Star Wars Advent Calendar Review: Day 8
Posted by CapnRex101,
The Hoth theme continues today to accompany the E-Web Blaster Cannon we received on Sunday. I did ask for a minifigure to control it, but unfortunately this is not quite what I had hoped for.
The Snowtrooper minifigure we have today is disappointing in my opinion as I was hoping to see the new Snowtrooper introduced with sets 75049 and 75054 included here. Instead we receive a bizarre combination of old and new as while the torso features the (excellent) modern design on the front and back, the rest of the minifigure uses older components.
I can only think of one reason why LEGO might choose to do this: a surplus of the combined helmet and backpack piece used since 2003. I can appreciate their reasoning here but it is inconvenient as we are now left with an unusual minifigure that will not fit perfectly beside either the original Snowtroopers or the 2014 versions.
However, I must acknowledge that I am pleased to have a minifigure to man yesterday's turret and this adds to the playability enormously. I cannot imagine that very many children will complain that this Snowtrooper does not match their others perfectly, and the calendars are aimed at younger fans after all. Also, his body-glove printed head, complete with grin, is a personal favourite for Imperial troops, so I am pleased to see that getting some use once again.
Overall - 2.5 - It is nice to see another army builder minifigure included, but for me the fact that it matches neither the old nor new Snowtrooper minifigures is a serious issue.
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17 comments on this article
I recognized the Snowtrooper's helmet immediately upon seeing the picture. A moment later, I realized that he didn't have the standard black minifigure head underneath, but instead, a printed head. This is going to be an easy battle for the Rebels- the trooper can't see out of his helmet!
well, you could just make him a snow trooper captain or commander if it doesn't match perfectly with past or present versions. And besides, who's to say more snow troopers won't look like this ;)
How about a peek at his face?
this snowtrooper have it is the same from the Battle of Hoth set from 2013 (75014)
This is why I didn't get it partly , I was really hoping they'd include the new one. That would've punched it up more.
This snow trooper was actually also in the 2013 Battle of Hoth set that I think might have been a store exclusive.
Ill have to check him vs the others I have when I get home. I dont think any minor little differences are going to bother me. I take any minifig I can throw into an OT scene as an awesome treat.
The only issue I have is that the snowball cannon came first, and so the Clone Trooper has already laid claim to the cannon and wont let the Snowtrooper get near it.
@legogeek - The head is visible here: http://brickset.com/minifigs/sw463/Snowtrooper-Light-Bluish-Gray-Hips-Light-Bluish-Gray-Hands-Printed-Head-Torso-Back-Printing
@OscarWRG/Emmafofemma - Good point, I thought the torso was new for 2014. Still, I would have liked to see the newest edition included.
@CapnRex101 - Thank you.
Wow, that's really disappointing. I was hoping for one of the new versions. =(
The flesh head peeking out from the eye holes in the mask is really bad.
^ I think the face is really meant for helmet off play. Spin the head around so it's just black through the eye slots like the older ones that only came with a black faceless head
Strange that it's the version before last, last year's had the brand new Biker Scout from the Endor set. I would totally have expected this to be the same trooper as in this year's AT-AT because of that, and because of the fact that it's the end of 2014! Getting rid of old stock in a new product is very poor form, that'd mark it down to a 2 or even 1 for me.
Just noticed that little red mark. Is that supposed to be a blaster shot? If so , that marks points down for me. That's a little TOO detailed.. Although it could be one of the red marks on the Armor itself , I know there's a few.
Kinda looks like Lando Calrissian in a stolen Snowtrooper armor. He and that Han Solo guy were always suspect... :)
Now there is an idea for some "Collectible" minifigures: The Star Wars Imposter Series. Han in his Stormtrooper attire, Lando as this Snowtrooper, Chewy stuffed into a Tie Pilot suit (special mold with hair coming out around the helmet)... Oh the fun that could be had!
i put skates on him, gave him a hocky stick and made him a goalie for my skating pond.
I don't agree with you.
Snowtroopers are my favorite troopers, although I only had 3 before (2 standards, 1 commander, both new-style). This one maybe has another helmet, but I don't really care. I changed the torso and legs of the commander with this one, I made a new backpack with some spare pieces and I made 3 standard, new-style ones and made the one from the calendar to commander.
I know, it's not movie-accurate, but it's more fun than complaining. :)
Maybe TLG just had a lot of old helmets over, and used them for this. I think that's smarter than making a lot of new parts and throwing the old parts away, and it's a good opportunity for collectors to get a new old-styler.
Those are just my personal thoughts and ideas, I don't claim I have the best idea.
Good luck with reviewing other Calendar stuff!