First Order Stormtrooper Executioner - TBS [P3] - 3.75 Inch Figures (Exclusive)

The First Order can only operate effectively with the absolute loyalty of its followers. Should any soldier be found guilty of treason, it is up to this special branch of Stormtroopers to dispense final justice.

Do you believe TWO YEARS have elapsed since Hasbro released 2015’s TBS [P3] First Order Stormtrooper Walmart exclusive figure? And do you believe that it took them TWO YEARS to reuse the sculpt and bring us a brand new character? What is wrong with Hasbro? If this sculpt was a Clone Trooper and it was anywhere between 2005 and 2014 Hasbro would have given us every battalion under the sun. Now we’re lucky if we get a new styled First Order Stormtrooper every other year? Clearly, something is wrong when it comes to planning the super-articulated Star Wars line. They should be pumping out action figures like this because it doesn’t cost them much money just to repaint a figure. The retooling of any type of action figure always costs more, but when it comes to repainting a figure, Hasbro should be showing collectors no restraints and continually release them as frequently as they can so we can all army build them as rapidly as possible. If you recall, 2015’s TBS [P3] First Order Stormtrooper figure was a very warmly embraced action figure. Hasbro screwed up the visor deco on the early batches of the figure, but towards the end the later remix assortments had that part of the figure fixed. Now Hasbro has finally reused most of the sculpt to create the Episode VIII specific First Order Stormtrooper Executioner which looks a whole lot like a First Order court jester with a weapon that looks like it would hurt if you were subjected to it. This time we also get a new head sculpt. As we prepare for the next Star Wars episodic film, Hasbro gives us one final wave of The Black Series [Phase III] 3.75” figures and the closing wave is a pretty nice one.

You probably know this sculpt well by now. Hasbro had upgraded the articulation on the 3.75” range by including ball-jointed hips in addition to ball-jointed wrists (on many of the figures, but not all). Because the First Order Stormtrooper Executioner is really just a repaint of the 2015 figure, we have to judge this figure by how well it is painted. It appears to vary by sample, but for the most part, the additional black color flashes have been applied rather beautifully. Some Star Wars collectors aren’t too interested in simple repaints like this for either scale in The Black Series [Phase III] line, but we could not feel more oppositely about this. We think repaints and the same figures with additional gear really bring breadth and depth to a line that can never seem fulfilled and whole because Hasbro is unable to get out all of the characters that collectors want to see. We suppose that even if it has taken two years to get our second First Order Stormtrooper, it’s better than never getting another one again. The figure comes with a wealth of premium articulation and because of the heightened articulation system, it can achieve a variety of poses and can accomplish them easily thanks to great balance and fluid movement. With the standard 14 areas of articulation that is present in most of the previous lines from Hasbro, the First Order Stormtrooper Executioner can stand at attention, placed in various action poses and even sit if you are so inclined with its remarkable 27 points of articulation. With a high MSRP set for this Walmart exclusive 3.75” line, you’d think that Hasbro would have added some extra premium parts, but the accessories her are sadly limited.

The First Order Stormtrooper Executioner is also known as the First Order Judicial Stormtrooper or more simply as the Executioner Trooper. There are many different types of troopers in the First Order and this one is just another variant which was utilized by the First Order for dispensing final justice on First Order soldiers found guilty of treason. Wookieepedia describes their unique weapon as a “laser axe” but we’re certain that its name could change once the film gets released in December. Hasbro developed an awesome accessory to accompany the figure. It has been designed to break down into two separate parts. The First Order Stormtrooper Executioner is able to hold it well and looks awesome when holding it, or running with it, or using only part of it. You have a few options here. In an interesting move, Hasbro has decided that the First Order Stormtrooper Executioner should always be exclusive in one form or another. For The Black Series [Phase III] 6” scale First Order Stormtrooper Executioner has been deemed a TARGET exclusive. And in the Star Wars [The Last Jedi] line the figure is included in the Toys R Us exclusive version of the Force Link Starter Set (released December 2017). And The Black Series [Phase III] 3.75” super-articulated version is part of the final wave of the Walmart exclusive line. It will be interesting to see if any version of the character makes it into the mainstream eventually. We are actually quite fond of the First Order Stormtrooper Executioner action figure. Yes, it really brings nothing new to the table other than a revised paint job and a new accessory, but for us, that’s all we need to get excited about for a new Star Wars figure. Keep them coming, Hasbro!