Clone Commander - TAC - Saga Legends

Clone commanders are specially bred and trained for leadership positions within the vast clone armies. They are more capable of tactical thinking and combat strategy than standard clone troopers, and work closely with the Jedi generals during the Clone Wars.

What in the world?! A clone with a BlasTech T-21 light repeating blaster rifle?! Say it isn’t so! Well, that’s exactly what happened when the Clone Trooper (The Fall Of The Republic) from 2005’s ROTS Clone Trooper To Stormtrooper [Version 2] Evolutions set was released as a basic figure for the first time in 2007’s TAC Saga Legends line. As soon as Star Wars collectors got word that this figure was being made we all began to think how Hasbro could get these out in great numbers so we could army build the heck out of them. The answer was 2007’s TAC Saga Legends line and the Clone Trooper (The Fall Of The Republic) was renamed to a much simpler Clone Commander and packed with all the same accessories as his Evolutions counterpart. Well, we should probably clarify that with “eventually” because the figure initially came with the Sandtroopers blaster rifle instead in error for the first few shipments. The figure was corrected and the appropriate DC-15 blaster rifle was substituted in its place, but that didn’t stop variation junkies from trying to get an “error” version to add to their collections.

The Clone Commander admittedly looks fantastic in the Saga Legends line and it may just be the wisest choice for an army builder in this line. Most collectors couldn’t afford to buy multiples of the Evolutions sets to army build the great figures contained within it, so a single-carded figure for $6.99 becomes all the more attractive. Not only is the Clone Commander a phenomenal candidate for the Saga Legends line, it may just be the most clever “Hasbro concept” ever produced. It’s essentially a reversed extrapolation of the 41st Elite Corps clone troopers clearly seen various scenes in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith. These clone can be referred to in multiple ways. They are absolutely part of the 41st Elite Corps (the one Commander Gree belongs to), but they’ve also been referenced as Coruscant Landing Platform clones as well. In fact, some refer to this Clone Commander as Coruscant Landing Platform Commander, although his appearance is just off screen for Episode III. A totally unique design, Hasbro did a marvelous job “making up” a clone commander for the 41st Elite Corps clones. And that’s what makes this figure extra special.

In case you’re not aware, the Clone Commander can be transformed into a screen accurate 41st Elite Corps clone trooper (as seen on Coruscant) around the Battle of Kashyyyk sequences in Episode III. This is exactly why this figure is essential for basic carded release in a main or sub-line basic figure collection. The Clone Commander is loaded with accessories which makes the play value more exciting, but the paint operations are nearly breathtaking as far as we’re concerned. The dirt and carbon scoring is rather brilliantly applied. We really couldn’t ask for more. Sadly, not everything this gorgeous can be perfect, can it? The Clone Commander has an unfortunately too large bucket for his head. And what makes this especially worse is that the pauldron prevents the helmet from sitting where it should on his head. As a result, his chin sticks out from under the bottom and the raised appearance of the helmet make the proportions extra wonky. But this of course is mostly affected only in the Clone Commander mode. While the helmet is still too big for a 41st Elite Corps Clone Trooper conversion, it still looks worlds better by comparison. Still, we’re fond of this figure and we were sure to army build the heck out of him ourselves. It’s an excellent figure despite its faults.