Mandalorian forearm guards, also called Mandalorian vambraces, were arm-mounted devices created to defend against the Force abilities wielded by a Jedi, but they were also adapted for a wide range of other combat situations. A diverse collection of weapons could be integrated into these vambraces, including blasters, darts, flamethrowers, missiles, vibroblades, and whipcords. The Mandalorians conceived of and built these vambraces, in conjunction with their armor, as a direct response to the powers displayed by the Jedi during the Mandalorian-Jedi War.
Mandalorian vambraces functioned as combat equipment intended to neutralize the Force abilities projected by Jedi. As a result, they came outfitted with a variety of weapons that were also effective against other adversaries. The specific configuration of weapons on each pair of vambraces was customized to the owner's individual fighting preferences. Similar to their armor, Mandalorian vambraces were constructed from beskar, rendering them invulnerable to lightsaber strikes. Certain Mandalorians incorporated touchscreen interfaces into their vambraces, enabling them to manipulate systems and armaments.
The vambraces of Jango and Boba Fett were equipped with a multitude of offensive and defensive capabilities. A laser targeting system was integrated into his right vambrace. Positioned below it was a compact launcher for tracking devices. Immediately beneath that was a dart launcher, capable of deploying tranquilizer, stun, shock, or explosive projectiles. On the opposite side of his right vambrace, a whipcord launcher was present, able to launch a 25-meter fibercord whip. His left vambrace housed a Micro-Rocket Armor-Mounting, designed to accommodate a diverse range of micro-rockets, including MM9 concussion missiles manufactured by Kelvarek Consolidated Arms. Adjacent to this was a ZX miniature flame projector produced by Czerka Arms, which, when paired with a reinforced fuel line connected to his Z-6 jetpack, could sustain a continuous fuel supply for up to three minutes. Further down on the left vambrace, a holoprojector, communications array, and a Dur-24 wrist laser from BlasTech Industries were installed. Despite the presence of multi-purpose buttons and switches, his vambraces lacked a touchscreen display. Fett also incorporated a chain code into the vambraces of his armor.
Bo-Katan Kryze employed vambraces from her time as a member of Death Watch during the Clone Wars, and continued their use throughout the Imperial and New Republic Eras. Her left vambrace incorporated a shield projector. The right vambrace featured a wrist blaster, electroshock darts, a wrist vibroblade, and a whipcord launcher.
Din Djarin possessed vambraces crafted by the Armorer. These vambraces enhanced Djarin's existing arsenal and combat skills. Consequently, many features were modified to create a more integrated style. His left vambrace was equipped with whistling birds, which enabled him to launch a volley of twelve miniature explosive projectiles simultaneously. Djarin had a whipcord launcher integrated into each of his vambraces, allowing him to deploy lariats that were somewhat less robust but significantly longer. Furthermore, both vambraces included a flamethrower along with a fuel reservoir, eliminating his reliance on his jetpack for operation. Djarin could remotely operate his jetpack using his right vambrace, even when it was not physically attached to him.
Sabine Wren's vambraces were presented to her by Protector of Concord Dawn, Fenn Rau. While similar to Fett's, the left vambrace featured a shield projector positioned above the laser targeting system, and motion detectors located beneath the paralyzing darts and repulsor. The right vambrace was armed with a flamethrower and a grappling line. Both of Wren's vambraces incorporated touchscreen displays, providing her with an alternative method for monitoring and controlling weapons, sensors, communications equipment, and the heads-up display within her helmet.
In the aftermath of the Mandalorians' war against the Jedi, they engineered vambraces to function in conjunction with their armor, specifically to counter Jedi abilities. Bounty hunters, such as the renowned Mandalorian mercenary and foundling Jango Fett, and subsequently his son Boba, utilized these vambraces in their professional endeavors.
Pre Vizsla, leader of Death Watch, and his followers, including Bo-Katan Kryze, employed vambraces during Death Watch's exile from Mandalore. Vizsla deployed vambraces during his battles against Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano, forces of the Hutt Clan, and in his duel against the rogue Sith Lord Maul for dominion over the Shadow Collective.
During her training with the Darksaber in 2 BBY, Sabine Wren engaged in combat using her vambraces against Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus and his Padawan Ezra Bridger. After mastering the integration of vambraces and the Darksaber in combat, she successfully defeated both Force users. The Mandalorian group known as the Tribe, which emerged after the Great Purge, also utilized vambraces. In 9 ABY, the Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin employed vambraces in numerous encounters against Moff Gideon's Imperial remnant.
In 35 ABY, the bounty hunter Carib Diss wore a Mandalorian vambrace, equipped with whistling birds, while residing on Kijimi.
The Mandalorian vambrace made its initial appearance with Boba Fett in Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. Its formal identification occurred in the animated TV series Star Wars Rebels' season three episode titled Trials of the Darksaber.