Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,506: Battle Droid

BATTLE DROIDS Red Variant, Shot
30th Anniversary Collection Saga Legends
Item No.: Asst. 85770 No. 87340
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, second figure, coin
Action Feature: Remove limbs and reassemble!
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Fall 2007
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: The Separatists utilize battle droids as their primary infantry forces. When assaulting strategically important worlds, these droid forces can be painted with special markings to help them blend into their environment. Though not individually a threat, attacking en masse these droids can become a formidable fighting force. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's kitchen.

Commentary: There's no shortage of these damned things. The Battle Droid mold with removable limbs was nicely exploited by Hasbro from 2006 to 2009, sold in pairs and giving fans a chance to build armies pretty cheaply. While not as astoundingly great as the mega-articulated 2-packs of today, these were pretty good for the time with decent deco and just enough movement to help flesh out your crowd scenes. They can stand, they can sit, they're pretty durable, and you can pull their arms out of their sockets when you've had a bad day. Unfortunately they can't bend at the elbows or knees, but, hey, that was OK when you got 2 figures for the price of 1 in 2007. While you may disagree, I think all these Battle Droid 2-packs are worthwhile just so you have a decent army of figures in your collection, but given how many days we've looked at figures together, maybe you don't need 32 varieties of Battle Droid in your own personal collection.

Collector's Notes: Most of these sets (with all the variations) flew under fans' radars, so none tend to be more popular despite being more or less common. The set can be had for about five bucks, which is easily worth it when you break down the guns, coins, and figures.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,506: March 23, 2011