Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,504: ARC Trooper (Blue)

ARC TROOPER ARC Troopers
The Clone Wars Battle Packs
Item No.: Asst. 94743 No. 19682
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Pistols, stand, rangefinder, pauldron, display stand, backpack, game card
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $24.99
Availability: September 2010
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: This Advanced Recon Commando served in the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars. He participated in a battle fought on the planet Kamino. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam's kitchen.

Commentary: This ARC Trooper doesn't have a name but is inspired by the armor which appeared in the two episodes which made up the season 3 premiere of The Clone Wars, largely because of the ROTS-styled helmet with the addition of ARC Trooper knickknacks on it. It seems like the design incorporates elements from many trooper variants, including the Revenge of the Sith 501st armor for color, the Sandtrooper for the pauldron, and a few other odds and ends for the squares on the chest (Corsucant Landing Platform troopers). As a design it's great, but as a character there's not much to him. The legs are recycled from the 2008 Clones, but everything else seems to have been altered just slightly for this set. The double-pauldron is particularly unique, and I really dig the helmet styling.

I'm not 100% sure if this character appeared on the show or not-- an ARC Trooper with very similar coloring appeared, but without a clearer shots I'm not certain. So for the time being, well, enjoy it for what it is-- a cool-looking figure with pretty good articulation. Other than the wrists, which only swivel it's just as good as any other Clone figure from the first few years of the line.

Collector's Notes: This set continues to perform well and it still ships from time to time. Don't hesitate to buy it if you see it, even though it has yet another version of Rex the other three figures are absolutely worth your while.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,504: March 21, 2011