ARC-170 Elite Squad - TAC - Battle Packs (Exclusive)

A small number of the Republic ARC-170 starfighters are crewed by elite clone troopers, trained to go deep into enemy territory on the most dangerous scouting missions and raids. These squads undergo advanced "aggressive reconnaissance" training taught by Advanced Recon Commandos to equip them with the skills necessary to survive the varied and treacherous mission profiles to which they are assigned. The ARC-170 Elite Squads served with distinction during the Outer Rim Sieges, providing crucial intelligence and support during campaigns on the major Separatist homeworlds.

When the "Razor Squadron" Republic Gunship made its first appearance to Clone Wars fans in the opening scene of Volume 2, it became an instant favorite. Hasbro quickly took note of this instantaneous interest and developed the Republic Gunship and its clone squadron into exclusive toys. The Toys R Us exclusive Hunt For Grievous Battle Packs set and Toys R Us exclusive Republic Gunship (with Razor Squadron markings) are two of the best products Hasbro has ever produced from Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars micro-series. Collectors couldn’t wait to get more. Maybe both collectors and Hasbro shouldn’t have gotten so greedy. Because of the huge hit the first two exclusives were, Hasbro believed they could extrapolate on it a bit and develop their own concept around the same storyline in the Clone Wars. They figured they could “pimp” the Razor Squadron to collectors by making an ARC-170 Fighter vehicle (also a TARGET exclusive) and another Battle Packs set using that squadron’s color flashes and markings to keep that theme rolling and this trend alive and well. And what they came up with seems like a desperate attempt than anything else, sadly. The ARC-170 Elite Squad is the result of this weak brainstorming. And while it’s safe to say that there are figures that collectors will love in this set, it is honestly just plain silly. Well, not all of it.

It’s safe to say that any repaint of the 2005 ROTS Clone Trooper (III 41) figure is a guaranteed likeable figure. Collectors have adopted this clone trooper sculpt as the king of them all and frankly it’s nice to have clones that truly are clones of one another, despite their differing color markings. The two included ARC-170 Troopers in this set are definitely cool. Their helmets are decorated with the eyes of the “beast” that adorns the front of the Razor Squadron Republic Gunship/ARC-170 Fighter which really are just Jaig eyes. And the edges of their extremities are strewn with the jagged blue/purple pattern seen on the bodies of those vehicles. The figures pair very nicely with the vehicles, but with all of the clone troopers and vehicles actually seen in the Clone Wars, we wonder why Hasbro relied on their own concepts to make toys for collectors. There is so much fertile ground and other screen accurate options out there that could have been done instead. That doesn’t mean that this set is a waste because it isn’t. But not all of the figures here have the same charm. For example, we would easily state that the two Clone Trooper Pilots in this set would have been better left out. Between their flagrant colors and poor articulation, these are much better options Hasbro could have included here. They're based on 2005's ROTS Clone Pilot (III 34) figures, so you already are aware at just how limited their articulation is.

Perhaps the real winner in this Battle Packs set is the Astromech Droid. But let’s be honest. How could Hasbro ever go wrong with an exclusive when they include an all-new Astromech Droid in exclusive sets like this? Even if the droid is from Hasbro’s Universe instead of the Star Wars Universe, it really doesn’t matter because collectors in general can’t get enough of them. Based on 2005's ROTS R4-G9 (Sneak Preview) (4 of 4) figure, it's another one of the many astromech droids Hasbro utilized for a new character in the toy line. While this droid is unnamed, you can use your own imagination and use one of the many permutations left to designate a unique astromech droid identification. (Editor’s Note: After over two year of being unnamed, Hasbro officially revealed through one of their Q&A sessions that Lucasfilm, Ltd. has officially designated this droid as R4-C7.) Between the vibrant red dome, the dark blue moody body and the accents in brown and white on the feet and other places, this is a droid that stands out from the rest and will likely become a favorite for many collectors. The ARC-170 Elite Squad Battle Packs set will be a “love it” or “hate it” type of multipack for collectors. We’d say two-thirds of this set is definitely worth your time and that for many is enough of a reason to buy it. For $19.99 it’s obviously a steal. Five bucks a figure is an incredible bargain no matter how you slice it.