Recommended music: Snow – Informer
It’s #StarWarsSaturday, and we’re back on the snowy plains of Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back. From the Hasbro Star Wars Shadow Of The Dark Side Collection, it’s another AT-ST Driver!
In The Empire Strikes Back, a probe droid finds the Rebel Alliance’s main base on Hoth. Darth Vader quickly plans a surprise attack, but Admiral Ozzel brings the fleet out of hyperspace too close to the planet, warning the Rebels. Vader then sends snowtroopers and both AT-AT and AT-ST walkers to attack. The Rebels fight back with their laser turrets, and Luke leads his team against the walkers. Even so, the Alliance is outgunned and has to retreat. The Rebels escape, leaving the Empire with a win that feels cold and bittersweet.
AT-STs, or All Terrain Scout Transports, only show up for a short time in The Empire Strikes Back, but they play an important role. Most fans remember them from Endor in Return of the Jedi, where you can see their drivers, but they also helped the Empire control the ground during the Battle of Hoth. AT-STs support the bigger AT-AT walkers, which are slow and have a limited firing range. The AT-STs protect the legs and sides of the AT-ATs from Rebel soldiers and smaller vehicles.
The AT-AT’s heavy cannons are built to destroy bunkers and shield generators, while the AT-ST’s twin blaster cannons are perfect for handling Rebel troops and smaller targets that the big walkers might miss. The Rebels chose Hoth because its freezing temperatures and magnetic interference made it hard for Imperial sensors and repulsorlift vehicles to work. But since AT-STs walk on mechanical feet, they can keep their grip even in deep snow.
Hasbro released this AT-ST Driver as part of the ‘Attack on Hoth’ battlepack in 2010. This Target-exclusive set also came with the AT-ST vehicle, an E-Web cannon, and two Snowtroopers. I’ve talked about the Saga and 30th Anniversary Collection versions of this character before, but this is the first AT-ST Driver with 14 points of articulation, so you can pose him inside or outside his AT-ST more easily. He comes with a removable harness (if you separate him at the waist), goggles, and a helmet. Sadly, he can’t wear the goggles and helmet at the same time, and the goggles are too tight to fit over the helmet like in earlier versions. Still, it’s a good figure to have with your AT-ST, and the set was a great deal at $40 when it came out.
The Empire Strikes Back turned 45 last May! I “figure” there will be a new Episode V figure to share here for the rest of the anniversary year. Happy 45 years and counting to TESB!
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