Check out my early thoughts on the one and only battle pack we will be getting in the Clone Wars line for next year!
Clone Trooper Cutup: I really like the look of this figure. I'm glad Hasbro went back against their word, and will release another cadet to give Hevy some company. Cutup's only accessory will be a DC-15 blaster rifle. I have seen a review of this figure already, and overall, I think this is better than the Hevy figure. Better detail from my point of view. Contrary to popular belief, Cutup actually has a new face-sculpt, and that is one thing I find better on Cutup over Hevy.
Bomb Squad Clone: This looks like a great figure. The paint looks fantastic, and the logo's on the shoulder are fantastically detailed. The only accessory with this one is a DC-15 blaster. It has been three years since we saw this Clone on-screen, and I had given up on seeing a figure of one. So, it is excellent Hasbro is going back a long way to release this Clone. It's a pity that there is no ankle articulation, but that's to be expected now.
Clone Trooper Hardcase: I totally can't wait for this Hardcase figure. I loved Hardcase during the Umbara arc, and I can't wait for this figure. Hardcase's accessory is a DC-15 blaster. It is no surprise that Hardcase is in the Stone sculpt, seen as Jesse & Kix were too. My most wanted figure out of this battle pack, and I hope we see a phase II version next year.
Battle pack as a whole: This is a very good battle pack, and I will definitly get one. It includes three clones I really want, all for different reasons. Cutup because he will display well with Hevy, Bomb Squad because the detail is so fantastic, & Hardcase because I love the character to bits, and the figure looks great. My only complaint is it feels so random, like Hasbro just decided to make 3 random clones and throw them in the same battle pack. I just hope we still see Corporal Comet and a Wolfpack Clone in phase I soon...
Clone Trooper Echo: Echo wore this outfit for the first and only time in the episode "ARC Troopers", which this episode is based off. This is a new Echo figure, with a different paint-job to the other phase I version. The articulation on this is flawless, being in the original mold, it was of course going to be flawless. The accessories included are two DC-15 blasters, though one has a bent handle, while the other one is perfect. Odd. The helmet paint-job is pretty cool, and I especially love the detail given to Echo's handprint, plus the young face-sculpt. Rating: 10/10.
Clone Trooper Fives: Like Echo, Fives wore his phase I 501st outfit for the one and only time in "ARC Troopers". This Fives has a paint-job, unlike the previous phase I version which was just a plain Clone with the Fives head. It is great to see a Fives figure with a paint-job now. I much prefer Fives's paint-job to Echo's, especially the Rishi eel on the helmet, and the fact that the memory to Hevy is on his arm, not leg. Fives also comes with two DC-15 blasters, and like with Echo's, one is bent while the other is perfect. Double odd. The face detail is really cool on Fives. Rating: 10/10.
ARC Commander Blitz: Blitz so far has only appeared in the two Kamino episodes. He survived the Battle of Kamino, and could re-appear later in the series. Blitz shares the same Clone sculpt introduced with the Commander Colt figure, and it is an excellent sculpt, great detail and full articulation. The paint-apps on the kama are funny in a way, but executed well. The yellow markings on Blitz are a great touch as well, as is all the ARC trooper gear. I love the helmet, Hasbro did a great job with the sculpt of the helmet, and sculpting the rangefinder onto it. Blitz comes with two DC-17 blaster pistols, plus an interesting gun that is actually an animated version of something that appeared in the old Clone Wars series. Rating: 10/10.
This is probably the best battle pack of the line! All three figures are flawless, and a worthy addition to the line! If you want anything Hasbro released in 2011, I'd recommend this above all else.
A post for 2012 Lego Star Wars sets that I will continue to update!
9488 Elite Clone Trooper & Commando Droid battle pack:
Downfall of a Droid:
Banking Clan Frigate:
Mini-figures (5): Grievous, Battle Droid Commander & 3 Battle Droids.
Description: "Combat the Republic venator-cruisers in space with the Banking Clan Frigate!"
Pieces: 1,250
Price: 149.99$
Vulture's Claw:
Mini-figures (4): Gha Nachkt, Assassin Droid, Anakin & Ahsoka (new gears).
