Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,433: Clone Trooper (AT-AP Drivers)

CLONE TROOPERS Battle of Christophsis
The Clone Wars Target Exclusive Battle Packs
Item No.: Asst. 87931 No. 89000
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, other figures/gear
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $62.99-$72.99
Availability: November 2008
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Clone troopers were an army of identical, genetically-modified clones, created to serve in the Grand Army of the Republic during the conflict that came to be known as the Clone Wars. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk. (Both are the same figure from the set-- he only has one shoulder marking.)

Commentary: The Clone Trooper repaint is basically the thing ensuring Hasbro's Star Wars lines remain profitable. Fans buy dozens, and a minor change is effectively a new character. These figures are based on the 2008 pack-in AT-TE Clone Trooper, but with one key difference: that figure had a logo on each shoulder, while these figures (which come two to a set) only have a logo on their left shoulders. The level of grit is a little different than the AT-TE figure plus its blaster is black now, but your average collector probably won't want to make the distinction as "new character." The way I see it, these ones are AT-AP drivers since they came with an AT-AP. (Adam Logic strikes again!)

The figure is effectively only a 2008 Clone Trooper (first dirty release) with a stamped logo on his arm and fewer accessories. As the gee-whiz factor goes, this is a pretty boring repaint because it's a safe bet you've got dozens of different animated clones by now, and if you don't, you won't care about this one. With 14 points of articulation, I still like this set enough to suggest getting it, even if the figures and vehicles inside aren't hugely different at first glance. (Really, you're buying this for a very different AT-AP and a similar-but-totaly-different tank.)

Collector's Notes: This particular variant hasn't had a second release, but the figure is quite similar to the 2008 pack-in with the AT-TE vehicle. The Battle of Chrisophsis set is now worth less than issue price, so try to get it for $50 or less and you'll be happy you did.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,433: December 10, 2010