Sandtrooper - TSC - Basic (SAGA 037)

The 2006 The Saga Collection Sandtrooper figure was the first mainstream release figure to utilize the universally loved 2004 VOTC Stormtrooper sculpt. But most collectors knew it was inevitable that Hasbro would somehow work this figure’s way back into the basic figure line in some fashion. Sure, a straight repack may have behooved Hasbro, but getting a new take on the popular sculpt was just as exciting and refreshing. You may be surprised to learn that not all collectors are fully on board with the 2004 VOTC Stormtrooper sculpt. We’re a little noncommittal about it too. Aesthetically the figure looks great, and something about the helmet sculpt seems to make this the perfect candidate for a Sandtrooper. We applaud Hasbro for noticing this so early on in the line. But we feel that this figure isn’t perfect. It’s a little bit too chunky in spots and although the figure has a wonderful range of motion from the waist up, it’s the figure’s legs that really are our bone of contention. With only swivel hips and legs that fall way too closely to each other, posing the figure can be problematic. We still feel that the Sandtrooper from 2005’s ROTS Clone Trooper To Stormtrooper [Version 1 or Version 2] Evolutions sculpt still reigns supremely as the best Sandtrooper to date. That may have been a better choice here. But we digress.

There were many Sandtrooper corporals in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, but most of the clearly visible ones are in the scenes where our heroes have been stopped in Mos Eisley and Obi-Wan Kenobi performs a Jedi mind trick so that they can escape imminent doom. This brings us to the point that the deco on The Saga Collection figure doesn’t really favor how these Sandtroopers appear. In fact, the dirt collecting on the armor is too light generally speaking and doesn’t reflect the sandy wear and tear the plastoid armor endures while on Tatooine. Because this Sandtrooper comes with a dewback prod, we imagine that this action figure is meant to reflect the corporal, or one of the corporals in those scenes. Anyhow, there have evidently been some odd decisions made with regards to this figure. The Sandtrooper is loaded with accessories which makes this release memorable in and of itself. A removable thermal detonator has been added for when this Imperial is not functioning as a Sandtrooper, but keep in mind that you need to remove it once you replace the removable survival backpack to the figure. The figure also comes with a removable corporal ranking pauldron and an E-11 blaster pistol. And don’t forget about the aforementioned dewback prod.

Obviously retooling needed to transpire to convert a Stormtrooper into a Sandtrooper. First, a slit has been added to the back of the figure to allow for the survival backpack. And second, the belt has been retooled to allow for a removable thermal detonator accessory. These are not necessarily subtle changes to the figure, but you likely won’t even pay them any mind once the figure is in full Sandtrooper garb. We had mentioned earlier that the Sandtrooper’s paint job is not groundbreaking. We should also note it appears the armor has “bald spots” because where dirt SHOULD BE prevalent, none exists. This is particularly noticeable on the feet (boots). We may sound a little bit ungrateful for getting a super-articulated Sandtrooper action figure in the line, but please know that’s not our intention to come across in this manner. It’s just that we wish there were some improvements made to make this the best figure it could be. Packed with a random “villain” miniature hologram figure and a monogrammed action figure display stand (featuring the name of the film the Sandtrooper makes an appearance), you do get a nice bang for your buck here. Better Sandtroopers will inevitably get added to the basic figure line. Right now, this one is a pretty relevant one.