Kashyyyk Trooper - TLC - Basic (GH 2)

Clone troopers from Sarlacc Battalions A and B accompany Yoda to Kashyyyk at the end of the Clone Wars. When Commander Gree receives Order 66, he motions for a trooper to assist him in attacking Yoda. The trooper, like Gree, does not survive the encounter.

Oh man. It was torturous waiting for Hasbro finally give us a super-articulated Kashyyyk Trooper. And then they finally bring it to fruition and then the dang figure is too small when compared to all the other clones released before it. Well, even despite his smaller stature, Hasbro (and collectors) felt that the figure was worthy of a release just a few short months after its debut in the 30 (77-07) line and upgraded to a “Greatest Hits” figure for The Legacy Collection. The Kashyyyk Trooper is a figure that has been long desired by fans, but sadly it doesn’t meet our complete expectations even with a second release. And that’s saying a lot because we truly think it’s a pretty terrific action figure. As we’ve mentioned, the height on this figure is unacceptably short. Apparently the Kashyyyk Trooper suffers from the same disorder as 2006's TSC Clone Commander Cody (SAGA 024) figure. Clones are identical to each other, and varying heights in our action figures are becoming burdensome. And while the Kashyyyk Trooper is super-articulated, his awkward pre-posed form and nearly unmovable waist joint really inhibits the figure from complete mobility. This is quite a shame, because the figure should have been designed in a very bland way that allows the collector to decide which way he should be posed and formed. Here is hoping a taller and more generic Kashyyyk Trooper is in the works. And while we have opened up this review with criticism, we have to admit that if you can overlook these two issues, the figure is a success in every other way, believe it or not.

Hasbro first attempted this character in 2006's The Saga Collection but he was named the Elite Corps Clone Trooper (SAGA 065). Actually, both names are incorrect as these soldiers are correctly labeled as Clone Swamp Troopers. Per Wookieepedia, "Swamp trooper armor was camouflaged for use in or around mires and boggy land. The troopers carried DC-15A blaster rifles, DC-15S blasters, sniper rifles, thermal detonators, auto turrets and blaster pistols. They would be assigned two vehicles: BARC speeders for mounted reconnaissance duty and AT-APs for attacking and defending. Using BARC speeders could make them look very similar to BARC troopers, some of which also wore a form of clone scout armor." Clearly, there predecessors are quite similar in many ways. Because the TSC figure was part of a repack and repaint wave, it was simply the VTSC Biker Scout in new colors. While similar in spirit, they are quite different in actuality. The figure wasn't authentic in many ways because the Kashyyyk Troopers have noticeably different armor from the Biker Scouts (seen in Episode VI). The Elite Corps Clone Trooper caused even more chagrin because Hasbro didn't include the long rifle, thus making the figure more inaccurate. If you compare the TSC figure to this figure, you will be surprised by the size difference. We really want to know why the final Kashyyyk Trooper turned out so tiny. It is such a shame because while many of us can overlook the stiffness of the pose, shrunken clones is a little bit unforgiving in the toy line especially when his peers tower over him. It's very frustrating because this figure is actually excellent in spite of its small size.

The Kashyyyk Trooper has a detachable face plate that lifts up and stays up very nicely. Underneath you will find another clone head (face) and while the likeness is pretty good, we have to question why the skin tone looks so dark and tan, almost to an orange degree. Needless to say, it is not too bad of a head sculpt despite the apparently wrong skin tone. The rest of the deco on the figure is stunning and looks so much better than the The Saga Collection figure. Hasbro manage to get the right base color this time around and it does so much for the extra paint operations on top. The camouflage pattern blends in so much more nicely and the alternating flecks are much smaller in size which is more authentic to the costume seen in Episode III. In summary, the Kashyyyk Trooper is a fun action figure. But he is in an almost completely different scale than most of the basic figure line which makes for awkward inclusion with the rest of the line. A definite revisit will be needed to make this figure definitive, because even if Hasbro can adjust the height, we still don't like the stiff body joint. The belt is removable which helps loosen things up a bit, but the figure doesn’t look right without it. It is so difficult to maneuver, it might as well not even be on the figure. Everything being said, he will serve your collection well, but it won't be the most perfect representation of the character that the line will see. Here is hoping that Hasbro will alleviate the issues and make this character definitive, because we all want definitive clone troopers in our collections! And this version will give you another option to help you complete the R4-D6 Build A Droid figure!