Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,457: Elite Praetorian Guard (The Last Jedi Line Look)

ELITE PRAETORIAN GUARD (with Whip-Staff) with Force Link
The Last Jedi Toys R Us First Order Starter Set Pack-In Figure
Item No.:    No. C3553
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Force Link band, sword, whip, figure, axe, 2 blasters
Action Feature: Force Link sounds
Retail: $34.99
Availability: October 2017
Appearances: The Last Jedi

Bio: When kids wear their Force Link gear and pick up the included 3.75-inch scale, movie-inspired Star Wars Elite Praetorian Guard (with Whip-Staff) figure or First Order Stormtrooper Executioner figure, they can activate authentic figure phrases and sounds! Compatible all figures, vehicles, accessories, and toys in the Force Link line.  (Taken from the Toys R Us web site.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  There's a little less variety in The Last Jedi figures than I would like, but at list this Elite Praetorian Guard hits a sweet spot about being different.  Unfortunately it also comes in a $35 exclusive with another figure I do want, and the third release for the Force Link band.  This means completists for figures will have to buy at least three bands, which is patently uncool for my wallet.  A 2-pack of figures would be better, but we're not here to bag on dubious product development.  We're here to look at this pretty good figure.

If this were a single figure, you'd want one or two.   The body have 5 points of articulation - so there's nothing new there - but there's a new helmet, unique to this figure.   No other 3 3/4-inch figure has this "underbite" helmet.  It has a lined face plate, a smooth cap, and a really interesting design from the back. There's a flat back of the head with greeblies, plus detailed curved sides with little... vents or buttons. I don't know which.   This helmet is also available as an exclusive 6-inch figure, but as 3 3/4-inch figures go this is your only option.  The figure can stand, swing its legs or arms forward, and look awesome holding his gear.  

What surprised me about the figure was painted detail - the boot soles and thighs inside the gown are painted black!  I don't know why as you won't see these details, but it's nice to see they didn't trim them.    The only other painted detail is a dot on the figure's chest - Hasbro could have really made this one more cheaply.  I'm somewhat glad they did not.

The main selling point for this figure is his cool accessories.  Clearly designed by fans of Castlevania, the sword/staff weapon can un-kink and become a sharp whip weapon.  Actually working a mechanism in the toy would be expensive, so Hasbro included separate weapons for each mode.   The detail is pretty good, with grey blades, a painted red handle, and a silver... uh... nipple on the pommel.   Thanks to the accessories this is easily my favorite guard.  It's too bad it's in an expensive exclusive, but this is what you can get.   I like it a lot - I don't know if you'll want to spend $35 to get it, but if there's a sale or you're sitting on a gift card I doubt you'll be disappointed.  Hasbro did a great job on the figure, so if the price is right you should treat yourself to one or more of this.

Force Link Notes: CHECK

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Toys R Us.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,457: February 21, 2018