Typing Boba Fett

The OG of bounty hunting, we finally get to see the legend of Boba Fett’s famed Sarlacc-pit escape come to life in The Book of Boba Fett. Star Wars fans are thrilled and it brings the opportunity for further analysis of his character. Specifically, his personality type. We also have a special insight from Chase that will articulate the reasons for the complex moral journey that Boba Fett takes through his appearances in The Mandalorian and his own show. But first, we have to discover what his personality type is.  

If you are a fan of Personality Database, take note of their typing of Boba Fett: ISTP. Now, if you are even remotely familiar with the patterns of how PDB types characters, it’s no surprise that ISTP was voted highest for Boba Fett’s type. Because obviously, every quiet person who can wield a weapon is automatically an ISTP. Wouldn’t that make typing so much easier if that were so?  

Unfortunately, PDB is wrong again. But, fortunately for us, we have the resources to set the record straight on Boba Fett’s type. Further, not only will we be providing a substantive analysis of his psyche, but we will also reveal what his external journey as a character reveals about his internal journey toward integration and enlightenment. This will also provide additional evidence for the validity of the Four Sides Dynamics as a framework to determine psychological and spiritual growth.   

In consultation for typing Boba Fett, we will be drawing from his appearances in The Empire Strikes Back, Season 2, Episode 6 of The Mandalorian, and the first few episodes — to avoid further spoilers — of his new show, The Book of Boba Fett.  

Who even likes Bounty Hunting, anyway? 

In the opening episode of The Book of Boba Fett, we see Boba clinging to life while being slowly digested in the Sarlacc pit. After Han Solo interfered with Boba’s jetpack in Return of the Jedi, Boba Fett’s steep fall into the Sarlacc’s mouth seemed like a sure death sentence. But, the fact that it was not a death sentence for Boba indicates something important about his type. More on that in a moment.  

Bobba Fett escapes with his life. More than halfway dead, and without any resources or provisions, he climbs into the sand and falls into unconsciousness. When he awakes, he has been stripped of his armor by Jawas and is being taken prisoner by a tribe of Sand People.  

 The rest of Chapters 1 and 2 tell of his story of survival with the Sand People. He is a prisoner that turns into an ally, going so far as to embrace some of the ways of the Sand People, and even eventually leads them in an attack against their adversaries. After just two episodes, we can already see Boba Fett is a changed man.  

But who was he before he changed? If we were left to only draw conclusions about Boba Fett’s type based on the original trilogy, what would we see? We would see a pragmatic, highly independent Bounty Hunter who eschews what is thought to be “acceptable” — evidenced by who he works for — and is willing to go to any lengths to collect the bounty.  He works both for Jabba the Hutt — a less than savory warlord renowned for his cruelty — as well as a contract with Darth Vader himself.  

The profession of bounty hunting immensely favors those who possess high levels of independence, self-sufficiency, and pragmatism. The reputation of bounty hunters in the Star Wars universe lands them in, at best, a morally gray area and, at worst, a place where impersonal violence — with no concern for innocence or guilt — is done at the behest of the payday.  

This is one of the reasons the Mandalorian sets such a compelling contrast in the bounty hunting world. It further indicates that the Mandalorian’s type is different from Boba Fett. See our analysis of Mando’s type here. 

Boba’s amoralistic tendencies are well on display in The Empire Strikes Back. Han Solo was supposed to be Boba’s prize to deliver to Jabba. Over concerns that freezing Han in carbonite could kill him, Boba turns to Vader. 

“What if he doesn’t survive?” he asks. 

“The Empire will compensate you if he dies,” Vader responds.  

Boba does not contest Vader’s offer, the prospect of Han Solo’s death does not even give him pause.   

Narrowing in on Boba Fett’s Personality Type 

“Did you take the creed,” Mando asks Boba Fett, inquiring whether tradition would permit him to return Boba’s armor.   

“I give my allegiance to no one,” Fett responds.  

Boba Fett is clearly pragmatic. Further, both in the original trilogy and in the recent Star Wars shows, Bobba Fett also has a definite preference for directness and responding. This indicates that is one of the finisher types, who are the only direct introverts.  

