Kyle Katarn's Shoulder Pad -- Why?

So Kyle Katarn has this armorish-looking pad on his right shoulder and his right shoulder only. What's up with that? Is it some sort of hick Sulon fashion statement? Or is there supposed to be a practical purpose? Is it an heirloom from granddaddy Katarn? Now I'm as big a Kyle fan as the next guy, but I'd like an explanation? Theories, anyone? I've seen Dash Rendar and a couple TOTJ-era folks with similar one-shoulder pads.

 

Might be some kind of equipment pouch.

Either that or his security blanket....

 

Mara's green outfit from HoT sports one as well.

It's an early-90's thing. Like face-bras and leather trenchcoats over spandex for superheroes, it was supposed to look "cool".

Seriously though, it's probably a brace for those of his weapons that have a more powerful recoil.

 

I would imagine it's so that when using a high powered rifle, the recoil doesn't break his shoulder or cause his arm to dislocate.

 

The recoil theory is good -- it gives it a function and explains the one-shoulder-only placement. I was actually thinking along those lines as a possible place to set a bazooka-type weapon. Or maybe he just saw ARC commandos back when he was a kid and thought the pauldron was uber-cool. Morgan wouldn't let him wear a kama, though. "No son of mine will wear a skirt! A pauldron, maybe, but no skirt!"

 

I figured it was from his days as a stormtrooper.

 

Remember in JK when you waited long enough without moving, Kyle would rest his weapon on his shoulder? Well, once he got that lightsaber, he learned mighty fast that you shouldn't do that without protection.

 

The jacket is definitely cool. Although I prefer the beard. But maybe it's just that he looks really constipated in that pic. Or I've never gotten the opportunity to play Dark Forces.

 

Kyle looks fat in that picture.

 

>>>(then again, i also prefer beardless Kyle as well)<<<

Then you'll hate this:

[image=http://www.rebelscum.com/toys/eukylekatarnid.jpg]

BOO!

 

God, and you thought he looked fat in the other picture! I assume this is Kyle's brief 600-pound phase?

 

I've always perfered bearded Kyle. I think clean shaven reminds me of Keanu Reeves for some reason




I always just assumed that shoulder thing was just a fashion statement (although I guess if it was, Jan may have forced him to get rid of it ). I do dig the recoil idea.

 

The real reason Kyle nearly fell towards the dark side- McDonalds.

 

A little off-topic here, but how old is he anyway? When I played Dark Forces, it always seemed to me that Kyle was not exactly a real young kid, but more of a thirty something year old, a more seasoned mercenary. But then again, he looks much younger in Jedi Knight, and seems quite active all the way into the Dark Nest trilogy.

Of all Kyle's incarnations, the original tough-guy mercenary of Dark Forces is still my favorite, though I appreciate him being a Jedi.

 

Funniest...thread title...ever.

 

Thanks -- I also considered "Kyle Katarn's Shoulder Pad -- What's Up With That?" but I went with the shorter and snappier "why" and snuck "what's up with that" into the initial post. What can I say, I put effort into my thread titles.

 

How about as some protection for shoulder rolls? After all we know that Jaden becomes very proficient at it...

 

Kyle is supersized.

I like Kyle when he looks like this:


[image=http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a7/Inara47/eu_bg.jpg]


But I had no idea that the brown thing was his shoulder pad. I guess I thought it was part of his cloak, but now looking closely at it, I have to admit that it contributes to his farmer look.

You know, for a renowned Sith killer, he really needs someone else to buy his clothes. I mean, most descriptions of Kyle include "farmer" in there somewhere. And he's always wearing brown: brown tunic, cloak, breeches. He'd probably have a brown lightsaber if he found the right crystal.

Jan, take care of your boy!

 

perhaps its some sort of holster? it looks like a knife or small blaster could be hidden in it

 

Why is he holding lukke's lightsaber in the picture inara posted?

 

He's not. Only the top and the color are vaguely similar.

 

Kyle wears a cloak? Nope...

That's not Luke's lightsaber, that's his. The real Kyle, not the "Where'd the blue one come from?" Kyle of Jedi Outcast.

I think it's probably best to consider the shoulder pad as simply "Star Wars fashion" inwhich improbably uncomfortable garmets are worn with ease. See also: The prequels.

E_S

 

So true. And why does Papa Katarn have those awesome suspenders?

Because he can.