Clone Trooper [Shock Trooper] - ROTS - Basic (III 6)

Added: July 21st 2012
Category: Revenge Of The Sith
Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Score:

Name: Clone Trooper [Shock Trooper]
Collection: Revenge Of The Sith
Number: III 6
Source: Revenge Of The Sith
Availability: August 2005
License: Hasbro

Review_CloneTrooperShockTrooperROTS001 Review_CloneTrooperShockTrooperROTS002 Review_CloneTrooperShockTrooperROTS003 Review_CloneTrooperShockTrooperROTS004
Review_CloneTrooperShockTrooperROTS005 Review_CloneTrooperShockTrooperROTS006 Review_CloneTrooperShockTrooperROTS007 Review_CloneTrooperShockTrooperROTS008
Review_CloneTrooperShockTrooperROTS009 Review_CloneTrooperShockTrooperROTS010 Review_CloneTrooperShockTrooperROTS011 Review_CloneTrooperShockTrooperROTS012
Review_CloneTrooperShockTrooperROTS013 Review_CloneTrooperShockTrooperROTS014 Review_CloneTrooperShockTrooperROTS015 Review_CloneTrooperShockTrooperROTS016

Clone Troopers are the genetically engineered soldiers that are the Grand Army of the Republic. They are sent throughout the galaxy to fight the droid armies that belong to the Separatist forces.

What is it about a Shock Trooper that makes it so awesome? Is it the distinct red color flashes against a white canvas that grabs our attention? Or is it their role of protecting and serving Darth Sidious directly on both Coruscant and Mustafar that make them must-have characters in your Star Wars collection? Whatever the reasons, there is absolutely no denying the collective interest in the Imperial Shock Troopers and they’ve become one of the most highly demanded clone action figures by collectors. Hasbro pacified us with the release of the Shock Trooper, but instead of getting its own unique packaging and name, it was instead treated as a carry-forward figure to 2005’s ROTS Clone Trooper (III 6) figure. We have good news and bad news for you. It’s a good temporary “hold collectors over” figure until an all-new super-articulated version can be released. (Editor’s Note: Hasbro utilized the 2005 ROTS Clone Trooper (III 41) sculpt for 2006’s TSC Skirmish In The Senate Battle Packs set which gave collectors our very first super-articulated Shock Trooper. The paint operations were revised and then this figure was again released as 2007’s TAC Shock Trooper Saga Legends figure. And lastly, a completely different sculpt was used for 2012’s TVC Shock Trooper (VC110) figure. You have many options.) Admittedly, the Clone Trooper [Shock Trooper] figure has a pretty good paint job and it seems to work relatively well here. But it isn’t “perfect” perfect. Not by a long shot.

The Clone Trooper [Shock Trooper] is a repaint of 2005’s ROTS Clone Trooper (III 6) figure. This means that there are a couple of issues with this particular sculpt. First and foremost there is an action feature worked into the figure’s legs and arms. Sporting “Quick-Draw Attack!” the Clone Trooper [Shock Trooper] figure has loose joints to allow for this special “enhancement” if you can call it that. What’s frustrating is that this figure is almost a super-articulated figure so why Hasbro decided to force this into it is beyond us. There is pressure on their shoulders to make figures kid friendly, but we have to ask at what expense does this need to be made? Relegate action features to bulky weapons and the like instead so that the figures can remain what they should be: well-articulated action figures, not action features in the shape of action figures. The Clone Trooper [Shock Trooper] figure comes with a DC-15 blaster and a DC-15 blaster rifle. Both fit into the figure’s hands quite well. The last thing that we find bothersome is the removable left shoulder armor. Intended to represent the Clone Trooper [Shock Trooper] figure pre and post Order 66, this detail never made it into the final version of the film. Aesthetically, it doesn’t work at all. The removable shoulder pad is too bulky and looks quite odd actually on the figure.

The Clone Trooper [Shock Trooper] figure ended up being a huge success at retail however. We typically never know how widespread a figure will hit, so we usually scoop up what we can when we actually do see them at retail. The figure did arrive in decent numbers, however, it sold out very briskly and as a result, many collectors didn’t even see it physically hanging from the pegs at retail. Hasbro has been a little bit reserved in using the ultimate Clone Trooper (III 41) sculpt and this is something we can’t figure out at all pretty much. Unless all of the tools of this figure were used at the time to produce a ton of the plain white Clone Trooper figure (III 41), we really can’t understand why Hasbro hasn’t utilized it more than they did. It seems a lot of superb action figures are being held back because of it. Undoubtedly better figures will come down the pike. Collectors should expect to see multiple clone trooper action figures released in the coming years. They’re a no-brainer in the collecting community and they even strike a chord with the kids. The Clone Trooper [Shock Trooper] serves a desperate need right now. Revenge Of The Sith surprised even Hasbro who clearly didn’t have reference materials for all of the clones that actually did appear in the film and that is why they’re racing to play catch-up with the basic figures.

Collector Notes

Clone Trooper [Shock Trooper]

Status: Clone Trooper [Shock Trooper] is a repaint of 2005's ROTS Clone Trooper (III 6) figure.

Articulation Count: 21 points (13 areas of articulation)

Articulation Details: ball-socket head (1), ball-jointed left shoulder (2), ball-jointed right shoulder (2), ball-jointed left elbow (2), ball-jointed right elbow (2), swivel left wrist (1), swivel right wrist (1), swivel left hip (1), swivel right hip (1), ball-jointed left knee (2), ball-jointed right knee (2), ball-jointed left ankle (2), ball-jointed right ankle (2)

Accessory Count: 4

Accessory Details: DC-15 blaster, DC-15 blaster rifle, removable left shoulder armor (plain), removable left shoulder armor (Galactic Empire logo)

Date Stamp: 2004

Collection: 1

Assortment Number: 85279/85174

UPC: 076930852798

Retail: $5.99 USD

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



Revenge Of The Sith Wave 11

Clone Trooper [Shock Trooper] (III 6)

Clone Commander [Green] (III 33)

Clone Pilot [Shadow] (III 34)

AT-RT Driver (III 54)

Obi-Wan Kenobi (III 55)

Mustafar Sentry (III 56)



This review comes from Jedi Temple Archives
www.JediTempleArchives.com

The URL for this review is:
http://www.jeditemplearchives.com/content/modules.php?name=JReviews&rop=showcontent&id=1155