Figure of the Day: Day 1,357: Snowtrooper

SNOWTROOPER Battle of Hoth
30th Anniversary Collection Ultimate Battle Packs
Item No.: Asst. 87565 No. 87566
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $49.99 (part of a set)
Availability: November 2007
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: A chance discovery by a probe droid reveals the Rebel Alliance's main base on the planet Hoth. Darth Vader prepares for a surprise long-range attack, but his plans are ruined when Admiral Kendal Ozzel leaves hyperspace near the planet, setting off the Rebels' early-warning sensors. Vader then launches a ground attack with a powerful onslaught of Snowtroopers and AT-ST Walkers. The Rebels target their laser turrets at the invading Imperials, and Luke bravely leads his fellow Rebels into battle with the formidable walkers. But the Alliance is outnumbered and outgunned, and the order is given to retreat. The Rebels succeed in fleeing the panet, giving the Empire a cold and bittersweet victory. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's bathroom.

Commentary: If there's one Imperial trooper that Hasbro hasn't been shy about redoing, it's the Snowtrooper. This version is a repaint of the 2006 figure, which itself was a mix of the 1997 legs and the 2003 figure from the waist on up. He has six points of articulation, which may not sound like much but that's two more than the 1980s original. What makes this figure distinctive is his "dirt" damage, the reddish, almost orange smudges seem like a sort of a rust got dropped on top of this one. The rank badge is painted differently, the chest lights are decorated in a unique way, and the body suit is a little different. So yeah, this is a distinctive Snowtrooper that would stand out as being a little different in a diorama, assuming you wanted such a thing. (You do, if you ask me.)

Collector's Notes: The set went from hot to undesirable to hot again pretty quickly, and now it tends to command a premium. This is good, because the set itself is so packed with neat stuff that the initial $50 asking price was actually sort of low. After all, you got an AT-ST, 8 figures, and a Hoth Turret. Compare this to 2009, when $44 got you an AT-ST and one figure. Pretty sad, really, especially given this was just two years.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,357: August 26, 2010