Awesome! Thanks so much for linking. I've heard of CDJapan before and they're supposed to be good. I just placed my order and it came in a bit under $50 shipped for just Phasma (added a few more things I needed to take advantage of shipping).
That's way better than the $75-$100+ they're going for on ebay. Thanks again!
Awesome! Thanks so much for linking. I've heard of CDJapan before and they're supposed to be good. I just placed my order and it came in a bit under $50 shipped for just Phasma (added a few more things I needed to take advantage of shipping).
That's way better than the $75-$100+ they're going for on ebay. Thanks again!
the guys on ebay are jacking up the prices, I have a feeling we're gonna start seeing bootlegs like they did with gundam
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Cool, will have to think about that one. I noticed prices have come back down again for a bunch of the kits, at least for the seller I bought mine from. Not quite as low as before but more reasonable.
Using google translate it looks like Phasma and Kylo kit will come with a soft goods cape. Hopefully they are decent quality. They must have realized the Vader cape was junk.
This set is almost exactly the same as the Imperial Stormtrooper kit. Sounds like a lame set but IMO this is one of the best kits available. Why? Because compared to the Black Series version, this thing is a world of improvement in all aspects. More on this later.
One of the best parts of this kits is the backpack. The kit design allows for multiple configurations. I watched and rewatched every possible Sandtrooper scene I could find in Episode IV and one thing I learned is Sandtroopers did not all have the same backpack. There were many variations.
Box Contents
Multiple backpack configurations possible
I also learned that there is such a thing as a Sandtrooper with a white pauldron. I had no idea these sergeants were in the movie. The Bandai kit provides one pauldron but has multiple sticker/decal options. There is an orange and white option as well as black (no sticker).
The details on the weapons are incredible. They are cast in black and could use minor paint apps. Maybe some weathering too.
Paint
I have yet to add any paint to this figure but basically it requires very little paint, much like the Imperial Stormtrooper kit. What it will need, however, is a nice application of sand weathering. I plan on using my Tamiya Weather Master kit soon. There is one that has a sand effect. I hear good things about it. Once I update the figure I will update the photos.
Impressions and Pics
Well this figure really impressed me because finally I have a 6” Sandtrooper that can actually be posed dynamically. The Black Series version is nice, but it's way too heavy with the backpack on. It constantly falls over. I’ve only been able to get a straight statue pose out of it. But this Bandai kit overcomes the shortcomings of the BS version and then some.
"Look, Sir!"
"I can be posed without falling over...oh and there's some droids we're looking for."
Verdict
Excellent kit. I liked it so much I bought two. This set deserves a high mark of 9.5/10 once all the finishing touches are added. I really only took off some points because it would have been cool to have some extra pauldrons rather than just one.
EDIT: UPDATED PIC
I used the Tamiya Weather Master kit. Holy cow this stuff is awesome. It even has what looks like grains of sand. Very easy to apply.
I challenge anyone on the fence to just try one. Even if you end up hating the building aspect, you get a great, in scale display piece. My suggestion, C-3P0. I don't think anyone can hate that kit.
