBY, Mandalore launched his invasion of the Republic by rapidly conquering Onderon from nearby Dxun. Exploiting the chaos on Taris, Mandalore unleashed his prepared forces. His fleets surged into Republic space through three invasion corridors in adjacent sectors, catching the Republic Navy completely by surprise. The main Mandalorian fleet, under Mandalore's command, initiated a major offensive toward the Republic security perimeter around Taris. Dividing his forces, Mandalore simultaneously attacked Taris and the nearby planet Vanquo, forcing the Republic defenders, led by Admirals Jimas Veltraa and Noma Sommos, to split their forces, resulting in their defeat. During this time, Republic intelligence tried to determine if Mandalore the Ultimate was the same Mandalore who emerged after Mandalore the Indomitable's death, but they reached no definitive conclusion.

Amidst Rohlan Dyre's, also known as the Questioner, death at Flashpoint, Mandalore added a dying speech to his final words and made him the model for a widely used Neo-Crusader armor.

Under Mandalore the Ultimate's direction, the Neo-Crusaders used nuclear weapons to obliterate several cities on Serroco during the Battle of Serroco, dispelling any Republic illusions that the Mandalorians would not use "appropriate force" against military bases near civilian centers. Soon after, Mandalore—along with most other leaders involved in the Mandalorian conflict—was invited by Arkoh Adasca, head of the Adascorp corporation, to a meeting on Adasca's flagship, the Arkanian Legacy, after being contacted by Demagol, disguised as Rohlan Dyre. Mandalore told "Rohlan" about his glorious "death", giving "Rohlan" a new set of armor to ensure his name remained dead.

Adasca intended to sell controllable exogorths, capable of causing immense destruction, to the highest bidder. Mandalore expressed interest, claiming it would guarantee Mandalorian victory. He considered the exogorths vital to the war effort and offered Adascorp immunity after the Mandalorian victory, absorbing all other galactic corporations. Mandalore also offered Adasca the lucrative position of sole weapon smith for all Mandalorian clans, essentially managing the entire Mandalorian war production. However, Adasca sought complete control of the Mandalorian army, aiming to become the clans' leader and Mandalore's boss. The meeting was interrupted by the arrival of Jedi Zayne Carrick and Lucien Draay, who had escaped from Adasca's captivity on the Arkanian Legacy. Draay orchestrated a deception, making it appear that Adasca had lured Mandalore onto the Legacy for the Jedi to capture him. Unable to prevent the chaos, Adasca watched as Mandalore and his warriors retreated to their ships. Following Mandalore's departure, Adasca was killed when he lost control of his exogorths, which crashed into the Arkanian Legacy, destroying the ship. Despite these events, Mandalore was satisfied that the slugs were no longer controlled by anyone.

In the initial battles, the Republic armadas were overwhelmed by the ferocity of the Mandalorian attacks. The Republic Navy suffered repeated defeats. Although the Jedi High Council forbade the Jedi from intervening, Mandalore and his warriors anticipated their eventual involvement, likely under the leadership of Kavar, a renowned Council member.

However, it was not Kavar who led the Jedi to war, but a Jedi Knight named Revan. He and another Jedi Knight, Alek Squinquargesimus, rallied a significant portion of the Jedi Order under their command, soon controlling a third of the Republic army. Mandalore, accustomed to victory, was surprised by Revan's use of Mandalorian tactics against them. The Republic Navy began to push the Mandalorians back. After Revan liberated Taris, Cassus Fett led Mandalore's forces to victory at Jaga's Cluster, only to find a large part of the Mandalorian army destroyed at Althir. The war's tide was turning in favor of the Republic.

Revan forced a final confrontation with the Mandalorians above Malachor V in 3960 BBY. A scouting party ensured Revan was delayed out of system. Revan arrived at the battle shortly after, and the two commanders clashed in single combat as their personal fleets fought. The Jedi's greatest warrior defeated and killed Mandalore. In his final moments, Mandalore unmasked himself, coughing up blood. Realizing he had been manipulated by the Sith, he revealed their involvement to Revan.

