Super Battle Droid - SW [DV/ROTS] - Saga Legends (SL05)

The huge factories on Geonosis churn out Battle Droids and Super Battle Droids to supply the Separatists with a powerful army. Heavily armed and sturdily built, Super Battle Droids are capable of inflicting a punishing assault on their targets.

As the collecting culture moves more and more to frequent outburst of anger towards Hasbro for the new directions they’re taking the basic figure lines, it’s nice to know that even if a line like the revisited 2013 Star Wars [Darth Vader/Revenge Of The Sith] Saga Legends line isn’t for you, that a figure like the Super Battle Droid may pique your interest. Maybe. There is no denying that this is a reduced articulation action figure. This version of the Super Battle Droid comes with only four points of articulation, the same we received when this figure was a first time offered character in 2002. But contrary to the 2002 figure, the 2013 Super Battle Droid has a very erect posture, static pose and is made with thicker limbs to give it a solid center of gravity and what we’re surmising improved durability based on the thickness and sturdiness of the plastic used. Plain and simple, this Super Battle Droid looks pretty fine. It isn’t a super-articulated wonder, but we admittedly had fun with it. It’s great for what Hasbro intended it to be.

Interestingly, Hasbro unknowingly “updated” this particular sculpt of the Super Battle Droid (if this is meant to be a kids' toy) because it comes with nicely functioning ball-socket hips. You will absolutely be surprised with how much more flexibility it gives this figure’s ability to stand and be posed in a collection or diorama. We’re quite impressed and pleasantly surprised by the figure’s overall look and appearance alongside other action figure NOT in the Saga Legends line. It’s almost as if this figure is the oddity of the first wave. And that’s a good thing. With only four points of articulation, please don’t think we’re trying to imply that this action figure can do anything you want it to because it cannot. But its design and screen accurate faithfulness to the character in Episode II is better than you may think. Even the coloring of the Super Battle Droid looks fantastic. Again, we think that even the staunchest articulation junkies may find this action figure a little bit interesting.

If we had to pick a favorite figure in the first wave of the 2013 Saga Legends line, the Super Battle Droid would easily take first place. Between the solid sculpt, weighty feel and excellent deco (no matter how simple it is), the Super Battle Droid really functions well as an action figure that can stand unassisted, hold simple poses and look pretty darn good in a setup in your collection. For a truly basic action figure for a young kid, what else could you possibly want. The sad thing is that the collector base is seemingly unwilling to accept is that Hasbro would dare make a Star Wars action figure line that isn’t for them. (We are sometimes guilty of possessing those sentiments as well.) Saga Legends is no longer for collectors. That’s a fact. So if you’re willing to accept that, it appears that the kids will be getting some pretty good figures full of intended lower value that will stand up against tough play and tightened budgets. Super Battle Droid should help solidify that this is a good direction for this Hasbro line.