Day 6 of the 2023 Star Wars LEGO Advent Calendar continues the Clone Wars era trend, quite literally building upon the Juggernaut tank we found behind door number 5. Today we got a clone trooper minifigure! (We needed that turbo tank to transport someone, right?)
And of course, this isn’t just any clone trooper. There are two features worth noting: the orange coloring on the armor and the distinctness of the armor itself. I pulled out last year’s clone trooper minifigure to compare, thinking for a moment this was just a repeat build. But not to worry; this little guy is different in important ways.
First, the high fin on last year’s clone trooper helmet quickly gives it away as a Phase I trooper. This year’s clone trooper helmet is rounder, getting ever more similar to the stormtrooper helmet we know and love. This guy is Phase II.
Second, last year’s yellow armor markings signified a commander. This year’s trooper has orange markings on his armor—not to mention a sick long-scoped rifle. But we saw those orange markings in a very significant scene in Star Wars history: the Battle of Utapau in Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith. This was the battalion Obi-Wan Kenobi led with Commander Cody to take down General Grievous.
These were also the clones that tried to strike down old Ben before he could become more powerful than anyone could possibly imagine.
It’s always a good day when we get a new minifigure. And more clone troopers just mean bigger and more epic LEGO battles. We’re clearly highlighting the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Empire this year, as we continue to get builds from Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: The Bad Batch.
But one of these days we’re bound to get something from the original trilogy. We’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode VI—Return of the Jedi after all…