Even though Mandalore the Ultimate lost the war he initiated, he succeeded in preserving Mandalorian culture. Without his recruitment of troops from various species across the galaxy, the limited traditions of the Taung and their Mandalorian Crusaders might have led to the end of the Mandalorians. His actions during the Mandalorian Wars make him arguably the most significant Mandalore in history.

Revan claimed Mandalore's mask after killing him. This fragmented the Mandalorian clans, as the mask symbolized their unity. Lacking leadership and direction, many became bounty hunters or mercenaries. Subsequently, at least two individuals claimed the title of Mandalore in attempts to reunite the clans. The first attempt, led by an unidentified Mandalore, threatened Revan's new Sith Empire, though many Mandalorians were unaware of this, believing no new Mandalore had been chosen. Mandalore the Ultimate's mantle eventually passed to Canderous Ordo, who achieved some success in reuniting the clans at Dxun.

Mandalore the Ultimate was responsible for the devastation of several planets during the Mandalorian Wars, including Serroco, which was heavily bombed with nuclear weapons, and Cathar, where the native species was nearly exterminated. Ultimately, no Mandalorian in history had such a profound and lasting impact as Mandalore the Ultimate. The ferocity of his tactics pushed Revan and his Jedi to embrace the dark side. Under his rule, the Mandalorians transformed from a species into a culture that anyone could join. Mandalore the Ultimate's Crusades later inspired a ritual duel called the "Geroya be Haran," where the loser's memory and legacy were erased from history, as if they had never existed. This ritual was primarily used to resolve honor disputes and was particularly devastating for Mandalorians seeking glory.

Mandalore the Ultimate was regarded as an unparalleled warrior of exceptional skill and strength. Physically imposing, he frequently participated in battles alongside his leadership duties. His combat prowess likely stemmed from the rigorous training of Taung culture, which emphasized constant mental and physical preparation for combat from a young age. A master of weaponry, he was the fastest Mandalorian to perfect the use of Basilisk war droids. His weapon mastery was further demonstrated when he defeated Jedi Alek, the Order's second-best, with a single blow from his cortosis mythosaur axe during a lightsaber duel. Despite his valor, Mandalore could not overcome Revan, the Jedi's greatest champion, and died in their final battle. As a Taung, Mandalore also possessed extraordinary physical endurance.

Mandalore the Ultimate possessed limited but potent equipment. While sometimes seen with a double-sided spear, his primary weapon was his cortosis mythosaur axe, nearly as tall as its wielder. Its weighted head allowed it to hook limbs, bulldoze forward, or deliver immense kinetic force when swung. Forged from an alloy of cortosis and other metals, it was highly resistant to lightsabers and contained an energy cell for delivering powerful electric shocks. The Ultimate also carried a heavy blaster rifle, clipped to his waist when not in use. He wore Neo-Crusader assault armor featuring heavy, energy-ablative beskar plating, a jetpack, a built-in comlink, and 24 hours of life support.

Mandalore understood the essence of being Mando'ade. He viewed succeeding his predecessors as "the Ultimate" not as an entitlement, but as a privilege to be earned. He tirelessly strived to become worthy of his title, developing the skill and ruthlessness that defined his later life. However, his legacy extended beyond simply matching past leaders. He was destined to create something greater, and his initial goal as Mand'alor was to completely rebuild society. Foreseeing the Taung's extinction, Mandalore recognized that the Mandalorians' fate rested on his shoulders, a burden he carried with honor. He sought to establish a new army, starting by recruiting species from countless worlds, demonstrating a willingness to challenge established norms to preserve his culture. Through his leadership and ambition, the term Mandalorian acquired a new meaning, evolving from a single race into a unique warrior culture accessible to anyone.