The only two pragmatic finisher types are ISTP and INTJ. Recall that we said at the beginning of the article that PDB is wrong about Boba Fett’s typing. But why? Why is he an INTJ and not an ISTP?  

In the first chapter of The Book of Boba Fett, surrounding parties come to pay tribute to Bobba as the new Daimyo  — the one who sits on Jabba’s seat. After receiving tributes from welcomed guests, the mayor’s assistant arrives and implies that he is there to gather a tribute from Boba to give to the mayor.   

“What?” Fett responds. “I’m the crime lord. He’s supposed to pay me.”  

This is an Extraverted Thinking statement. Not only does he restate his social position, “crime lord,” Fett also emphasizes the rule or procedure that is expected in this ritual, “He’s supposed to pay me.” This also demonstrates the mayor doesn’t regard him as important, an important need for Fi/Te users. 

Later, Boba is brought two of Jabba’s prior bodyguards, Gamorreans, for execution. Instead of executing them, he asks both of them, “Would you be loyal to me if I were to spare you?” This is an Extraverted Sensing statement. With concerns about others’ Introverted Sensing, loyalty, being paramount, Boba’s Extraverted Sensing is evident. While it is softer evidence, it further points to the Battleground of Inhibition with Se Inferior and Ne Nemesis, where one worries (Ne Nemesis) about the loyalty of others (Se Inferior).  

Fett later says, “Jabba ruled with fear. I intend to rule with respect.” This is another Extraverted Thinking statement and it also indicates a high Te user. Other Te users who have Fi in higher slots — such as the INFP or ESFP — would likely seek to rule by a shared vision of their own values (Fi) primarily, and respect (Te) secondarily. Fett’s statement — “ I intend to rule with respect.” — points to him being Te Hero or Parent and an Ni/Se user. An intention for the future — “I intend” — aligns with Introverted Intuition.  

In Chapter 2, Boba walks into a bar and ruthlessly attacks a violent speeder gang. His plan wasn’t a plan. It was not borne of meticulous strategy, but out of a strong preference for taking action and evaluating on the fly instead. While both the ISTP and INTJ are Progression types, Boba Fett has a strong preference for Progression. And recall that the INTJ is triple Progression within the Four Sides of their mind. 

Zooming out for a moment, we can also see Fett follow the Wayfarer pattern of seeking treasure throughout his journey. He was in the bounty hunting business for the purpose of payment and notoriety. This is confirmed by the fact that he works for two bosses who have immense resources and status, Vader and Jabba. Further, Fett’s takeover of Jabba’s throne is the culmination of a journey to find a position of relevance, power, and status. Something all Wayfarers seek in one way or another.  

Lastly, the INTJ is often labeled as the most fiercely independent of all the types. Not only are they pragmatic, they are introverted pragmatists, on a journey to find their own treasure — often alone. Their psychological tool kit is composed such that they require independence, something a successful bounty hunter would benefit enormously from.  

So, we know that when Bobba Fett says to Mando, “I give my allegiance to no one,” his Ni Hero refusing to be obligated, he means it.  

Boba Fett is an INTJ.  

Boba Fett’s Cognitive Focus 

If you are familiar with Chase’s Four Sides Dynamics, you know that we have more to explore when it comes to psychoanalyzing Boba Fett. What is Boba’s Cognitive focus? It depends when in his story you are analyzing. If you are looking solely at the original trilogy, it’s very difficult — nigh impossible —  to tell where his deeper, nurtural psychological development stands. With so few lines to support his actions, there’s not much we can divine of his internal workings from this period.

But how about now, in his appearances in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett? Surely we can find something here. 

Boba’s Transformation Leading to Psychological Integration  

“Fate sometimes steps in to rescue the wretched.” — Boba Fett, The Mandalorian, S2, E6 

The below content is taken directly from Season 30, Episode 11: The Hypocrisy of the INTJ. In it Chase analyzes Boba Fett as an example of the INTJ’s hypocrisy, and what is required to overcome it. The antidote Chase provides to INTJs’ downfall can be seen in practice from Boba Fett himself, after his near-death experience.  

