Range Trooper - SW [S] - Basic

You’ve likely heard all of the jokes by now. Star Wars fans and collectors are referring to the Range Trooper as a Pimp Trooper. While we can’t get behind calling a Star Wars character something implicit in the sex industry, we can get behind appreciating the strong Original Trilogy influences the character brings to the collecting table. The Range Trooper is a strong mix of the various troopers we saw in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story as well as troopers we have seen in the Original Trilogy, especially the Snowtroopers. By adding new gear that makes the character look like a mountain climber, the Range Trooper is the ultimate cold-weather trooper in the Star Wars universe. The faux fur collar is a bit much, and the parka is a bit too stylish for fighting in a war. But overall, the Range Trooper is an action figure that collectors have already been drawn to and will continue to have an impact once the Solo: A Star Wars Story film is released. The trailers released for the film have shown the Range Troopers in action, and it looks like they will have an engaging role in the film. We’re eager to see how they become part of the Star Wars timeline. Let’s take a closer look at the action figure and see how it measures up in the toy line.

The Star Wars [Solo] version of the Range Trooper is a nicely sculpted figure, but it severely lacks in articulation. While many figures in the standard 5POA format are getting enhanced articulation here and there, Hasbro decided to go as simple as possible for the Range Trooper. Thankfully, the Range Trooper doesn’t come with any action-oriented poses and has his arms and legs in rather straight positions, and not any angles. The addition of swivel wrists and a waist would have done wonders for this action figure, but this is the path that the 5POA line takes and it’s something that will disappoint us until Hasbro stops making Star Wars action figures. Despite the large and clunky gear on his boots, Hasbro made the Range Trooper with a solid center of gravity. He has no issues standing. In fact, you can lean him, and he can maintain his pose without toppling to the ground. The detail sculpted into the Range Trooper is nothing short of impressive. Hasbro has always been able to etch incredible detail and screen accuracy into an action figure. But typically it is always the deco that prevents the figure from being fully appreciated by collectors. Thankfully, that is not an issue here either. The Range Trooper looks great.

When you have a figure with a white or off-white color palette, it tends to be easy to paint it. (There are exceptions. Trust us; there are ALWAYS exceptions.) Thankfully, when it comes to the Range Trooper, Hasbro did a remarkable job on its deco. The black lines accenting the helmet looks clean and crisp. The bronze-colored visor is simple but beautiful. The red-colored buttons aren’t perfectly applied, but they don’t look terrible in any way. These characters wear cream-colored parkas. This item of clothing looks great on the figure, but it also creates a stiffness as well. It’s probably the reason Hasbro gave this figure such a generic pose. It’s the only way that this figure would have worked because of its limited articulation. The Range Trooper comes with a blaster. It fits well in both hands, and while you can’t have the figure hold it with both hands, it works for a kids’ toy. Sadly, the Force Link 2.0 technology did not work at the time of this figure’s release. Hasbro updated their website to reflect a May 1st or sooner availability date of the updated application. Still, we don't think that was wise of Hasbro to put a toy on the market that doesn’t work as soon as it is purchased. Either way, expect this figure to be bought up left and right. It’s a cool army-builder!