Why does General Zod need armor in the Man of Steel film?
As asked on Quora:
General Zod seems like he's wearing substantial armor in the Man of Steel trailers. Is that something that rips off when he receives the first Kryptonian punch, is it tougher than human armor because it's Kryptonian or is there some other reason wearing armor would be helpful to him?
Best Answer
Considering that Kryptonians do not have any actual power unless they're under a yellow sun, and also considering Zod and his gang are part of the Kryptonian army, it seems rather traditional and normal for these folks to be wearing armour.
Towards the end of the movie, Zod gets rid of his armour in order to face Kal'el in their final battle, realizing that due to his new powers, he doesn't need this armour any more.
Pictures about "Why does General Zod need armor in the Man of Steel film?"
Why does Zod wear armor?
Zod's armor is extremely durable, being specifically designed to protect him from weapons such as the Energy Lance and Kryptonian Rifle, and even withstood numerous mighty blows from Superman without much damage.Why do Kryptonians wear armor?
Game(s) Kryptonian battle armor was a form of protective garments worn for protection and combat, used by Kryptonians exclusively on the planet Krypton.What did General Zod want in Man of Steel?
Zod Wanted Revenge Against Superman and the Kryptonians Besides Zod's natural thirst for dominance, his punishment by Jor-El and the Kryptonian Council at the beginning of Man of Steel was especially humiliating.How did Zod get his powers in Man of Steel?
Like all Kryptonians, Zod gains an array of powers after exposure to Earth's yellow sun\u2014including, but not limited to, super-strength, flight, super-speed, invulnerability, heat vision and x-ray vision. Beyond his physical abilities, Zod also possess a dangerously intelligent mind with a gift for strategy.Man of Steel : Why I feel bad for Zod EXPLAINED
More answers regarding why does General Zod need armor in the Man of Steel film?
Answer 2
The other answers are great, the only thing I'd add (beyond the fact that he will indeed need armour on Krypton) is that armour is about more than defense. It's very ornamental!
He's the head of the Kryptonian military, his armour is about more than defense (clearly shown by the symbol of his house on his chest). It's for decoration and rank.
Answer 3
Kryptonians are very strong, but they aren't unbreakable. Their armor, which appears to be made of various super-dense elements is both ornamental (identifying their clan and affiliation) and functional. It prevents them from coming to physical harm, on their homeworld, where they merely possess modestly superhuman strength and on Earth, where they possess godlike abilities.
Jor-El's armor is of a very similar construction to Zod's
An avalanche of pulverized carbon and silica smashed him to the floor, burying him beneath heaps of rubble.
His armor shielded him from serious injury, but he found himself trapped, unable to move.
The armor also serves as an environment suit
She walked briskly across the runway toward Superman; confidence echoed in her every step. She saluted him with military precision and activated a control on her armor. Her visor went transparent, revealing the striking feature of an attractive female with short dark hair and icy brown eyes. Like Jor-El, she could easily have been mistaken for human.
It's quite daunting
Clearly female, she wore an intimidating suit of jet-black armor. Jagged fins added to the uniform’s fearsome aspect. A space helmet, with a visor that consisted of an opaque force field, concealed her features—even from his X-ray vision.
All quotes from the film's officially licensed novelisation by Greg Cox
Answer 4
Zod is a Kryptonian general, and the others in the picture are his fighters, who generally wear armor (bulletproof jackets in this era). Armor is tough but not for Superman's punch; it doesn't get torn apart easily, but doesn't save them from every punch. Even Zod removes his armor after realizing his powers.
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Images: Ott Maidre, Fernando Cortés, Pixabay, Pixabay