J-3DI

J-3DI, also referred to as Jay-Threedeeaye, or simply Jay-Three, was a unique droid who had been programmed to believe that he possessed the Force and was a Jedi Knight. He had plating in the style of Jedi robes and wielded a blue-bladed lightsaber. He was created by fellow competitor Sprocket to uniquely match the Force-sensitive competitor Rieve. He possessed a databank of Jedi wisdom, and while not able to use the Force, he was still able to mimic its effects through technological means. Given the limits of information on the Jedi by 9 ABY,Hunters: Battle for the Arena takes place after the fall of the Galactic Empire, which Star Wars: Galactic Atlas dates to 5 ABY. In the story, Rieve is 20 years old, but in a flashback, which takes place during the Imperial Era, she is 16 years old. So the novel can not take place more than four years after the Fall of the Empire. As it also takes place after Aran Tal joined the Hunters of the Outer Rim, which Star Wars: Timelines dates to 9 ABY, the book must be set near to that year. his programming often had mistakes in Jedi history, manifesting as incorrect phrasing of Jedi mantras. J-3DI competed in the Hunters of the Outer Rim tournament on the planet Vespaara.
==Biography==
In J-3DI and Rieve's early days as Hunters, the latter was often annoyed by J-3DI's personality and endless databank of information. Her disdain for J-3DI, initially played up for the sake of the crowd, and his position as her foil led Rieve to initially hyperfixate on attacking the droid during their first few matches, resulting in her team losing. J-3DI quickly recognized this tactic and purposefully baited her into chasing him so that his team had the advantage. In response to her lack of teamwork, competition co-owner Daq Dragus personally helped train Rieve with the help of J-3DI. Dragus taught Rieve how J-3DI's main weakness was surprise attacks. Using his imperfect databank of Jedi knowledge, J-3DI began to refer to Rieve as his apprentice and Padawan, given their training sessions together. This compounded Rieve's annoyance at the droid.
When a mysterious figure began appearing before Rieve, following incidents of sabotage to her equipment, J-3DI was quick to offer support. He suggested scanning the crowds for individuals matching the description of the figure, and he helped search the Grand Arena when the mysterious figure was seen in restricted areas. When the man's goons attacked the arena intent on maximizing destruction, J-3DI was on the front lines defending against the invaders. He helped search the underbelly of the arena with Balada for the mysterious man. After Rieve deflected the blast of a class-A thermal detonator using the Force, she sustained significant burns, and J-3DI was the first to her side to check on her. Following these events, he and Rieve were closer backstage.
Despite this newfound closeness, the rivalry between J-3DI and Rieve was destined to heat up again, and Rieve challenged the droid to a battle. Rumors swirled that this was because J-3DI had asked Rieve to become his apprentice, a rumor that Rieve did not refute.
Although Rieve would eventually defeat him in the battle, J-3DI did not seem to mind. Rieve begrudgingly helped him collect up his spare parts from the floor.When tensions between fellow Hunters Aran Tal and Imara Vex came to a head, a brawl began in the Arena's Chow room. J-3DI tried to stop Tal, but the Mandalorian simply pushed Grozz on top of the droid. Daq Dragus was forced to intervene and stop the brawl.
J-3DI was present for the first meeting between Imperial loyalist Sentinel, and Rebel fan Pilbush. As Pilbush was an Ewok who spoke only Ewokese, J-3DI translated her sentiments to Sentinel, although J-3DI found her remarks to be so inappropriate that he declined to translate them in their entirety. Pilbrush and Sentinel's relationship only got worse from there. After losing a Clash with Sentinel, Pilbush continued training with J-3DI and her other friends.
==Behind the scenes==
J-3DI first appeared in the canon video game Star Wars: Hunters as one of the playable characters, which developed by NaturalMotion's BossAlien and published by Zynga on November 16, 2021, as a soft-launch to select countries, before the global release on June 4, 2024. The droid was designed by concept artist Ross Burt.
===Concept art gallery===
==Appearances==
*Hunters: Battle for the Arena 
*Star Wars: Hunters
==Sources==
==Notes and references==
Category:Droids with he/him pronouns
Category:Droids with masculine programming
Category:Hunters of the Outer Rim competitors
Category:Prototype and experimental droids