The Good And The Bad Of the Shoretrooper Army Builder Pack

Into each heart, some tears must fall.

There's so much good about the Shoretrooper Army Builder 4-pack, starting first and foremost with the fact that it exists, but this wouldn't be the internet if we didn't wrack our brains for something about which to complain. The internet is undefeated in this arena. Let's start out with the good, because that side of the balance sheet overwhelms the other. It's similar to Seinfeld. It's pure gold though 8 seasons and 23 episodes of the 9th, but then there's part 2 of the finale. Invariably you will talk about the greatness of that sitcom for a while, and then someone will say, "but the finale stinks." So this set is great, but...

What I love about the set is that we're getting the much needed kama-wearing Shoretrooper Squad Leader and the Shoretrooper Captain without taking up precious spots in main line. Those slots are finite each year, and while I very much wanted these two figures, it would have felt like a hollow victory if they took the spot of a more timely or deserving candidate. I love that this expression exists so it can bring us these minor costume variations. Even better, Hasbro could release the Squad Leader and Captain as carded store exclusives down the line to satisfy the carded collectors. Or not. I personally do not need every character to be on an individual Vintage Collection card. In fact, some of the more exciting products for TVC 1.0 were not basic carded figures, such as the Scanning Crew 2-packs.

So what is the tiny downside, you might ask? Quite simply, who are these figures supposed to fight?



The only member of the Rebels ground crew that we have in super articulated form is Chirrut Îmwe. If we expand the ranks to include the loathsome and ridiculous-looking 5POA figures, we have Baze Malbus, Bhodi Rook, Lieutenant Sefla, and Rebel Commando Pao. But did I mention those figures are ridiculous? The straight-armed rifle poses completely break the fantasy, especially when posed along with super articulated adversaries. So that list of figures doesn't...doesn't count. We need some super articulated Scarif Rebels for this pack to realize its full potential.

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