Boba faced death. In fact, he faced what anyone in time before him would call a certain death. While rotting away in the digestive juices of the Sarlacc — thank god for the armor — what do you think Boba went through psychologically? We can only guess. But we don’t need to guess his state when he emerges from the pit. He clearly is not the same.   

Suddenly, he has found a capacity for mercy, not the least of which is when he spares and saves the child in the Tusken Raider tribe not once, but twice. He spares Jabba’s guards when they swear loyalty to him. He demands that the merchant who sells water in town lower his prices to make it affordable for the people of Tatooine to access. He bonds with the tribe of Sand People, defending them, and taking out their biggest threat as he forms affiliation with their tribe. All these things take place in the first few episodes of his show.  

“But,” you might say, “these apparent changes in his behavior could be easily attributed to the renewed gratitude of life with his Fi Child, now that he has survived death. It doesn’t necessarily indicate a deeper psychological growth.”  

 And fair enough. Some of the above examples could be attributed to a gratuitous Fi Child, and even to a responsible Te Parent, trying to gain a good reputation for itself. But does a little more development in his Fi/Te axis really provide a reasonable explanation when we compare Boba Fett’s actions in The Empire Strikes Back to these merciful, justice-oriented acts in The Book of Boba Fett? He starts piecing the city back together, not for personal gain or any discernable pragmatic motive, but from a change in his priorities that reflects a newfound preference for the affiliative. 

The deeper reason for Boba Fett’s change in behavior is that he has grown psychologically. Specifically, he has accessed the angelic power of his ISFJ Superego. His Superego provided supreme endurance through Si Demon turning into Si Angel to make his escape from death possible. In the above-mentioned lecture, Chase says, “That’s what ISFJ Demon does, it’s all about survival.” But Boba’s Superego did not just help him survive, it changed the way he viewed the world. Suddenly, he cares about justice and he spends his days, in part, attending to the injustice in Tatooine and setting things in order.   

But it is not only about justice. He could still seek justice as his own, independent from others. His bigger change is that he gave up the need to do it on his own. This transformation is found through his time with the Tuskens. In a later episode in The Book of Boba Fett, Fennec and Boba exchange the following words.   

“Living with the Tuskens has made you soft,” she says.  

 “No. It has made me strong. You only get so far without a tribe.”  

 This is the essence of the key transformation that Boba Fett encountered in the pit.  

 We see another example of an Angelic ISFJ Superego in The Mandalorian, just after Grogu is taken captive by Moff Gideon. Boba had agreed that he would protect the child in exchange for his armor. After proving he’s the son of Jango Fett, the Mandalorian says: 

“Then that armor belongs to you.” 

“I appreciate its return.” Boba Replies.  

“Then our deal is complete.” 

“Not quite.” 

“How so?” Mando asks.

 “We agreed in exchange for the return of my armor, we will ensure the safety of the child.” 

 “The child’s gone,” Mando says bluntly. 

 “Until he is returned to you safely, we are in your debt,” Boba replies.  

Until he is returned to you safely, we are in your debt. Do you think the Bobba Fett of The Empire Strikes Back would say that? Me neither. I think the Boba Fett who worked under Vader would leave without batting an eye, let alone make a commitment like that, to begin with. He has accessed the power of his Si Angel’s endurance, allowing himself to be obligated to what he believes is right, and willing to pay the cost whatever consequences may come.  

When he tells the Mandalorian, “Fate sometimes steps in to rescue the wretched,” we know that he has laid aside whatever superiority complex he might have had with his Fi Child, and whatever hyper-independence he demanded with his Ni Hero, for something more whole. Through his transformation, he has begun the integration process of joining himself with the angelic expression of his ISFJ Superego. 

Boba Fett is a Superego-Focused INTJ. 

Want more to learn? 

• Here’s another famous fictional INTJ with more psychological intrigue than meets the eye. 

• Here is our analysis of the Mandalorian’s psychological type and Cognitive Focus. 

• If you want to see Chase’s analysis of the Hypocrisy of the 16 types — including a segment dedicated solely to Boba Fett’s psychological analysis — sign up for a membership here to access Season 30. 
• Or if you want to learn to Master Your Demon like Boba Fett, watch Season 29 in our Member’s area.