First Order Flametrooper - TBS [P3] - Six Inch Figures (16)

Specialized Stormtroopers of the First Order, Flametroopers carry incendiary weapons that can transform any battlefield into an infernal blaze.

Unlike 2015's TBS [P3] First Order Stormtrooper (04) figure and First Order Snowtrooper, which are based on Imperial Stormtroopers and Snowtroopers from the Original Trilogy, we’ve never had a flametrooper in a Star Wars movie before. Even when soldiers did use flamethrowers, such as 2010's TCW [SOTDS] Flamethrower Clone Trooper (CW26), they generally wore the same armor, perhaps with slightly different coloring. As such, the design of the First Order Flametrooper feels fresh and interesting. Clearly, designers gave a lot of thought into what type of armor a Star Wars trooper wielding a flamethrower would wear. The final result is very distinct from either the Stormtrooper or the Snowtrooper. And we really like the design. The Flametrooper armor is much bulkier than the Stormtrooper’s because it has multiple layers, presumably for protection from the flames. The character also has a large backpack with a fuel tank.

We’ve already received 2015's TFA First Order Flametrooper Build A Weapon figure and 2015's TFA First Order Flametrooper 12-Inch Figure, so we’re a bit surprised it’s taken this long for Hasbro to release this figure (officially set to hit the U.S. in January). Fortunately, it was worth the wait. Hasbro capture this look very well in the figure. The outfit is very detailed. We also noticed the paint apps appear sharper than the Stormtrooper releases, giving us hope that Hasbro is starting to get that problem under control. Often, figures with large backpacks don’t have a very good center of balance, but that hasn’t been too much of a problem with the Flametrooper. It stands well, especially if you position the figure with knees bent. Unfortunately, the Flametrooper isn’t perfect. To put it simply, the Flametrooper suffers from the giraffe-neck syndrome that plagued The Black Series [Phase I] 6’’ Stormtrooper (09) figure. The neck is a bit too long for the body, which in turn makes the helmet appear a bit too small. It’s not too noticeable when looking at the helmet from the front, but is apparent from the sides. This is especially problematic because you’ll probably want to pose the figure looking towards the side to look in the direction the trooper is pointing his flamethrower.

Which brings us to the second issue. Because the figure doesn’t have double-jointed elbows, he cannot hold the flamethrower with both hands and point it directly forward, but rather must point it towards the side. The arms bend at a bit less than a 90-degree angle. We actually don’t know how Hasbro could have avoided this problem. Making the elbows double-jointed probably wouldn’t have worked because the space between the upper and lower arm armor pieces is too narrow. Getting a better range of motion without compromising the aesthetics of the figure would have been difficult. The torso also doesn’t turn as much as we’d like because of the backpack. Without a massive retooling of the articulation (along the lines offered by Figuarts’ Star Wars figures) we don’t see what else Hasbro could have done. You can still get some great poses out of the figure, but perhaps not as many as you’d like. We hope Hasbro can get enough of these figures on the shelves because we’re sure collectors will want several for their First Order armies.

About Arnold Corso: While alive during the reign of the original Kenner figures, Arnold’s collecting habit really only began with the POTF2 line. Given that Hasbro doesn’t always make the figures he wants the way he wants them, he has increasingly taken to customizing his figures. Photos of his customs are available on Facebook under the name Darth Crassus Customs.