First Order Stormtrooper Executioner - TBS [P3] - Six Inch Figures (Exclusive)

The First Order can only operate effectively with the absolute loyalty of its followers. Should any soldier be found guilty of treason, it is up to this special branch of Stormtroopers to dispense final justice.

Hasbro has been relatively faithful with reusing sculpts in the 6” line. We can’t even complain that they’ve used it to their advantage. Instead of being bombarded with straight repacks, slightly retooled existing sculpts and generous repaints, the 6” is primarily made up of all-new sculpting and tooling. When they do reuse tooling, they usually add these “repeated” figures into exclusives (which in our opinion is quite smart). They’ve cleverly reissued the First Order Stormtrooper figure multiple times without overbearing the mainstream line at retail, so we congratulate them on their smart strategy. When it came to the TARGET exclusive First Order Stormtrooper Executioner, however, Hasbro got a little more aggressive with the new tooling. From what we can tell, most of this figure comes from 2015’s TBS [P3] First Order Stormtrooper SDCC exclusive figure. The helmet is completely new. We now have in effect a new First Order Stormtrooper 6” figure in our ranks now. We’re interested to know if Hasbro has any plans to release this figure in the clean white infantry flavor in the near future. Apparently, features of the First Order Stormtrooper have changed a bit since Episode VII, and we’re impressed that Hasbro managed to capture so many of these changes with this TARGET exclusive release. Let’s check out this figure in great detail.

Firstly, it’s clear that the First Order Stormtrooper Executioner is not an immediate hit. This again is a TARGET exclusive figure and they seem to be flooding the shelves even a month out from Force Friday II. We believe a lot of this has to do with people not realizing all of the newnesses that have been added to this figure. Again, from what we can tell (and we may not even be completely correct here), only the arms and legs have been reused. The rest of the figure is new. What’s more, the First Order Stormtrooper Executioner has a distinct paint job that sets it apart from the general “all white” infantry troopers. Black color flashes have been added to the helmet and the shoulder armor. Many have criticized the deco on this figure because they feel it makes him look like a court jester, but we actually think it’s a pretty cool paint scheme and sets him apart from so many other characters from The Last Jedi. We appreciate the black color added to his armor and feel that it adds to the darkness this First order Stormtrooper exudes. With 28 points of articulation, the First Order Stormtrooper Executioner can certainly move as you desire, but there are still issues with how far he can bend his elbows, hips, and knees. Sadly his articulation is still encumbered by the armor pieces. Still, the figure is shiny and looks great. We imagine army builders have already added multiples of him to their respective collections by now.

The First Order Stormtrooper Executioner comes with a laser ax that breaks down into two parts. Hasbro tooled an electro “effect” in translucent blue plastic that is removable for optional display. But just like the 3.75” figure, he doesn’t come with any blasters which we find to be a disappointing setback. Other than that we’re quite taken with this figure. The First Order Stormtrooper Executioner is also known as the First Order Judicial Stormtrooper or more simply as the Executioner Trooper. There are many different types of troopers in the First Order and this one is just another variant which was utilized by the First Order for dispensing final justice on First Order soldiers found guilty of treason. Wookieepedia describes their unique weapon as a “laser ax” but we’re certain that its name could change once the film gets released in December. In an interesting move, Hasbro has seemingly decided that the First Order Stormtrooper Executioner should always be a retailer exclusive in one form or another. For This 6” version as you know has been deemed a TARGET exclusive. And in the Star Wars [The Last Jedi] line the figure is included in the Toys R Us exclusive version of the Force Link Starter Set (released December 2017). And The Black Series [Phase III] 3.75” super-articulated version is part of the final wave of the Walmart exclusive line. We’re fond of the First Order Stormtrooper Executioner action figure. For us, a revised paint job and a new accessory is all we need to get excited about for a new Star Wars figure.