Where has this year gone?! It’s hard to believe that we’re already into December, but we really are into the final stretch of 2022, and with that comes something that I have been looking forward to for months: time to open the new LEGO Star Wars advent calendar. Last year was my first ever time getting the calendar, as one of my friends bought it for me, and I absolutely loved it, so had to get this year’s!
But rather than keep it to myself, I thought that this year it would be fun to chart this month’s gifts with you. So each day, I will be showing you the minikit that was behind that day’s door, allowing you to decide if the calendar is something you would consider purchasing in the future, but I will also then give a few details about the ship/item/character the kit is of.
So… let’s get going!
2022 Advent Calendar:
- LAAT/i gunship
- Clone trooper – 212ᵗʰ Attack Battalion – Phase I armor
Day 2 has given us a minikit of a clone topper wearing Phase 1 armor. The clones in question were created by the Kaminoans for the Galactic Republic at the request of the Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas. All of the clones in this order were based off the genetic template of the Mandalorian bounty hunter Jango Fett, who has been hired by the Sith Lord Darth Tyrannus (Count Dooku). With a few notable exceptions, the clones were all modified slightly to make them more obedient, while they also had accelerated aging in order to make them ready for combat sooner—when the Clone War kicked off 10 years after the clones were ordered, 200,000 units were ready with a million more on the way. As part of Darth Sidious’ plans to destroy the Jedi and take control of the galaxy, each clone was secretly fitted with a biochip to ensure that when given the order to kill the Jedi, every unit would turn on their leaders despite any attachments they had formed.
In the early days of the Clone War, clone units wore Phase I armor. Created by the Kaminoans, the armor consisted of a black temperature-controlled bodysuit and white lightweight plastoid-alloy composite armor plates, while some extra components were possible for customisation depending on a unit’s role. The armor was not designed for the plates to dissipate the energy of a blaster shot—a direct shot would be powerful enough to still cause damage and be fatal if it hit the wrong area of the body, but a glancing blow would generally be dissipated. However as the Kaminoans weren’t overly familiar with human anatomy and ergonomics, which led to the armour being replaced as the war went on with Phase II armor.
At the outset of the war, colour was used on the armour to signify rank. However, as the influence of the Jedi led to clones becoming more individual, colour instead became an identifying factor for the unit, with individual clones having different patterns on their armor. Yellow became the identifying colour of the 212ᵗʰ Attack Battalion. Under the command of Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and his second-in-command Cody, the 212ᵗʰ was one of the most prominent units in the Clone Wars, playing a large part in the Outer Rim Sieges and many of the most historic engagements, including the Battle of Christophsis, Battle of Teth, Liberation of Ryloth, First Battle of Felucia, Second Battle of Geonosis, the Battle of Umbara and the Battle of Yerbana. Being assigned to one of the greatest Jedi Masters, they also found themselves heavily involved in multiple hunts for General Grievous, including the Battle above Saleucami and the Battle of Utapau, at which the Separatist general was killed. Shortly after Grievous’ death, the 212ᵗʰ received Order 66 and attempted to kill Master Kenobi, but he successfully evaded them and managed to escape the system.
What do you think of the minikit, and the advent calendar in general?
Thanks for reading. May the Force be with you….
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The Canon Padawan 