Biker Scout - LC - Basic (BD12)

These stormtroopers are stationed on planets instead of Imperial vessels. Their lightweight, flexible armor allows them to maneuver the high-velocity speeder bikes that they ride while conducting patrols – or chasing Rebel intruders.

The extremely popular vintage-styled Biker Scout gets another chance at retail in the form of a basic figure in the Legacy Collection. This time around he receives a new deco, however slight, to be more faithful to his appearance in Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi. The most noticeable difference from both the 2006 VTSC Biker Scout and the 2007 TAC Saga Legends Biker Scout figures is the abdomen area and belt straps are painted much darker. This small enhancement has done wonders for this already awesome figure and proves our point that if Hasbro could perform the slightest changes in paint application on previously released figures that it would bring out the true excellence of these already phenomenally sculpted characters. It appears there have also been different uses of black paint throughout the figure and the dirt of his boots has also been slightly enhanced to be more visible. This Biker Scout has cleaner lines and the details seem crisper, but this could have more to do with the variances seen from one sample to another instead of a direct enhancement to this repacked figure. Biker Scout is super-articulated and with the exception of desperately needing ball-jointed hips, this figure is nearly flawless. It is also important to note that this one of one the last Original Trilogy characters to NOT have a clone’s likeness underneath the helmet, as the head is one piece without a removable helmet. Oh, how we (in particular) miss these days when our Imperial army weren’t clones.

Hasbro revisited their own repack convention back in December of 2008 when they officially nixed the GH (Greatest Hits) numbering sequence and placed everything under the "BD" designation instead. Clone Trooper (327th Star Corps) (BD 29) was the first figure to be included as part of the basic line numbering system if you recall. To date, only four figures have been released with a GH before their number. We are happy that this subline has gone the way of the dinosaur because too many different action figure numberings drive us crazy. And we love how some of the best action figures are getting reintroduced into the line and the look of the packaging changes over time. When the line look gets refreshed, we think it is the perfect opportunity to reintroduce those true greatest hits so that they can get their pace in the sun time and again. Biker Scout is certainly one of the figures to deserve this billing and while he may be very familiar already to most of you out there, we can honestly say that he looks spectacular in the new “red” packaging and Hasbro really did enough to enhance this figure and make it worthy of another purchase. And it is also nice to get him at the $7.99 price tag (while repainted) when his original MSRP was $9.99 (or higher depending upon your retail location of choice). And if Hasbro needs extra figures to spread droid parts across, we can't think of a better candidate than the Biker Scout.

As mentioned earlier, Biker Scout is one figure that desperately needs ball-jointed hips. If this was introduced to this sculpt, it would be the best Biker Scout figure ever. (Editor's Note: Hasbro finally added ball-jointed hips to The Black Series Biker Scout (#07) 3.75" figure.) It would enable him to sit on a speeder bike without issue and allow him to be posed in a limitless array of stances. This is really the only way this figure can be improved. Biker Scout comes with the L8-L9 (Build A Droid) left leg droid part (the same piece that comes with Clegg Holdfast (BD11)). Hasbro gave us a little more variety with wave 1 of the Legacy Collection and it looks like this will be the plan going forward with all future waves. This is truly ideal for collectors not looking to purchase every character based on one film. Additional characters thrown in to the mix offers choice and at the same time ensures that these same collectors will be able to complete their Build A Droid figure(s) from each wave. We are very happy with the new direction Hasbro is taking with the repacked figures. We are sure you will find the Biker Scout figure a worthy addition to your collections and he will undoubtedly provide some more variation for your growing Scout Trooper armies. The paint enhancement on this figure unmistakably makes him unique to the previously released versions we have seen. And it is so nice to get him at a normal price again.