In addition to recruiting non-Taungs, Mandalore the Ultimate also broke Mandalorian norms in other areas. Unlike previous Mandalores, he often considered political factors, deeming them essential to warfare. Mandalore even considered negotiating with his enemies if it would lead to victory, as evidenced by his presence at the Omonoth negotiations. His uniqueness among past Mand'alore extended further. He used his Neo-Crusader movement as a standard for other Mandalorians, moving away from the fanaticism previously associated with its members. Mandalore even standardized the armor of the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders, both decisions influenced by his right-hand man Cassus Fett, who sought to reform Mandalorian battle tactics. Ultimately, Mandalore viewed Neo-Crusaders as useful in purpose and function, but aesthetically displeasing. He remained a warrior at heart.

Another defining trait of Mandalore was his pride and boldness. He readily taunted others for perceived incompetence or foolishness, such as calling Jedi Alek a child for confronting him or mocking Admiral Karath for his naval defeat. However, he was also a serious and authoritative leader. He ruled firmly and tolerated no insubordination, viewing it as a tactical problem to be solved. To compensate for his strictness, he generously rewarded loyalty, often granting high ranks in his Neo-Crusader movement.

During the Mandalorian Wars, Mandalore the Ultimate established his reputation as a brazen strategist capable of immense destruction. He led a ruthless campaign in the Outer Rim Territories, authorizing the devastation of planets like Cathar and allowing his armies to plunder Althir. Even as the Republic responded to his aggression, he continued to lead his Mandalorians with brutal efficiency. As the war escalated, Mandalore demonstrated a willingness to do anything to achieve victory, including using nuclear weapons to destroy entire cities.

Lastly, Mandalore was known for his cunning intelligence. In battle, he readily employed "soft weaponry" alongside more lethal implements, demonstrating a willingness to use any means to conquer his adversaries. He also understood the power of deception. When a fellow Mandalorian vanished, he deceptively transformed the disappearance into a false tragedy, manipulating others into accepting his authority. Mandalore's knack for deception was also devastatingly used on the battlefield. At the start of the Mandalorian Wars, he successfully misled the Republic, harassing Republic worlds to test their strength while concealing the full power of his forces, ensuring they would not see the true war coming until it was too late.

Mandalore the Ultimate was fluent in Mando'a, Arkanian, Galactic Basic, and Basiliskan.

An unidentified Taung soldier appears in Tales of the Jedi – The Sith War 6, claiming Mandalore the Indomitable's mask and becoming the new Mandalore. Later, an unidentified Mandalore was mentioned in the Knights of the Old Republic video games by various characters, described as having fought in the Great Sith War and led the Neo-Crusaders during the Mandalorian Wars. This ambiguous Mandalore was eventually identified as "Mandalore the Ultimate" in the Star Wars Insider article The History of the Mandalorians. The New Essential Chronology later confirmed that the Taung soldier and Mandalore the Ultimate were the same character.

Mandalore the Ultimate became a major character in the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic comic series, which expanded on events surrounding the Mandalorian Wars. However, the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Handbook, released in the fall of 2007, caused some confusion among fans. The Handbook provided a brief explanation of the title "Mandalore," followed by an ambiguous statement about Mandalore the Ultimate's history. The entry entitled "Mandalore" stated that some Republic officials were unsure if this Mandalore was the same Taung soldier who replaced Mandalore the Indomitable after the Great Sith War, or another successor who took the name and mask of Mandalore. The Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide, released in August 2008, perpetuated this ambiguity.

Mandalore was shown wearing a red mask in the initial artwork for the Knights of the Old Republic 15 comic. It was altered to a gold hue, and while the reason is not known, John Jackson Miller pointed out that "the more red it appears, the raised lines make it resemble Spider-Man's mask from the film."

An illustration appears in the Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide showing Mandalore the Ultimate on the left with Mandalore the Indomitable standing to his right. Regrettably, the caption incorrectly labels the figure on the right as Mandalore the Ultimate. This error was then duplicated by The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia, which used the section of the image featuring Mandalore the Indomitable, but incorrectly captioned it as Mandalore the Ultimate.