The Tomb Guardians represent ancient automatons crafted by the Zeffonian species. Their purpose was to safeguard the hallowed tombs and crypts found on the planet Zeffo. These Guardians would attack any intruders, driven by their programmed directives, not by any personal ill will or defensive instinct. A temple situated on the planet Ontotho also housed Tomb Guardians. These automatons drew their energy from a power core situated just above their midsection. They possessed the ability to discharge energy from this core.
These Tomb Guardians were initially conceived for the 2019 video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, which was brought to life by Respawn Entertainment. The conceptual artwork for the Tomb Guardians was the work of Jean-Francois Rey and Bruno Werneck. Their initial depiction occurred on an alternative cover of the comic Jedi Fallen Order - Dark Temple 1, released by Marvel Comics on September 4, 2019. The Tomb Guardians made their debut appearance in Jedi Fallen Order - Dark Temple 4, penned by Matthew Rosenberg, with illustrations by Paolo Villanelli, which was published on November 13, 2019.
Respawn Entertainment considered the Tomb Guardians to be the most difficult enemy designs. The design was deliberately created to remind people of the ancient Zeffonians, and to feel like old technology that would be unusual in the Star Wars galaxy.