212th Battalion Clone Trooper (75036) Lego Star Wars Minifigure Review

The 212^th Battalion were commanded by Commander Cody and Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi and saw action on the planets: Christophsis, Teth, Ryloth, Geonosis, Umabara, Cato Neimoidia and Utapau during the Clone Wars.  

This is the second minifigure variant of a 212^th Battalion Clone Trooper.  The first variant (Clone Wars) appeared in set 75013:  Umbaran MHC (Mobile Heavy Cannon) released in 2013.  The 212^th were involved in the Battle Of Umbara and most notably crossed fire with the 501^st Legion led by the renegade General Krell.

In the 2014 set:  75036 Utapau Troopers we get this second variant which could be referred to as the Episode III:  Revenge Of The Sith variant.  It is unique to this battle pack.  The 212^th supported General Kenobi in taking General Grievous’s stronghold on Utapau in Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith, before turning on him after Order 66 was issued to Commander Cody by the Emperor.

Let's take a look at the minifgure:

The minifigure is equipped with a Phase II Clone Trooper helmet with an orange V shaped marking across the crest of the helmet and includes some light grey markings (like the torso piece) representing battle damage/scarring.  There are some light grey markings accentuating the curve of the visor across the cheek area, but other than that the helmet is the same form as we saw on the Phase II 501^st Clone Trooper in 2013.  An unmarked Phase II Clone Trooper helmet can be found in the 75028 Clone Turbo Tank Microfighter set from 2014.  Personally I think the battle scarring on this minifigure is a nice feature which gives the impression they are seasoned veterans of many battles rather than grunts ‘hot off the factory floor’ on Kamino.

The head piece is the same grimacing facial print that we saw on the Phase 1 Clone Trooper in 2013 and have seen on every clone since...yawn.

From a torso perspective we have a double print to front and rear.  As has been observed with many of the 2014 winter wave releases: the torso uses the base print from the Phase 1 Clone Trooper released in 2013 (left in photo above).  The Torso print is accentuated by the orange angular markings of the 212^th across the upper chest plates and from the sides of the midriff (also seen on the rear print), together with orange highlights to the belt.  The arms are orange, the gloves are black (there are no purple prickles all over his back…one for the dads out there!).

The legs are printed to the front and have the similar base print seen on the Phase II Clone Trooper (75028) (in centre of photo above) which also forms the basis of the BARC Trooper (75037) from the same 2014 winter wave.  When contrasted with the Clone Troopers released in 2013, it is good to see leg printing becoming the norm.

This is a really satisfying clone trooper, now with leg printing and fantastic detail on the torso including the new battle scarring – Lego are evolving the clone trooper nicely.  I will make my usual grumble that a few head pieces with different facial expressions would be nice (applauded for the Death Star Gunners in set 75034).  4 clones in this battle pack (75036) all with the same head piece is a slight disappointment.

This minifigure is accompanied in the battle pack by the 212th Batallion Clone Paratrooper which complements it very well by continuing the battalion markings and battle scarring.  The new eyecatching helmet and fantastic torso printing probably just edging it for novelty value. 

Of course revisiting the 212^th for a second time raises the question:  when are we getting a Phase II Commander Cody?  Captain Rex has appeared in multiple variants (Phase I and Phase II Clone Trooper armour).  Commander Gree has been released in Phase II armour in spectacular fashion in 75043 AT-AP.  Come on Lego, give us Commander Cody, and if he is holding a holographic projection of the Emperor issuing Order 66 so much the better…

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