Blocks explores the history of the LEGO Star Wars Stormtrooper, with a look at the many Snowtrooper minifigures that have made up the ranks through the years.
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back opens with a bang — the Battle of Hoth is one of the original trilogy’s most iconic moments. Not only is it an intense skirmish between the Rebels and Empire, but it introduces weapons and troopers that have since become staples of the franchise, including the Imperial Snowtrooper.
Snowtroopers are built to handle the cold. Their armour is full of extra insulation to keep them warm, even on the most bitter of environments. The LEGO minifigure representations of these characters rely on special helmet moulds and printing to represent the cold-weather fighters. Only two different helmet moulds have been used since the Snowtrooper’s first minifigure in 2003, but there have been many variations to printing and design. So many in fact that the Snowtrooper is one of the most-often updated LEGO Stormtrooper minifigures. This brief history will thus cover the highlights and biggest changes to LEGO Star Wars Stormtrooper minifigures over the past twenty years.
2003 — Landing on Hoth
It took four years for the Snowtrooper to receive a minifigure, finally appearing in 2003’s 4483 AT-AT. The wait was well worth it, though, as the minifigure is a great representation of the character for the era. A specially moulded piece is used for the helmet and backpack, combining the two together much like early Boba Fett minifigures. It’s a fairly simple mould by modern standards, being entirely unprinted, though the backpack does have some textured details to add some depth. The torso printing does what it needs to, making for a solid first outing for the Snowtrooper.
Oddly, this figure wasn’t used in 2004’s 4504 Millennium Falcon, instead being replaced by a Snowtrooper that uses a Clone Trooper torso. This bizarre variant only ever appeared in that one set and remains the only Snowtrooper minifigure not to use a special torso.
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2007 — There’s a difference?
LEGO Stormtroopers are no stranger to gradual change — the standard Stormtrooper minifigures often share elements between generations to make the evolution as gradual as possible. But none of those changes can match the absolute miniscule level of difference between the 2003 and 2007 versions. The ‘new’ figure’s printing is completely identical to the one from 2003. The difference? The hips have been swapped from light grey to light bluish grey, in line with the introduction of the new colour around this time.
The change is so subtle that casual fans are likely to not even notice it. It’s almost not worthy of mentioning, if it weren’t for the fact that this barely changed variant would go on to appear in the most sets of any Snowtrooper minifigure, including fan-favourites such as 8084 Snowtrooper Battle Pack and 7666 Hoth Rebel Base.
2013 — Making progress
In 2011, the LEGO Group decided Stormtroopers should have face prints, which was a great decision. The choice to do it with creepily smiling faces printed on solid black heads, however, was not. This unsettling print was first used with the 2007 style of Snowtrooper in 2012, before being brought over to a completely new version in 2013’s 75014 Battle of Hoth. The printing on the torso is very similar to past versions, though it does modernise the design very well. Back printing is also used for the first time, as well as light bluish grey hands.
2014 — Accurate adjustments
2014 was a big year for Stormtrooper minifigures. Not only did the regular trooper get two new variants, but the Snowtrooper got in on the action as well with a brand-new helmet mould, waist cape and backpack. The helmet is much more accurate, has better shaping and comes with printed eyes, allowing the Snowtrooper to have a proper face for the first time, even if it is just Angry Clone. The built-up backpack and cloth kama are welcome additions, too. The fully decked-out version of this figure appeared in four sets, including 75054 AT-AT, with a few others appearing without the backpack or kama through 2017.
2019 — Altering the deal
Fans praised the 2014 Snowtrooper for its design and were eager to army build with the more accurate style. So naturally, there was a totally new version released in 2019, beginning in 75239 Action Battle Hoth Generator Attack. The new version is close to the old in terms of printing, with one major difference — the kama is printed onto the legs and hips instead of being a cloth piece. The brick-built backpack was also removed, which is a shame, but it does allow the minifigure to more easily sit in sets like 75288 AT-AT. This version of the Snowtrooper has stuck around to the present day, even appearing with a variety of head prints to add some diversity to the Imperial ranks.
Do you have a favourite of the LEGO Snowtrooper minifigures? Let Blocks know on any of our social media channels. And be sure to check back soon, as there’s still plenty more history of the LEGO Stormtrooper to be uncovered.