REBEL TROOPER Battle of Hoth30th Anniversary Collection Ultimate Battle Packs
Item No.: Asst. 87565 No. 87566
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, backpack
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: The Rebel Trooper seems to be one Hasbro doesn't seem too high on making great, at least until the 2009 release. This figure was released in 2007, and was based on a version from 2004 which was awful back then. The figure has 6 points of articulation, an incredibly strange pose, an iffy sculpt, and was short. Any one of those things would have made it unpleasant, but all of them combined gives you a figure that really should be given away as an afterthought in a big boxed set. And hey-- he was! As box-filler, he's pretty cool. Just throw him off to the side to get stomped by an AT-ST or whatever, and he's pretty decent. It's just that when he's next to your other figures, his inferiority makes itself apparent. As a repaint, he's pretty similar to the original. His pants and grey elements are a little darker than the first release, but the face is the same, the goggles are still green (if a different green), and the paint masks don't seem all that different. A lot of people didn't realize he was different at first, so this is one I wouldn't suggest jumping on unless you were going to buy the complete gift set anyway.
Collector's Notes: The full set does still command a slight premium price, and at $50 or less is a bargain. This is only the second use of this mold, so I wouldn't suggest going nuts over it as better Hoth Rebel Trooper figures have been made and will be made in the future. (But if you're buying the box anyway, he's certainly a nice release.)
--Adam Pawlus
Day 1,359: August 30, 2010
It's a terrible figure loved only by terrible people for terrible reasons.
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