Super Battle Droid Variant 3 (2009-2011) Lego Star Wars Minifigure Review

The Super Battle Droids are first seen in the Star Wars Universe in Episode II:  Attack Of The Clones during the Battle of Geonosis and are thereafter a common sight amongst the ranks of the Separatist droid armies on battlefields during the Clone Wars.

Super Battle Droids were manufactured after the Battle of Naboo when the case for stronger droids was clearly demonstrated.  Specialized battle droids encased in thick shells of armour they were equipped with heavy weapons: typically wrist mounted repeating blasters or missile launchers.  Whilst the droids rarely if ever spoke, they are seen in battles marching on the front lines acting as a shield to less robust units.

At the time of writing, Lego have made 3 variants of the Super Battle Droid.  There has been little by way of variation between the variants.  The first variant was seen in 2002 in set 7163 Republic Gunship and was made of unique parts following a unique design that could not have been crafted with standard Lego components.  

The first variant had a metal pearl-blue colour, the second variant was identical, but for a change in colour being pearl-dark grey in colour.  The second variant has become the standard having first appeared in 2007 it has persisted through to the present day.  

A third variant appeared in two sets between 2009 and 2011, which differed only in the left forearm being replaced by a blaster/rocket launcher.

The Third variant appeared in two Lego sets:

• 8018 Armoured Assault Tank (AAT) (2009);
• 7869 Battle For Geonosis (2011).

In the same manner as previous variants, the minifigure stands 3 or 4 mm taller than a regular Lego minifigure.  The minifigure is composed of 4 pieces, three of which are exclusive to the Super Battle Droid Minifigures, the mechanical leg piece being the exception which is also found on the MagnaGuard and TX-20 Tactical Droid.

The specially moulded head-and-torso piece is large and wedge-shaped.  The head is set at shoulder level, with no neck.

The arms have two grips with a circular immobile hinge near the middle.  The hinge is closer to one end than the other, defining a shorter upper than forearm.  On the right arm, the forearm is narrow near the front grip and gets wider closer to the hinge.

The left arm is the major and only point of differentiation to the previous variant.  At the elbow joint the arm becomes cylindrical and extends farther forward in a representation of a blaster/rocket launcher.  Previous variants included a mechanical forearm with a small tube representing the arm-mounted repeating blaster.

Having invested in creating unique parts to recreate what we see on screen, it seems unlikely that Lego will depart significantly from the variants that have already been seen.  At the time of writing it appears that the second variant can be found in a number of the Lego sets due to be released in 2014.  

Whilst the individuality of the clone trooper is brought out through troopers dying their hair, use of tattoos, unit insignia and colouration during the Clone Wars TV series it seems unlikely the basic mould of the Super Battle Droid will change.  Given how common the second variant is and the fact that the third variant is only found in two sets revel in a little bit of exclusivity if you own the third variant. 

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Clone Trooper Phase 1 Armour (2013) Lego Star Wars Minifigure Review

In 2013 we see a number of Lego sets released around Episode II:  Attack Of The Clones.  This was intended to coincide with the planned release of the film in a 3D format at cinemas during the autumn.  Plans to release this were shelved due to changes in ownership of the Star Wars franchise with efforts focusing instead on the eagerly awaited Episode VII.

  

A number of Lego sets in 2013 include a new redesigned clone trooper in Phase 1 armour:

•          75000 Clone Troopers vs Droidekas;
•          75007 Republic Assault Ship and Coruscant;
•          75015 Corporate Alliance Tank Droid;
•          75016 Homing Spider Droid;
•          75023 Advent Calendar.

The staple trooper that is used by the Republic in the fight against the droid armies of the Separatists is of course going to be a common variant across a number of sets.  The sets in which it is found are the ones that Lego Star Wars addicts would buy multiple copies to build armies in an attempt to recreate the Battle Of Geonosis and other Clone Wars battles. 

Clone Troopers of course are first revealed to us in Episode II:  Attack of the Clones on Kamino.  Based on the Bounty Hunter Jango Fett they are initially clad in pristine white armour which loosely resembles Mandalorian Shock Trooper armour.  This is known as Phase 1 armour.

As the Clone Wars progresses and by the time of Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith we see Phase I armour replaced by Phase II armour which has a distinctive helmet design incorporating more advanced air filtration and oxygen supply – a base template for the stormtrooper armour that we see in the original Star Wars Trilogy.  In addition we see varying use of colour to denote rank and specialist roles.

Clone Troopers in Phase 1 armour were first released in 2002 and could be found in sets 7163 Republic Gunship and in 4482: AT-TE in 2003.  This original variant had a distinctive T-shaped hole in the helmet which allowed the faceless black heads underneath to show through.  A technique we also see in the Endor Scout Trooper and Hoth Snowtrooper minifigures.

A second variant of the Clone Trooper in Phase 1 armour coincided with the launch of the Clone Wars Movie and TV Series in 2008.  The Clone Trooper Phase I armour (The Clone Wars) included a new printed Torso – complete solid printed helmet design and a flesh coloured head piece including a clone face print.  This variant was common occurring in the following sets:

• 7675 AT-TE;
• 7676 Republic Attack Gunship;
• 7679 Republic Fighter Tank;
• 7681 Separatist Spider Droid;
• 8014 Clone Walker Battle Pack;
• 8018 Armoured Assault Tank (AAT);
• 8019 Republic Attack Shuttle;
• 8098 Clone Turbo Tank;
• 10195 Republic Dropship with AT-OT;
• 30006 Clone Walker;
• 2856077 Brickmaster.

So the 2013 release is the third variant of the Clone Trooper in Phase 1 armour.  If we are being particular about the Episode 2 origins you could argue that we have not had an Episode II Clone Trooper for 10-11 years.

