R2-D2 is one of Star Wars'most iconic and beloved characters, and he’s shown off an impressive array of tools and abilities over the course of the franchise. The astromech droid has featured in nearly every core Star Wars story, including all nine Skywalker Saga Films, The Clone Wars, and numerous comics, novels, and video games. Throughout all those adventures, R2 has proven himself to be a resourceful and versatile droid, largely thanks to his ever-expanding arsenal of weapons, equipment, and abilities.
Originally a ship maintenance droid for the Naboo monarchy, R2 proved himself to Queen Amidala and her Jedi escorts during their escape from the Trade Federation’s occupation. R2 later became the loyal companion of Anakin Skywalker and served in various campaigns throughout the Clone Wars. After the rise of the Empire, R2-D2 served both Leia Organa and Luke Skywalker, eventually even contributing to the Resistance’s efforts against Palpatine’s First Order.
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Suffice it to say, R2-D2 has seen a lot of action. Countless droids have been destroyed in Star Wars over the decades, but R2 has always managed to survive with his quick wit, ingenuity, and collection of multi-purpose tools. Here’s every ability and piece of equipment R2-D2 has used in Star Wars.
Electric Shock
A droid like R2 must be able to defend himself. His main method of doing so through the years has been via various electric shock implements, which he’s used to frighten off creatures and battle antagonistic droids. R2 possesses multiple shock implements in both his body and head dome, including a prod-like device seen in Return of the Jedi, and an articulated arm capable of firing bolts of electricity, seen in the opening of Revenge of the Sith.
Scomp Link Computer Interface
Perhaps R2’s most iconic and versatile tool, his scomp link computer interfacing arm allows the astromech droid to plug and hack into virtually any computer in the galaxy. R2 uses his scomp link numerous times the franchise, such as to repair onboard ship systems, activate or deactivate enemy systems, and acquire sensitive information from behind firewalls. The scomp link is also, appropriately, R2’s main ability in the LEGO Star Wars video games.
Oil Slick
Sometimes when you’re a little droid stuck in the middle of the galaxy’smost intense battles, you need to be able to slip out of tight spots. Thankfully, R2 comes equipped with a projectile oil slick for just such an occasion. When he’s accosted by super battle droids on General Grievous’ flagship in Revenge of the Sith, R2 disorients his foes by blasting them with a concentrated burst of oil, then decimates them by igniting the oil with another of his most frequently used abilities (at least in the prequel-era movies and shows) – his rocket boosters.
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Rocket Boosters
In Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, it was revealed that R2-D2 can fly. His two primary side legs each hold a small but powerful booster rocket, which can be extended together to give the astromech some swift aerial mobility. R2 has used his rocket boosters to get out of numerous sticky situations, including the Geonosis droid factory and countless scrapes in the Clone Wars. For a droid without much in the way of ground speed, the added agility of a jetpack has repeatedly come in handy, though it seems he may have lost the function by the time of the original trilogy.
Fire Extinguisher
Of course, it would be rather uncouth of R2 to simply set fires – which he does do on a fairly regular basis – without also having a way to later put them out. Being a responsible droid, he also carries a deployable hose attachment that acts as a fire extinguisher. This added utility has helped on many different occasions, especially when the ships R2 finds himself on keep getting set ablaze, or when a smokescreen is needed to escape from danger. His original purpose was starship maintenance and repair, after all, and he’s remained an expert in that field through the years.
Periscope
Sometimes R2-D2 has to go for a swim. In fact, the Star Wars films have even hinted that he quite enjoys it. Whenever he does get submerged, he has a way to stay aware of his surroundings. R2’s periscope made its film debut in The Empire Strikes Back, during Luke Skywalker’s first visit to Dagobah. And while it didn’t save R2 from being chewed up by a swamp monster then, it has come in handy on many other occasions.
Circular Saw
A quality saw is a necessary piece of any workman’s toolkit, and R2-D2 is no different. His retractable saw arm, which extends from the center of his body, isn’t the strongest in the galaxy, but it is sharp enough to cut through Ewok nets and other sorts of traps and contraptions. The sawblade even has extra application as a defensive tool, though R2 has primarily used it for maintenance purposes or to make a quick getaway.
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Scanning Equipment
What would a droid be without some state-of-the-art scanning gear? They wouldn’t be R2-D2, that’s for sure. The astromech is equipped with an impressive range of scanning capabilities, including lifeform scanners. That means that on every mission and in everyconfrontation if you have R2-D2 on your side, you’re already a step ahead when it comes to information. And knowing, after all, is half the battle.
In addition to his electrical gear and retractable saw arm, R2 wields a range of other repair tools for mechanical maintenance. Welding, splicing, soldering, and other such skills are all within R2’s toolkit, and he’s used them all many times to help characters like Padmé, Anakin, Luke, and Leia get out of tough spots. In a pinch, R2-D2 is just about the best multi-tool Republic credits can buy.
Starship Integration
While his history includes a wide variety of impressive feats, R2 is perhaps most famous for his role in some of Star Wars’ biggest space battles. From the Battle of Naboo to the destruction of the first Death Star and beyond, R2’s played many pivotal roles, all thanks to his astromech starship integration system. His ability to interface with virtually any ship makes him the ideal copilot, from Naboo N-1 Starfighters to T-70 X-Wings, managing shield, and weapon systems, rerouting power as needed, and even rebooting systems for in-flight repairs.
Hologram Projector & Recorder
Last but certainly not least of R2’s many abilities is the very first big one he used on screen – his holoprojector and recorder. Most famous for its transmission of Leia’s message to Obi-Wan Kenobi, the tool has been employed many other times throughout the franchise, including in Attack of the Clones when R2 received and replayed Obi-Wan’s message from Geonosis. R2-D2 isn’t just the repairman of Star Wars, after all – he is also, the mailman.
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