Description: "Build the Vulture's Claw, to stop Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano from finding R2-D2!"
Pieces: 950
Price: 119.99$
Duel of the Droids:
Skytop Station Playset:
Mini-figures (10): Anakin, Ahsoka, Rex, R2-D2, R3-S6, Denal, Grievous, Magnaguard & 2 Battle Droids.
Description: "Help the Republic forces rescue R2-D2 from the clutches of General Grievous!"
Pieces: 3000
Price: 249.99$
Bombad Jedi:
Padme Amidala's Ship:
Mini-figures (5): Padme Amidala, C-3PO, Jar-Jar Binks, Silood & Battle Droid.
Description: "Help Padme defend her ship from an attacking Crab Droid!"
Pieces: 350
Price: 29.99$
Cloak of Darkness:
Droch-class Boarding Ship:
Mini-figures (5): Asajj Ventress, 2 Super Battle Droids & 2 41st Clone Troopers.
Description: "Attack Clone Troopers with the Droch-class boarding ship!"
Pieces: 150
Price: 19.99$
Lair of Grievous:
Kit Fisto's Jedi Starfighter:
Mini-figures (2): Kit Fisto & R6-H5).
Description: "Fly into the battle with Kit Fisto in his Jedi starfighter!"
Pieces: 200
Price: 29.99$
Grievous's Lair Playset:
Mini-figures (9): Kit Fisto, Nahdar Vebb, Commander Fil, 2 Clone Troopers, Grievous, EV-A4-D, Battle Droid & Magnaguard.
Description: "Help Jit Fisto and his team infiltrate Grievous's lair and capture Grievous! Along the way, take out traps such as the monster known as Gor!"
Pieces: 2000
Price: 199.99$
Lego.com description:
Sith Assassin Asajj Ventress and Savage Opress are speeding toward Anakin Skywalker on the stealthy Sith Nightspeeder with flick-missiles. Detach their twin pods and close in on the young Jedi warrior! Will Anakin Skywalker be able to fend them off? You decide!
- Includes 3 minifigures: Anakin Skywalker, Asajj Ventress and Savage Opress
- Features 4 lightsabers and weapon!
- Flick-fire the missile!
- Detach the twin pods from the Sith Nightspeeder for a multi-directional attack!
- Measures over 6” (15cm) wide, 5” (12cm) long and 2” (5cm) tall
- Pods measure over 4” (10cm) long
Mini-figures:
Anakin Skywalker: A new Anakin mini-figure is released here, this time in his season 3 outfit! This is a nice new mini-figure, it's not really that special, but it is a good mini-figure to have in the collection. Anakin comes with a blue lightsaber. I like this mini-figure, it has nice new details, and is better than the original CW Anakin mini-figure. Rating: 7/10
Asajj Ventress: Like Anakin, Ventress has been released before, but in a different version, and again, I feel the newer version is better and more detailed. Ventress comes with her two red lightsabers. Very nice mini-figure, and I would recommend this mini-figure over the original Ventress. Rating: 9/10
Savage Opress: This is one of Lego's best mini-figures ever! I love this one, and it is by far the best Star Wars mini-figure in 2011. I'd recommend getting the set JUST for this mini-figure, it is that awesome. Savage comes with a double-bladed lightsaber and what is supposed to be his pike. Great mini-figure, and a worthy addition to the sets. Rating: 10/10
The set: The other part of the set is the Sith Nightspeeder vehicle. It is a very easy build, with no complicated parts to it really. The stickers are a real pain trying to put them in the right positions, and it's a relief when the stickers are finally aside. Other than those problems, it does look nice when done. Rating: 6/10.
I rate the set as a whole at 8.5/10. Great mini-figures, and a must-have for you're mini-figure collection. The nightspeeder is annoying with the stickers, but the stickers are a part of the theme sadly, we just have to deal with it.
Here are my thoughts on the three new figures coming in January, 2012!
