Scout Trooper (Imperial Patrol) [Version 2] - POTJ - Basic

Although lightly armored, Imperial scout troopers are essentially highly mobile stormtroopers. They patrol perimeters, perform reconnaissance missions, and scout enemy locations. They are equipped for high maneuverability and long periods without support.

Some of the Star Wars action figures that Hasbro made us wait for until they gave us decent modern updates to them are complete and utter head-scratchers. Take for instance the classic Kenner Biker Scout which was released in the Return Of The Jedi line in 1983. As happenstance would have it, a very awkward version of him was created and utilized as a pack-in figure for 1995’s POTF2 Imperial Speeder Bike. We didn’t care back then how wonky that “Biker Scout Stormtrooper” looked, we were just thrilled to have him updated and, modernized and accented with extra articulation. But in all honesty, that figure was mostly a failure. He looked ridiculous when not piloting the bike and when it came down to the nuts and bolts, most of us realized that the sculpt needed a lot more work than it received. Would you believe that was the only Biker Scout we received in the modern era until the Power Of The Jedi line? It’s true. Thankfully, for the 2000 edition, Hasbro concentrated on the most accurate of proportions, nice paint operations, but they decided to not make articulation a key component, much to the chagrin of the super-articulated focused collectors. So, as with many figures in the POTJ era, the newly heralded Scout Trooper (Imperial Patrol) [Version 1] and [Version 2] figures gave collectors a healthy dose of Imperial soldiers based on Return Of The Jedi. More on that to follow.

Scout Trooper (Imperial Patrol) (both Version 1 and Version 2) comes with six points of articulation. He has a swivel head, two swivel shoulders, a swivel waist and two swivel hips. As a very energetic and agile member of the Galactic Empire, Hasbro has sadly made shortcuts to this figure in terms of its articulation. Articulation should be worked into Imperial figures, before most others, if you ask us. With only six points of articulation, Scout Trooper (Imperial Patrol) cannot maintain any meaningful movement and the possibility to attain exciting action poses is just not an option. And just forget about situating him on any old speeder bike toy you have. He really doesn’t look all that different from the vintage Kenner figure in this regard. In a nice move, Hasbro ensured that they added a functioning ankle holster which works quite well holding his blaster pistol while not in his hands. But should you decide to display him defending himself, well that is very easy thank to an expertly tooled hand which welcomes the blaster pistol which a firm and tight grip. We do have a bone to pick with the sculpt of the figure. He has a strange lean forward and you really have to find the right combination of how his legs are posed to get a good balance that won’t send him falling down.

There are two versions of Scout Trooper (Imperial Patrol). The first, Version 1, made it out before the end of 2000 and was all clean. This is the rarer of the two. Although the first one released, Hasbro decided to change things up a bit and they surprised collectors by creating a running change of the figure. Scout Trooper (Imperial Patrol) [Version 2] is the same exact figure, but it has been given a dirty/battle-damaged paint job. Version 2 didn’t make it out until well into 2001 and as a result, Hasbro had a lot more time to produce greater quantities of this flavor and get them out to collectors. No matter which style you prefer best, both Scout Trooper (Imperial Patrol) [Version 1] and Scout Trooper (Imperial Patrol) [Version 2] are relatively easy to find regardless of their exact production numbers. The figure definitely has some notable points in spite of its articulation. For instance, this figure has one of the most accurate head sculpts of a Biker Scout we have ever seen. It’s beautiful. And the sculpt of the uniform is incredible as well. As one of the few figures based on Return Of The Jedi in the Power Of The Jedi line, it’s nice that Hasbro gave us two unique interpretations of this Imperial. You may not want both yourself, but now you know you have options.