Imperial Stormtrooper (Nevarro Cantina) - TVC - Deluxe

Hasbro is milking the updated Stormtrooper (VC231) figure before it is released by including it in various ways as other exclusives. First, Hasbro released the Heavy Assault Stormtrooper (VC253) figure, a Gaming Greats Fan Channel exclusive, and now they’ve released the Walmart-exclusive Imperial Stormtrooper (Nevarro Cantina) Deluxe set. While there isn’t much to say or write about here, Hasbro did tool an all-new E-web accessory based on what we see in The Mandalorian, as Imperial Stormtroopers waged war on Din Djarin and company as they sought shelter in the abandoned cantina. The Imperial Stormtrooper figure is rather excellent. As you’re aware, Hasbro tapered the ankle armor for a streamlined Original Trilogy appearance. And although the action figure doesn’t have a holster, the figure favors what we see throughout the Original Trilogy and is a wonderful addition to the line. You’ll love the new E-web accessory, and we have to admit we’re surprised that Hasbro developed new tooling here. The E-web cannon is an immediately recognizable weapon of the Imperial army, and it’s fantastic to see it used in Disney Star Wars.

The last time we received an all-new E-web accessory with a single basic action figure was with 2003’s SW [S – P3] Snowtrooper (The Battle Of Hoth) (’03 #19) figure. Hasbro re-released it a couple of times after that, but the E-web cannon was incomplete in one way or another. Now, the reduced-scaled new version in this set more closely mirrors the design and detail of the classic weapon of the Galactic Empire. It’s odd to see an Imperial Stormtrooper use this in war, but it’s certainly not out of the ordinary because the climate deems what type of stormtrooper uses the cannon, not that the cannon is a cold-world weapon only. While we love the new accessory, we must comment on the rubbery material used to cast it. We don’t understand why Hasbro cannot use more rigid plastics to make these toys feel of higher quality. Of course, the hose should be rubbery, but the legs and the cannon should be rigid, resist resistance, and not bow with pressure or gravity. We feel the latter will be the case with this toy. Hopefully, Hasbro will find a way to use more robust plastics in its future toys.

Let us reiterate that it’s still good that Hasbro is making the revised Imperial Stormtrooper tooling available in several ways. But Hasbro must find a way to add the standard STAR WARS Stormtrooper to a future basic case assortment. We’ve been asking for this figure for DECADES now, and resorting it to a Walmart exclusive does no favors. But if you can deal without a holster here, too, this is an excellent action figure to help you build your Galactic Empire armies. The Imperial Stormtrooper (Nevarro Cantina) Deluxe set should have come with an E-11 blaster when this character isn’t using the E-web cannon, but as you know well, Hasbro goes cheap on collectors big time on accessories. This release will serve as filler for the Nevarro Cantina playset, and we imagine many collectors will buy this set to get the updated E-web cannons. You’ll have to let us know if it differs from the one used during the Battle of Hoth. But regardless of all of this, collectors seem happy with the Deluxe line. Even if it means we’re getting repetitive figures, which doesn’t excite us all that much. Then again, we're quite focused on the stuff from the Original Trilogy.