First Order Stormtrooper - TBS [P3] - Six Inch Figures (97)

The First Order's infantry units are trained from birth, given unit designations instead of names and fed a steady diet of First Order propaganda to ensure absolute loyalty.

Hasbro released the First Order Stormtrooper with a different number for the first Triple Force Friday wave of The Black Series [Phase III] 6” figures. Why did they release the same character with different accessories and a new sequence number? Beats us, but there’s more than the re-release of this figure that’s tiring about this figure. Released back in 2015 as First Order Stormtrooper (04), the same figure (with a few changes here and there) is now part of the line again as First Order Stormtrooper (97). We honestly don’t understand why Hasbro didn’t reissue with the “04” again because it doesn’t make sense to change the number to the same character in the 6” line. Using a version of the figure with some updated parts like the helmet, First Order Stormtrooper is technically a re-release of 2017’s TBS [P3] First Order Stormtrooper [Ultimate Trooper Pack] Amazon exclusive. But this time, Hasbro omitted more than half of that figure’s accessories. Would you believe that they didn’t even include the standard First Order blaster with this figure? At best, the re-release of the First Order Stormtrooper is one of Hasbro’s laziest releases. And sadly, that’s not the only issue with this figure.

The First Order Stormtrooper’s tooling is tired. The figure’s joints don’t articulate like they used to move. They’re stiff, and some are downright stubborn to move. Also, the figure’s symmetry is somehow affected. It’s quite a chore to get the figure to stand upright and straight without some finagling and futzing. What’s more, the figure has different shades of white depending upon what part you’re analyzing. The helmet has a pinkish hue, while the extremities, including the arms and legs, have a grayish tint to it. The center core of the body is the whitest part on the figure. It feels like collectors revisit these issues every time Hasbro releases a new member of the First Order in the 6” line, and at this point, it’s getting old. Included with this version are a Z6 riot control baton (which breaks down into three parts), an SE-44C blaster pistol, and a betaplast ballistic riot shield. We are curious to know if we see another standoff between Finn and a soldier in the First Order using these weapons, but we also wonder if it was a random option to include these three accessories. We’re not sure. But we do know that the standard First Order troopers are seen in Episode IX battling, so maybe that’s the reason for this figure’s inclusion.

With 28 points of articulation, the First Order Stormtrooper can move as you desire (in spite of its uncooperative parts), 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. This likely will never be an issue Hasbro revisits. Still, the figure is shiny and overall looks decent (if you can overlook the discolored parts). We imagine army builders have already added multiples of him to their respective collections by now. Hasbro only gives us a sampling of all the weapons the First Order utilizes, but at least they gave us more than one here. By the way, the shield is still a chore to get onto the figure’s arm. To add insult to injury, the First Order Stormtrooper is part of the “First Edition” of figures (since they’re part of the first wave of the Triple Force Friday figures). If you’re a completist, you’re going to have to buy this figure twice since it’s available in both the standard “red and black” box as well as the “white” First Edition box. Again, the First Order Stormtrooper is perhaps the laziest figure in a long time from Hasbro. We feel that all collectors have all the First Order Stormtroopers they want by now, and are not in the market for any others.

This sample has been provided to us by Entertainment Earth.