Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,499: First Order Flametrooper (The Last Jedi Line Look)

FIRST ORDER FLAMETROOPER Talking Edition
The Last Jedi Force Link Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. C1503  No. E0521
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Thrower, backpack
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $10.99
Availability: June 2018
Appearances: The Last Jedi

Bio: Specialized Stormtroopers of the First Order, Flametroopers carry incendiary weapons that can transform any battlefield into an infernal blaze.  (Stolen from the 2015 figure packaging.  This packaging has no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  Generally speaking I'm pretty fond of trooper figures, especially when new poses come in.  The surprising thing about the Flame Trooper is that he is a big improvement over The Force Awakens Flametrooper [FOTD #2,200].  Both have the same number of joints and appear to be cut from the same cloth, but the 2018 version has some improvements.  (Also I worked to bring these out to Entertainment Earth, so consider this your bias warning.)

First up, the white is glossier and seems almost painted all over - it's s harp.  The whites are brighter and shinier, with a few extra paint applications.  A line in the chest is painted, and the backpack has some red dots that weren't painted before.     The index fingers are white now rather than black, which is more consistent with the prop replicas and merchandise appearances.  A few panel lines and dots were left undecorated, but someone with a fine enough paintbrush or toothpick could probably touch it up pretty nicely.   Hasbro basically fixed a number of details from the 2015 release.

Despite only having 5 joints, they did improve the pose.  The arms are now both posed to hold the blaster with both hands, truer to the movie.  While not super-articulated, it's a heck of a nice improvement and arguably a better way to build an army.  You could probably get a few of each flavor and makes a nice display - the colors may not be a perfect match, though.   Given its status, I'd say it's worth getting.  But of course I'd tell you that.  If a better super-articulated one ever makes the rounds you'll likely want that, but with few unsightly joints and a decent flame-sweeping pose you still may wish to get one or two of this model.

Force Link Notes: "What are my orders?"  "Sir! Resistance fighters!"  "Call in the airstrike!"  And some flaming death noises - these are likely not from the movie.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.   This figure was originally slated to be a part of the first Force Link line for The Last Jedi but when the final wave got axed, this item was dumped in the USA.  It is a de facto USA Entertainment Earth exclusive.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,499: July 17, 2018

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,237: Flametrooper (Armor, The Force Awakens)

FLAMETROOPER Space Armor
The Force Awakens   Armor Up Figures
Item No.: Asst. B3886 No. B3894
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, backpack, armor
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $12.99  
Availability: September 2015
Appearances: The Force Awakens

Bio: Specialized Stormtroopers of the First Order, Flametroopers carry incendiary weapons that can transform any battlefield into an infernal blaze.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now! 

Commentary:  Buzz has it that the Flametrooper squad has a significant role in the movie, which I will not allude to here.   For that reason, it's possible fans may want one - or several - of them, so Hasbro's decision to include the same basic figure in at least three different sets so far (basic figure, this figure, Amazon's trooper boxed set) makes a lot of sense.  Even if you just buy one of everything, at a minimum, you'll get three of them.  Each includes different accessories or other figures, but they're all the same as this guy at their core.  They all have the same backpack and the same torch - it's the other stuff that sets them apart.  It's a decent enough figure - a little chunky, a little wobbly, and unable to hold his weapon with both hands.   The white plastic figure has very limited black deco, and all the parts fit together as long as you leave the orange First Order armor off.  That's when it gets awkward.

The orange armor itself is neat, and seems like it would have been better paired with another figure.  By wearing the orange armor, the figure's weapon no longer can plug in to a backpack - so there's a loose cord hanging around.  It's ugly.  The backpack itself must be stored elsewhere, as there's nowhere for it to connect to the armor.   While still ungainly, the ability to plug the backpack into the armor would have upped the elegance of this clunker significantly.  I dislike being unable to use all my accessories, but having the free-floating torch is just sort of bad planning.

