212th Battalion Clone Trooper - LC [2] - Basic

Clone Troopers in the 212th Attack Battalion fight in the Battle of Utapau. Distinguished by their orange-marked armor, 212th Clone Troopers are under the command of Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi and Clone Commander Cody. They accompany Kenobi to Utapau on a mission to eliminate General Grievous.

The circle is now complete. Hasbro has finally released every Episode III phase II that appeared onscreen in the revised TVC Clone Trooper (VC45) body sculpt. If you think about it, it didn’t take them that long to knock them all out. Some are better than others, but they all share one universal flaw. And that is Hasbro is seemingly unwilling to revise the oversized bucket on their heads. Hasbro has been alerted to this problem for literally years now. They appear to note the issue when it’s brought up, but nothing has been remedied in practice and the figures continue to get produced with the oversized helmet. So now it’s time for the 212th Battalion Clone Trooper to experience the same treatment. We are a bit more forgiving when it comes to the extra large helmets than many other collectors, but we have to admit that it’s frustrating that Hasbro still has yet to design a smaller scaled accessory for this figure to make it perfect. Being moments away from perfection is often more frustrating than being much further away. That being said, 212th Battalion Clone Trooper, who was originally intended to be part of the “thought to be canceled” Legacy Collection [2] line is now available. In May of 2015, retailer Go! Games & Toys, part of Calendar Holdings, began getting these figures in small numbers. This was a huge surprise, because collectors were under the assumption that they never were produced. Now these figures comes to us once again, but in a way that is exciting because of our general love for this pack-in premium.

Sadly, 212th Battalion Clone Trooper lacks when compared to the other troopers released utilizing this body sculpt. There are some nice deco enhancements, but the left hand is fused shut and it appears that Hasbro used a different flesh toned plastic to cast the figure. He also looks too pale. Now that 212th Battalion Clone Trooper completes the cast of phase II clone troopers that appear in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith, admittedly it is indeed nice to have them all look uniform and like the clones they are. And whether you’re a fan or not, there is no doubt that they all have been upgraded with this new body sculpt. The all-white Clone Trooper was released in 2012’s Star Wars [TPM 3D] BARC Speeder With Clone Trooper Deluxe set, the 2012 TVC Clone Trooper (501st Legion) (VC60) and 2012 TVC Shock Trooper (VC110) were two key figures in The Vintage Collection and the 41st Elite Corps Clone Trooper (#12) was released in The Black Series line, albeit with major deco issues that have yet to be corrected. So how does the 212th Battalion Clone Trooper from the salvaged Legacy Collection [2] line look fair in comparison? Aside the from the acknowledged large helmet, he just doesn't meet our personally standards for what makes a good action figure. His joints are frozen in spots and his limbs are curved for reasons unknown. He is misshapen is more ways than one. Believe it or not, despite these flaws, there is still something likable about this action figure. Hasbro in good form gave him unique battle-damage and carbon-scoring. Overall, the figure looks just plain good enough.

We have a received a long legacy of 212th Battalion Clone Trooper action figures already. The first, 2006’s TSC Clone Trooper (SAGA 026) is still revered as the best by many, but the figure is much too bulky in lieu of what we know about the armored body of the clones in Episode II and Episode III. Next came the Clone Trooper from 2010’s LC Clone Trooper Lieutenant/Clone Trooper (10) Comic Packs set. The most recent super-articulated version we got was 2011’s TVC Clone Trooper (212th Battalion) (VC38) which technically comes in two ways: yellowing/greening helmet or bright white helmet (which inadvertently became a Five Below exclusive. Obviously you have more than your fair share of choices for the 212th Attack Battalion clone. But if you’re looking for the best articulation and most accurate proportions, you are going to have to rely on this version from the Legacy Collection [2]. But we just don't know aesthetically he feels so awkward and looks so pale. It's sad when you have to say this is the best version by default. It should be the best version because it's actually very good. You already know all you need to know about this sculpt, it’s just nice that Hasbro has completed a thought when it came to the phase II clones. We credit them for that. 212th Battalion Clone Trooper is a standout and bright figure in the Legacy Collection [2] line. And it’s very nice to have him available, especially since we thought he didn’t exist as is. Wouldn’t it be “wonderful” if wave 2 is laying in a Hasbro warehouse somewhere in the USA too? That means Captain Rex, A-wing Pilot, R5-A2 and R8-B7 would see release too.