Most of the Celebrate the Saga sets are close to 100% useless for the collector who correctly shuns 5POA nonsense.  An exception that we have acknowledged in past reviews of these sets is, if you feel the price is worth it, the occasional troop builder that you feel works in the background of your displays when articulation isn’t required for a dynamic pose. 

But this set offers 2 reasons to consider buying.  The first might allow you to increase your collection by adding a character that doesn’t exist in super-articulated form.  The second might actually make you want to quit the hobby altogether, rendering the first reason moot.

Darth Maul

It’s not a bad figure at first glance, until you realize it’s not posable.  While the TVC Darth Maul isn’t perfect, if you own it, you have no reason to own this, unless you’re a Darth Maul Fanboy, like Chris.  I don’t think he owns it, so there you go.

Darth Vader

This isn’t a bad looking figure either at first glance.  But, OH NO!  That’s right, it’s got crap for articulation.  Unless you’re a Darth Vader Fanboy, you should pass on this.  Oh yeah, Chris is one of those dudes.  I’m pretty sure he doesn’t own this.  Move along.

Kylo Ren

Lot’s of 5POA versions Kylo are out there.  The Walmart Black Series / TVC version is pretty good, although the lack of an. unmasked head is disappointing.  At this point, many collectors have moved on from the ST, whether because they didn’t like the films, or because of the general lack of figure/toy support.  Unless you’re a fanboy of Kylo Ren, like Chris, then you…what? Chris isn’t a fanboy of Kylo Ren?  Well, never mind then.  You get the point anyway.

TC-4

So, as stated in the opening, here’s one of the reasons to get this set, if you’re willing to pay the cost.  TC-4 has never before been made by Hasbro, so this is a debut.  Completists, such as myself, will by hard-pressed to pass on it.  Well, maybe not.  It’s 5POA (although a nice sculpt, otherwise), and it’s of a character that, according to Wookieepedia, was cut from TPM.  TC-4 was apparently owned by Senator Palpatine.  An odd choice for inclusion, as it is likely nobody has ever heard of this droid.  Perhaps a Sith Trooper could have sweetened the deal a bit for some buyers. 

Emperor Palpatine

The other reason to buy the set.  This figure has been touted as the best OT Emperor in the scale. I admit that the face sculpt is pretty great, and standing with his cane, he probably looks good in the classic “Arrival” diorama.  But the existence of such a thing that is widely regarded as better than any SA offering is an abomination, and a wake up call to all collectors, as well as Hasbro, that we desperately need an OT Emperor in TVC YESTERDAY.  Chris’s hobby depends on it.