Tusken Raider - TBS [P3] - Six Inch Figures (41)

Fearsome desert savages inhabiting the rocky Jundland Wastes, Tusken Raiders are the foremost reason Tatooine colonists do not wander far from their isolated communities. Extremely territorial, Tusken Raiders will attack with very little provocation.

First released as The Black Series [Star Wars 40] Sand People 6” figure, the figure gets a name change to Tusken Raider and is now part of The Black Series [Phase III] line look exactly as promised by Hasbro. For anyone out there still unsure, all new figures part of The Black Series [Star Wars 40] line will eventually be reissued in the red/black boxed The Black Series [Phase III] line look too. In the case of the Sand People/Tusken Raider releases, they just so happen to be arriving to online retailers about the same time. The Black Series [Phase III] Tusken Raider overall is a pretty nice action figure, but let us address and then dismiss the criticism first. Is the head sculpt of this figure the Salvador Dali interpretation of it or is this Tusken Raider just cross-eyed? There is something funky going on with this character’s "eyes" and it is one of the most distracting things we have ever seen. It's a bit disconcerting to get past, but the rest of the figure is so good it would probably do you good to let it go. Thankfully the rest of the Tusken Raider is pretty darn nice. With a nice mix of molded parts and soft-goods, this figure brings forth the very best features of these desert nomad species and gives collectors of this line something to be really happen about here – there is literally so much good here that you’re probably not going to be able to digest it all in one setting. As super-articulated 3.75” collectors, we hope and pray that Hasbro will reduce the digital files and give us a Tusken Raider/Sand People figure in The Vintage Collection. We REALLY need this sculpt reduced down into the 3.75” scale….. desperately.

The Tusken Raider really looks fantastic. Hasbro gave him a soft-goods cape/shawl which is permanently attached. It cannot be removed without permanent damage (and least by our own assessment). It’s very long and is worn like a shawl where his arms go through it like the sleeves on a shirt. This keeps these soft-goods hanging closely to the body when the arms are resting at the sides, but also can fan out when you open up his arms with a gaderffi stick while in attack mode. Underneath is a fully molded figure – clothes and all. There is a split in the lower skirt to help with movement and utilization of the premium articulation, but it is also futile because it only allows a certain amount of movement anyway. And that is not ideal for what this character should be able to accomplish with the articulation system. With 28 points of articulation, this figure should be able to do it all. It can do a lot, but it can’t do it all which we find ultimately disappointing. The paint operations are splendid, but there is strong debate on what the correct color scheme of a Tusken Raider’s clothing actually is. In our opinion we truly believe that Hasbro got it right here. The primary tan color looks great for the skirt and shirt and the figure is accented with grayish/greenish tans, browns and silvers to give the figure its definition. We’re confident that collectors are going to be thoroughly satisfied with this figure’s paint job. Aliens are always easier for Hasbro to decorate, and the Tusken Raider is a perfect example of this. The textures of the sculpt are brought to life with even the simplest of paint operations.

Those critical of Hasbro stingy accessory offerings will likely be happy here too. You of course get the standard gaderffi stick, but it comes in a way that we haven’t seen yet from Hasbro. The base of the weapon is a separate piece, and then Hasbro gave us THREE (3) different attachments (all seen in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope by the way) which can be used for different display purposes as you desire. Changing the blade portion of the weapon is of course simple, and all three are colored uniquely. It’s a very generous gesture by Hasbro and we would be remiss if we didn’t thank them for adding this courtesy to collectors. But that’s not all. Collectors are also treated to the blaster rifle seen in Episode IV, but more clearly seen in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. You get many options with the Tusken Raider. It is truly a collector-focused action figure. Hasbro really went above and beyond with this release, we just wish they reconsidered the final head sculpt before giving its approval. The Tusken Raider does have a few small other issues too. For example, the feet are a bit too loose and have an awkward surface area that do not provide a solid rage of balance. This make the figure a bit uneasy and difficult to stand up unassisted. It is of course possible to pose this figure unassisted, but it is a little more difficult than we would have liked to see here. Generally speaking, the Tusken Raider is a fine figure. It would be great if Hasbro designs a couple of different head sculpt and release them over time. These creatures look different from one another in the face and this would be a great way to give us an army of them.