ARC-170 Elite Squad - TAC - Battle Packs (Exclusive)

A small number of the Republic ARC-170 starfighters are crewed by elite clone troopers, trained to go deep into enemy territory on the most dangerous scouting missions and raids. These squads undergo advanced "aggressive reconnaissance" training taught by Advanced Recon Commandos to equip them with the skills necessary to survive the varied and treacherous mission profiles to which they are assigned. The ARC-170 Elite Squads served with distinction during the Outer Rim Sieges, providing crucial intelligence and support during campaigns on the major Separatist homeworlds.

When the "Razor Squadron" Republic Gunship made its first appearance to Clone Wars fans in the opening scene of Volume 2, it became an instant favorite. Hasbro quickly took note of this instantaneous interest and developed the Republic Gunship and its clone squadron into exclusive toys. The Hunt For Grievous Battle Packs and Toys R Us exclusive Republic Gunship (with Razor Squadron markings) are two of the best products Hasbro has ever produced from Tartakovsky’s Clone Wars micro-series. And then Hasbro got greedy. They figured they could “pimp� the Razor Squadron to collectors by making an ARC-170 Fighter vehicle and another Battle Packs set and keep this trend alive and well. And what they came up with seems like a desperate attempt sadly. The ARC-170 Elite Squad is the result of this weak brainstorming and while it’s safe to say that there are figures you’ll love contained in this set, overall, it’s just silly.

It’s safe to say that any repaint of the 2005 ROTS Clone Trooper (III 41) figure is a guaranteed likeable figure. And the two included ARC-170 Troopers in this set are definitely cool. Their helmets are decorated with the eyes of the “beast� that adorns the front of the Razor Squadron Republic Gunship/ARC-170 Fighter and the edges of their extremities are strewn with the jagged blue pattern seen on the bodies of those vehicles. The figures pair very nicely with the vehicles, but with all of the clone troopers and vehicles actually seen in the Clone Wars, we wonder why Hasbro relies on their own concepts to make toys for collectors. There are so many other options that could have been made here. That doesn’t mean that this set is a waste because it isn’t. But we would easily state that the two Clone Trooper Pilots in this set would have been better left out. Between their flagrant colors and poor articulation, these are much better options Hasbro could have included here. They're based on 2005's ROTS Clone Pilot (III 34) figures, so you already are aware at just how limited their articulation is.

Perhaps the real winner in this Battle Packs set is the Astromech Droid. But how could Hasbro ever go wrong when they include an all-new Astromech Droid in exclusive sets like this? Even if the droid is from Hasbro’s Universe instead of the Star Wars Universe, it really doesn’t matter because collectors in general can’t get enough of them. Based on 2005's ROTS R4-G9 (Sneak Preview) (4 of 4) figure, it's another one of the many astromech droids Hasbro utilized for a new character in the toy line. While this droid is unnamed, you can use your own imagination and use one of the many permutations left to designate astromech droids. (Editor’s Note: After over two year of being unnamed, Hasbro officially revealed through one of their Q&A sessions that Lucasfilm, Ltd. has officially designated this droid as R4-C7.) Between the red dome, the dark blue body and the accents in brown and white, this is a droid that stands out and will likely become a favorite for many collectors. The ARC-170 Elite Squad Battle Packs set will be a “love it� or “hate it� type of multipack for collectors. We’d say two-thirds of this set is definitely worth your time.