Figure of the Day: Day 403: Battle Droid

BATTLE DROID Arena Conflict Accessory Set
Saga Target Exclusive
Item No.: Asst. 32532 No. 32534
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, jetpack, rockets, rifles, pistols, Jango's helmet, lightsabers, Jedi cloak, handcuffs
Action Feature: Lever moves arms
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 2002
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: A battle droid or killer droid was any droid designed for combat. Many of the best known battle droids were those used by the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the Clone Wars. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Geonosis Arena playset.

Commentary: As you can see, sometimes the best intentions have, as the kids say, 50% chance of fail. This Battle Droid was a fantastic idea in that it was a popular trooper figure, newly colored, and loaded with extras for a mere $10. Of course, when figures were $5 everywhere, $10 is suddenly a large amount of money. This droid took the 2000 body of the Security Battle Droid and molded the whole thing in red, not just the shoulders. Jointed at the knees, elbows, neck, shoulders, and hips, it pretty much does everything a Battle Droid can be expected to do, except stand up for long periods of time-- the joints are quite soft and even on a display base, this figure will sag, fall over, or just warp as gravity does its deed.

The reason many fans will want this is the accessories. The set's most notable, and odd, accessory is a large rocket pack with two firing projectiles. As it's heavy, it will cause the figure to eventually fall over, but it's fun to play with. The figure also comes with accessories for other figures, but you have to ask yourself-- are two lightsabers, three blasters, a helmet, a backpack, a cloak, and some handcuffs worth $5? Seeing as I bought a Grievous figure with a blaster and four lightsabers for $5, I'd say no-- and other fans seemed to vote with their dollars the same way. It is because of items like this not selling that we have no accessory packs on the market today. Sadly, people don't really want them-- it's easier to sell 5 different Jango Fetts than it is to sell a single figure and additional parts. Sad, but true.

Collector's Notes: This was the last nail in the coffin for accessory sets as we know them-- Hasbro tried to revisit the concept later with many figures and accessories in a set, but that didn't really work out. This item was sent to the dreaded clearance racks, but even then, it's a good item.

Day 403: June 13, 2007