Figure of the Day: Day 1,461: ARF Trooper Boil

CLONE TROOPER BOIL with AT-RT
The Clone Wars Vehicles with Figures
Item No.: Asst. 94737 No. 25943
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: AT-RT, blaster pistol, game stand and card
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $16.99
Availability: November 2010
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Clone trooper Boil pilots an AT-RT during the battle to retake Geonosis. An AT-RT (All-Terrain Recon Transport) is a one-man walker armed with a repeating laser cannon. With its height, mobility, and speed, the walker allows Boil to support the embattled Republic forces as they fight waves if battle droids and Geonosian warriors. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: Hasbro's best overall Clone Trooper mold to date is the ARF Trooper body, which has been repainted to make this Clone Trooper Boil figure. The previous Boil had a removable helmet and was exclusive to Target, while this one has a unique camo pattern, the orange 212th Battalion markings, and a special added detail-- a little drawing of Numa on the visor of his helmet. (Numa was a little Twi'lek girl he and Waxer saved on Ryloth. Watch the show, it's good.) But why is this figure good, you're asking?

The ARF Trooper body is, to date, the only animated Clone Trooper to have ball-jointed hips for better sitting on vehicles. (Jesse will have these, but other figures have had to spread their legs a little more forcibly-- they weren't designed for vehicles.) Because this design works so well, Boil has no problems standing around and looking good or sitting in his AT-RT (pictured). The figure is indeed super articulated, plus has extra wrist joints to allow for even more movement when holding his blaster pistol or driving a vehicle. In short, this is as good as it gets, and if you like the paint job you really ought to run out and get this figure. Even though it's just another Clone Trooper, the coloring is quite distinctive from what you already own and the vehicle is really nice (and simple) too. You can't go wrong with this one, kids (or adults).

Collector's Notes: The set was the second repaint of this AT-RT mold, although the figure has had three different paint jobs at press time. The set was easy to get reasonably early on, meaning you can probably find one if you do some looking toay. Or you can do me a solid and order on the link below, ensuring my continued employment.

Aurebesh Notes: The word "Eo" appears under the vehicle's seat for reasons I can't quite grasp. Much more sensible are the words "Bug Stomper" on the sides of the front of the walker, as this vehicle was deployed on Geonosis during the landing on Point Rain.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,461: January 19, 2011