FI SKIRATA CLONE COMMANDOSThe Legacy Collection Wal-Mart Exclusive Evolutions
Item No.: Asst. 87874 No. 91518
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, backpack, scanner, leg pouch, (arguably) communicator
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $12.96-$24.96
Availability: August 2009
Appearances: Commando Novels
Bio: Elite commandos conduct fierce battles and covert operations from the earliest days of the Clone Wars to the final days of the Galactic Empire. The lethally effective Alpha (Alpha-17) accompanies Jedi generals on missions and trains clone troopers on Kamino. Fi Skirata (RC-8015) serves as a team medic in Teroch Squad and Omega Squad, easing tensions with his sense of humor. Storm commandos receive special training to fight the Rebel Alliance; also called shadow scouts, they wear dark armor that deflects light and energy. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)
Image: Adam's TV tray.
Commentary: Fans of the Republic Commando squad are hardcore, thanks to the game and a series of novels. The figures aren't bad either, although the Fi Skirata released in the Evolutions sets last year isn't really all that amazing. A reworking of the 2006 Scorch mold, this version is heavily repainted and features all-new legs. Fans before said the previous Commando mold was weak because of the lack of knee joints. Hasbro added in knee and ankle joints, and this figure is still a little weak because of the standard cut-joint shoulders which are so rare on modern figures that it really does stick out like a sore thumb. On a figure where the ability to aim and shoot is far more important than that of the ability to sit, it's a shame Hasbro didn't also upgrade these joints, but naturally we all know the costs involved with trying to develop an exclusive product.
The look is perfectly OK. Even with the upgrades, it really isn't much better than the 2006 original Scorch because, let's face it, you aren't going to get much use out of those ankles or knees posing this guy. It's great Hasbro did another commando figure but its release prompted more requests for his squad mates, which it seems may be quite a while until they get to being made. Particularly since the novels from which they came are moving into an increasingly ambiguous place in the Star Wars mythos now that we got to see Mandalore up close and personal in The Clone Wars TV series. If you like the Commando figures, just go ahead and get this one. It isn't the most impressive Clone that Hasbro ever did but if you like the books you may as well snag it.
Collector's Notes: The set sat, and may even be available still in your local stores. The entire wave of Evolutions exclusives had wildly variable pricing, and I saw prices in the range quoted above while others claim to have seen it for under $10. As such, it's OK to be cheap. Of the three Evolutions packs for Wal-Mart in Fall of 2009, this was probably the most popular. As of this week, you may be able to find this set on closeout at Ross stores for as little as $10.99.
--Adam Pawlus
Day 1,248: March 26, 2010
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ReplyDelete(Gotta love typos) Thanks to the heads up from Fetts I was able to find this and the Imperial Pilots set at Ross for $10.99. They also had AT-STs for $19.99 and Octuptarras for $15.99.
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