Clone Tank Gunner - TCW [R] - Basic (CW36)

Some clone troopers received specialized training in targeting and operating the Republic's heavy artillery. These tank gunners control the laser cannons on All-Terrain Tactical Enforcers (AT-TEs), Turbo Tanks, Republic Gunships and other heavy assault vehicles. Trained in marksmanship and battle tactics, tank gunners blast the droid army with destructive firepower.

Hasbro is certainly getting good mileage out of the AT-TE Tank Gunner that first appeared in 2008's TCW [B] AT-TE Assault Squad Battle Packs set. Of course each release has been given a unique paint job, but other than that there are not too many other differences that exist. The figure has not only changed colors with each release but names too. It has gone from the AT-TE Gunner to a Tank Gunner in the course of little over a year. Not that the name affects the quality of an action figure, but it is interesting that it changes description. While it may initially appear as a desperate move on Hasbro's part, we do realize the need for figures to be revisited time and again so that cost containment can remain as optimal as can be for Hasbro's financial team. But we wish the clone troopers would be changed up a little bit more than they are. The Clone Wars line has its very fine moments and then not so fine moments (like this figure). Don't get us wrong, we do love our clone troopers and it is a fine figure for the most part, but it does seem that as of late the clones have been lacking in some way or another. Perhaps it is just the plain and pure monotony of the character, but we don't remember getting this bored with the movie-inspired clone troopers. In fact, reissues of clone troopers (based on the live action films) still are eager purchases for us. So we aren't sure why the clones from The Clone Wars television series aren't having the same effect on us. Your mileage may vary and you may be completely in love with the animated clones, but our anticipation for them is rapidly approaching dread.

OK, we understand we are approaching whining mode so we will do our best to wind this back a bit. But we can't help the way we feel and we just aren't been wowed by the last few releases. An AT-TE Tank Gunner is just a clone trooper that develope additional skill sets in piloting the Republics largest vessels in addition to these vessels' heavy artillery. These tank gunners control the laser cannons on All-Terrain Tactical Enforcers (AT-TEs), Clone Turbo Tanks, Republic Gunships and other heavy assault vehicles. Trained in marksmanship and battle tactics, tank gunners blast the droid army with destructive firepower." So it seems that Hasbro may have not been privy to all the roles these clone trooper gunners were going to be serving in the Grand Army of the Republic for the television series, hence their placement in different areas of the toy line. And we are assuming there will be more within time. With all of the facets of clones now, it is even hard for even the most zealous collector to everything straight and organized anymore. But the clone troopers will always remain a good sell for Hasbro because clones are the consummate cool Star Wars soldier, likely rivaling the Stormtrooper for coolness with the younger audiences. The Clone Tank Gunner is different enough from the rest of the clones in a few ways. His helmet and chest plate set him apart from the others and the colors and decorations on his armor create a sense of individuality and uniqueness to the toy line. If you love your 2009 TCW [R] Clone Turbo Tank, then you are going to love to have another gunner to pilot it. Or you can use this gunner to pilot your equally cool AT-TE vehicle. The choice is certainly yours!

But if you're strictly a "one-of-everything" collector, we doubt that the Clone Tank Gunner will excite you in any way. Clone Tank Gunner is honestly just a vapid figure just like most of its predecessors. It is without a doubt a figure that (in our opinion) is incapable of inciting fervor nor does it allow us to feel impassioned or discomposed (well, we do feel these emotions but not in a good way about the figure). And maybe we shouldn't have these strong opinions, but we feel we really need something to sing about in The Clone Wars line. And we like to get positively excited about the action figures we purchase for our collections. Clone Tank Gunner will either be an obligatory purchase for you or a purchase that you want because you just can't get enough clone troopers into your collections. We have expressed at some length in these reviews (and you probably sense our frustration at this point) that the clones are leaving us a tad troubled and they really need to be reinvigorated in revolutionary ways, disputatiously if need be. Yes, many positives can be attained from the clones, but a lot more leaves a lot to be desired. The clones are in a big need of a sculpting and painting overhaul and we feel that if Hasbro doesn't take action soon that the line could become irreparably stale. So, we hope you like the Clone Tank Gunner basic figure. We view him as just plain average, so we wish for the best that you can get a little more animated (no pun intended) over him that we did. And we also hope he is not responsible in playing a part for slowing up sales for the rest of The Clone Wars line.