Figure of the Day: Day 103: Sandtrooper

SANDTROOPER Escape from Mos Eisley
Saga Collection
Item No.: Asst. 85770 No. 86830
Number: 037
Includes: Shoulder pauldron, blaster, backpack, detonator, prod, display stand
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: May 2006
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Jedi mind tricks often work on the weak-minded. Such is the case when a sqaud of sandtroopers ask Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi about the two droids he's escorting in a landspeeder. Obi-Wan makes short work of these sandtroopers, and they conclude that "these aren't the droids we're looking for." Luke Skywalker is amazed at Obi-Wan's ability to easily fool their pursuers. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' TV tray.

Commentary: Fans love troopers, so Hasbro made a new Sandtrooper by taking the 2004 Vintage Stormtrooper, retooling the back, and giving it new accessories. As such, it's not entirely authentic to the film (different lenses on the helmet, for example) but it's darned good and for many fans, a dirty Stormtrooper is better than no Stormtrooper at all. With a full range of articulation (14 points), a holster, and removable accessories on its back, this is an excellent figure-- it even has a Dewback prod!

Easily customized for other ranks, this figure is a fan favorite and can be displayed in a variety of ways. Just switch shoulder pads, or perhaps change up the weapons, and it's like your duplicate figures turn into a unique army in no time. All you need, of course, are other troopers to use and swap parts from. The only thing this figure has going against it is the unusual dirt patterns which really don't look particularly natural. Still, it's a minor flaw all things considered.

Collector's Notes: While similar to the "Evolutions" Sandtrooper figures, there are significant differences in the sculpts, from the helmets to the waist articulation. This figure is, as mentioned above, based on a Stormtrooper and not a wholly (or at least mostly) original sculpt, as other Sandtroopers have been in the past. Numerous figures were buying this figure in absence of real Stormtroopers and painting them to be plain white, showing that there's a real unfilled demand for the basic white shocktrooper of the Empire.

Day 103: August 17, 2006