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Captain Toy/Michael's Review of the Week

Review of Praetorian Guard - Double Blade
Star Wars sixth scale action figure

Hot Toys
Date Published: 2018-10-22
Written By: Michael Crawford
Overall Average Rating: 3.5 out of 4

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Praetorian Guard Double Blade Star Wars action figure by Hot Toys

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Introduction

A couple weeks ago, I covered one of the new Praetorian Guards from Hot Toys - the Heavy Blade version. While the other isn't tremendously unique, I thought I should at least cover the differences, in case you were only going to pick up one of the two.

This is the 'double blade' version, and is selling for the same $200 - $210, depending on the retailer. These guys are starting to sell out though, so if you're looking to add to your shelf of troopers, I'd act sooner rather than later.

Click on the image below for a Life Size version
Praetorian Guard Double Blade Star Wars action figure by Hot Toys

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Packaging - ***
Nothing too exciting about the shoe box style package. The interior plastic trays keep things safe and sound, and it's all collector friendly of course. The cover and interior slip highlight the double blade version, making it a nice book end with the heavy blade package.

Praetorian Guard Double Blade Star Wars action figure by Hot Toys

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Sculpting - ***1/2
As with the earlier figure, this one comes with two different helmets. The extra helmet is the same - it's the simpler design, with no sharp angles or extras. The main helmet, and the one that sets him apart, has a sort of 'hat', or visor that sits on the top of his head.

I'm going to say it - this is not my favorite look.  I hear him say "No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!" every time I look at him.  But a big plus is simply the uniqueness of the look. Set him up with the other one (and buy at least one more so you can have the regular helmet on display too), and there is no doubt they are different characters.

Also, while the regular helmet tends to interfere with the shoulder armor, making the head less mobile, I didn't have that problem with this narrower design.

The hands are sculpted to work with the weapons and provide some interesting poses, and the armor looks just as amazing as it did on the previous figure. The engineering of the sleeves is pretty impressive, since it captures the look of the character and yet allows for some decent articulation.

Praetorian Guard Double Blade Star Wars action figure by Hot Toys

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Paint - ****
This is a bright red figure - bright red. The high gloss finish and hard plastic armor catches and reflects the light like crazy, creating a beacon in a sea of white and black armored characters on the shelf. The color is super clean and consistent, and the finish is very sturdy, unlikely to scratch or mar with normal handling.

They've also done a great job matching the red pleather top to the armor, so it doesn't stand out or look out of place.

Praetorian Guard Double Blade Star Wars action figure by Hot Toys

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Articulation - ***
As you'd expect, the armor does restrict things a bit. But you'll be surprised by how flexible this guy is, even with the hard covering.

The ball neck works better in the unique helmet, which is fine by me since that's the look I'll be going with on the shelf. The segmented sleeves restrict the elbows, shoulders, and wrists of course, but you can get reasonable two handed weapon poses nonetheless.

The torso can turn, and even has a little lean action in it. The legs have the greatest mobility, with the hips and knees less restricted by the tight stretchy pants than you might expect. He can take deep stances, and the two piece boot design allows for enough rocker movement in the feet for them to stay flat on the ground.

I docked them a half star here for the same reason as before - worries and difficulties swapping the hands and head. Both heads are a very tight fit, so I suggest using a blow dryer to heat up the connection first. And the hands require squeezing and pulling on the sleeves, something that could result in damage. Take your time and be patient!

Praetorian Guard Double Blade Star Wars action figure by Hot Toys

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Accessories - ***1/2
I've already mentioned the two helmets, but getting two different looks like this is always a huge plus in my book. I wouldn't swap back and forth a lot though - pick one or the other and stick with it for awhile to save yourself some worry.

He has the same six hands as his cousin, including a set of tight grips, and set of loose grips, one fist, and one splayed hand. These swap pretty easily, but the armored sleeves add a wrinkle to the process.  There's a couple extra wrist pegs too, just in case.

He has two weapons as well. Both of these are different than the Heavy Blade version, another big plus to buying them both. There's a spear-like sword, very reminiscent of a Samurai Naginata. The sculpt is excellent, and while the blade itself is merely plastic, it is extremely thin with a very realistic paint job.

His second weapon is his namesake - a double blade. These two blades can be attached at the middle to form a single, deadly weapon. Again, excellent sculpting and paint work make them look extremely realistic.

Finally, he has a small display stand and support rod. They aren't necessary, but nice for consistency.

Praetorian Guard Double Blade Star Wars action figure by Hot Toys

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Praetorian Guard Double Blade Star Wars action figure by Hot Toys

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Outfit - ***1/2
The armor is outstanding - I think I've made that clear. The engineering is impressive, and the final look mimics the on screen appearance extremely well.

The pleather outfit underneath - red on top, black on the bottom - is stretchy enough to allow for decent posing, and slightly thicker than some of the past body suits. This thickness doesn't seem to be causing any problems with the posability.

The two piece boots are another great design, not requiring any sacrifice in looks and allowing for plenty of ankle mobility.

There's some wrinkles in the red skirt, but I think a quick shot of steam would take those right out.

I'm still worried about the sleeves, especially when changing the hands. I noticed that the connectors on the shoulder pads look a little flimsy too, making me less inclined to swap heads.

Praetorian Guard Double Blade Star Wars action figure by Hot Toys

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Fun Factor - ***
If you pick up both figures - as well as a Rey and Ren to battle - you'll increase the fun factor even further. The combo gives you a ton of cool display options, but my worries around swapping hands and heads does reduce the desire to change things up.

Praetorian Guard Double Blade Star Wars action figure by Hot Toys

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Value - ***1/2
Just as with the Heavy Blade version, getting this guy for around $205, well below the current Hot Toys average, is a solid value. We don't see this price point from them a lot, and when we do, you should jump on it.

Praetorian Guard Double Blade Star Wars action figure by Hot Toys

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Things to Watch Out For -
I mentioned my worries when swapping the head and hands. I'd only swap the head if you absolutely have to - don't do it just to experiment. And when swapping the hands, be particularly careful not to pull downward on the sleeves.

Praetorian Guard Double Blade Star Wars action figure by Hot Toys

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Overall - ***1/2
If you're looking to buy only one of the two Praetorian Guards, it comes down to two simple areas - the unique helmet, and the two unique weapons each has. The figures are identical otherwise.

But save yourself the trouble and just pick them both up. They will make a great display together, and they add a ton of visual pop to your otherwise monochrome trooper party.

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***
Sculpting - ***1/2
Paint - ****
Articulation - ***
Accessories - ***1/2
Outfit - ***
Fun Factor - ***
Value - ***1/2
Overall - ***1/2

Praetorian Guard Double Blade Star Wars action figure by Hot Toys

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Where to Buy 
Online options include these site sponsors:

- has each for $205.

- Sideshow has him (or the other) for $205 as well.

- or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
I just looked at his first cousin, the Heavy Blade Praetorian Guard, a couple weeks ago. Other recent Hot Toys Star Wars release include the Hoth Princess Leia, Grand Moff Tarkin, and the Executioner Trooper.

You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.

Discussion:
Want to chat about this review?  Try out one of these terrific forums where I'll be discussing it!

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Praetorian Guard Double Blade Star Wars action figure by Hot Toys

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This product was purchased for the review by the reviewer. Photos and text by Michael Crawford.

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