Truth be told you have to look pretty hard to see the differences to the Clone Wars variant, so personally there is no great feeling of being starved of an Episode II variant.

The most notable difference in this variant is the new head piece.  This has a light flesh colour, but more animated facial expression.  The new head piece has a print to the front only.  This in itself is a disappointment.  When you consider that you might well be building a clone army with this figure – a little variation in facial expression would be welcomed.  The facial expression has teeth bared, heavy black eyebrows and brown lines to the cheek and brown dimple on the chin.  I have seen the expression described as aggressive/determined/aghast/grimacing/showing disgust - all of which seem fair, I cannot settle on a definitive description.

The new Torso print has the usual white arms and black hands.  The chest plates are more subtle in appearance with two grey marks displaying rank.  The utility belt is a little more refined with grey detailed markings, which again give a more subtle, yet detailed appearance when compared to the Clone Wars variant.  The rear Torso print continues this theme with the use of grey markings to provide detail to the backpack.

The legs as before are simply white in colour with black hips.

A simple white clone trooper is not going to excite when compared to the various cone wars commanders. Captain Rex in Phase II armour from 75012 BARC Speeder with sidecar set (from 2013) gets my vote as sitting pretty in the Clone Trooper minifgure Hall Of Fame.  But this Phase I clone trooper is really a nice print and worthy of close inspection.  It represents a good evolution on the previous Phase 1 armour variants and whilst it may be common, it represents a worthy addition to anyone’s minifigure collection.

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Stass Allie (75016) Lego Star Wars Minifigure Review

Stass Allie was a Tholothian Jedi Master who served as a Jedi General during the Clone Wars.  Her training in diplomacy led her to become an advisor to many high ranking officials in the senate.  She was also a member of the circle of Jedi Healers and rose to be a member of the Jedi High Council following the death of her cousin and fellow Tholothian Jedi Master Adi Gallia.

In the arc of Star Wars films we see Stass Allie in Episode II Attack Of The Clones alongside the many Jedi involved in The Battle of Geonosis.  Allie survives Geonosis and appears in hologram form during a Jedi Council scene in Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith. In the same film we see her demise on the planet of Saleucami, when the clone troopers that she is leading as part of a BARC trooper patrol open fire on her speeder bike after Order 66 is issued by Chancellor Palpatine.

This Minifigure can easily substitute for Adi Gallia who appears in Episode I The Phantom Menace and a number of episodes during the Clone Wars TV series: a character who arguably has a more interesting back story than Stass Allie.

Stass Allie is a unique Minifigure to the 75016: Homing Spider Droid set that was released in 2013. An interesting choice for inclusion in this set as she is not a significant player. Still she was at the Battle of Geonosis (unlike Adi Gallia) so is a welcome addition to the Jedi ranks for those trying to recreate the arena scene. It is fair to assume that we are unlikely to see a second variant or version in the future. 

The Minifigure is really well made and distinctive in appearance,  The Tholothian headdress is certainly eye catching being white, gold and cream in colour with blue detail lines to the front.  The headress is custom made from a rubbery plastic material.

The head is brown in colour with a front print showing purple eyes and a serious expression.  There is a print to the rear of the head piece that incorporates a greenish hair line.

The Torso is a double sided print showing a typical Jedi outfit of tan robes with folds suggested by black markings together with a brown belt.

The legs are tan coloured and continue the Torso print design and are in fact one of the only criticisms I have of the Minifigure.  The problem lies in the print of the pouch that hangs from the belt on the left hand side of the Torso.  The pouch continues on the leg piece but unfortunately leaves an unsatisfactory break in the print.  It is a shame that this defect is so plain to see as this minifigure in every other way is fantastic.


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Nikto Guard (75024) Lego Star Wars Minifigure Review

The Nikto are a reptilian humanoid species with distinctive leathery skin. They are first seen in the Star Wars universe back in 1983 during the Desert Skiff action sequence on Tatooine in Return Of The Jedi. The Nikto make a reappearance in 1999 alongside Jabba The Hutt in Episode 1: The Phantom Menace and in The Clone Wars movie in 2008.

Their first and only appearance (at the time of writing this) in a Lego Star Wars set was the 2013 release: 75024 HH-87 Starhopper. The set is based on a Clone Wars Season 4 TV episode: "Friends and Enemies" which first aired in 2011. In this episode the Nikto are shown working for the Hutt crime lords on the planet of Nal Hutta. So to be clear: the minifigure is a Clone Wars depiction of the Nikto.

The Nikto association with the Hutts is described by a back story that describes the Hutts taking control of the Nikto home world of Kintan and forcing them into servitude.

The minifigure is composed of three pieces, with a two piece weapon comprised of an axe blade on a pearl dark grey spear piece.

The minifigure has no hair piece/hood/headress.

The detailed head print has a serious expression in dark orange with dark tan features and white horns. There is no printing on the reverse of the head piece. The facial features give the minifigure an almost ape-like appearance?

The Torso is dark bluish gray in colour with two small buttons, dark brown shoulder strap and double belt pattern. Light bluish gray arms, dark bluish gray hands.

The legs have light bluish gray hips and dark bluish gray legs.

Personally for me, the minifigure is a little flat and plain. I know this is a Clone Wars set and as such the minifigure takes on a slightly cartoonish appearance in line what we see in the TV episode. It is hard to get excited about this minifigure. Perhaps part of the issue here is that I would have preferred a Return of the Jedi variant of a Nikto guard to sidle up to Kithaba and a Weequay guard on my Desert Skiff/Jabba's Sail Barge setup.

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