Figure of the Day: Day 983: Scout Trooper (Hoth)

SCOUT TROOPER Hoth Edition
The Legacy Collection Battle Packs
Item No.: Asst. 87752 No. 87860
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, pistol, bike times duplicate
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: August 2008
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back (retroactively in the Expanded Universe)

Bio: Scout troopers wear special armor designed for the cold climate. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Commentary: For years, many fans (yours truly included) were asking when we might get a Hoth version of the Speederbike as seen in the Expanded Universe. Well, we got one, with this Scout Trooper frankenfigure. Sometimes it was represented as a Snowtrooper, other times a Scout Trooper. Hasbro opted to smash together the vintage Scout Trooper and Snowtrooper action figures. The end result is a little awkward, but it's pretty neat. Sure, the arms are big and awkward, but you aren't going to get perfection when you shove one figure's arms on another's torso. What you get is adequate, but there's certainly room for improvement. The figure is super-articulated and painted well, but that isn't everything if the figure gets a little bit out of shape when he sits (check out his hips, those pouches get bent easily). As a boxed item, this figure is great. Sitting on the vehicle, it looks just fine. But if Hasbro ever put this figure on a basic card it'd look terrible. As such, get it with the vehicle if you get it at all, otherwise save your scratch.

Collector's Notes: After numerous delays, the figure finally came out. And then it went away really fast. If you missed it, it might already be permanently removed from the plastic marketplace.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 983: March 20, 2009