A few weeks ago, when I received my shipping notice that this set was on the way, I told Chris (remember him?) this was probably the least exciting release in TVC in a very long time.  Upon opening up the box to take photographs for this review, that feeling was completely verified.  I had very little interest in even making the effort to do a detailed gallery - AGAIN.  So I’ll apologize up front for the uninspired imagery, and the diorama shots that I borrowed from previous reviews.

We first received this figure when it was part of the utterly miserable Walmart exclusive 3.75” Black Series line.  It was a great figure that was in high demand due to its memorable appearance in Rogue One.  It still is an excellent figure, but it suffers from 2 main issues. First of all, it is ridiculously skinny.  Like skinnier than the VC45 Clone Trooper, which has outlived its welcome.  The other issue is time.  It’s from 2016, and while it does hold its own in some ways, it definitely feels a little dated due to the hip articulation and the lack of rocker ankles.

Anyway, after the TBS375 release in 2016, it was put on a lovely TVC card as VC127, this time without the pauldron/ammo vest accessory.  Shortly thereafter, the trooper appeared in The Mandalorian, and it was rushed out under that media banner with the carbonized treatment (including the pauldron/vest).  That figure’s special paint wash isn’t so easily distinguishable from the original.  And then most recently, it saw release as VC220, again from The Mandalorian.  So while it wasn’t particularly hard to get in the first place, it was popular, and it made sense, on paper, for Hasbro to give it another go or two, especially with it appearing in different media. 

Yet somehow, this release is utterly uninspired.  Perhaps it’s because there is absolutely no newness to it.  It could have included a slightly retooled helmet without the flashlight thingie.  Or maybe it could have included different weaponry.  Better yet, upgrade to rocker ankles. 

Despite all this, it is still a cool figure even if not perfect, and definitely one that is worth army building.  We’ve been giving it a 9/10 all along, and even though it’s far from exciting at this point, that might be more of a testament to the amazing figures we get in 2022 rather than anything that is really wrong with the Death Trooper.  We’ll keep the 9/10 for now.