Clone Commando Squad - TCW [SOTDS] - Exclusives

Elite troopers are part of the Republic's huge army of cloned super commandos. As the wars progresses, specialized units are created to carry out operations in addition to ground combat. Captain Rex is Anakin Skywalker's second in command during the Clone Wars and commands the renowned 501st Legion. Advanced Recon Force (ARF) troopers go on reconnaissance missions to gather information about the enemy. Clone pilots are experts in the cockpits of gunships, transports and starfighters. Clone troopers wear special breathing gear when the battle takes them into the vacuum of space to breach enemy vessels.

Way before The Clone Wars television show was ever a thing, we quickly learned that clones of a certain battalion are known for their unique color flashes and armor designs. It really wasn’t unexpected that this same trend would continue in the show. Already we’re seeing some very cool Clone Troopers and Hasbro has been diligent about getting them out in the unexpectedly popular The Clone Wars toy line. A new season means a new line look for the line and lots of repacks. One set, a Kmart exclusive, was entitled Clone Commando Squad. It wasn’t a scene-specific group of clones, but just a way to allow fans of the show to army build some really cool characters quickly. Included in this set is the Clone Trooper (With Space Gear) , Captain Rex (in his cold weather gear), Clone Pilot (this time a generic clone and NOT Odd Ball) and another ARF Trooper. The set is as cool as it is boring. Hasbro should have changed things up a bit and given the clones unique paint operations. But these are all straight repacks for the most part; if anything slight repaints. The newness here is the Galactic Battle Game parts. If you’re into this extra then you get new cards and more display stands and another die. But other than that there’s likely no other reason why you’d need such an exclusive as this.

Clone Trooper (With Space Gear) has quite a few extra details attached to his armor, there isn't anything different about the mold itself. Based on 2008’s TCW [B] Clone Trooper (No. 5) figure, Hasbro tooled new parts to give this figure layers of depth, character and versatility which is really any collectors’ dream when it comes to action figures. The most intricate detail can be found on his helmet which when looked at carefully imitates the face of some larger animal. It’s of course meant to be a wolf, but it does have some feline qualities. These details enforce the fact that this figure is part of a defensive team set out to secure the best outcomes for the Jedi and end the war. Clone Trooper (With Space Gear) is mostly white, save for dark reddish brown and/or maroon flashes of color on the lower extremities of the armor as well as the shoulders. The shoulders also have a striped pattern that looks really sharp as well. Hasbro ensured that this fine detail was captured flawlessly on the figure. Clone Trooper (With Space Gear) comes with a removable backpack that attaches to a hole on the removable vest (which also houses a holster for his DC-17 blaster). The jet backpack can launch a projectile.

Captain Rex is in his cold weather on Orto Plutonia gear. This figure was just re-released in the basic figure line, and here it is again in the Clone Commando Squad exclusive multipack. Captain Rex can be disassembled in a few pieces. His helmet and warming pack are both removable which allows for even more extra play value. His body suit is colored in a very ashy gray and it looks absolutely fantastic against his pristine white armor. The figure has a great silhouette and looks completely proportional to the other figures in the line. His trademark blue color flashes are in place yet they come across so much more subtle on this version of him when compared to 2008’s TCW [F/S1] Captain Rex (No. 4) figure (or any other Captain Rex figure for that matter). Another way that Hasbro has seemed to indirectly pay homage to the vintage line is the material used to design Rex’s kama. It is very thin and vinyl-like and is quite similar to the vintage Snowtrooper’s skirt. It isn’t identical, but there is enough similarity there to make the collector smile. There are some minor paint operation differences, but they seem to work towards the figure's benefit. Fans and collectors love snow-based figures, so this re-release is ultimately a wise inclusion here in this set.

Clone Pilot used to be called Clone Pilot Odd Ball. But now Hasbro has given him a much more generic name. Super-articulated with 25 points across 14 areas of articulation, the figure is clearly loaded with premium articulation throughout its very mobile body. The figure has a very bright dark yellow stripe (almost looking like a Mohawk) coming down from the top of his head and it lies atop a lighter yellow and thicker stripe. The Republic insignia is emblazoned on both sides and he has the standard phase I visor that we have seen 100 times already. Then Hasbro utilized a bold dark charcoal line to outline the contour of the helmet. It is very nicely executed. If you have the regular Clone Trooper figure, then you pretty much already own the Clone Pilot already. But this is also something you have learned to accept in this facet of the hobby. Clones are clones and there is an understanding that many of the action figures will be almost identical from each other. He still comes with the perplexing heavy artillery once again. Clone Pilot comes outfitted with a DC-15 blaster, rocket launcher and a rocket projectile. For someone who is steering a large Republic Gunship, we find it strange that he would be carrying around these big weapons, but now you have added play value.

The ARF Trooper is another wise repack. And he is well accessorized. He comes with another huge gun (basically and unnecessarily large) and we think it is safe to say that a dirty wash over the figure in place of this huge gun would have been much more appreciated. Big guns are cool, especially for clones. He also comes with a basic DC-15 blaster. The ARF Trooper looks amazing posed with both weapons. And knowing that he will be able to straddle any AT-RT vehicle coming into the line, we’re excited to see how Hasbro will make this a reality. He is loaded with premium articulation and holds up as well today as he did when he was first released. We will take better articulation over the lack of dirt marks (for now at least). But we sort of want both. ARF Trooper is a sign that there are many unseen clone troopers yet to come from the popular The Clone Wars TV series. And it is especially cool to see elements of the prequel films mixed in with parts of the Original Trilogy films to create yet another flavor of the Grand Army of the Republic. Again, the Clone Commando Squad multipack isn’t revolutionary, but it’s a nice, albeit expensive, way to quickly army build key clones from The Clone Wars television show. You may not need this now, but the set isn’t without some merit.