1. Anakin Skywalker:
There will be a new Anakin Skywalker figure released next here. This is a re-tool of the CW45 figure, but without any updated articulation, which really was the only reason I might have gotten another season 3 outfit Anakin. The changes between this and CW45 are a fabric skirt, new right arm and updated face sculpt. Another chance is the accessories, a weird Hasbro invented blue accessory (don't know what it is supposed to be) and his lightsaber. I won't be picking this one up, I just don't need another Anakin in this outfit. If they made Anakin in his scuba gear, I'd buy, but not this...
2. Clone Trooper:
The generic clones make a transformation to phase 2 with this figure! I will certainly be trying to get this one. I have grown to prefer the phase 2 armour, and would love a generic Clone in that armour. I believe this figure features a new sculpt, that is similar in design to the Stone sculpt, but with different elbows at least. I don't believe he has ankle articulation, but it is Hasbro, what do you expect? Accessories included are a DC-15 blaster, DC-15 blaster rifle and a pretty cool looking jetpack, with two launchers for playability. I look forward to this one being released, and I hope to get it.
3. Clone Commander Cody:
This is another Clone now in phase 2 that I really want to get! The detail on this Cody is superb, and in my opinion, this is the best Cody Hasbro has ever made! I believe this Cody has ankle articulation, which may be incorrect, as this Cody uses the same sculpt as the generic phase 2 Clone. That helmet detail is superb, and one of the best designed helmets in the line. Accessories are a removable helmet, DC-15 blaster rifle, that ridicuolous propulsion pack and a new accessory, which is possibly Hasbro invented, and I don't know what it is supposed to be (very small). This is one of my most anticapated figures in the line, and I really hope to add this to my collection!
Ratings (so far):
Anakin: 7/10
Clone Trooper: 9/10
Commander Cody 10/10
Packaging: As for my opinion on the packaging. I actually quite like it, it adds a different side to the packaging variants used in the line. My only criticism of it is that it doesn't have a Clone Wars feel, with the picture being realisic and all. Poor marketing decision by Hasbro...
66. Ima-Gun-Di
Ima-Gun Di would be a kit-bash off a couple of other figures (probably) if made. Most likely from Plo Koon & Nikto Guard. Detail-wise, I would hope they would do a great job on the face-sculpt, as that is the only thing they would definitly have to make an effort to create something new on this one. Articulation, if they use the Plo body, it would have terrible articulation. Otherwise, possibly that of the cold weather Plo Koon. Accessories, his lightsaber. Other then that, Hasbro would have to invent their own accessories. Hasbro have said we won't see Ima-Gun Di, but I think they should make him, as he was an excellent Jedi and would look good as a figure.
67. Clone Trooper (Keeli's Legion)
I would like to see this one made. This is one Clone with a lot of different markings to the normal Clone, and it isn't a very easy re-paint. Detail-wise, if they make this guy, I hope they would do a good paint-job. Articulation, either the Stone sculpt or original mold. Accessories, two DC-15 blasters and a z-6 rotary cannon. I think Hasbro should put this guy in a battle pack, he would make a cool Clone re-paint.
68. Cham Syndulla
Cham Syndulla would have to be an all-new figure if made, and would make for a very interesting addition to the line. Detail-wise, being all-new, he would have to use an entirely new sculpt if made. Articulation, similar to Hondo Ohnaka, with no leg articulation. Accessories, a blaster pistol, and probably have a Hasbro invented accessory. I'd say the best chance for Cham is in the mini-rig line with a Blurgg, but even that's very unlikely.
69. King Katuunko
Katuunko would also have to be an all-new sculpt if made. Detail-wise, Katuunko has so much different aspects/details to him, and I would hope that Hasbro would do a fantastic job here. Articulation, everything except the ankles, perhaps even ankles, as he has short legs. Accessories, a Toydarian blaster and sword, and maybe a throne chair? I don't think we will see Kaatunko released, which is a shame, because I would love to see him as a figure.
70. Bail Organa
Bail Organa might also have to be an all-new sculpt if made. Detail-wise, I hope Hasbro would do a great job, as I really like his face and clothing design in the series. Articulation, everything except the ankles, of course. Accessories, his blaster in "Senate Murders". Other than that, I'm not sure, except for Hasbro invented accessories. I'd like to see a animated Bail Organa, but I don't see Hasbro releasing a Bail anytime soon, if at all...
