The 187th Battalion Clone Trooper was a 2022 Black Series release exclusive to Walmart in the US and sold via Fan Channel routes in the UK. The 187th Trooper was the 10th numbered release in The Clone Wars Series of the Galaxy Collection and was packed in a window box using the yellow accent colours assigned to the Clone Wars. The slanted side artwork lines up with the figures released either side - the 212th Clone Trooper and the Clone Wars Darth Maul.
The 187th Battalion Trooper uses the newer Clone Trooper body which means we have clearer definition between the white of the armour and the black of the undersuit. The white armour appears dulled slightly and not as crisp white as other Clone’s in the line. Over the white is painted the burgundy markings of Mace Windu’s 187th Battalion and this is applied with rougher edges to depict the fact it has been painted on the Trooper’s armour by hand.
Articulation on the newer body is superior on the upper body with a relatively wide range of motion on the arms supported by a chest ball joint and neck articulation. The legs are partly blocked from a full range of motion thanks to the shape of the upper thigh armour section and where as the older Clone body could kneel, this one finds that position a step too far. The knee joints work well enough but the floating knee armour panel does look off when the knee is bent too far as it doesn't move as it should with the actual bend of the leg.
Clone Trooper’s used to come with two weapons, but this release is limited to the smaller DC-15S blaster rifle. Cast in black plastic, it has limited detailing and no paint apps. It fits into the right hand only where a trigger finger can be slotted in place.
Clone Wars and Clone Trooper fans will be pleased to see the 187th Battalion Trooper in the Black Series, but the ongoing issue of making army builders exclusives at premium prices is certainly an issue. While regular figures are available between £22 and £25 - these Fan Channel Exclusives are pushing £30 and that is not cheap for Army Building especially when you consider this is an existing figure with a relatively simple paint job and a single underwhelming accessory?
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...