Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Figure of the Day: Day 831: Tri-Droid

TRI-DROID Big, Big Droid
30th Anniversary Collection Basic Figures
Item No.:
Asst. 87500 No. 87545
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #0805
Includes: Stand
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: February 2008
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Image: Adam Pawlus' TV tray.

Bio: Infinitely scalable and highly versatile, tri-droids in various forms saw combat on a number of worlds during the Clone Wars. Most were sized to integrate seamlessly into the Droid Army ranks, but their efficiency of design allowed for even more massive versions that towered over the forces of the Republic. (Taken from the cardback.)

Commentary: Is bigger better? The Tri-Droid may well be the largest figure ever to be sold on a basic card. That's the good news-- the bad news is that it kind of sucks. The figure is heavy, and the legs sometimes become misshapen under its own weight. While this tripod of a droid has a great design, wonderful sculpting, above par articulation, and all that jazz, it's worth noting that it truly is a wonderful looking figure. Once removed from the package, I immediately had issues with its "feet" becoming deformed under its own weight, meaning fans will need to be extra careful with this one so it won't get bent all out of shape. For me, that's sort of a dealbreaker-- if you design a figure that can't stand under its own weight, or the limbs get easily bent with time and gravity, we have a problem. And we have a problem here. As such, if you're the kind of person who doesn't like seeing their figures warp, don't get one of these.

Oh, and it's also too small, if you can believe it. The droid in the movie is slightly larger. The Tri-Droid includes a display stand, but has no proper feet, nor any foot holes. So just be ready to use your stand with other figures.

Collector's Notes: A figure that came and went rather quickly, it has so far been repainted once for a Battle Pack. Beyond that, it has yet to make a return appearance, but no doubt will in the next year or two. Some assembly is required.

--Adam Pawlus


Day 831: August 20, 2008

3 comments:

JGS said...

Great review. I agree with this figure's inability to stand properly, but that's probably as much a factor of Hasbro trying to make something functional in the real (ie. toy) world, as compared to Lucas and ILM only having to worry about making it into a cool CGI drawing.

Unknown said...

Agreed. I thought it looked great on the card but off the card where the rubbery plastic gives way it all sorts of directions, it sucks. Had it out for a month and could not stand the sight if it bowing in all types of directions.

Homie Bear said...

The legs on mine were bent right from the package so it never even had a chance to stand properly. I have the main body hanging upside down and it looks like some sort of revolving sentry droid so that's alright.