Sandtrooper - Tan Dirt Pattern, Orange Pauldron, Survival Backpack
sw0364 · Star Wars
Episode IV: A New Hope · 2012 (First appeared in set 9490)
Figure ID
sw0364
Theme
Star Wars
Year Released
2012 (First appeared in set 9490)
Rarity
Uncommon. While exclusive to one specific set in this exact configuration, the set was widely available. Its value has risen as it was the first highly detailed modern Sandtrooper variant.
Head
Standard 'Angry Clone' flesh-tone head (standard for the 2012 era) underneath a dual-molded/printed Stormtrooper helmet with specialized 'dirt' or sand splotch printing in tan.
Torso
White torso with Stormtrooper armor printing including sand-weathering effects. It features a printed sand-colored pauldron strap and three black ammo pouches on the chest. Back printing continues the armor detail.
Legs
White legs with detailed hip and armor printing. Includes specific sand-weathering (tan splotches) on the thighs and knees to match the upper body and helmet.
Accessories
Orange cloth pauldron (denotes rank of squad leader), brick-built survival backpack (comprising a black neck bracket, 1x1 tile, and various clips/cylinders for gear), and a black blaster rifle (standard short or long blaster, note: blaster is missing in the user image).
Color Scheme
Primary white with heavy tan (sand) accents. Features black hands and joints, and a signature orange cloth accessory for visual pop.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing for the era. Features extensive weathering patterns that are non-symmetrical, giving it a realistic 'dirty' look. Multiple print locations including helmet, front torso, and front legs.
Variants
This is a significant upgrade from the 2010 version. There is also a white pauldron version (sw0383) and a black pauldron version (sw0448). This specific id (sw0364) is defined by the orange cloth and the survival pack.
Condition Notes
The cloth pauldron is prone to fraying at the edges or creasing. The white plastic can yellow over time if exposed to UV. Check for 'neck cracks' on the white torso piece, a common stress point for older figures.
Estimated Value
Current market value for a used complete figure is approximately $18-$25. In New/Mint condition, it can reach $35-$45. The value is stable but rising as troop builders look for classic 2012-era style clones/troopers.
Price (New)
This figure originally came in set 9490 Droid Escape, which retailed for $19.99 USD in 2012.
Compatible Sets
Set 9490: Droid Escape (2012). This set included two of these figures, making it an excellent troop-builder set at the time.
Character Background
Sandtroopers are specialized Imperial Stormtroopers trained for desert environments. They appeared most famously on Tatooine in A New Hope, searching for the lost R2-D2 and C-3PO droids.
Design Notes
This figure marked a transition to more detailed 'weathered' printing compared to the clean-white aesthetic of earlier Imperial figures. The orange pauldron is a physical cloth piece rather than printed, which collectors highly value.
Similar Minifigures
sw0188 (2008 Sandtrooper), sw0606 (2014 Sandtrooper without backpack), and modern dual-molded helmet versions from 2019 onwards.
Collectibility
High. This specific era (2012) is often considered a 'sweet spot' for collectors who prefer the classic helmet mold before LEGO moved to the larger, 'family-guy-esque' dual-molded helmets in 2019.
History
LEGO began producing Sandtroopers in 2001. This 2012 version was a landmark for detail, introducing the sand-smear printing that better represented the dirty look of the film characters.
Interesting Facts
Despite the dirt patterns being printed, each figure produced has the exact same 'dirt' placement; they are not randomized, which allows collectors to identify authentic parts easily.
Display Suggestions
Ideal for Tatooine dioramas alongside a 9490 Escape Pod or a Mos Eisley Cantina set. Best displayed with a sandy tan baseplate or a custom dunes MOC.
Modification Potential
Great for purist customs; legs and torso can be swapped with other troopers to create 'dirty' variants of different ranks. Compatible with third-party blasters from BrickArms.
Overall Assessment
An iconic and essential figure for Star Wars collectors. It represents one of the best iterations of the Sandtrooper due to its balance of detailed printing and the classic helmet shape.