Stylistically, the armor isn't half bad - it just doesn't add to the existing figure's accessories.  If you had the bare figure and only this armor, the orange body armor might remind you of a fire fighter with its bright colors and goofy breathing tubes. Silver highlights provide a metal look, with big First Order symbols - the biggest in the toy line so far - on each shoulder.   Amazingly, the figure's armor in no way restricts its movement - he can swing his arms up or sit without a hitch.   It could be great, but I'm one of those weird kids who hated taking off Batman's cape so he could wear armor or a backpack.   They could do better, I thought, and that's still how I feel here.

The figure is pretty much acceptable.  The armor shows careful engineering as far as figure compatibility goes, but it disrupts the character's unique flame gear.   If I said it was terrible, I'd be lying - similarly, if I said it was a good deal, that's also a total fib.   All of the parts in this box are fun to futz with, but not all at once.  Had they included an alternate weapon with the figure and left the movie backpack out, I think this would have been a stronger package.  As a kid, this sort of thing would drive me bonkers.  As an adult, I just put it on the shelf in the back, admiring the goofy armor and hoping the next one I crack open will be a little less taxing on my inner child's playtime.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.  

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,237: November 13, 2015

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,200: Flametrooper (The Force Awakens)

FLAMETROOPER First Order
The Force Awakens   Snow and Desert Figures
Item No.: Asst. B3963 No. B3969
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Backpack, removable flamethrower, shield thing
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99  
Availability: September 2015
Appearances: The Force Awakens

Bio: Specialized Stormtroopers of the First Order, Flametroopers carry mercenary weapons that can transform any battlefield into an infernal blaze. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  Supposedly the implements of a grand murder, the Flametrooper is a decent figure.  I won't say it's great, and I will say completists are destined to own at least three of them. There's this one, an "Armor Up" version, and a version in Amazon's First Order Legion action figure set.  As of now this one's only distinctive feature is a Combine Weapon shield which becomes a sort of a robot crab head and body.  If you don't like that piece, get any version - the figure is fundamentally the same.

This one immediately reminds me of Scorch and the Republic Commando figures - the broader base on the helmet, the eye strip, and even the body armor seem to take a cue from the game series designs.  It's just a lot blander.   Mostly white, the figure can hold the torch end of things with one hand while the other end plugs in to the removable backpack.   Hand #2 can hold a desert shield accessory.   The figure is all white plastic with some black markings, making it fairly simple.  The plastic is glossy and white with copyright and manufacturing markings nicely disguised.  Rather than branding in a date stamp or SKU, a subtle, small silver marking on the back of the left leg under the fanny seems to work out nicely.  Other markings are on the sole of the boot.  There aren't a lot of special markings here, meaning the regular Stormtrooper has a lot more going on than this simpler Flametrooper.  Without the "OII" on the back and other distinctive markings, I would assume Hasbro could have snuck this in to The Clone Wars as a new kind of clone and nobody would raise an eyebrow.

The "Combine!" accessory is a nifty shield he can hold in his hand - it's goofy, but nice.   The brown thing has silver and grey on it, plus it becomes the "shell" of a combined crab robot using axe hands and a tank for legs.   The arms move and the neck articulates, so it's a pretty solid little toy.  It's also silly, but I can live with it.


It's good.  I assume you'll buy one or more of it if you aren't sick of Clone Troopers by now.   It does feel a little more, uh, early 2000s than the rest of the class and it's not at all bad.   Having two fully-jointed arms would be nice to better aim the torch.  I'd also like better leg articulation because he's a little wobbbly, but that's life.  The torch plugs in the backpack nicely, the backpack plugs in the back, and the whole thing basically works - but balance is a bit tricky.   It's not quite as stable as the rest, but a little fidgeting and he's going to stay upright on your desk.   Get one of them - you've got options - because it's pretty good.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.  

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,200: September 23, 2015