Editor’s Note:  This review has been updated with our second look at TVC…

Original Review:  Chris - 08/26/2012 08:39 PM

This is the mold that took swivel joints and…awww skip it. 

Another clone rehash of a clone I already built and army of, and like the Shock Trooper, I’m not sure this figure constitutes an upgrade.  The posability of the figure is off the charts due to 14 point of ball jointed articulation, but the oversized helmet in contrast to the newer slender body just detracts from the figure’s appearance too much.

Unlike the Shock Trooper, however, the DC15-A rifle is the older slender model.  The connection of the tibana gas canister to the rifle body is so tenuous that it’s likely to rip off at some point.  If you’ve ever built a scale model, it’s similar to the breakable connections that attach the model pieces to the tree.  Also, neither weapon has the silver paint applications that most other Vintage Collection clones have received.  Because of the inferior accessories, this figure gets an additional deduction from the nearly identical Shock Trooper.  7 out of 10.

So yeah, I’m officially burned out on clones.  Wave 1 of 2013 better not have a rehash of a clone I’ve already built an army of.  What? 

KHAAN!!!

Updated Review:  Bret - 7/27/2018 07:05 AM

My main issue with the figure is that I’m not sure I love the newest VC45 Clone Trooper body sculpt, which is utilized by this 501st.  I understand that many people think it’s the best sculpt to date, while I just feel it’s too skinny and straddles the line between the realistic film look and the animated TV show look. 

The helmet is way too large, and along with the skinny limbs, makes the figure look like a bobble head doll.  It just doesn’t look right, which is why I could only bring myself to buy one of these guys, rather than update my legion.  Of particular annoyance is that my sample has some difficulty standing.  The hip joints are pretty difficult to control.  I’ve had this issue with other clones using this sculpt. 

One thing they did get right was the paint job.  After years of missed flashes (leg stripes), wrong shapes (helmet stripes and chest insignia), and using every shade of blue known to man, I think we finally have a winner.  Along with getting the character right, they also had a nice amount of weathering and chipping on the paint and armor.  It’s an overall great job on the deco.

In my opinion, Hasbro needs to go back to the drawing board on the clone sculpt.  But I also understand that the community may need a continued break from clones, especially after the few Black Series releases which were also subpar in a lot of respects.  Of course, with The Clone Wars, returning, there will likely be a resurgence in interest in clones, but I’m not sure if there should be too many entries in the TVC line for clones.  Save those slots for a couple of other characters from the series.  Except Fives.  We need an Arc Trooper Fives.  And then, of course, Echo.  You can’t have Fives without Echo.  That’s all we need. And then you might as well just re-do the disappointing Captain Rex.  So Fives, Echo, and Rex. That’s it. And this lamp.  Fives, Echo, Rex, and this lamp.  That’s it.

I like the figure, just not enough to call it definitive, and definitely not enough to replace my existing 501st clone trooper legion.  I’ll stick with Chris’s 7, even though I’m tempted to drop it to a 6 just because I’m mad it’s not the perfect 501st.

I’m a hardcore collector of all things 501st, so please excuse the gratuitous shots of the 501st Legion.  This was basically my one and only shot to show off my collection.  I decided to depict the Legion assembling for a two-fold purpose on Mandalore during a break in fighting.  Captain Rex is promoting his best NCO to lieutenant.  Following the promotion ceremony, the majority of the Legion is called to Coruscant, along with Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, in order to deal with the kidnapping of Chancellor Palpatine.  Rex, along with Ahsoka and a hand-picked battalion, would stay behind.

Verdict: Re-sculpt (Very low priority) 

The figure isn’t definitive in my opinion, although maybe it is to others.  I say Hasbro should take another stab at the clone body sculpt, and also get the helmet right.  Either a switch out portrait, or just do away with the face altogether.  Either way, dump the removable helmet.  Add modern hip articulation, and hopefully rocker ankles, and you could finally get the definitive version.  Even still, it’s decent.  Ebay prices are moderate, so I would suggest Hasbro stay away from a straight repack, and work on a resculpt for the future at some point.  We can wait.

Verdict Guide:
Re-sculpt = The figure is not definitive, and a new version should be developed.
Re-issue = This version is definitive (or close enough), and shows sufficient secondary market demand to warrant a straight repack.
No Action = This release does not require new attention.