WE GOT OUR FIRST LOOK AT SITH TROOPERS FROM STAR WARS EPISODE IX!!!!

For a few months now, there’s been rumors that Star Wars: Episode IX – ‘The Rise Of Skywalker’ would introduce a brand new Stormtrooper variant, and today, those rumors were GLORIOUSLY confirmed.

SITH TROOPERS, MOTHAFUCKAS!!!

We don’t really know anything about these guys other than that they’re called Sith Troopers, they’re blood red, and that their armor incorporates designs from past Trooper variations. As the article on StarWars.com states…

“It has some really unique aesthetics to it,” says Madlyn Burkert, Lucasfilm archivist, who is co-producing the exhibit. “And it has some subtle ties to previous stormtrooper designs, which I think fans will enjoy discovering.”

I see the obvious base of a First Order Stormtrooper, with the ridges of Praetorian Guards from ‘The Last Jedi’, and a bit of a facial construct of Death Troopers from ‘Rogue One’…I’m sure I’m missing the subtle little shoutouts to all of the other designs over the years, but they seem to be the most easily recognizable features.

For me, with The Emperor making his confirmed return in Episode IX, I’m thinking that these guys will be his guards, and that the red is a not-so-subtle nod to Return of the Jedi’s Royal Guards…

…which, also sort’ve explains the Praetorian ridges in the design, being they also guarded a powerful Sith-like figure in Snoke (poorly).

Oh, and the best part of this unveiling? There’s already a laughable amount of merchandise available for these fuckin’ guys. Talking Spaceballs: The Flamethrower level branding.

A TIKI MUG?! DID WE REALLY NEED A SITH TROOPER TIKI MUG?!

Obviously, if anybody could get their hands on one of these Tiki Mugs, please shoot me a DM. I’d love one.