Figure of the Day: Day 353: Combat Engineer Clone Trooper

COMBAT ENGINEER Clone Trooper
The Saga Collection
Item No.: Asst. 85770 No. 87348
Number: 068
Includes: Blaster, Helmet, Display Stand
Action Feature: Removable helmet
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Late 2006
Appearances: n/a

Bio: Combat engineer troopers are assigned to armored divisions with heavy artillery units such as HAVw-"Juggernaut" turbo tanks, SPHA-T mobile turbolasers, and other massive war machines. Part of the 38th Armored Division, Combat Engineer Battalion, they are sent anywhere armored ground support is needed during the Clone Wars. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: While fans love Clone Troopers, some aren't exactly thrilling-- like this Combat Engineer Clone Trooper. Sure, it's super-poseable and based off of the Evolutions mold we love so much. And yeah, it has a removable helmet, plus is based off of concept art most fans liked. But we got this guy's deco in an exclusive three-pack at Wal-Mart from 2005-- this is just the first one with any real decent articulation. There's nothing wrong with this figure, it's just very "been there, done that." There's no battle damage, the belt (cribbed from another mold) is still upside-down, and it's just... there. It's not bad, but what can you say about a figure that fails so totally to introduce something new, fresh, and exciting to a sub-line devoted to repaints? The sad thing is that this would have been a thrilling figure if we had vehicles that required his services as outlined on the figure's cardback. Sure, this would be an awesome support unit figure in a Turbo Tank, or a SPHA-T, or... anything. Since 2002, we've received over unique 100 Clone Trooper figures, with only Republic Gunships, ARC-170 Fighters, and V-Wings for them to really call home. While it's fun to assemble a grand little army, the army's going to need something to do, or at least, somewhere to sit.

Collector's Notes: Clone collecting is crazy popular, but this figure could've used a little more oomph. A new gun. A helmet rack. Something. The figure, so far, has sold very well but that's probably because it's really hard to find.

Day 353: April 24, 2007