Stormtrooper (With Blast Accessories) - TBS [P3] - Six Inch Figures (Exclusive)

Stormtroopers are elite shock troops fanatically loyal to the Empire and impossible to sway from the Imperial cause. They wear imposing white armor, which offers a wide range of survival equipment and temperature controls to allow the soldiers to survive in almost any environment. Stormtrooper wield blaster rifles and pistols with great skill, and attack in hordes to overwhelm their enemies.

OK, this one is a bit of a head-scratcher. What the what is this? We’re somewhat baffled. A random The Black Series [Phase III] figure shows up at Toys R Us in Canada without any announcement. And then collectors cannot get a straight answer if the item is ever coming to the USA or not. Fans, please welcome the Stormtrooper (With Blast Accessories) into the 6” line. While a Stormtrooper is always a safe repack, why did Hasbro feel another release of the same Stormtrooper figure with "blast" accessories (and exaggerated deco) would make sense for a store exclusive? We’re not so sure. But ultimately it doesn’t look like it panned out well for anyone. If this item does get released in the USA, it won’t be for some time. Rumors abound right now that American collectors are out of luck (at the moment). Not much is new here, but we do get a unique take on the Stormtrooper. He’s received a completely new paint job. There are carbon-scoring marks on his chest armor and a central point starburst pattern where the blast hit him. This deco makes the Stormtrooper good for one unique character in your collection only. So, this release is not good for army-building purposes. Also, the extra accessories feel more like Hasbro is trying to force this as an extension of the Centerpiece line instead of providing accessories that make the most sense. The extra scenic pieces don't even snap onto anything here.

The special accessories include two differently sized blasts. A third blast attachment is much smaller and thinner and used as an effect for the E-11 blaster. Also included is a display stand that breaks down into two parts. The purpose of the multiple parts feature is that it provides a base with a Star Wars logo and then it transforms into the flooring of the Death Star if you're so inclined. With the internal packaging background, you can create a gorgeous scene from A New Hope. But with the battle-damaged markings on the figure, the closest source we feel is Return Of The Jedi. This Stormtrooper looks like he is from the Battle of Endor more than anything else. But we suppose he could be a character from the Death Star that Han Solo, Princess Leia or Luke Skywalker blasts too. As you know, the Stormtrooper is a repaint of 2013’s TBS [P1] Stomtrooper (#09) figure. The Black Series [Phase I] Stormtrooper (#09) figure was a figure that new 6” figure collectors were dying to see get re-released. Thankfully, Hasbro made this a reality multiple times now for them. The Stormtrooper got released as part of The Black Series [Star Wars 40] line, or 40th Anniversary line for short. It was also re-released in The Black Series [Phase III] line. And now we have a deluxe version with this release. The Stormtrooper has always been an exciting release in 6” scale. Perhaps we cannot get too many of them. But in all honesty, this release feels tired at best. Nothing makes you want to rush out an buy it. Perhaps Hasbro realized this and didn't make efforts to get it to another American retailer (yet). This figure is well-proportioned, exquisitely detailed, and nicely decorated.

The Stormtrooper comes with the same 30 points of articulation as the figure from which it was created, the original 6” Sandtrooper. As you know, this figure shines when it comes to its articulation. You can get a great range of motion from many of the joints, and it can attain almost any pose you desire without any difficulty. Lightly accessorized as far as weapons are concerned, the 6” Stormtrooper only comes with the E-11 blaster. Hasbro should have included more accessories with this release, especially since it’s significantly more expensive than a basic 6” figure release. Still, it’s easy to see why this figure consistently interests collectors. Figures like the Stormtrooper should reinvigorate fans’ passions for The Black Series 6” line. But when the figure becomes so hard to secure and add to collections, it makes that passion die a little. This was intended to be a Toys R Us exclusive release, and to date, they’ve only shown up in Canada because the USA stores closed forever. It’s doubtful if the USA will see this figure at all now. Also, there is so much more than Hasbro can do with the Stormtrooper sculpt. For example, they could do something simple like converting it into a Spacetrooper from A New Hope as well. It would only require a couple of new accessories. Whatever they decide, we hope that the next exclusive sees wider distribution. And we hope that Hasbro makes exclusives that are a little more collector-friendly than this one.