Tusken Raider (With Massiff) - SW [S - P1] - Basic (’02 #52)

Added: February 21st 2014
Category: Star Wars [Saga - Phase I]
Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Score:

Collection: Star Wars [Saga - Phase I]

Number: ‘02 #52

Availability: September 2002

License: Hasbro

Visual Analysis

Detailed Visual Analysis

Padmé Amidala (Arena Escape)

General Analysis

Ten years after the fight to save Naboo from invasion, the galaxy is on the brink of civil war. Under the leadership of a renegade Jedi, thousands of solar systems threaten to secede from the Galactic Republic. A courageous Jedi Knight, his impulsive and headstrong apprentice, and a queen-turned-senator are drawn into the heart of the conflict... and the beginning of war.

Tusken Raider

Nomadic tribespeople, Tusken Raiders scavenge and pilfer the sparsely populated areas of Tatooine. Also known as Sand People, they are a vicious lot, frequently raiding unsuspecting moisture farms in the desert regions. The massiffs are equally as vicious with razor sharp teeth and agile movements.

So is it an accessory or a figure? We may never know the answer to that question since Hasbro used the Massiff as both a “main” character as well as an accessory in the Star Wars “Saga” line. Perhaps Hasbro realized they “goofed” by releasing the Massiff as the main character with a Geonosian Warrior as the accessory, or maybe it was intentional, and they’re changing it up for the Tusken Raider now. Or are they correcting a previous error? The Geonosian Warrior’s release caused unnecessary confusion because Hasbro based that figure set on a deleted scene. However, the Tusken Raider (With Massiff) figure puts the story of Attack Of The Clones in the toy line back on track since their pairing is screen-accurate. Both figures in the Tusken Raider (With Massiff) “two-pack” are action figures we’ve already seen before because Hasbro released them through different methods. We’re happy to see Hasbro place the Massiffs back on Tatooine, where we see them interacting with the Tusken Raider camp. To get the “correction” out in a more timely fashion, Hasbro dug into their catalog of the Power Of The Jedi line and resurrected the Tusken Raider (Desert Sniper) figure from that collection, and repainted the figure to make it “Episode II specific.”

Now paired with the same Massiff figure from the Star Wars “Saga” line, collectors now have the chance to own another duo of army builders to add to their Attack Of The Clones collections quickly. Tusken Raider (With Massiff) is the same figure, as far as the sculpt is concerned, from the Power Of The Jedi line. It’s a decent-looking action figure for a Tusken Raider, but some may feel that it is aging too quickly thanks to its minimal and significantly inhibited articulation. We also find that this version of the Tusken Raider has an obnoxious lean to it, and when action figures can stand completely upright, it bothers us immensely. Because the plastic robes prevent most of its articulation from being useful, you’ll find that remedying any of the sculpt’s peculiarities is moot. Aesthetically, the Tusken Raider tooling looks excellent, but it doesn’t come with any accessories (save for the Massiff) this time. Unfortunately, you’ll have to have the Tusken Raider figure walking the Massiff to make this two-pack appear functional. Otherwise, it feels like something is missing, which frankly it is. The paint job is poorly applied, but it looks superb on a wild and nomadic species like the Sand People. Even the Massiff imitates its “owner’s” rugged qualities, from its personality to its appearance: appearing vicious, tenacious, and dangerous.

The Tusken Raiders had a significant part in sending Anakin Skywalker down the path of the dark side. They not wholly responsible, but Anakin developed uncontrollable anger, and we all know where that ends up in Star Wars films. The Sand People kidnapped his mother and ultimately murdered her, which brought him to such a strong point of hatred, and it was this rage that enabled him to kill the entire Tusken Raider clan, including the women and children. It may have been better for Hasbro to release an all-new sculpt of the Tusken Raider for its very first Episode II appearance instead of using an older figure and repaint it to make it Episode II specific. But it’s probably more than fair to say that this release was, for lack of a better word, a rushed job. It’s certainly not a terrible release. After all, you get another Massiff, and there were plenty in the Tusken Raider camp. Getting this much plastic for such a reasonable cost is a beautiful thing too. Besides, the Massiff is made well and comes with a wonderful mixed media accessory itself. While we can’t consider this release a total success, we appreciate Hasbro correcting the Massiff/Geonosian Warrior pairing for screen-accuracy. For that reason, we think this two-pack worth your time and will make your dioramas look excellent.

Collector Notes

Tusken Raider (With Massiff)

Collection: 2

Assortment Number: 84914/84861

UPC: 076930849149

Retail: $4.99 USD

Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on Click here to check the market value on eBay! listings.

Tusken Raider

Status: Tusken Raider (With Massiff) is a repaint of 2000's POTJ Tusken Raider (Desert Sniper) figure. This time the figure comes without the blaster rifle.

Articulation Count: 8 points (8 areas of articulation)

Articulation Details: swivel head (1), swivel left shoulder (1), swivel right shoulder (1), swivel right elbow (1), swivel left wrist (1), swivel waist (1), swivel left hip (1), swivel right hip (1)

Accessory Count: None

Accessory Details: None

Date Stamp: 2000

Massiff

Status: Massiff is repaint of the figure from 2002's SW [S - P1] Massiff ('02 #34) two-pack set.

Articulation Count: 1 points (1 areas of articulation)

Articulation Details: hinge-jointed jaw (1)

Accessory Count: 2

Accessory Details: harness, harness handle

Date Stamp: 2002

Reference Data

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