ARC-170 TROOPER ARC-170 Elite Squad
30th Anniversary Collection Target Exclusive Battle Pack
Item No.: No. 87388
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, a second ARC-170 Trooper, an Astromech Droid, 2 Clone Pilots
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: November 2007
Appearances: n/a

Bio: Bred and trained for combat, clone troopers are the huge fighting force of the Galactic Republic. Within this vast army, select clones are chosen to serve as ARC-170 troopers and are put through an intense training program that includes advanced survival and gunnery skills. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam's Endor capture net. Will the Ewoks crack the shell, and then the nuts inside?

Commentary: Hasbro did manage to create a limited back story for this ARC-170 Trooper, which is a nice start. This was a repaint I saw coming after we saw a similarly decorated clone in the Star Wars Transformers line, it just seemed inevitable that the "shark trooper" would make an appearance as an action figure. This figure is essentially a plain white III-41 (Super Articulated) Clone Trooper from 2005, but redecorated with Jaig Eyes on his helmet as well as blue markings on his shoulders and shins. It doesn't look too snazzy, nor does it fit in with any existing squads-- but in its own right, it looks like a decent toy. It's nicely articulated and we have no complaints about how it was designed, although the little antenna would have been nice to have, and the torso seems very plain. A blue belt or some sort of damage markings would have done a lot to complete the look of the figure, because as it is it seems a little bit unfinished-- which seems to be a recurring theme on some of Hasbro's original Clone designs of late 2007. It's not terrible, but something like a stripe down the middle of the helmet or a little more detail would have gone a long way to make this a more exciting action figure.

One detail I was very pleased to see were uniquely colored hands. We don't see a lot of that-- it's a nice touch. More uniquely colored hands would be a welcome addition to this line. And seriously, Hasbro-- paint the damn belt something other than white when you make up colors from now on, please, for my sake. It really helps break up all the freaking white.

Collector's Notes: Designed to match the Clone Wars "space whale" ARC-170 Fighter (or Gunship), this is a decent enough release if not exactly something that fans were begging for. As part of an exclusive Battle Pack it seems inevitable that some will hit clearance if the holiday shoppers don't gobble them up first, but fans seem pretty cold on the design so far. The funny thing is if they gave it the 501st-legion torso markings and helmet stripe, odds are this would have been a huge hit. Funny how that works with these repaints, isn't it?

Day 603: December 30, 2007